Some exploring in the Adirondacks

Each summer we go to Eagle Camp in Vermont. Each summer we drive up 87 in New York straight through the Adirondack mountains.  Each summer for the past 22 summers Drew and I have never explored any part of the mountains together. Sad really, but we are always in a hurry to get to camp. I decided this year would be different for two reasons. First was we drive through so many states each summer and don't explore any of them. Upstate New York is too beautiful not to experience. Second was we were all finally going to be together and I wanted just family time. At camp the kids are so busy playing with friends and cousins that we don't really see them. I wanted a tiny bit of time for just us. Thus, a side trip exploring caves, rocky woods, and waterfalls in the Adirondack mountains.  

There were twenty things to see and explore. We walked on paths, rocky steps and walkways, along river beds, into caves, and in the woods. The kids LOVED it!  They especially liked the caves and the echo cave. 

This was one of the cave openings we could walk into and explore. We also walked on top of it while looking at other areas. The large piece of rock on the surface fell in 1959. As the sign says it is heavy and Drew kept wishing he knew how loud it sounded when it fell. 

The kids said I took way too many pictures. I say there were too many beautiful places to take pictures. 

This water in this picture and in the one below was calm. The sun hitting the water reflected on the rocks and it looked like a light show on the rocks. It was pretty cool!

We climbed up and down stairs like this several times in the picture below. 

The kids thought they were funny trying to hold up this rock. I have to agree. 

I took this picture inside a cave. There were obviously lights in it, but the picture is still not the best. Jonah and Samuel were quite impressed with the caves. 

We spent about 90 minutes "playing" in the woods and along the river. I think it was the perfect family outing!

Then we finished the drive to camp and took our annual ferry picture. 

Another bucket list item...worth the wait

One of the things on our summer bucket list is going to a park. That never happened before all our traveling. Jonah didn't finish at the gym until 1pm and by then it was too hot to play at a park. But, the weather this past week has been lovely. It never felt hot to us and I really doubt it was above 85 any day. Perfect park weather no matter what time of day we could go. 

So, we went a little overboard on park playing, but the kids loved it. All the parks were new to them or felt that way since it had been a year at least since visited last.  They went to the Lititz park on Tuesday, Daniels Den and Woodworks Park in Mountville on Wednesday, and Manheim Boro park on Friday. And, even though it wasn't a park we went for a walk along the Susquehanna River on Thursday afternoon and hiked some in the woods. To the boys that falls into the park/outside category. 

We went to the trail because of a little waterfall named Mann's Run. I had to go. The boys and I had lots of fun climbing in the woods along the rocks and creek. 

This was looking up the creek deeper into the woods.

This was looking down at the waterfall. 

The boys climbed into a small cave. 

Playing at the Manheim park was special for me. I lived there until I was 8 and my heart is always so happy when I get to be in Manheim. I love sharing my memories with my kiddos.  The park is fun and the kids had a blast there, but they liked climbing on the rocks and seeing the covered bridge as much as the park. 

We had fun with Grammy, Grandpa, Kristin, Joe, and Owen in Lancaster. We made tons of memories and went on lots of fun adventures. But, I am really looking forward to being with Emma and Drew again. Tomorrow we are back to being 6 in a picture. Can't wait!!!!