Welcome to Foggy Focus!

Welcome to our new blog, Foggy Focus! We are so excited you stopped by to check us out! As the main authors of this blog, Jim & Amanda, we are excited to have you! Our goal is to let you know about all the happenings in the Laurel Highlands and around the Foggy Mountain property!

Before we focus on all the fun, let’s cover the basics about us!

Jim

I was born and raised in Canonsburg, Pa. I basically was transplanted to the Laurel Highlands in 2000. My wife Karen and I were searching out a place to be married and found Foggy Mountain. My friends came from Canonsburg, Washington County ,and her friends came from Reading, Berks County and we were married in front of the big fireplace in the restaurant of Foggy Mountain Pub. We had our reception in a tent in the center of the property. We continued to return for visits and purchased a dilapidated house on the Foggy property which we renovated. When the Foggy Mountain property came up for sale we put in a bid and purchased the property in 2004. We have worked on improving the property ever since. Karen is the event coordinator at Foggy's Walnut Hall and I basically do anything that is needed.

I worked a 43 year career in the insurance industry and retired in 2020. My Laurel Highlands love was instilled in me as a child. My parents would take us to Ohiopyle for a day of fun and picnic. 

Karen and I have traveled quite a bit over our 23 years of marriage but recently have settled into a routine of going to Myrtle Beach for a break as we can conveniently fly out of Arnold Palmer Airport in Latrobe. We currently live on the Foggy property with our two dogs. Between the two of us, we have five children, all married, with 11 grandchildren spread from Reading, Pa to Honolulu, Hawaii.

Amanda

Growing up in the Laurel Highlands as a self proclaimed bookworm, I love this region. There’s nothing better than sitting outside listening to the sounds of nature and reading! I have lived outside the Laurel Highlands, but always gravitate back. I’ve always been a traveler, in more recent years I have taken to hiking.

On the weekends, when I’m not taking care of my dogs, cats, chickens, or goats, or gardening my vegetables or flowers, I’m often in a state park or winery!

In the past 45 days I have visited 7 state parks, 1 state forest, 2 national parks, and countless other tourist attractions. I’ve taken one round trip plane ride and driven hundreds of miles. Why? Because I love to explore and see new things. I have my Pennsylvania State Park passport book as well as my National Park Passport book. I recently had to buy the extender pack for my National Park Passport! (I’ve only had it a little over a year!)

When I’m not experiencing life, I do work. I own a small business bookkeeping firm, in addition to my role as the office manager at Foggy, I work the on the Walnut Hall team for events. As office manager I also help out at the pub and with lodging when needed! Around here, we all pitch in to help each other!