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.

Back Home Again!

Thankfully we had an uneventful trip home from Avalon, but the hectic times began as soon as we got in the driveway - unloading, putting things away, washing, etc.  Once that was done we headed out to take Willie to our dealer to have our electrical issues resolved.  We are thinking our converter isn't working properly, but what do we know????

It is amazing how relaxing our time of camping can be and as soon as you get back home the craziness begins.  Don't get me wrong, we are thrilled to reconnect with family and friends, but we also realize how few things and little space we need to live comfortably and happily.  Not very excited for all the yard work, home maintenance, etc.  Call me selfish or lazy, but when I have free time I would rather be doing the things I enjoy like crafting, visiting the kids and grandchildren, enjoying friends, etc.  Raking, cleaning, mowing and trimming do not appear at the top of my list.  I must be getting old or maybe just smarter!  Not sure what to do with these feelings, but we keep talking about it and thinking "outside of the box".  Time will tell!

Looking forward to spending time with the family before we head out on Oct. 10th for 2 weeks in the Poconos at Timothy Lake South.  By then the leaves should be beautiful.

Last Full Day in Avalon Area!

Can't believe we have been here 2 weeks.  The time went so quickly and we had such a good time.  Glad we could share some of it with Fred and Doloris!

Today was another beautiful day with plenty of sunshine, milder temperature, and some breeze!  After Ken's delicious breakfast (he definitely spoils me) we played 3 more games of mini golf.  The course is challenging and we find it interesting to try to get under par.  We went to Stone Harbor and walked about 3 1/2 miles to the end at 123rd Street to check for migrating monarch butterflies.  We probably saw several hundred today during our walk.  Enjoyed sitting on the beach in Avalon before heading back to Willie and 3 more games of golf.  We must be crazy!  I did all the driving today to feel comfortable driving our diesel truck.  It's big, but you have such great visibility!

Spent time this morning and late this afternoon getting things packed home for our departure tomorrow.  I am sad to be leaving this area, but knowing that we are heading to Timothy Lake South in the Poconos in 2 weeks makes it a lot easier to bear!  I hope we make this trip every year in Sept. for 2 weeks.  It is so relaxing and the CG is close to many nice areas.

It might be hard to see, but there are many monarch butterflies
on this bush!

Enjoyed watching this gentleman launch his catamaran
through the choppy waters!

Then we watched them wind surfing which appears to take
great balance and lots of strength!

Many large homes in the Stone Harbor and Avalon area!
Saw a very small older home on the back bay
For Sale and priced at 1.2 Million!  Imagine what this home cost??

What a Windy Day!

Another sunny day, but soooo windy!  Ken and I really got into the mini golf competition today.  Played 18 holes before we left the CG (we tied) and then went to check-out the "sister CG" to this one, Lake and Shore.  We weren't too impressed, but we did enjoy playing their 18 hole mini golf course where Ken won by 1 stroke!  Sea Pines allowed us to keep their clubs and balls the whole time we are here, so we can play anytime!  Lake and Shore does have an inviting outdoor waterpark, but Sea Pines has a better feel!

We drove into Avalon Beach to ride bike and sit on the beach, but I cut the bike ride short - got tired of fighting the strong wind gusts.  Sitting on the beach was tough too with the pelleting sand.  We stayed about 2 hours, but that was plenty of time to get sand blown! 

When we returned to the CG we stopped to play 18 more holes of golf and I was the winner - Yeah!  I think the people at the CG must think we are crazy.  We are the only people using the course!  People don't know what fun they are missing!

Did alittle prep work for heading out on Thursday morning like washing off the bikes and putting some outdoor things in their place for traveling!

These 2 weeks have flown!  I guess it is true - time fliew when you are having fun!  More jewelry making tonight!  I need to earn gas money for our trip to Florida!

Avalon Beach was empty today compared to all the other
times we were there!