Winter Solstice Hike in Lambertville, Dry Run Creek Trail

Saturday was the Winter Solstice, which marks the beginning of Winter, but also the lengthening of the days. From now on, our world is getting brighter, lighter, and eventually, warmer. What better way to celebrate the occasion than with a beautiful hike outdoors!

We are having an unusual warm spell, with temperatures in the low sixties. However, we recently had a couple of large snowstorms, so the trails were covered with snow and sometimes ice. Lovely patterns of melting ice bordered the creek.

A nice little surprise tucked away, apparently a bench made by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

 
A pretty creek wound through the park.

It was fun to hike on snow covered trails in weather warm enough for T-shirts!

Buttermilk Falls, Delaware Water Gap, New Jersey

We had a brisk Fall weekend, perfect for hiking and viewing Autumn colors at the Delaware Water Gap in New Jersey. The key to staying comfortable was layers! It was so cold I started out with all 4 layers, but after some steep climbs I was down to just 2, and then eventually 3 again!

Buttermilk Falls, easily viewable from the trail head. The trail starts with a steep ascent along the side of these falls.

Forest floor covered in leaves

Blue skies, sunshine, and Fall colors

My idea of serenity, a walk in the woods...

A vista with Autumn colors

A view of Crater Lake

Another perspective

The trail winds around the lake.

Beautiful Autumn colors pop up everywhere.

A path through the forest

Hemlock Pond

Another view of the pond

Hickory Run State Park

The National Parks may be closed right now due to the government shutdown, but the State Parks are open! Saturday was a beautiful day to enjoy Autumn colors at their finest at Hickory Run State Park. We had the unusual combination of hot weather and peak foliage that made for a gorgeous Fall hike.

Boulder field

View of Hawk Falls from the side

I love the colors and reflections of Autumn.

Hawk Falls

Waterfall over a dam on the Shades of Death trail. Today a ranger explained to me the origin of the name "Shades of Death". Apparently, the Native Americans called the whole park area Shades of Death because not much would grow here. The conifers dropped so many needles the high tannin content in the soil inhibited other plants from growing. I much preferred my more dramatic but untruthful theories of the name (grizzlies, fugitives with hatchets, that sort of thing). He did tell me that it is the trail that causes the most injuries in the park due to twisted roots and slippery rocks along the creek. We stepped carefully on this trail!

Pretty miniature waterfall.

Rhododendrons lining the creek on the Shades of Death trail.

A view of Autumn splendor in the Lehigh Gorge from Fireline Trail.

Mount Minsi, Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania

Today was a hot and humid day to climb Mount Minsi in the Delaware Water Gap. We kept to shaded trails and drank plenty of water, and the occasional breeze was a welcome treat!

We are in the midst of cicada season, and the woods sounded alive with buzzing and humming! We saw cicadas everywhere, a phenomenon not to be repeated for seventeen years.

A pretty pond covered in lilies..

The rhododendrons were just starting to bloom. Every once in a while we came upon a perfect blossom.
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Our first overlook and glimpse of the Delaware River below.

Wild roses.

The mountain laurel were beautiful this time of year.

Mount Tammany

Beautiful mountain laurel along the trail

Delicate white blossoms

The Delaware river below

Another overlook

Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

This weekend was one of the warmest of the year so far, a perfect time for some exploration of wooded trails along bubbling creeks in the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust in Montgomery County.

A pretty pond

Exploring under bridges along the creek

Wooded trails

A gently flowing creek bubbling over rocks

This looks like a perfect place to relax

An old cemetery tucked in the woods

Not far away is the Glencairn Museum.

We had some cold iced tea and refreshed ourselves looking at the beautiful artwork and stained glass.

The Bryn Athyn Cathedral is nearby.

Beautiful flower gardens surround the cathedral.

Walking along the grounds.

The altar is enshrouded in a cooling blue light from the stained glass windows.

A cathedral has plenty of keys!

Sculpted shrubbery in the garden

Pulpit Rock and The Pinnacle, Berks County, Pennsylvania

Memorial Day weekend graced us with perfect hiking weather, slightly cool with soft breezes and warm sunshine, and bright, clear skies. A perfect day for a trip to Pulpit Rock and the Pinnacle in Berks County. Much of this hike follows the Appalachian Trail.

Beautiful view from the Pulpit, the first vista we encounter.

Blues and greens, the colors of late Spring.

View from the Pinnacle, the rolling hills and small farms of Pennsylvania.

Everyone is enjoying the weather, including these two rat snakes sunning themselves in a tree.

 

Clear cold waters of the Reservoir, near the end of the trail.

Still more time left in this beautiful, sunny Memorial Day weekend! Enjoy the sunshine!