WITHOUT CAREFUL PLANNING

8TH HIKE: TUCQUAN GLEN

Facts

Location: Holtwood/Pequea, PA

Park: Tucquan Glen Nature Preserve

Trail: Tucquan Glen Loop = 2.1 miles

Time: 1-1.5 hrs

Elevation: 235 ft

Date: 6/2/11

Adventure

Originally I had planned to hike Kelly's Run on Thursday morning, a challenging trail recommended for "experienced outdoorsmen" (Mauricio you game?), but when I reviewed the schedule for the Philadelphia Trans Health Conference (PTHC) it no longer seemed applicable. I was looking to attend the PTHC on Friday and possibly Saturday, but the workshop held by GLSEN on Safe Schools was Thursday at 4pm and Kelly's Run is a 6 mile hike. I didn't want to chance missing the conference so I switched gears and pulled an easy two mile hike out of my "back pocket" list. All I knew about Tucquan  Glen was that it had a waterfall and was a loop trail. I view trails as being challenging or scenic and so I had hoped to see something cool, but understood that it would be relatively easy. Kim suggested doing brunch that morning, but I roped her into the hike instead. I packed a cooler of water, T-fish & rel (oh, how I miss the UMASS days), some granola bars, chips and away we went to Lancaster county.

Entry to Tucquan Glen

I have lived in PA for almost two years now and have yet to spend any quality time out in Amish country, but I got small taste on the way to Tucquan Glen. As is standard now on my trailblazing quest, I got lost and needed to ask for directions. I stopped at a local park in Holtwood where a group of Amish folk were having a cookout/BBQ? and playing baseball. I asked a group of teenage boys where I could find the trail, but they had no clue. One boy went to ask his father who wasn't entirely sure and then recommended I chat with his wife, the boy's mother, who said the same things as the father about where it might be, but with more clarity. What I learned was that if I had stayed on River Road I would find Tucquan Glen campground. When I got to the campground I drove down a long, narrow, unpaved road and ask some campers where I could find the park and they told me to turn around and stay on River road. They said it would be on my left and I can't miss it, they were indeed right!

New Friends

I parked the car and off we went into the woods and along the stream. The weather was gorgeous, the water was clean, and the trail made me work. After running around some to avoid the mud I had to reward my lungs with a puff or two from the old faithful inhaler. At the halfway point on the trail we crossed a railroad track and walked down to the water. At the shore we saw hundreds of butterflies. Mostly yellow and some blue. Kim and I were able to walk right up to them and take photos without distracting or scaring them off. It was positively magnificent. I spent the rest of the day saying "I couldn't have planned that better if I tried." I had no idea that there would be such an incredible view of the butterflies. Just watching them fly free and hanging out in the crowd of butterflies was awesome! We continued along the other side of the trail and passed the waterfall. At one point on the trail we had to cross the stream to continue. I searched for the ideal trail of rocks to hop over, while Kim took off her shoes and walked through it. I quickly followed her lead to keep from soaking my socks and shoes. The water was cool and refreshing, I started skipping around and playing in it.

Getting Closer

When the hike was over and we got back to the car I noticed an open horse & buggy parked near my car. I got excited and started taking photos like a typical tourist. We ate lunch across the street by the water only to be kicked out by a guy who told us we were trespassing on his property. Whoops, my bad! On the drive home while searching for gas I pulled into an ice cream shoppe to turn around and fill up my tank. I took it as a sign that we needed ice cream to celebrate the trip. Overall, the hike was amazing and I would totally go back. I might be falling for Lancaster county aka Farmville...

Parking!

GEORGIA ON MY MIND

7TH HIKE: CUMBERLAND ISLAND

Facts

Location: St. Mary's, GA

Park: Cumberland Island National Seashore

Trail: Sea Camp & Dungeness

Time: 1.5 hours

Date: 5/22/11

Adventure

St. Mary's River

I woke up on Sunday morning at 7:30am with a little help from my cousin Carolyn. We had planned for a day of fishing on the boat in the St. Marys River and hiking on Cumberland Island. First, before hitting the water we went to a local bait and tackle shop to acquire minnows & shrimp as well as a fishing license for me. After getting the boat in the water we rode by all sorts of historical landmarks in addition to viewing Florida from the Georgia coast. We stopped several times to cast off some shrimp into the water. My first good tug and all I managed to reel in was a conch shell, the funny part is I actually thought there was a fish on my line. My cousin Will managed to catch two whitey's for the day and so did Carolyn, but I finished with a goose-egg. Midway through the day we decided to stop fishing and check out the trails and beaches on Cumberland Island.

Exotic Trail

First we walked along Sea Camp. The Island was absolutely gorgeous, the trees were large and covered in Spanish moss. The surroundings, although still green, were nothing like what I typically see in a day at Ridley Creek. All the plants, trees, and leaves were far more exotic. I saw lizards instead of squirrels. There were palm trees and I was drenched in sweat from the humidity. On the other side of the island (approx: .5mi) was the beach. I forgot to take a photo of the beach, mostly because I was so excited I ran into the ocean and played. Carolyn and Will were looking for shells and shark teeth. After our mini hike we sat on the island and had a picnic lunch of turkey & ham or PBJ sandwiches, doritios,  chocolate chip cookies, and peanut butter crackers. We got back on the boat and headed to Dungeness. Anything more than a mile walk in the heat would have brutal and possibly resulting in heat stroke.

Wild Horses & Palm Trees

Dennis (Carolyn's husband), parked the boat by Dungeness where we saw tons of wild horses. I think the image of a wild horse next to a palm tree was probably the strangest for me, it just didn't make sense in my mind. We explored the ice house museum and passed a deranged tour where the guide talked about "decapating the Jesiuts and how that was the end of their visit to the island." We continued to see more wild horses and deer. We explored the ruins of the old Dungeness masion, the garden, pool house, and antique cars. After the hike we tried to fish one more time, but to no avail I went home empty handed, or without dinner I should say. When we got back to the house I sat in the back yard to fish for brim on the mini dock. While fishing my cousins and I drank the new Jack Daniels honey whiskey on the rocks, but had no luck with the fish (I finally caught one Monday morning before our second fishing trip). After a shower we spent the night relaxing on the porch/backyard, eating shrimp, drinking whiskey, and having good conversation. We talked of life, relationships, weddings, and delivering babies.

I have no doubt in my mind that I will return to Georgia. I loved everything about my vacation! Thanks again Carolyn :)

Hanging in a Tree on Sea Camp

ON THE ROCKS, PLEASE!

 6TH HIKE: HIGH ROCKS

Facts

Location: Pipersville, PA

Park: Ralph Stover State Park

Trail: Hike Rock Vista (? mi)

Elevation: 256 ft

Time: < 2 hours

Date: 5/13/11

Adventure

I was not sure if this hike could be squeezed into Friday, but naturally I had to try. The day began with breakie at my place, Kira came over for egg, pepper, & cheese omelettes, toast and strawberries. Kira gave me a chance to finally use the coffee maker I bought for company. Then around 1pm I scooped up Colette, we went to get a new ID for me and then we were off to the trails by 2pm. I had to be back by 6pm because I Friday nights I co-facilitate a youth group at Main Line Youth (as referenced in the previous blog). I was pushing it, by hiking a good hour away from home, but couldn't resist the thrill of adventure, especially since Colette was down to come out and play in the sunshine!

View from the top

We arrived at Pipersville hungry from the journey there. I stopped at the local grill and ordered a blackened chicken panini. Colette waited in the restaurant while I went back into the car to change into shorts and a tank. We then got back on the road and lost on the way to the rocks. Finding Ralph Stover was easy, we then followed the signs stating that high rocks was five miles away. The tricky part came when we encountered an awkward turn and lost the signs. I ended up on the road below the high rocks instead of ascending upward and had to turn around. When we got to the trail we walked down to one of the viewpoints to check out the Tohickon Creek, from above. It was gorgeous!

Copperhead

Colette and I then walked down the trail looking for a good place to stop and eat lunch. While hiking a biker pointed out that he just 4.5 ft copperhead in the bush up ahead of us. I began pounding and stomping my feet along the trail in the hopes of scaring it. I must have been successful because we never came face to face with; however it would have made for an exciting story had we seen it. We turned around and went back to the top of the rocks to eat and enjoy the view. While eating lunch we watched two dudes assembling their rock climbing gear to drop down from the cliffs. After lunch we continued along the trail in the other direction and stopped at empty stream, filled with rocks that descended down to the creek. Colette and I began hoping from rock to rock all the way down to the bottom so we could play in the water. Truly I just wanted to jump on the rocks, stick my toes in the water, and take pictures from below. Colette was a trooper and enjoyed my wild trail selection (as I mentioned it was a dried up stream we walked down) with loose rocks, high walls, and moss. The way back up was far more grueling and I whipped out the inhaler to complete the rock climb. After briefly celebrating our victory back up to the top we got in the car and headed home. I made it not only on time to volunteer, but when I got there an additional facilitator had set up the chairs for group and purchased food for the meeting. Mega victory!

Colette Playing in the Creek