We decided on an early start today as we wanted to get to Ricketts Glen before the crowds and before it became too hot.

So after a lovely breakfast here at the hotel we sped off and arrived at the car park and there were only six other cars. The temperature was 59ºF (15ºC) and rose later to 75ºF (24ºC). Under the tree canopy it was rather pleasant but when out in the sun it was burning. Of course, being near the water means flies and bugs!

Ricketts Glen State Park is one of the most scenic areas in Pennsylvania. The large park covers13,193 acres and it is the most beautiful place to visit and the waterfalls are amazing.

The 94-foot Ganoga Falls is the highest of 22 named waterfalls. Old growth timber and diverse wildlife add to the beauty.

We were there for a total of four hours hiking mostly the black trails (the most difficult). It was very strenuous and at times very slippery.

We only missed three of the falls and that was because we met someone who said to do those would mean another two-hours hiking and the terrain was very dangerous so we decided against that and turned back.

We met quite a few people on the trail and some stopped and talked and we discussed the falls. One couple were from Corning and that’s where we will be heading to from here on Friday to meet up with our dear friends Dot and Nat.

There were quite a few dog walkers and Si bent down to tickle one and it bit him! Luckily, no blood was drawn! 😱

Here are a few photos and videos of just a few of the beautiful waterfalls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I believe the weather in the UK is not very good at the moment, ☔️so what I’m going to tell you next will probably brighten your day somewhat! Prepare for a good belly laugh!!! 🤣

The Barretts had to be rescued by Chief Ranger, Mike Maneval …………….. oh! the embarrassment and shame. 😳

We were hiking our way back to the Lucy Rose Trailhead Parking as that was where we had parked our car  ………………. or so we thought! 🚙🤔

We walked from the woods triumphant that we had achieved so much and were high-fiving each other and then we stopped as we couldn’t see our car anywhere! We looked at each other in amazement as we realised the car park we were in was not the one we had parked in!

Out comes the map and even though we were 100% convinced we were parked in the Lucy Rose, it was obvious that we weren’t. We saw a sign that directed us back to the main road so set off thinking we must be parked just up the road somewhere. Eventually, we arrived at the Park Centre and managed to find a lady to help us.

She asked us our registration and when we hesitated she asked the colour and make, well we knew that, it was a black Lincoln. She radioed for help and up turned two men, one of which was Ranger Mike.

He asked us if we had driven in on I18? …………. um, we shrugged and said we had just followed the sat nav!

Had we driven past a lake? …………….. eh, don’t think so!

Had we driven in up a steep hill to the parking lot? …………… eh don’t think so!

Had we climbed up hill or own hill at the end of the hike? Hang on, we knew that one, the answer was up! 👍

The questions went on and on and we didn’t have any answers. We felt like such fools. Like those who set out on long hikes with no food or water.

Eventually, he asked if we had had to hike a while before we actually saw any waterfalls and boom, 💥 we had! From that little piece of information he told us we had parked in Glen Falls parking lot.

He ushered us in his car 🚗and set off at speed. I was still convinced he was wrong and when mile one became mile two and so on, I was sure we would not find our car there. After about eight minutes driving and wondering where on earth he was taking us, we turned a corner and there it was ………………… the car! As we drove in I noticed a sign that said ‘Glen Falls Parking’.

I apologised for our stupidity but he said it happens all the time ……….. not to us it doesn’t, and he said not to worry about it. I bet he’s having a good laugh with his family tonight about the dumb Brits. 😔

Anyway, this is a lesson learned. Always take a photograph of where the car is parked and put a pin in the map on the phone.

Driving back we had a good laugh about it as we relived all the questions and us standing there shrugging and saying “we don’t know!” 🤣🤷‍♀️

I’ve just realised while typing this that I wasn’t so dumb after all, just forgetful. I actually took a photo of the map at the parking lot showing exactly where we were! 🤷‍♀️

If you click on the map, you’ll see it says ‘You Are Here”. Well, we ended up at the Lucy Rose Trailhead Parking towards the top of the map. That’s how far out we were. Big shout-out for Ranger Mike! 👏

Still, we had a good day. The waterfalls were magnificent and we are thinking that we may return tomorrow after all to tackle the three we didn’t see today …………………. you can be sure we’ll be making sure we know exactly where we are parked!!

Thanks for reading. Comments (replies) are always welcome.