Family Catch-ups and Mountain Hikes

July 7, 2015

We were able to wake up early to a cool, yet humid PA morning.  I had planned on getting up with family today if at all possible since we were only staying for about two and a half days here.  Since we’ve been go-go-go family, Dave told us about Ricketts Glen, which is a State Park about 30 min from where we were staying.  Very easy drive after the miles we’ve consumed lately.  This park has 22 waterfalls over approximately a ‘strenuous’ 7 mile hike up and down.  We got there not long after it rained.  I wasn’t sure my footing would be the greatest after I threw away my stinky older than dirt Nike tennis shoes in Canada. 

Because of this I had to wear my Reef flip-flop sandals on a slippery mountain trail.  The trail was muddy but the sandals did their job greatly as I didn’t slip at all, even on wet rocks and descents.  It was beautiful and cool on the park path.  We were able to hike about 2.1 miles to the where rivers meet falls before Avery’s knees started acting up, then we had to hike back, uphill.  Her knees were really acting up then but I gave her kudos for pushing on. The best way to strengthen her knees is by stair climbing per the PT’s at Andrew’s Institute.  No shortage of that today—four miles, eight waterfalls and plenty of pics.  I was happy and didn’t need to complete the Falls trail loop.  We were done hiking and ready to get back to Vicki and Dave’s house for showers before going to Williamsport to eat subs (of course) and see family.

We stopped at Riverside Subs, a family staple—every time we go to PA we stop at Riverside subs for a Cheese steak, or a Roast Beef Turkey sub, with all the fixins including the red pepper sauce they use to make them special.  I’m not sure what it is, whether it’s the bread or just the way it’s prepared but there is nothing like this place when it comes to this type food.  Of course, I’ll probably gain 10 pounds during a two day stay, but I’ll find ways to work it off!  Jen was telling me about the first time she ate w/me at Riverside. She looked at the sandwich and asked what was so special about it then took her first bite.  She’s been hooked ever since.

After filling up on sandwiches, we went to see my Aunt Kate and catch up a little bit. We hung out in the yard for a bit and snapped some pics on her birthday.  Kate looks great at 58.

 We also wanted to see my Uncle Jerbo, who didn’t get home until later, so to kill some time, we hit the Bullfrog Brewery downtown for a smoked IPA and a ‘Green Fuzzy IPA’.  They were both delicious samples of the local fare.  Aunt Kate told us about a new place downtown called Raven and the Moon for another local brew from Erie Brewing Co.  Of course we stopped. A quick stop at the package store and we were able to find some Great Lakes 12 packs—can’t get that in Florida!  We’re gonna share them with Vicki and Dave tonight as a thanks for putting us up in their beautiful home for the past two days.    My main reason for the stop in PA this year is of course to see what family I can in a small amount of time, but seeing my 94 year old grandmother is a priority.  She still goes to bingo at the Mohegan Sun on Wednesdays, so we plan on seeing her and my Uncle Chris for a quick visit before our departure tomorrow to Annapolis, MD.

We were able to meet up with my cousin Adam before leaving Kate’s house and made a quick trip to the Mountaineer Lounge for some salad and buffalo wings.  I haven’t been eating the best lately, so I figured I’d try to keep that streak alive.  It’s vacation but the kids win the eating bad competition for the day.  GT and Avery both had two nutty buddies at Kates house, then at Mountaineer, a virgin Shirley temple.  That was it.  Not much for dinner, so we feared GT would get sick.  I guess his salad canceled the bad stuff out.  The wings are always good there and it’s another local place, blocks away.  Talking to Adam, he said he may be travelling to Disney in Orlando and we told him to stop in for a stay if he feels up to it at our house on the way back for a visit. Hope he takes advantage of it and our beaches. 

On full bellies, we headed back to Vicki and Dave’s to hang out again on their beautiful deck and catch up.  GT and Avery each got to take the golf cart on a few ‘hot laps’ around the property as we hung out on the deck. Finally made it off to bed around midnight, and looking forward to another ‘relaxing’ day tomorrow.