Promised Land Sunset
As October draws to a close, an October sunset seemed fitting. This series began on the water, at the end of my evening paddle at Promised Land State Park, and the final two photos were shot from shore, after landing the kayak at the boat launch. It wasn’t the most dramatic sunset, but I appreciated […]
Pine Barrens in Autumn
A visit to the pine barrens at the Dick and Nancy Eales Preserve on Moosic Mountain is a treat in any season, but it does perhaps shine especially bright in the autumn, as the scrub oak and low-growth appears to be aflame. Apt, for an environment that depends on fire for its long-term health. The […]
Irving Cliff, Honesdale
Irving Cliff has been on my “to visit” list since I learned of it last year, and the combination of a lovely autumn afternoon and setting sun aligned last week while I was already out at Promised Land, a mere 20 minutes away. And Irving Cliff didn’t disappoint! It’s a great vantage point looking down […]
Autumn on the Water, Part 2
Back on the water, back at Promised Land’s Upper Lake, on a soft October evening leading up to sunset. Being on the water offers new vantage point, to say nothing of the opportunity for reflections of foliage and sky in still waters! The water wasn’t still when I started out, but over the course of […]
Shades of Death
The “Shades of Death” trail at Hickory Run may win the award for the most ominous trail name in Pennsylvania – or possibly anywhere, at least that I’ve heard. Whatever images you may conjure upon hearing it are likely hyperbole: as trails go, and despite being listed as one of the “most difficult” trails in […]
Little Falls at Promised Land
Despite having visited Promised Land State Park for a decade or more, I only learned of the Little Falls trail last year, while scrolling through pages of recommended hikes in Northeast PA. To be fair, I think I did know about it at one point, but had forgotten – the trail follows the East Branch […]
Autumn on the Water
The Francis Walter Dam sits just south of the confluence of the Lehigh River and Bear Creek, a towering arc of concrete that holds back the waters in a two-armed lake that lies over flooded hillsides, lined with thick forest. Although I’ve kayaked many artificial lakes – in truth, it sometimes feels like most of […]
Scranton in Autumn
For something different, a visit to downtown Scranton, PA, last autumn. I am wholly and without doubt not a city person; too much concrete, too many people, and not enough trees for my taste. However, on the smaller scale they can be interesting to visit, and good for a walk. Mandy and I spent an […]
Autumn
The question of when autumn begins seems to raise strong opinions. There’s the calendar date, which in my opinion falls too early, when the days still have that long, hazy, hot summertime feel. I’ll acknowledge that September is technically an autumn month, but perhaps that’s the true issue: there’s the factual, quantitative definition, and then […]
Forgotten Graves
BRENT PENNINGTON – Abandoned Catholic cemetery in Owego, NY, on the afternoon of 26 August 2023. BRENT PENNINGTON – Abandoned Catholic cemetery in Owego, NY, on the afternoon of 26 August 2023. BRENT PENNINGTON – Abandoned Catholic cemetery in Owego, NY, on the afternoon of 26 August 2023. BRENT PENNINGTON – Abandoned Catholic cemetery in […]