Since our first camping trip got rained out we decided to try again. The 2nd weekend of August we drove across the state to Rickett's Glen. It is a state park that has been on our list to visit for awhile now.
On the drive we stopped at the Penn State creamery. Yummy
We camped inside the state park. So no hook ups-- just a camp site and a fire pit.
We got a spot with a view of the lake. Nice. I wish we had a kayak or something.
Back by the lake they had wild blueberries and Amelia loved picking them and eating them.
The kids did a great job camping. No real issues. They sleep like logs. Ha ha. I wish I could say the same.
We had great weather. It was warm if you were in the sun (about 80 degrees) and very cool in the shade. It went down to like 55 at night.
We left Friday night and on Saturday morning we got an early start and headed to the trails. We did the falls trail. It is about a 4 mile loop hike. You hike down into the base of the mountain to the base of one river and then up the mountain along the other side of another river.
On this hike there are over 18 waterfalls. The glen has 22 I think. But to see them all is about a 7 mile hike-- Not a great idea with 2 little kids. 4 miles is really pushing it. Hayden walked almost the entire way. He probably walked about 4 miles since we go off the trails and climb and get closer looks at the waterfalls. The last few minutes I carried him on my back on and off up the steep hill out.
Poor Amelia out grew her keens and got some blisters so she didn't quite make it 4 miles. But she made it way more than half way.
This place was awesome. The hike was probably considered strenuous due to a big elevation change and lost of rock climbing. But it wasn't too bad. And we did see about 18 waterfalls.
People were just blowing by them and not stopping or getting closer. We stopped and enjoyed them and climbed down closer to see most of them.
Ganoga falls was about 100 feet. That was pretty cool to see.
At this waterfall someone made a chair out of the rocks. hayden enjoyed taking a break here.
We saw lots of other falls that were pretty big. Like this one.
And This one.
We saw plenty of other falls. You can scroll down later and see all of them.
Here are a few favorite pics.
And this one.
Overall it took us like 5 hours. We stopped a lot and played at the falls and ate lunch and lots of snacks.
We also stopped and planked???
We also stopped at an area where everyone does rock balancing.
Hayden really thought this was cool and wanted to do his own. Not too bad.
The kids were tired but we promised them we would go to the beach area. So we headed there next.
It was pretty nice there and crowded. Hayden usually finds someone to play with (usually older) and today was no exception. He was in the water most of the day.
He enjoyed being on the tube.
Amelia always is happy at the beach. She mainly plays in the sand but does go in the water too.
Mike was having pretty bad allergy issues but did build a sand castle with the kids.
Apparently we plank at the beach too.
After the beach we headed back to the campsite for dinner. After dinner we went to a presentation on forest fires and the kids got to meet smokey the bear. they didn't know who he was and weren't too keen on meeting him. Especially Amelia. She wouldn't go near him. Ha ha.
Hayden enjoyed looking at the equipment afterwards. Especially the back pack squirter.
That night we had a scary encounter. Mike and I awoke to hearing a bear outside the tent. Scary. Luckily the kids didn't wake up. I didn't like how trapped we were. Not a good feeling. Luckily it went away but I was awake for awhile. Then Mike snored so bad due to his allergies. He sounded like a bear. So I got no sleep. :(
I would definitely recommend visiting Rickett's glen. It was one our favorite hikes. The beach is a nice bonus. the camp area was nice. just clean up after yourselves so the bears leave you alone (thankfully we did and it didn't stay)
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