Ricketts Glen State Park, Pennsylvania

Today was a beautiful day for hiking in Ricketts Glen State Park. Temperatures had finally cooled to the mid eighties and the day was slightly breezy and clear.

At 94 feet high, Ganoga Falls is the highest waterfall in the park.

At least 25 waterfalls are in this beautiful park.

Stunning scenery is around every bend.

The 36 foot high Sheldon Reynolds Falls was a nice place to relax and eat lunch.

The 27 foot high Harrison Wright Falls is my favorite waterfall in the park. I love the luminescent green color of the water below.

Glen Onoko Falls, Lehigh Gorge State Park

When the temperature climbs into the nineties, there simply is no better local place to hike than Glen Onoko Falls in Jim Thorpe. We took refuge from the heat along shaded paths, tree lined trails, and the occasional refreshing dip under a waterfall.

First waterfall

Looking into the cool mist

This little pup, named Sangria, had a fabulous time on our hike. Dogs + water = fun.

We could climb behind this pretty waterfall.

Jacobsburg State Park, Pennsylvania

Today was one of the most beautiful days in the year so far. The weather in the morning was slightly breezy, but temperatures eventually reached into the eighties. Spring has arrived with all her beauty; the trees and flowers are blossoming everywhere.

It was a great day for a hike in one of the prettiest State parks in Pennsylvania. Jacobsburg has flowing streams, cool woodlands, and sunny fields and pastures. A variety of plant life grows in all the environments in the park, attracting a diversity of birds and other wildlife. I heard cardinals, chickadees, towhees, phoebes, and woodpeckers.

I love the rebirth of Spring and the revitalization it brings. Some say that everything in the physical world is a reflection of something in the spiritual world. If that is so, then Spring to me is rebirth, new life, new possibilities, and new directions. Today was a beautiful start to that season.

Flowers catching bright sun rays

A little rivulet forms a small waterfall.

I love these hemlock forests.

A beautiful stream flows through the park. We watched some little birds nesting in some high rocks along the water. I think they were phoebes.

Stopping for a moment on the bridge

Finding some serenity in Henry's Woods

Spring is bursting forth everywhere! I love the juxtaposition of seasons, last year's leaves provide a foundation for this year's new growth.

Sunlight catching ripples in the stream

Shenandoah National Park

I just returned from a beautiful visit to Shenandoah National Park during the peak of Autumn foliage season.

My first day was a little bit drizzly so I spent some time in Luray Caverns.

The formations were amazing.

I hiked to the top of Stony Man Mountain.

Autumn foliage as seen from Skyline Drive.

Mountain views from every vista

Row upon row of mountains

A view of Old Rag, a popular spot for climbers

Yet another stunning vista

Can you see the profile of the Stony Man? Me neither.....

Last bit of sunlight on the mountain

On a clear day I hiked to Whiteoak Canyon Falls, at 86 feet the second highest waterfall in the park.

The path was covered with jewel colored leaves.

Another waterfall in Whiteoak Canyon

The woods were filled with gold and orange hues.

Beauty everywhere I looked

Lower Whiteoak Falls

Acadia National Park

I had a lovely visit to Acadia National Park and spent the time photographing, sightseeing, kayaking, biking, and hiking.

Tuesday August 25
The first day I drove the Park Loop Road stopping often for photographs. Park Loop Road offers the most beautiful views of the park, and this is the side of Acadia most often seen by visitors. The views of cliffs dropping to an azure blue ocean are spectacular, but Acadia is so much more than that.

View from the summit of Cadillac Mountain

Cliffs dropping to the ocean

These are the views Acadia is famous for.

Waves lapping against the cliffs

View from the tree line

The ocean was rough that day.

Acadia is, of course, an artist's paradise. Renee Lammers painting plein air.

Wild roses and rose hips near Thunder Hole

Otter Cliffs

Ocean view

Waves pounding shore

Wildflowers on the cliffs

Sunset from Cadillac Mountain

Wednesday August 26
Today I kayaked in Frenchman Bay. We had beautiful views of Porcupine Islands, home to much of Acadia's wild life. We saw a bald eagle flying overhead.

Our guide pointing out an interesting sight...

Thursday August 27
Today I biked the carriage roads. The carriage roads are 57 miles of beautiful paths twisting through Acadia which were built by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. They are ideal for bicycling, running, walking, and horseback riding.

I started out biking around Eagle Lake.

I made a loop by Aunt Betty's Pond for views of lily pads and tranquil water. I saw a turtle splashing in the shallows.

View of Jordan Pond from the bike trail

View of North Bubble and South Bubble from Jordan Pond

I biked past serene Bubble Pond in the afternoon.

Back to Eagle Lake to complete the ride

Friday August 28
Today I hiked several of the beautiful trails on Mount Desert Island.

Beaver Dam Pond

On the summit of Champlain Mountain

Beautiful views of the Porcupine Islands in Frenchman Bay

More views from the summit

The vistas are stunning.

I hiked up to the Bowl, a glacial tarn, which is a circular lake formed by alpine glacier melts.

I hiked the Gorham Mountain Trail, with spectacular vistas.

View of Sand Beach from Gorham Mountain.

View of Champlain Mountain from Gorham Mountain

I spent most evenings in Bar Harbor for dinner and souvenir shopping. Here is a beautiful sunset on the harbor.