Philly Backyard Adventures

Local Scenery

2008-06-18T10:35:00.000-07:00

Outdoors album with captions on Webshots

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Paddling Down the Delaware River

2008-06-12T13:40:00.000-07:00

As the Delaware River forms a natural boundary between Pa. and N.J., we've all probably passed over the 390-mile long waterway at some point during our commute or trips to the Jersey shore. From June 21-28, there is an opportunity to travel by way of the river rather than over it during the Delaware River Sojourn.

The annual boating event was started in 1995 to raise awareness and gather support for the river's conservation. The Sojourn offers a weeklong adventure paddling down the Delaware in canoes and kayaks and camping along the river's edge. Participants can choose whether they want to join fellow canoers and kayakers for the entire week of events or just jump in line as the group floats past one of 12 launch sites over the course of seven days. However, with a $70 fee for each day, which covers canoe and kayak rentals, shuttle transportation, camping fees, and some meals, some may decide that only one or two days are necessary to get a paddling fix.

More than Just Bird-watching at Hawk Mountain

2008-06-10T08:54:00.000-07:00

When I reach North Lookout after hiking to the top of Hawk Mountain, the dizzying view overlooking Berks County's landscape always manages to take my breath away. For miles, I can see valleys sloping down between rows of mountains and an endless blue sky. Although I'm no expert on birds, I still appreciate watching hawks, vultures, and falcons soar into view from my perch on the mountain's edge. The non-profit bird sanctuary covers 2,600 acres of land in Kempton, which is an hour and forty minutes outside the city in northern Berks County. Hawk Mountain is ideal for bird-watching, but even if you can't tell a Peregrine Falcon from a Broad-winged Hawk, there are five trails on which to hike, all blazed in a different color so you don't get lost, including the Lookout Trail. This is my preferred destination on the mountain because it offers a moderate climb along a slightly rocky path and takes me past 9 other vantage points before ending at North Lookout. Here, at an elevation of 1,500 feet, you will find a 200-degree panoramic view of the Appalachian Mountains as well as the thick, green forests of the sanctuary.

Gazing out from the top of the mountain, you can also see the River of Rocks, a field of boulders carved out by glaciers during the ice age. If you'd rather get a close-up look at the River of Rocks, you can hike 700 feet down the mountain into the woods and follow the trail for 4 miles. I've attempted this hike twice now, following the red blazes through the woods until I've reached the first boulder field, but I've always turned back due to lack of time and snacks to make it through the 3-4 hour hike. While this is not an uphill trek, it is still quite challenging due to the rockiness of the trail. I'd recommend having your hands free for this one, and pack plenty of water and food if you intend to complete the entire River of Rocks loop.

The park, which is managed by the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association, is open from dawn till dusk and costs five dollars, except on weekends from September through November when the price is seven dollars.

Everhart Park's Unique Red Bench

2008-06-05T13:22:00.000-07:00

Everhart Park of West Chester, Pa. may not have a mountain to climb, a rushing river to kayak on, or even an extensive trail system to hike through. The park is, however, home to one of my favorite resting places, a red bench placed in the park to honor of the 20th-Century American artist Horace Pippin, who was a native of West Chester. The artist, who was known for his primitive, or naive art, once painted a self-portrait in which he is sitting on a bright red bench in a grove of trees. As if it jumped right out of the painting and into the park, the real red bench sits beneath several large trees on a small hill.

The first few times I visited the park, which is maintained by the Borough of West Chester and also has a large playground, pavillion, and wetlands preservation area, I eyed the vibrantly painted red seat from afar, but there was always someone reading a book, playing guitar, or just taking a breather on the one-of-a-kind bench. Since then, I've been able to have a seat here on quite a few occassions, and I've found that no other spot in Everhart Park offers as good of a view of scenery as Horace Pippin's memorial bench. Plus, I find the contrast between the crimson red and its green surroundings so striking, that I'm willing to stay on a hard, metal bench for a good half hour just for the sake of sitting on a work of art.

Find Shelter from Heat at Crystal Cave

2008-06-02T18:48:00.000-07:00

Walking through a damp cavern, my eyes wide as they passed over a six-foot tall tower of crystalized calcium deposits, I got a chill. Even though it was June and the summer heat was rising outside, this was one place that naturally kept its temperature at 54 degrees all year round. The drive from Philly to the cave takes about an hour and a half and will sends visitors traveling through the beautiful, rural landscape of Dutch Country northwest of the city. Discovered in 1871, the family-owned Crystal Cave, which costs 11 dollars for a tour, has become quite the popular site for the locals and tourists.

When I came to a take tour of Crystal Cave, I was led into a small building where a promotional, but educational, film was shown to inform me about the history of the cave and its surrounding area. Then, I followed the tour guide to the cave’s entrance, where I prepared to descend 155 feet into the earth. Luckily, the bats overhead were nocturnal and wouldn't begin to flutter through the cave until long after the tour was complete.

Although the tour guides are trained to give the same information to all tour groups, I’ve had several guides that provided extra tidbits that they’ve learned from their experiences working at the cave. Fortunately, all tour guides I’ve met have been extremely informative and entertaining, because let’s face it, no matter how awesome being in a cave is, after staring at rock formation after rock formation, you need someone to point out how one looks like an ice cream cone or another appears to be a group of prairie dogs to keep things interesting.

During the tour, I also walked through the spacious Cathedral Chamber, a room used for several wedding ceremonies, and climbed stairs to the highest point at the very end of the cave. Then, the lights went out completely, and I may as well have been blind as I stood in this cold tunnel over a hundred feet beneath the earth’s crust. No worries; the tour guide flipped a light switch and my path through the cave was well lit as I headed back towards the entrance.

After I stepped out of the cave and my eyes adjusted to sunlight once again, I could head to the ice cream parlor, the gift shop, mini-golf course, or walking trail all on location at Crystal Cave. If I felt inspired by the rocks and crystals I saw during the tour, I could've even panned for gems at the new sluice located outside of the cave.

Any other time of year, I have brought a jacket or sweater for the chilly cave tour, but during the sizzle of summer, I recommend taking advantage of the natural air conditioning that the cave provides and enjoying 40 minutes of cool refreshment.

Check out Roadside America's site to check out more information about the cave before planning a trip.

Blue Marsh Lake: Not Just a Day at the Beach

2008-05-28T19:02:00.000-07:00

When I'm planning a day of sun, sand, and surf, I could make a trip to the Jersey shore. But, if I want to beat the traffic and summertime crowds of the beach, I head away from the coast towards Blue Marsh Lake, just outside of Reading, Pa. Awaiting my arrival, the 1,150-acre lake, a privately owned project managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers of the Philadelphia District, boasts a sandy shoreline and sparkling blue waves.

Blue Marsh is only an hour and a half from Philly and offers more than just your average day at the beach. I often come prepared with hiking shoes and attire and walk along the 30-mile trail that runs through the woods and fields encircling Blue Marsh Lake. Visitors can also bring a boat or jet ski and have a blast soaring across the lake's rippling waters surrounded by lush forests and green mountains.

The lake is free, except for a three dollar fee for boats, and open to the public from dawn until dusk. On several occasions, I have stayed at Blue Marsh late into the evening just to catch a tranquil lakeside sunset from the water's edge.

Boulder-Hopping at St. Peter's Village

2008-05-27T10:35:00.000-07:00

Driving along Route 23 in Warwick Township, Chester County, it is easy to pass by St. Peter’s Village. Although there is a sign displaying the name of the site, the road into the village, which was once an industrial mining town, is narrow and doesn’t appear to lead to anything out of the ordinary. However, beneath the shade of the canopy of trees that lines St. Peter’s Road is a small historical village complete with a Victorian-style inn and ice cream shop. Owned and maintained by the St. Peter's Condominium Association, the quaint appearance of St. Peter’s is enough to attract visitors throughout the year, but the natural setting nestled behind the main road is where I head for a day of outdoor leisure.

Running parallel to the town is a creek, a tributary of French Creek, filled with massive boulders spilling down the length of the stream. This spot offers both a quiet retreat and a playground for the adventurous types. On any given day at St. Peter’s, I can find families with small children climbing on the rocks or having a picnic along the creek’s edge, while teenagers spring from boulder to boulder over the fast, rushing waters, pulling out their best Spider-man moves mid-air. I prefer to do more of a small hop to each boulder to avoid landing in knee-high water, as a companion of mine once demonstrated. When I go to St. Peter’s, I wear athletic sneakers and loose-fitting clothes, as I may choose to play among the boulders or hike in the woods alongside the creek. Or, if I'm looking for a pleasant spot to read, write, or reflect, many of the boulders are large enough to lie down on, so I can bring a blanket and a good book and relax.

After I am finished jumping, climbing, or resting on boulders, I always head to Warwick County Park, which sits directly across the street from St. Peter’s. There I find pavilions, a volleyball court, and two playgrounds, which I admit to playing on from time to time. I can also head into the woods surrounding the park and walk along one of its many trails, such as the Horse-Shoe Trail, which extends from Valley Forge National Historic Park to the Appalachian Trail at Stony Mountain. I have just one warning: watch out for snakes! I accidentally scared a gray Northern Water Snake that blended in with the gravel trail and both the slithering reptile and I jumped about two feet into the air.

Both St. Peter's Village and Warwick County Park are free and open to the public from dawn till dusk, and I can get from Philly to St. Peter's is about an hour's drive.

Aimless Exploration at French Creek

2008-05-22T08:23:00.000-07:00

Spanning across both Berks and Chester counties, French Creek State Park is just an hour away from Philadelphia in Elverson, Pa. Its 7,474 acres of protected land offers nine trails and several lakes that serve as ideal settings for hiking, fishing, and canoeing. On my first visit to French Creek, I found a large, free parking lot right alongside Hopewell Lake, providing easy access to both water activities and trails. I was pleased to find about 10 canoes lined up outside of a boathouse, presumably available for rent. Unfortunately, there were no park employees stationed here to which I could inquire about rentals, so I meandered around the lake on one of the trails instead.

Looking for a rigorous day of hiking? Well, many of French Creek’s wooded trails may be too tame and not provide the exercise expected since they consist of mainly flat, worn ground or minor inclines. If you’re the kind of person who arrives at a state park wearing flip flops, such as myself on this day, many of the trails, like those encircling the lakes, are perfect for a relaxing stroll in the woods. You can also play the ever-popular game of disc golf on these trails, and according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources site, several are specifically marked for biking. I should mention, however, that I returned to French Creek a second time to try out some of the biking trails, but even after an hour of driving through the park and picking up a park guide and map at the main office, which was closed even on this summer day, I could not find an entrance to a bike trail.

While French Creek State Park is clean and well-maintained, if I plan on visiting again, I will contact the office first (contact information is listed at the bottom of the DCNR page) to find information about canoe rentals and biking so I can take full advantage of the park’s offerings.