A Beautiful Day in the Poconos

It was a cold morning when we got up, only 36, but it warmed up quickly and offered plenty of sunshine!  We left the CG and headed to a nearby jewelry store that had so much "stuff" it was overwhelming.  I left buying nothing - Ken was impressed!

Then we headed to the Dunnfield Area parking lot in New Jersey to hike to see the great view of the Delaware Water Gap.  It has a lookout area that is used for many of their brochures.  The 1st 1/2 mile was on the Appalachian Trail and then we got on the Blue blazed Trail that goes up the mountain for 2 1/2 miles with a climb of 1250 feet.  The 1st 1/2 mile was easy and so picturesque following the stream and lots of small waterfalls.  Then the rocky hike began.  It was up and up and up and both of us were huffing and puffing, but the view was so worth it!  We planned to come back on the red trail, but 3 different parties who had come up that path said it was so steep and lots of boulders and loose stones.  They all recommended we go back the way we had come!  So, that is what we did!  We hiked at least 5 1/2 miles and were happy when we got back!

Ken built a fire for cooking our meat and we spent time sitting around the fire after dinner.  Got a call from the Martins and they are on their way back hoping to arrive around 9. And the fun continues!!!

Saw this beautiful bluebird from the window of Willie
while eating breakfast!

The leaves are really starting to change colors!

Shelly, our granddaughters friend, went on our hike today!
He loved sitting on the bridge overlooking the waterfalls!

The mountain climber standing between the 2 waterfalls!

Isn't it a beautiful trail!

It doesn't look that steep on this photo,
but it really was quite a hike!

Quite a sight to behold!

We finally reached the top of the mountain!

 

What a view of the Delaware Water Gap from high above!!

Total Relaxation Day!

Okay, we really were rather lazy today!  We read in bed till 10:30, probably the longest we have been in bed for years.  It was a cold morning with strong wind gusts, so we knew it wasn't a day to be in a hurry to do anything.  We had breakfast for lunch!  Ken spent a lot of time reading and I worked on making more pendants and earrings. 

Around 3:30 we actually ventured outside to take a walk around the CG.  It is amazing how much color is starting to appear on the leaves.  This weekend should be the peak time for the leaves.  You can almost see the changes each day! Put supper in the oven (too windy and cool for a fire) and then took another walk to look for deer.  We saw 10 deer in the back part of the CG.  Amazing!!!

After dishes we played some cards and watched the Presidential Debate!  Hoping to do some hiking tomorrow!  Should be abit warmer and less windy!

 

 

Some Relaxing Time in the Poconos

Saturday evening was spent mostly indoors, due to some cooler temperatures.  None of us were hungry, so we made hot dogs over an open fire, but ate indoors.  Then the games began and the men had a winning night!

Yesterday, Sunday, was a very overcast and cold morning, so the 4 of us had breakfast in Willie followed by more game playing.  I made some chili for all of us for lunch - seemed like a "soup type" day.  Then the sun came out and it got into the upper 60's.  Felt great and the shuffleboard courts were calling our names.  We ended in a 1/1 tie that will be broken next weekend when the Martins return.  They were on their way back home by 4:45.

Ken and I took a walk around the CG and saw 5 deer, including a buck.  Around 6 we got a call from Doloris - they were on their way back to the CG because Fred had forgotten his work cell phone.  They had left their camper here since they are returning for this coming long weekend.  Ken and I called them back and said we would meet them.  We were happy to do it and it probably saved them about an hour of driving time.  Looking forward to their return for more happy camping adventures.  I spent the evening jewelry making and Ken read.

Today, Monday, we woke to some cool weather again and a prediction of rain later this morning or early afternoon.  So we decided to drive to Bushkill Access area and hike the trail along the Delaware River.  We hiked about 4 miles and got back to the truck just as the first raindrops started to fall.  What timing!  Plan to spend the rest of the day reading, playing games, working on our computers, and making jewelry!  Somebody has to do it!!!!!

View from Willie's Window!

We think they leaves will be at their peak this weekend!

A beautiful day for shuffleboard and the courts are in good shape!

A portion of the trail from Bushkill Access Area

The trail looked beautiful through the pine tree grove!

Cold Start to Fun Day!

It got down to 25 degrees last night so Ken disconnected the water hose before we went to bed and ran the propane furnace.  We kept warm and the water was flowing freely when he reconnected it this morning!  We had a relaxing morning and then the 4 of us headed to Raymondskill Falls, the highest waterfall in PA.  Niagara Falls is only 4 feet higher, but it is much wider.  The falls was incredible and the amount of rushing water breathtaking.  You could get several different views of the falls when hiking different trails and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!  From there we headed to Milford, a quaint old town about 20 or so miles from our CG. Ken and I had lunch at the Black Bear Cafe, a Mexican Restaurant.  Fred and Doloris tried a different cafe.

A peaceful spot along the Raymondskill River!

Loved these little golden/bronze collored mushrooms growing
among the ferns!

Some smaller falls along the trail

Cave like opening in the rocks

This is a view of the spectacular Raymondskill Falls

The Happy Campers enjoying their day!

2 smaller falls where near the larger falls

Back to the CG to build a fire for cooking dinner, but again it was too cold to eat outside.

Explored Some of the Delaware Water Gap Area

What a cold morning - in the 30's.  Decided to wait to go out hiking until the sun came out and it got warmer.  So, after eating breakfast in our own rigs, we got together to play cards and 2 games of Sequence Dice.  The women were victorious in all 4 games that we played.  We are on a roll!

We spent the afternoon exploring the area.  Our 1st stop was the Tom's Creek Trail.  This 2 mile trail was so pretty with many small waterfall areas and a beautiful gravel path.  There are many yellow leaves but I believe the best colors are yet to come.  Hopefully by next weekend. 

Beautiful level, gravel trail!

2 of the happy hikers!

From there we drove to Dingman's Falls to hike to 2 of the largest waterfalls in PA - Silver Thread and Dingmans Falls.  With all the rain, the falls were spectacular.  There is a boardwalk from Silver Thread to Dingmans Falls that is actually handicap accessible.  It was in the 40's with a breeze, but the hikes were invigorating!

Love the colors reflected in the water!

Beautiful view of Silver Thread Falls

All the Happy Campers

The boardwalk to Dingmans Falls

So much rushing water at Dingmans Falls

Back to Willie to cook supper over another open fire, but eating was indoors.  Looks like another card and game night!

A Bucket List Day for Ken!

Yesterday, Thursday, was a very exciting and special day for Ken.  He was like a little kid in a candy store.  We stopped at one of the visitor centers for the Delaware Water Gap area and talked with a very enthusiastic, young forest ranger, Lydia Rose Faller .  Because of our enthusiasm for the area, she was so excited to share so much information with us.  Ken soon realized that the Delaware Water Gap is a national park service area and the "lights went off"!  He could get his America the Beautiful Senior Pass from this gal since he had just turned 62!  I don't know who was more excited, Lydia or Ken!  It was fun just watching the 2 of them.  So, Ken now has his $10.00 pass that is good for life that gets us into 2000 federal rec sites, national parks, and national wildlife refuges.  What a deal.  So if you are 62 and have not taken the opportunity to get your pass, what are you waiting for?  It makes reaching 62 not such a bad thing!!!! 

One more thing off Ken's "Bucket List".

We realized yesterday how convenient our CG is to this visitor center and many of the hiking trails and launch areas on the Delaware River for kayaking in the Delaware Water Gap area.   Lydia also mentioned a beautiful biking trail that goes for many miles along the River.  So, we are excited to check out the area.  Right now it is fairly cold at night and only in the 50's during the day.  Should warm up by Sunday and be alittle milder the remainder of our time here. 

The Martins, Fred and Doloris, arrived yesterday afternoon.  We did cook our dinner over the open fire and sat around it for a short time after dinner.  It got down to 38 last night, so we played cards indoors and listened to the VP debate.  We are hoping to hike to the waterfalls later today when it warms up!

Belated Family Birthday Celebration for Ken's 62nd Birthday!

We have spent the last 2 weeks at home enjoying time with our daughters and their families and visiting with my parents!  You are always on the move when only home for a short time between camping trips.

Jamie moved in early Sept. to a home located in the borough of Ephrata and bordered by the Cocalico Creek.  What a quiet, beautiful setting when sitting in their backyard.  We had a belated birthday celebration for Ken with our daughters and their families at Jamie's house last Saturday night and we all had such a good time.  Spent the whole afternoon and evening outside playing in the leaves, chatting, picnicking and enjoying sitting around the fire ring.  The 4 little cousins love spending time together!

Bria, Katelyn, and Cali sitting on the wall at the edge of their
backyard overlooking the Calico Creek!

A proud Grandma and PaPa!

The dock at the back of their property!

Our two 3 1/2 year olds - Cali and Samantha!

Katelyn is 18 months and smiles so much!

Grandma likes to play in the leaves too!

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Katelyn smiles again!

4 happy cousins!



Like mother like daughter!



Today we were back on the road for a 2 week camping trip at Timothy Lake South in the Poconos near East Stroudsburg PA.  We are going to have some rather "cool" weather, but the leaves should be beautiful.  Ken says he wants to enjoy his hot Green tea outdoors in the morning watching the leaves change color and then the evenings drinking his wine watching the leaves fall.  Someone has to do it!!!

 

This  CG appears to be well maintained and offers large sites, many of them pull throughs with total hook-ups and trees, nice pool (closed for the season), shuffleboard, horseshoes, etc.  Timothy Lake North is a 1 mile walk and offers a very nice indoor water park.  Great place for kids!

We are looking forward to a quiet and relaxing time.  Fred and Doloris Martin will be here both weekends from Thursday evening until Sunday.  It will be nice to share some of the days with friends.