Chuck's Big Adventure in Pennsylvania: Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve

BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. — Bucks Country, Pennsylvania, is the place to be in the autumn season.

Tourists can visit the spot where, during the American Revolution, George Washington crossed the Delaware River in a severe winter storm.

Hundreds of thousands visit the quaint shops as leaf peepers tour the county's mountains and valleys.

The Mercer Museum celebrates the eclectic history of the industrial revolution.

And the Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve gives guests a jaw-dropping look at the northeast's most beautiful collection of plants, flowers and, occasionally, wildlife.

Working here is Marissa Smith's dream job, especially this year, the preserve’s 90th anniversary.

"We are the only accredited botanical museum in the country dedicated only to native plants," Smith said. "Each area of the preserve is set up as a different kind of exhibit."

Smith said if they left things as they are, the area would return to forest "because that's what Pennsylvania wants to do."

"But we are able to maintain these specific habitats for the native plants of the region to grow in their own special areas," Smith said. "We do have forest areas, we have meadows, we have creeks, we have open spots, we have a moss garden. I guess you could look at it as a zoo, but for plants."

The assortment of plants is overwhelming, but it also takes an incredible amount of work, not just to maintain the health of the plants, but also to keep non-native plants from invading the area. Those tasked to do so require a lot of help.

"We are a heavily volunteer-focused organization," Smith said. "The volunteers really help us with trail maintenance, invasive species removal because, unfortunately, the preserve is not protected by a dome. Native, invasive seeds can still fly in over the fence and things like that. They can come in on animals, and we bring them in by our shoes, so it's not a bubble, but our volunteers and staff do a wonderful job removing plants that should not be here."

Walk the trails, take your time and you will notice subtle reminders of the variety of Pennsylvanian plant life and an incredibly peaceful view, away from noise and filled with peace.

"New Pond is always beautiful. You can see the American lotuses with the huge leaves over there growing around the water," Smith said. "Pidcock Creek runs through our property. It looks absolutely beautiful with the fall colors. We have the medicinal trail, which are all plants that are traditionally used in medicines. That always looks beautiful in the fall. And the summer, we also have the native hibiscus in bloom, which is swamp rose mallow. Those grow down in the meadows. And the meadows are a fantastic place to be, especially if you're there near dusk."

Smith said the preserve attracts a wide variety of people, including families, students, teachers, landscape architects and "people that are just looking to unplug."

"We have people who are staying in New Hope who want to come visit," Smith said. "The historical areas that are around here in Bucks County, we have lots of birders, butterfliers. A lot of artists come here as well, painters, journalists, writers. We have a surprising number of creatives that are members of the preserve. It's just such an inspiring place."

Inspiring, beautiful and in the heart of Bucks County. Request anything inspiring, motivating or peaceful in the fall season and Smith said you are liable to find it right there in this famous Pennsylvania County. She said this is why her home county is so very special.

"There's so many preserved farmlands, preserved barns, bridges. There's just so much culture that's built into it," Smith said. "New Hope in particular has so many painters, artists, filmmakers, and it's just a hub in general. The entire county of very passionate people who love nature. Bucks County in general has always been a proponent of, say, conservation. They take it very seriously, which is always fantastic."

That love of conservation is very evident at the preserve and another reason this quiet slice of heaven draws thousands...in any season.

It’s also a reason that a trip to Bucks County and the business of fall with car traffic, hectic sidewalks and crowded leaf peeping areas can be brought down a notch with the serenity of the Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve.