Lots of Hiking Today!

Ken was up before me and had time to read and do some devotions.  We watched the 7 AM news and I got ready while Ken cut-up fresh fruit for breakfast.

We left Wilbur around 8 to take a walk around the CG.  It was cloudy with rain in the forecast but in the upper 60's.  I had put on my SAS and we did about 4500 steps.

Upon our return we had omelettes for breakfast and enjoyed relaxing drinking chai and tea.  By then the sun appeared and the rain was predicted to start in the afternoon.  So after cleaning up from breakfast, we got in the CRV and drove about 7 miles to the Pocono Environmental Education Center where there were many marked trails for walking.  We chose the 3.1 mile Tumbling Waters Trail and it proved to be a bit more strenuous than we expected - lots of up and down and rocky at some spots. 

There were 20 markers along the trail and with
the trail brochure, you were given some info
for each one.  This is a huge Eastern White
Pine,, over 200 feet tall, that was left behind
 when they logged the area during colonial times.
 These white pines were used for the masts of sailing
 ships.  The 2-5 inch long needles are in bundles
of 5, the only species with clusters of five.

Isn't this an adorable red squirrel??

Had to walk on the rocks to cross the water!

There is light at the end of the path!

All that is left of a small cabin that once stood at this spot!

Looking over the Delaware River Valley!  The leaves are starting
to change color!

The reward for walking was the viewing of 2 waterfalls and they were beautiful.  I was amazed at how little pain I had on the walk.  For some reason (probably the softer surface) walking on a trail is so much better for me than sidewalks or roads.  We ended up getting 14,000 steps when we finished the walk - WOW!

Lots of steps to go down to view the waterfalls!

The upper waterfall!

The lower falls!

What a beautiful site!

More beautiful sites along the path -

Red leaves along the pathway!

A "mama" hemlock.......

......and her "babies"!

Brilliant light at the end of the path!

We also spent time at Pickerel Pond enjoying the beautiful reflections in the water!  It is not a natural pond, but one built by a family by damming a small stream.  It will be even more gorgeous when the trees are in full color!

Evidence of beavers in the area....

.....and maybe some of our ancestors!

Just when we got to the car, it started to drizzle - amazing!  On the way back to the CG we stopped at the Turkey Hill, which is less than 2 miles from the CG for some coffee and I enjoyed their Pumpkin Spice Cappuccino!

We ate lunch and I spent the next several hours painting frames for my sea glass pictures.  I buy 3 unpainted frames that are hooked together for hanging on the wall and Ken took them apart so they could be individual frames - what a guy!  It rained off and on the remainder of the day, so we stayed indoors.

We made delicious salads with sauteed onions, peppers, and leftover steak and salmon for dinner.  I had a nice chat with Doloris and by 9:30 we were in bed.  It was a very nice day in the Delaware Water Gap.