A Hike of Waterfalls: Ricketts Glen State Park, Pennsylvania

13 November 202122 September 2024

What if you learned you could hike a trail with over 20 waterfalls? Not just small ones but several falls with a drop of nearly 100 feet? When I heard about the spectacular scenery at Ricketts Glen State Park, I quickly planned a road trip to see the beauty of the park for myself.

The 15-foot Onondaga Waterfall

I started my hike at the Lake Rose Parking Lot and took the Highland Trail, passing the Midway Crevasse. Ricketts Glen is located in Benton, Pennsylvania and is so large that it covers three counties, Columbia, Luzerne and Sullivan. This state park, over 13,000 acres, was once privately owned by Robert Bruce Ricketts, who had once planned to build a hotel here.

Shortly into my hike, I approached the 15-foot Onondaga Waterfall, but more impressive was the F.L. Ricketts Falls which is the magnificent 380-foot “wedding cake” waterfall named after Robert’s brother Frank.

Most of the waterfalls throughout the trail range from 11 to 94 foot drops. Harrison Wright Falls is another one of the beautiful waterfalls at Ricketts Glen State Park, falling 27 feet.

The park was founded in 1942 and approximately 500,000 visitors hike the trail each year. The journey totals 7.2 miles starting at PA 118, but there is a somewhat shorter trek starting at Lake Rose. The Falls Trail has been categorized as difficult due to its steepness and slippery conditions from the mist of the waterfalls.

Within Ricketts Glen, there have been sightings of black bear, white-tailed deer, squirrels, porcupine and raccoon. Animals not often seen include beaver, the river otter, bobcat, coyote, red fox and mink. The park is also a popular birding location and wild turkeys during the fall season.

While the hike of waterfalls is the main draw to the park, there are also ten cabins, two camping areas, horseback riding, hunting, swimming, fishing as well as boating. As of 1997, ice climbing was permitted. Other winter activities include cross country skiing and ice fishing, but the park is closed to hiking during the winter months.

I completed the trail in two and a half hours with plenty of stops to stand amazed at the falls. The park was busy with visitors and it was fun to watch the young children enjoy the views as well. The day was cool and perfect to explore the park and I was excited to end my hike with a picnic lunch, surrounded by nature and the sound of the falls.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Ricketts Glen? What other parks can you suggest for hiking? I would love to hear about your visit and other hiking suggestions if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for your interest in my experience at Ricketts Glen! Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Ricketts Glen State Park
695 State Route 487
Benton, PA 17814
Telephone: 570 477 5675

Admission Fee: There is no fee for visiting Ricketts Glen State Park
Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk;
Amenities: Hiking, cabins, beach, concessions at the beach, wildlife viewing,
Scenic View: The 21 waterfalls on the hike are breathtaking.
Length of Visit: 2 – 3 hours
Tips for Your Visit: The hike can be slippery and the steps can be steep at times so be prepared. Pack water and snacks for the hike. During the wintertime, trails may be closed, so check the state park website for any updates.

Where to Stay:

Mattress & Muffin Inn
240 S. Main Street, Benton, PA 17814
Phone: 570.925.5466

This beautiful home in historic Benton offers affordable, quaint accommodations and complimentary breakfast in the morning.

Where to Eat:

Hobokon Sub Shop
Main Street, Benton, PA 17814
Phone: 570.925.2100

I picked up a sub sandwich to enjoy after hiking Ricketts Glen. The staff were very friendly and my meal was perfect for my picnic lunch!

What to Eat:

Pretzels were brought to Pennsylvania by the German settlers.
Philly Cheesesteaks are sandwiches made of strips of steak topped with Cheez Whiz and onion.
The Banana Split is said to have been invented in Latrobe, Pennsylvania
Hershey’s Kisses
Lebanon Bologna made by the Pennsylvania Dutch
Apple Butter produced by the Pennsylvania Dutch
Utz potato chips
Tastycakes
Heinz Ketchup
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Twizzlers
Chocolate
Scrapple is a meat loaf made of pork scraps and cornmeal.
The Arnold Palmer is a drink made of half tea and half lemonade.
Pot Pie is another contribution by the Pennsylvania Dutch.
Root Beer was invented by Charles Elmer Hires of Philadelphia, PA.
Philadelphia Pepper Pot Soup was served at Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War.
Funnel cakes
Stromboli
Shoofly Pie is a pie with the main ingredient of molasses
Whoopie Pies are cake cookies with a cream filling
Peeps

What to Read:

Ricketts Glen State Park by Tim Shirey
Ricketts Glen State Park by Jesse Russell

Great Smoky Mountain National Park: Visitor Center

3 December 202022 September 2024

Did you know that the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is a World Heritage Site?

These beautiful mountains, known as the Great Smokies, are located in both North Carolina and Tennessee, a part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and a segment of the Appalachians. This land, measuring nearly half a million acres, became a national park in 1940 and a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1983.

The national park’s Visitor Center provides an overview of life in the Great Smoky Mountains from its flora and fauna to the wild animals that make their home here. We decided to make a stop with my nephew, Nolan to learn more about the animals we may encounter during our visit.

The Red Fox resides in the Northern Hemisphere and is one of the largest of all foxes. Able to adapt in all environments, the red fox is usually found in pairs or in small families feasting on smaller rodents. They can survive at various elevations. The red fox has a white tip on its tail, a face that resembles a dog. and its legs may me darker than its coat.

The Grey Fox, although similar to the Red Fox, is usually grey in color and is specifically adapted to climb trees to escape predators. Rather than a white tip on their tail, they will have a black stripe down its tail, a strong neck and the face similar to a cat.

I have only seen a mink once in the wild near a wetlands trail. They are such an elusive creature, growing to be about 12 – 15 inches and weighing a little over 2 pounds. Their coats are brown and may have white markings on their chests and bellies. They travel independently and find their food near water. It is certainly an amazing feeling when you see one in the wild.

Bobcats are a rare sight throughout the Smokey Mountains as they are nocturnal and solitary in nature. Covered in spots, they have stubby tails and short ears and they only grow as long as three feet. The females give birth to up to six kittens during the winter.

Skunks are the animal that you can smell before you see them due their scent glands, used as a defensive weapon. Known for their black coat with white stripes, they are in abundance throughout the park while the lesser known skunk is black with white spots. Skunks give birth to a litter of four to seven babies, usually in the month of May.

While there are populations of wild hogs within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, they are not often spotted within the mountains. The female will usually have around six piglets in a litter and breed twice a year.

The Woodchuck, or Groundhog, is found in open fields, on the side of the road and streams where they find their food. They can measure up to 26 inches and weigh between five and 13 pounds. The females give birth to up to nine babies living up to six years in the wild.

There is an abundance of raccoons within the Great Smoky National Park. While they may make a rare appearance during the day, they are nocturnal and most active at night. A fully grown raccoon will live up to seven years old and weigh between eight to 14 pounds. Most raccoons live near streams to feed on crayfish and frogs.

Chipmunks are also another Smoky Mountains animal that are easily spotted throughout the park. On the ground collecting nuts or racing up trees to store them, Eating nuts, seeds and fruits, they can store their food in their cheek pouches that can reach the size of their bodies when full.

Several species of owls can be found within the Great Smokey National Park. From the medium-sized barn owl to the smaller great horned owl, they are a rare sighting as they are most active at night. They feed off of small rodent animals within the park and make their homes in the many trees throughout the park.

What animals did you see while visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Did you have a favorite one? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my amazing adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN 37738
Telephone: 865 436 1200

Where to Stay:

Firefly Chalet
Highway 321 North
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Website: www.vrbo.com

Where to Eat:

Bennett’s Bar-B-Que
2910 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN
Telephone: 865 429 2200

What to Eat:

Barbecue

Photographing Inniswood Metro Gardens, Columbus

12 January 201614 September 2024

My first experience at Inniswood was shortly after I bought my new Nikon D3100 camera. I wanted to find a park where I could photograph nature, scenery and interesting creatures to broaden my portfolio. Looking for the chance to shoot macro, wide angle and experiment creatively, I could not believe all of the fabulous photo opportunities at this park.

Practicing some of the tips I had read in my camera’s manual, I was ready to explore the aperture and shutter priority settings. I came upon a bee flying around the flowers as I walked the tour. I waited for the right moment to frame the insect between the flowers and was eager to experiment with creating blurred images, focusing on the bee and the flower. Set on aperture, I adjusted the F-stop to f/5.6 and the exposure time to 1/40 sec. There was plenty of sunlight, so my ISO speed was perfectly set at 100 and my lens’ focal length was 55mm. It took me several shots, but in the end I was very pleased with the outcome.

I was so excited to see the waterfall because I could practice using the shutter priority setting, allowing me the chance to practice another photography skill. It took me several attempts before I found a shot that satisfied me, but I enjoyed the challenge and the result of freezing the waterfall perfectly.

I left the F-stop at f/5.6 and the exposure time was changed to 1/20 sec. There was plenty of sunlight, so my ISO speed was perfectly set at 100 and my lens’ focal length was 55mm. My exposure bias was +0.7 step. I was pleasantly surprised with how well this photo turned out.

For my first shots, I have to say that they came out fairly well. The image viewer on the back of the camera was not large enough to give me an accurate assessment of each photo. For example, I really thought I had captured the circular tips on the stigma of my flower, but in the end, they were still a little blurry. I hope that as I practice, I will become accustomed to improving the clarity of my shots and will learn to make the proper adjustments for shooting better photos.

Towards the end of my walk, I started to take some photos without setting up the shots. Surprisingly, I had a couple that turned out to be some of my most interesting and favorite shots. I shot this photo in aperture priority, with an F-stop of f/5.6, exposure time: 1/60 sec., an ISO speed of 200 using the 55mm focal length. There was an exposure bias set at +0.3 step. It seemed to one of those photos that I would never be able to recreate.

My favorite photo of the whole afternoon was taken at dusk when this tiny little raccoon peeked out from the brush as I was exiting the park. The park ranger noticed him as well and was trying to encourage him back into the woods. He allowed me a quick opportunity to photograph him, but of course, the grass was in the way of the shot. I hope that someday in the future I will be able to learn how to modify photos with software to preserve some of the great moments that did not turn out so well. And until then, I will continue to photograph all manners of landscape, animals, and architecture just for the joy of photography.

Are you a photographer or just have a love for documenting your adventures? Whether I am out traveling the world or in my own backyard, the digital camera has allowed me to capture some of the best moments in my life! I would love to hear any photo tips or to learn of some your most memorable photographic experiences! Please share your stories and tips on the comments section below! Many Thanks and Happy Travels!

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What to See and What to Do:

Inniswood Metro Gardens
1069 West Main Street
Westerville, OH 43081
Telephone; 614 891 0700

Admission Fee: Free
Hours: Open daily from 7AM to dark.
Amenities: Family programs, hiking/trails, gardens, restrooms, Innis House, Wedding venue, tours and entertainment

Where to Stay:

Aloft Columbus Westerville
32 Heatherdown Drive
Westerville, OH 43081
Telephone: 614 899 6560

Where to Eat:

Northstar Cafe
109 S. State Street
Westerville, OH 43081
Telephone: 614 394 8992

One of my favorite menu items at Northstar is the Thai Burrito with roasted chicken, peanut sauce, crunchy slaw and brown rice served with a Thai dipping sauce and tortilla chips. When dining with a larger group, I prefer the Margherita Pizza with organic tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil and shaved Grana Padano.

Here are more of my favorite Columbus Classics:

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream: Known for her unique flavor combinations, Jeni Britton Bauer has made ice cream famous in C-Bus!
North Market: A one-stop shop for universal cuisine, Columbus’ North Market is worth a stop in the Short North District of the city.
The Thurman Cafe: The Thurmanator is the burger of all burgers at this longtime local cafe in German Village. There may be a wait all burgers are made to order.
Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant: While the sausage at Schmidt’s is the official food of Columbus, it’s the amazing Cream Puffs that have the locals lining up at the door.

What to Read:

Columbus: The Story of a City, by Ed Lentz
Columbus, Ohio: A Photographic Portrait, by Randall L Schieber and Robin Smith
Ohio in Photographs: A Portrait of the Buckeye State, by Ian Adams
Secret Columbus, by Anietra Hamper

Photo Guide for Columbus:

Coffman Park: small ponds, bridges, white barn, pavilion, landscaping, public art
Columbus Museum of Art: the grounds, inside artwork and special exhibits
Everal Barn and Homestead: landscaping, white barn, beautiful lake
Frank Fetch Park: gardens, brick paths, beautiful trees and landscaping
Franklin Park Conservatory: beautiful gardens, artwork, flowers and special exhibits
Gantz Park: barn, beautiful trees,
German Village: brick streets, landscaping, parks, charming architecture, Old World charm, historical buildings
Grove City: brick roads, small town, shopping area
Hayden Falls – wooden walking path, waterfall
Historical Village of Hilliard: a small village to include a schoolhouse, train car, chapel, log cabin, covered bridge, gazebo and granary
Homestead Park in Hilliard: walking path, covered bridge, barns, trains, tractor, pond and pet park
Inniswood Metro Gardens: gardens, lily pond, herb garden, play area for children, secret garden
Ohio State House: rotunda and landscaping (photo permit required)
Ohio State University: campus, landscaping, Mirror Lake, Ohio Stadium (you can pay a small fee to take photos inside)
Park of Roses in Clintonville: various types of rose gardens
Riverfront Park: city view, Scioto River, landscapes, fountains, walking paths
Schiller Park: gardens, walking paths, stone columns, wooden bridge, small lake
Scioto Mile: city views, Scioto River, landscapes, fountains, walking paths
Scioto Park in Dublin: statue of Chief Leatherlips, river views, landscaping, and paths
Short North: restaurants, italian village, shops, city views, murals
Topiary Park: depiction of George Seurat’s 1884 painting, landscape, fountains, small pond, gazebo