Amish Country

In a world of 18 wheelers, speedy cars, modern conveniences and fast-paced lives, it's hard to imagine living without these "necessities" of life. But here in "not so rural" Intercourse, Pennsylvania the Amish seem to defy our high-tech, gasoline powered society by living a simple life off the land.

for more info : http://www.800padutch.com/amish.shtml

HAPPY HALLOWEEN !

Yep, they grow 'un BIG up here!

Historic Philadelphia...

No trip along the East Coast would be complete without a visit to the founding place of our country. Yes, it was Philadelphia that was the home of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson in 1776. And it was in this very room at Independence Hall that the Declaration of Independence was written and signed.

A few days later Congress ratified it in their chamber, and it was history! It was interesting to learn that even Franklin considered this a bold experiment, and was uncertain about its future success. Franklin was just over eighty at the signing, and knew that others would have to bear the burden of making this "Democracy" a "reality.

Philadelphia remained the Capital of our country for the first couple of years, until it was moved to Washington.

The nice thing about historical Philly is that the old district was quite small, allowing us to visit these most important landmarks of our past within a day. We started at the Liberty Bell, of course! Interestingly, one is allowed to walk right up to it (but don't dare touch!). The crack was common in bells of that day. It was difficult to get a good blend and casting of the metals. Once a crack starts, it ruins the "ring" and the bell is retired. Fortunately, over the years, this national treasure was saved.

We were also able to find the set of "row houses" that Franklin built & owned, along with his grave in a nearby cemetary.

Hidden beneath the enormous skyscrapers are small jewels of the past that somehow were spared the wrecking ball.

We enjoyed lunch at the City Tavern, which has been operating in the same spot since 1773. Although the orginal structure burned, the National Parks Service rebuilt it to original plans & details. We were surprised by it's antebellum charm & feel.
We crowned the day by arriving at Macy's, which was the old Wanamaker Emporium before the turn of the century, in time for the evening concert on the world's largest pipe organ...the Wanamaker. It was originally constructed for the 1911 St Louis World's Fair, but found a home here instead, due to the manufacturer's bankruptcy. There's nothing electronic that can duplicate the sight & sound of these giants of the organ world! Although this is considered a "concert organ", it was a pleasant reminder of the days of the Paramount Theater show organ concerts in Baton Rouge.

Cape May, NJ - Old Downtown

We were surprised to learn that Cape May has the largest collection of old Vicotrian homes in the country. This morning's early light allowed us to capture the beautiful detail and craftsmanship of a few of the many examples!

Cape May "Storm" Birding Today!

What a day here in Cape May, NJ ( the "birding capital of the world"). So, out this morning in rain, rain! fog, 30-50mph wind! wow! It really paid off for the regular observers at Avalon Beach, with a record count of over 132,000 birds by 2:30PM, screaming by in the fierce winds in huge flocks !!!

And it also paid off for Kim & I, today's new sightings:

Black & Surf Scoters, Red Throated Loons, Brant Geese, White Rumped Sandpiper, so a pretty good day considering!

Connecticut

Connecticut, connecticut .... is there anything over there worth seeing? And we fall upon another spot where discovery overules intention. Yes, we had "intended" to spend "just a night" in this small, rarely heard of state to join Sharon (one of Kim's horse owning friends) for dinner. So, our overnight ends up being four, including a day's paddle on the Housatonic River, a nice picnic lunch and hike with Sharon, a longer day hike on part of the Appalachian Trail and an interesting drive through some of the most picturesque countryside we've yet to find.

We were surprised to that the Housatonic River State Park was partly closed for the season, but "free", quite a bonus for us full-timers out here.

Sharon lives in Bethany, but decided to drive up and meet us at the Park. The weather was beautiful, so after lunch, we made a short hike down the River, and looped back through a nearby hillside, where we discovered an old stone-lined road that lead up to the AT. The magnificant fall colors were well underway, making the liesurely stroll ever more enjoyable.

The River is a favorite amoung local canoeist & kayakers, featuring Class I & II rapids, and for the most part, fast moving water against the backdrop of rolling hills filled with fall splendar.

A nearby Outfitter suggested a 10 mile paddle that would take us back to the Campground. They were taking some customers on another part of the River, so we did a bike shuttle, and another opportunity for more exercise through the hils.

The upper River was still and quiet for the first couple of miles, creating mirrorlike reflections of the late afternoon colors ahead.

Kim's canoe seemed to jump out against the brilliant shades of red & orange.

Adding to the glorious views we jumped up several large groups of Canadian geese. It was interesting to see them get up, climb high above us into their "V" formation, then circle overhead until we were well downriver only to land in that favorite spot once again.

The longest covered bridge we've seen awaited us at West Cornwall, along with the first Class II ocurring right before & under the bridge. The final three miles to the Park went by quickly, as almost the entire route was fast water and rapids. As the sun began to set, the mountains ahead shown brilliant hues of lemon yellow, orange and apple reds ... what a way to end a great paddle!

Ready to get back into the woods the next morning, we started hiking the road we had discovered a couple of days ago up to the AT. The fall scene seemed all the more intense this morning, and a brisk wind added to the experience raining leaves from above, blanketing the trail ahead with an artist pallete of intense color!

A mile or so and the AT intersected the Pine Knoll Loop, taking us high above the Park campground, leaving all signs & sounds of civilzation behind. Throughout this area are remains of old homes. We found this one along the trail, I'm standing in what must have been the cellar.

The unexpected diversion was more of a climb than expected, but the reward was this magnificant view of that fall spectacle from a totally different perspective ... breathtaking!

Our final day in the area was met with a forcast for rain, so off we went in the truck, taking most of the day to complete a sixty mile loop through quiet farmlands, quaint hamlets & towns, lunch at the Mayflower Inn, and Kent Falls, New England's largest waterfall. Hope you enjoy looking at these shots as much as we did taking them!