Photos from a relaxing early evening walk at Graver Arboretum, in Bushkill Township, Pennsylvania. I’ve been here a coupe of times and need to make it a point to visit more often. The arboretum is used as an outdoor classroom by the biology and other science departments of Muhlenberg College. Today I saw the first signs of spring in the form of the emerging Eastern Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus). It’s one of the earliest spring flowers in Northeastern Pennsylvania. These plants are unique in that they can generate heat to melt through snow making them one of the first wildflowers to be seen emerging in the spring. The plant produces a pungent odor if the leaves are crushed. Some compare it to rotting flesh. (I didn't crush the leaves to try it, because I didn't want to hurt the plant.) The odor, while maybe not so pleasant to a human, is attractive to pollinators. Another subject of artistic interest was the early evening light cast on the “knees” coming up from the roots of the Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) near the pond. I spent about about an hour here walking, observing and enjoying my time discovering some trees I had not seen before such as the Lacebark Pine (Pinus bungeana). But as the sun sank lower in the sky, a large dark clouds threatened with stormy winds. I knew the sky was about to open up with rain, but luckily, I was dressed for weather because it started to hail. I loved the sound of the trees swaying in the wind, and the sound of the bark on the limbs rubbing against each other. It made the time even magical to be here at this hour with no one else around listening to the trees talk. The storm didn’t last long before the sun came back out. As I was driving home a gorgeous rainbow appeared in the sky. It was a nice way to wrap up a wonderful evening.
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It was a glorious Sunday morning. The air was crisp and the sun was gleaming in hues of orange and gold as we set out on the loop trail to hike to Targa Falls from the western side of Paradise Price Preserve. The trail started out in a forest of hardwoods scattered with eastern white pine. As we walked along the wide, rocky path heading east into the bright morning sunlight, the song of an eastern bluebird filled the air. We passed by vernal pools, wetlands and observed various types of fungi attached to fallen logs. Soon we came upon a picnic table along the side of the trail. We sat for a moment to enjoy the quiet of the peaceful forest. When we were ready, we continued along the path which was now starting a descent towards the Brodhead Creek. We passed by large boulders and crossed over tributaries that were flowing down from the ridge. We then turned onto the spur trail that took us directly to the large horseshoe shaped Targa Falls. This is the only natural waterfall on the Brodhead Creek. It’s not a tall waterfall, but its waters roar and move swiftly. We climbed down to the falls where I sat on some large boulder slabs to take in the scenery as the creek crashed and roared downstream. A cool mist from the falls brushed against my face. It felt so refreshing in the warm sunshine. I dipped my hand in to feel the cold, sparkling water. It was a lovely place to sit for a while, enjoy a snack and take in the beauty of nature before continuing. Once back on the loop, the trail took us above the Brodhead offering us lovely views of the rapids along the way before turning west and taking us back in the direction of the trailhead. It was a gorgeous day and the more time I spend hiking the trails here in northeastern Pennsylvania, the more the landscape is starting to grow on me. I’m finding so many gems right here in the Pocono Mountains, and I can’t wait to continue exploring all that this area and beyond has to offer.
Today was Black Friday and as per usual I did not participate in any sort of shopping madness, but instead headed for the outdoors. Yesterday, Thanksgiving Day, began a four day weekend for me, and I was looking forward to taking advantage of the time off. This morning I started my day with a hike around Jacobsburg State Park. There weren’t many cars in the lot when I arrived which surprised me being it was the day after a holiday, but it was still very early. I grabbed the camera and headed into the old growth forest of Henry’s Woods and followed along Bushkill Creek. From here I looped around up through the meadow just outside the perimeter of the no hunting zone. It was the first day of rifle season, and I didn’t want to take any chances venturing off alone into the hunting areas. It was a beautiful, crisp morning and a perfect day to #optoutside. I’ve never really been big on shopping anyway, unless of course it’s REI.
This morning I headed up to the Pocono Mountains to Promised Land State Park in the Delaware State Forest. Promised Land is a huge area with about 50 miles of trails in a very well organized trail system. As per usual, I wanted to hike on a less populated trail, so I looked for the most remote looking area I could see on the map. I found a trail I could access off the 390 from a turnout on North Shore Road where I could link up to the Bruce Lake Trail outside of Promised Land and it would take me to Bruce Lake. According to the park map, the route was mostly a hiking only trail (no bikes) which was a plus, and it was away from the beaches and campgrounds near Promised Land Lake which meant it should be pretty isolated. From the parking turn out I got on the Rock Oak Trail heading east. The path started out wide and grassy through the shaded forest. The ground was a bit rocky as per usual Pennsylvania terrain, but I could still enjoy the scenery and not have to keep looking down to watch my footing. At the first junction I continued eastward as the trail turned into the Telephone Trail. From here it got interesting. I was rock hopping boulders for the majority of this section and bushwhacking through huge towers of rhododendrons. I felt like I was in a jungle, but I definitely was not bored. It was actually fun. As much as I complained about the rocks being a pain in my butt, I did enjoy the test in agility. As I neared the end of the Telephone Trail, I found the junction for the Bruce Lake Trail. This would take me northbound to the natural glacial lake where I could sit and enjoy the scenery before looping around the lake to make my way back. The Bruce Lake Trail started out pretty well maintained, but eventually I was back to bushwhacking my way through. Thankfully, the rocks weren’t that bad. Eventually, I reached another junction to make the loop around the lake. I headed east in a counterclockwise direction. Now the trail was wider and way less overgrown. I could see the lake to my left as I hiked along this beautiful section of trail. As I approached the north side of the lake, the trail came to an opening at the shore. It was absolutely beautiful. All that rock hopping and navigating through brush made it worth it for these views without a soul in sight. I took a nice long break here, had a sandwich and enjoyed the quite. When it was time to return, I made use of the West Bruce Lake Trail heading southbound. This trail was REALLY overgrown and on top of that it was right at the shore of the wetlands so it was super muddy. Luckily, it was still easy to make out the trial and the blue blaze markers/guides were always easy to find. I finished off the day by continuing the loop on the Rock Oak Ridge trail and then eventually the Rock Oak Trial back to the trailhead. It was a fun day. The peace and quiet and views of the lake were definitely worth the effort. I would love to come back again and see more of this area, especially in the next month because the leaves will be changing colors and it will be spectacular.
I woke up to the sound of pouring rain coming from Tropical Storm Isaias today. I love listening to the sound of rolling thunder and the feeling of being safe in my bed. There was no rush to go anywhere, so I enjoyed listening to the rain and nodding in and out of sleep. About mid-morning the rain let up, and I left the house and took a walk down by the creek. The mist coming off the water was beautifully eerie. I didn’t see anyone braving the stormy weather save for a few fishermen. The sun was peeking in and out between the gray clouds as I walked the nature trail and crossed over the rail tracks to the meadow. I travelled up and down the hillside admiring the wildflowers, the trees and the stormy sky. The goldenrod is beginning to bloom and I saw some butterflies and clearwing hummingbird moths. The storm was still brewing and so I thought it best to head out before the next round of downpour rolled through. It’s nice to have such a wonderful place to visit that’s so close to home.
