NO TURNING BACK NOW!

13TH HIKE: HAWK MOUNTAIN 

Facts

Location: Kempton, PA

Park: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

Trail: Skyline (most difficult)

Elevation: 1,500+ ft

Date: 8/7/11

Adventure

New Socks!

Believe it or not I didn't pack a lunch. I anticipated hawk mountain being a short climb up, then down and back home to eat. Haha! This was one of the most amazing and exhilarating hikes of the summer! Henry and I took off for hawk mountain. I had my hiking shoes in the car and was convinced that I had wool socks in the box with them...wrong! I had to buy a pair of socks in the gift shop before hitting the trail. I asked for a map and what trail had the best views. I was told the Skyline, but that it was the most difficult trail in the park (did I hear you say difficult, just checking.) Naturally there became no other option for me. After walking arond the park with Henry checking out all the "clearview hawks" in the fog at different lookout points on the north trail, we met our match with the Skyline. There was literally no visible trail the blazes were on the rocks and we had no option, but to climb down, same idea as a cliff only not as drastic. Henry asked me one last time if I was sure that I wanted to do it, but I reckon the look in my eyes suggested there was no way I would miss out on this adventure!

Start of Skyline Trail

The climb was wild and non-stop. Once we got to a level spot on the skyline the terrain still consisted of climbing up and down rocks for almost a solid hour before reaching the connecting trails to bring us back to the visitor center. Henry and I exchanged stories about our travels, enjoyment of nature, and memories of college. We paused to indulge in some crackers and granola bars. I failed to mention that it had rained the day before and all the rocks were slippery. I totally fell several times, not cute, thank goodness for my "Katniss" like reflexes! We ended up at the river of rocks, which totally reminded me of ringing rocks, (this formation was most likely caused by an avalanche.) What was really cool about reaching the river of rocks was knowing how far away from the top we had travel, but also knowing the climb back up might be a little painful. However, no pain, no gain! We barreled our way to the top and felt quite victorious. We filled up our bottles with water by the visitors center and were on our way home, for an ice cold shower.

What should have been an two hour hike, turned into four. Still one of the better hikes I've been on this summer. I would love to go back and do it again! Also we saw walking stick bugs, and really cool shale.

Walking Sticks

DINO THUNDER!

12TH HIKE: DINOSAUR STATE PARK

Facts

Location: Rocky Hill, CT

Park: Dinosaur State Park

Trail: Blue, Orange, Red, & Yellow (2.2 mi)

Attraction: Dinosaur Footprints

Date: 8/4/11


Adventure

I have driven along I-91 to New York, Philly, and so on more than twenty times, in which, I constantly pass the sign that reads dinosaur state park. I was planning on hiking with Jully out in Western Mass, but she ended up at the Cape and I on my pilgrimage back to PA. I decided that today was going to be the day I stopped at this roadside attraction to check it out. I packed two pulled pork sandwiches, fruit, granola bars, and a piece of candy for the trip. It was a smooth hour and a fifteen minute drive my home in Worcester, MA. I am still convinced that the five year old in me pulled over the car...

When I arrived at the park I began roaming through the woods looking for dinosaur footprints, even though I knew damn well the must be inside the dome. I ducked off the main trail congested with small children and parents. I started running up hill and through the woods imagining that dinoaurs were alongside me. I stopped to read various signs about the geology and animals that dominated various eras. I scrunched up my arms and continued jogging around pretending to be an actual dinosaur and imagining life in a land before time (I couldn't resist.) The entire hike I contemplated entering the museum to see the footprints, but I didn't want to drop six bills and be taken for a sucka! I also knew I would never return to the park so I had to do it, I needed evidence that dinosaurs had been here.

The footprints were tiny and coated the floor of the dome. Travelers could view the footprints from 5-10 above depending on which side of the railing you were standing. In addition to being tiny footprints there was also uncertainty about the type of dino. They believed it to be an Eubrontes, but given the area of CT, palentologist claimed that they must have belonged to Dilophosaurus'. Despite the tiny prints, which I was hoping to see one giant one, I was still able to nerd out and enjoy reading all about dinosaurs! I wouldn't recommend it, but if you're really into dinosaurs it might be worth checking out.

I'LL TAKE PLEASURE AND BUSINESS

11TH HIKE: MARGINAL WAY

Facts

Location: Ogunquit, ME

Trail: Marginal Way 1.25 mi

Terrain: Rocky Seacoast

Date: 8/2/11

Adventure

On family vacation at the beach house up in Wells Maine, we decided to go to Ogunquit for an evening of shopping. As most of you know shopping isn't quite my gimmick and I had to take a conference call that evening for a group research project, so I debated making the trip at all. If my family had gone to Kennebunkport as planned I most likely would have gone back to the house, but since I knew Ogunquit is home to the Marginal Way and Perkins Cove I knew I could get lost far away from a potential retail coma. The Marginal way itself is a nice easy walk along the shore of Ogunquit beach. From the trail you can see rocks and the ocean. Not to mention at sunset the view is quite breath taking.

My mother and sister walked about half way and then my cousin and aunt walked the rest of the trip with me. During the jaunt by the sea I had to skype in for the group conference call. While walking along the gorgeous shore I was able to discuss the research project, enjoy the fresh air, and smile at the sea. The many wonders of modern technology!

If you are ever in southern Maine it's worth it to check out the marginal way, but I definitely recommend taking the walk in the evening by sunset. Even though the light won't directly shine over the water it still adds a whole new element to the journey between day and night.

DING, DONG, DORK!

10TH HIKE: RINGING ROCKS

Facts

Location: Upper Black Eddy, PA

Park: Ringing Rocks Park

Trail: Ringing Rocks

Date: 7/27/11

Adventure

Forgive my memory, but the next few enteries may be short and sweet due to a serious account of negligance to the blog project. I have been hiking more than once a week in an effort to accomplish the goal of twenty hikes before the closing of September. The month off from hiking in June was costly, but it has been enjoyable to increase my weekly exploring.

Ringing Rocks

After researching the location of Ringing Rocks I had established two different towns, one site said Pottsgrove, another Pottstown.  Midway through the drive I realized I should probably confirm the actual address instead of just driving around. First, I called J. D. who had been to ringing rocks the day before to ask for the correct town. When she didn't pick up I called Ringing Rocks Park and learned that the location was in fact Upper Black Eddy. Colette and I stopped for sandwiches at Top of the Mall Deli, in Revere, supposedly one of the best kept secret lunch places in Bucks County (there was also an independent video store next door, which made me leap for joy.) It was delicious! We picniked before the hike. I had a chicken salad sandwich with cranberries and walnuts! Ringing Rocks is giant open space filled with bizarre rocks, potentially containing radioactive elements that produce a bell-like sound when they come in contact with a metal object. There are multiple mythologies explaining why the rocks sound like a bell when struck, but the reality is it rings!

Colette and I also walked down by the waterfalls and explored the layered rocks, that were constructed like an ampitheater. We walked down by the stream and jumped off rocks, before climbing back up the steep hill we frolicked down. After hiking for about an hour or so, knowing that Colette needed to get back early, we left. I was willing to forgo an extra hour of hiking to stop for ice cream and be home on time. We stopped at Owowcow creamery, where they made ice cream with organicly grown products. The ice cream was a little pricey, but totally worth it. I began chatting up the woman behind the register and told her we had never been before. She encouraged us to sample five or six flavors before we made our decision. Her hand was flying in and out of the ice cream buckets. I settled on a white cava strawberry flavor! Colette got lavendar! Amazing hike with cool rocks and fantastic ice cream!