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In a season of thanksgiving, here's a story that really warms our hearts. Lori McCutcheon has been rescuing animals - including 2000 horses - for 20 years. It all started when she was 14 and convinced her folks into buying a horse that was almost certainly headed to the abettoir. The Philadelphia Inquirer has her story in depth and it's well worth a looksee. Today, she runs the Last Chance Ranch, a 35-acre haven for poorly treated horses, plus goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, dogs and the ocassional iguana. According to the Inquirer piece, a turkey and a guinea hen also reside at the Last Chance, and Lori swears that they are "madly, inspeparably in love."

Wanna see for yourself? Lori welcomes humans to the ranch, too. Tours are available 6 days a week (closed on Sundays) and you even arrange to adopt an animal who just might be your soul mate. Check out Lori's amazing tale online at her brand new website. At the very least, it's a heck of an excuse for a racetrip roadtrip next time you're heading to or from Parx. 

On behalf of all us TrackPackers, thanks to Lori McCutcheon and all her folks at Last Chance Ranch. And thanks to the Philadelphia Inquirer for publishing this great story written by Emilie Lounsberry, with such great pictures by April Saul.

Spring has sprung! The weekend's coming up and there's live racing at Penn National, Philadelphia Park and The Meadows. Do I hear ROAD TRIP?!?

If you're like me, The Meadows sounds like a nice place to visit, but where in the heck is it? Parx sounds spacious, but is it? And Penn National seems important, but I wouldn't know how to get there if you turned me loose on the open road.

Here it goes. Ready?

The Meadows. Close to Pittsburgh! Washington County has a whole website full of stuff to do, but off the top of my head I say check out the Andy Warhol Museum while you're there. I would. A friend is also recommending the Primanti Bros sandwich place. She says there's sawdust on the ground and french fries in almost everything.

Penn National. Close to Harrisburg! This could be a pretty outdoors-y weekend if you wanted it to be. Tons of outside stuff that's either like nature-outside or like Hershey Park-outside. The casino at Penn National books some pretty fun bands and it's free, so check the schedule when you go.

Philadelphia Park. Close to Center City Philadelphia. The thing that's cool about Bucks County, where the track is, is that there are so many awesome country roads to drive around. Horse farms and stuff like that. Just go get lost, don't be shy. There's also a great Indian food place not far from the track called Oven. Make a stop there, it's good! I can't find it on the Internet right now, but it's on Street Road and in a strip mall. At night- head to the city. Bright lights and dining, darling!

Why not make a day of it? Or a few-days of it? If you're not familiar with the Shunkpiker's Guide, all you need to know is that along those bi-ways (and NOT the highways) adventure awaits. Lucky for you, the Shunpiker in Chief has done some of the legwork and spotted for you, dear readers, in advance, some of the true gems not to be missed.

Click here to download the Philly Park Shunpiker's Guide (PDF)

Whether used as a guide or a point of departure, have a look-see, won't you? For more routes, visit the Shunpiker.