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Oct. 22 – Tobyhanna Falls Hike

By on October 23, 2022 in The Pearl
“There is a hidden message in every waterfall. It says, if you are flexible, falling will not hurt you.” ―Mehmet Murat Ildan
Saturday was a beautiful fall day and the temperature even warmed up a bit. We started the day by going to the Pocono Farmers Market…it was actually an Amish Market. Wow what a great selection of vegetables and fruits, meats, cheeses, baked goods and home canned items. I really like Amish markets.

Our farmers market finds.

We generally don’t like to go places on Saturdays because it’s such a zoo out there, but it was just too pretty to stay home. After lunch we decided to do a short hike to Tobyhanna Falls, which is only a few miles from the house. It was a nice little hike, the falls were impressive even though they weren’t high and we really enjoyed sitting on the rocks and soaking up the warmth of the sun. But it was packed with people…people were everywhere. 
The hike to Tobyhanna Falls.

There may have been a crowd coming and going to the falls, but we really enjoyed our time there.

Oct. 21 – Shades of Death Trail

By on October 22, 2022 in The Pearl
“Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.” ―Elizabeth Lawrence

Today we hiked the Shades of Death Trail. The name is a little gruesome, but it’s the most popular and picturesque trail in Hickory Run State Park, and I can understand why. While it might sound scary, the trail is actually among the most fun trails to hike in Pennsylvania. The trail is an out and back hike about 2.5 miles that follows the Sand Spring Run and meanders through rhododendron thickets and unique rock formations. Along the trail, the creek cascades over two beautiful man-made dam waterfalls and a series of small riffles and waterfalls as it drops 300 feet to Hickory Run. There are also remains of logging mills. The ruins and dams date back to the early 1800s.

The first colonists chose this sinister name for the area that had rocky soil, numerous swamps and dark forests.

Remains of an old lumber mill.

The Stametz Dam was built 150 years ago.
Small falls along the trail.
The rock formations are so much fun to see and hike through.
This dam was built by the CCC during the Great Depression.
This beautiful lake was formed when the dam was built.
Shades of fall.

Saylorville Dam and Falls along Sand Spring Road.

Bridge crossing Hickory Run on Sand Spring Road.

Oct. 20 – Appalachian Trail in the DWG

By on October 21, 2022 in The Pearl
“Great things never came from comfort zones.” ―Anonymous

One of the most beautiful areas in the Pocono Mountains is the Delaware Water Gap, where 40 miles of the Delaware River run between high bluffs and forested shores. It has beckoned visitors to the Pocono Mountains for centuries and is known as the Gateway to the Poconos. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is a wonderful place to canoe, kayak, camp, fish and hike. It’s full of beautiful waterfalls and stunning vistas to enjoy. The DWG is situated within the most densely populated region of the United States and provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes. Interstate 80 runs through the gap and has to be the most beautiful view from any highway I’ve seen.


A water gap is formed when water carves its way through a mountain range. The Delaware Water Gap is known for its depth, width, and scenic beauty. It’s more than 1,200 feet from mountaintop to the river surface, nearly a quarter mile wide at river level and about a mile wide from the top of Mt. Tammany to the top of Mt. Minsi.

Our first hike in the DWG was along part of the Appalachian Trail that took us to the top of Mount Minsi. The four mile hike gave us dramatic views of the Delaware Water Gap and Mount Tammany and wound through rhododendron tunnels and past a few small waterfalls. It was a bit chilly when we started the hike, but it felt exhilarating to be in such a beautiful place on such a beautiful day.

The first part of the trail was very easy and relaxing…a stroll in the woods.
Part of the rhododendron forest we went through. It must be beautiful here in July when they bloom.
We took a break at Lookout Rock…what an incredible view.
From the lookout we had a great view of I80. We knew the kids would be coming by soon on their way to NYC, so we waited to see them go by.
That’s their car circled in red. It’s also in view in the above photo…just harder to make out.
More pictures of the trail.

The second great lookout over the Delaware Water Gap.

Part of the trail up to Mount Minsi. It gave us a good workout.
Looking at Mount Tammany from the top of Mount Minsi.
We are loving the beautiful color…but they will soon be gone.
The Appalachian Trail goes through fourteen states along the crests and valleys of the Appalachian Mountain Range. It starts in Georgia and ends in Maine. The trail is marked by white “blazes”, which are most often found on trees. The trail is almost 2200 miles long. This small portion of the trail was beautiful.
Looking up to Mount Minsi from the scenic drive that goes along the Delaware River. (RT611)
Looking towards Mount Tammany from the overlook on the RT611.

Oct. 18 – Hawks Fall Trail

By on October 19, 2022 in The Pearl
“Take only memories, leave only footprints” ―Chief Seattle

The house we are staying at in Lake Harmony is on the eastern edge of Hickory Run State Park. The park offers over 40 miles of beautiful hiking trails. Many of the trails were old roads from the towns of Hickory Run and Saylorsville that flourished in the area between 1830 and 1900. 

Our first hike in the park was to Hawks Fall. It was a fairly easy out and back hike through a forest of towering trees and rhododendrons. We’ve never seen so many rhododendrons. It must be amazing here when they bloom, but the beauty here in October is the wonderful shades of gold, orange and red of the leaves. Everything has a glow about it. It’s truly a beautiful sight. 

The trail…what a beautiful fall day. 

Hawk Run (creek)

Mud Run

At the bottom of Hawk Falls. It’s a 25-foot, natural waterfall along Hawk Run. 

This hike was an out and back hike. On the way back to our car we took a short trail to the top of the falls.

Oct. 18 – Hickory Run Boulder Field

By on October 19, 2022 in The Pearl
“Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember and remember more than I have seen.” ~Benjamin Disraeli
After getting settled into our rental, which will be home for the next four weeks, we did a little exploring close to home. Hickory Run State Park is literally at our doorstep and has 40 miles of trails to explore. The most unique place in the park is the boulder field. Hickory Run Boulder Field is a product of glaciation, believed to have formed 20,000 years ago. The boulder field is about 16 acres in size and measures approximately 400 feet by 1,800 feet and 10-12 feet deep. It’s said to be the largest boulder field of its kind in all of the Appalachian Mountains.

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The Poconos

By on October 18, 2022 in The Pearl
“Two sounds of autumn are unmistakable…the hurrying rustle of crisp leaves blown along the street…by a gusty wind, and the gabble of a flock of migrating geese.” –Hal Borland
We decided this year we would spend some transitional time in Pennsylvania after putting up The Pearl and returning to Texas. The Pocono Mountains are about an hour east of our son Kyle and full of waterfalls, hiking and interesting little towns to explore. We hope to enjoy the fall watching the leaves change and exploring another beautiful part of our country.

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Oct. 18 – Hickory Run Boulder Field

By on October 18, 2022 in The Pearl
“Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember and remember more than I have seen.” ―Benjamin Disraeli
After getting settled into our rental, which will be home for the next four weeks, we did a little exploring close to home. Hickory Run State Park is literally at our doorstep and has 40 miles of trails to explore. The most unique place in the park is the boulder field. Hickory Run Boulder Field is a product of glaciation, believed to have formed 20,000 years ago. The boulder field is about 16 acres in size and measures approximately 400 feet by 1,800 feet and 10-12 feet deep. It’s said to be the largest boulder field of its kind in all of the Appalachian Mountains.

The boulders in the field range from one foot to nearly 30 feet in length. There are places where the field is almost all the smaller boulders and spots where it is primarily the larger rocks. The boulder field is extremely clean, in the sense that there is no fine material such as sand or clay filling the space between the boulders. And if you listen closely, you can sometimes hear water flowing beneath the rocks.
Looking back to the parking area from the boulder field.
This is the lone tree that grows in the boulder field.

Oct. 14 – The End of the Season

By on October 16, 2022 in The Pearl
“How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.” –John Burroughs

It’s that time of year again…fall has arrived in upstate New York. The temperatures are dropping and the days are getting shorter, so it’s time to begin our migration south. September seemed a little cooler and wetter this year, and the trees have really gotten pretty. The hills around Ithaca and our marina are gorgeous. I like the fiery red trees the best…they are truly breathtaking.

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Oct. 7 – One World Trade Center

By on October 14, 2022 in The Pearl
“You may say that I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us and the world will be as one.” ~John Lennon

The centerpiece of the 9/11 memorial plaza are the two pools sitting in the footprint of both the North and South Tower. Continuous running water flows from around the perimeter cascading down about 30 feet and creating the largest man-made waterfalls in America.

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Oct. 5-8 Girl Time in NYC

By on October 13, 2022 in The Pearl
“It’s the friends we meet along the way that help us appreciate the journey.” ~Anonymous

I took my annual trip to see my friend in Jersey City. Maybe two years in a row doesn’t make it a real tradition yet, but it sure is fun. They live on their boat at Liberty Landing and they have an amazing view of lower Manhattan from their back deck. Getting into the city is so easy on the PATH. We spent three days visiting, exploring a few of the fun neighborhoods in the city and I even got in a little shopping. The weather was perfect and we had a wonderful time. 

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