Pennsylvania: Where the Roads Are Potholes, the Snack Game Is Elite, and the Accents Are Wild

Welcome to Pennsylvania, a state built on rich history, massive mountains, endless forests, and an obsession with processed carbs that borders on a religion.

It’s a place divided by trees, deep valleys, and approximately 47 different opinions about how to pronounce things. In the east, Philadelphia will serve you a world-class cheesesteak while aggressively yelling at you to root for the Eagles. In the west, Pittsburgh will put French fries directly onto your sandwich and speak a dialect of English that sounds like someone accidentally installed the wrong language pack. Somewhere in between? Charming Amish countryside, winding mountain roads, and a vast wilderness where one groundhog has somehow become the unofficial meteorologist for the entire state.

Pennsylvania also punches far above its weight in snack food. Pretzels, chocolate, chips, and enough other processed carbohydrates to keep an entire football stadium alive—PA takes snacks very seriously. Then there are the roads, where orange construction cones appear to have achieved permanent residency and potholes are less a road hazard than a recurring geological feature.

So pick a side in the Wawa vs. Sheetz rivalry, keep an eye out for deer, learn to pronounce “water” correctly depending on which part of the state you’re in, and whatever you do, never start an argument with a Philly fan on game day. Your safety is not guaranteed, and neither is your cheesesteak.

April, 2023