The Best Of The Year- State Parks
And Now, for the hiking section of this blog... there is Hike somewhere in my blog name....
In 2004, my spoiled cousins from Chicago came to visit us, and they were in complete awe at the amount of trees all around us, it's was like they had never seen a tree in their lives, and I remember telling them, that one of my favorite things about PA is all the trees and greens.
Years later, I have reminded myself that one of the biggest benefits to living in Pennsylvania is easy access to many beautiful state parks. This year, we had the pleasure of visiting 4 new state parks. Here are some memories of them, and memories from other favorites.
Susquehannock State Park - This parks offers the best view of the Susquehanna River in Pa. The trails are small and some are steep, but it's a beautiful park.
We also visited an old favorite, Pine Grove Furnace State Park and rode our bikes around the trail.
Also, Did you know there is a natural mountain cold air room in Trough Creek State Park? It came in very handy in the middle of the summer heat.
There is also a rock balancing itself in a ledge, it's very impressive.
And last, we were sad that it took us so long to make it to Ohiopyle State Park, but we enjoyed the trip very much.
Sometimes I think PA State Park Systems should pay me to go visit their parks... I do visit enough of them a year!
We hope to return to Ohiopyle next spring and maybe even try out some out of state Parks!! Shenandoah National Park has been on our list to visit for a long time, maybe we'll sing up for it's half marathon and make it happen.
Did you visit any State Parks this year ?
Do you have a favorite state park?
In 2004, my spoiled cousins from Chicago came to visit us, and they were in complete awe at the amount of trees all around us, it's was like they had never seen a tree in their lives, and I remember telling them, that one of my favorite things about PA is all the trees and greens.
Years later, I have reminded myself that one of the biggest benefits to living in Pennsylvania is easy access to many beautiful state parks. This year, we had the pleasure of visiting 4 new state parks. Here are some memories of them, and memories from other favorites.
Susquehannock State Park - This parks offers the best view of the Susquehanna River in Pa. The trails are small and some are steep, but it's a beautiful park.
We also visited an old favorite, Pine Grove Furnace State Park and rode our bikes around the trail.
Also, Did you know there is a natural mountain cold air room in Trough Creek State Park? It came in very handy in the middle of the summer heat.
There is also a rock balancing itself in a ledge, it's very impressive.
And last, we were sad that it took us so long to make it to Ohiopyle State Park, but we enjoyed the trip very much.
Sometimes I think PA State Park Systems should pay me to go visit their parks... I do visit enough of them a year!
We hope to return to Ohiopyle next spring and maybe even try out some out of state Parks!! Shenandoah National Park has been on our list to visit for a long time, maybe we'll sing up for it's half marathon and make it happen.
Did you visit any State Parks this year ?
Do you have a favorite state park?
Susquehannock I so close I don't know why we haven't been there yet. Ohiopyle is on our list for this summer!
ReplyDeleteIt is really close! and the view of the river is amazing!!
DeleteI look forward to hearing about your Ohiopyle adventures!
Those parks all look incredible. I would be right there in awe with your cousins from Chicago. We have palm trees here which are great, I love them, but your trees look like real trees :)
ReplyDeleteThat natural mountain cold air room sounds super cool! How cold did it get in there during the summer?
They are beautiful!
DeleteI love the palm trees in Florida! probably my favorite sight there!
It was 50 degrees in the ice caves, in the middle of the summer. Outside it was 95 and humid. We didn't want to leave the ice cave!
I moved to VA from Denver when I was a teenager and I remember feeling very claustrophobic because of all of the trees. In my neighborhood in Denver at most people would have 1 or 2 trees that were planted. Now I just take all the trees for granted.
ReplyDeleteoh wow! That is interesting! I never thought of trees as barriers before.
DeleteI'm jealous of state parks that are all gorgeous mountains, lakes, and tall trees. Our state parks are flat wetlands. I mean, sometimes you see gators, but they're not pretty and they're rarely hike-able!!
ReplyDeleteJa ! good one Ali! I am jealous of your beaches and sand! and the warm weather. I could live in florida, if I had the option to live in another state, it would be Florida.
Deletecome on up to visit us and our parks! I promise to take you in a great hike.
I never realized how beautiful PA was until you and Meg featured these parks on your blogs! I don't visit Illinois' State Parks--but even the local forest preserves have a lot to offer as a respite from suburbia!
ReplyDeleteI am glad we can showcase our beautiful state !
DeleteSee, there is trees close to Chicago!
Those all look like beautiful hikes! I've never heard of a natural mountain cold air room, how cool :)
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of it either, it was a new and interesting experience!
DeleteI agree Karen, there can never be enough hiking!
ReplyDeleteWhat is the furthest you have driven to for a park? I think our furthers park was in Delaware, but it was worth the drive.