Jim Thorpe

This past Friday, my wife and I spent a good part of the day in the Jim Thorpe area of Carbon County, Pennsylvania. Not all went as planned. We would have liked to do more hiking. But at least now we're better acquainted with the area should we go back. Below are some of the things we did and saw.

At the local train station

I took this photo out the window as we rounded the corner.

Some day we would like to ride our bikes on the path beside the tracks.

There's an old train tunnel going into the side of the hill on the left.

This shows a section of the Lehigh River.

Another section of the Lehigh River

Myself on the left; my wife on the right

The town clock tower

From within one of the shops we visited

This scene gives me a sense of old-fashion contentment.

Home of Asa Parker - an old time railroad magnate
The interior of this home is quite ornate; it was worth touring.
Unfortunately interior photography is not allowed there.

Peace Valley Park

This past Saturday evening my wife and I enjoyed a walk in Peace Valley Park near Doyletown, Bucks County, PA. My wife commented that this park was appropriately named even with the many people that come here. It was a place where peace dwelt at least that evening.

Sometime my wife and I want to go paddle boating here.

There is something artistic about a colorful grouping of canoes.

A line of Canadian Geese with a woodsy shore line in the distance

A female mallard on the lake

A snake out for a swim?

Some pretty purple flowers along the lake's shoreline

A rabbit not far from the lake

A yellow flower along the lake shore line

Celtic Spring

Sunday evening, my wife and I enjoyed a concert by the Celtic Spring band at the Sellersville Theatre in Bucks County, PA. The family knows how to fiddle and step dance. The way they perform one can tell that they do it because they enjoy it - it's part of who they are. Below are two YouTube videos from past performances. Enjoy! And if you want to learn more about them, do check out the Celtic Spring web site.

Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy

Last evening my wife and I went for a walk on the grounds of the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy. It was a hot, humid evening but there was much to enjoy. The grounds of the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy consists of both meadow and woodland and is located along the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek near Schwenksville, Montgomery Co., PA. Below are some of the sights we enjoyed.

A wildflower commonly known as Butter and Eggs

This particular plant was growing along a hedge row next to the meadow.

Part of the meadow we explored

Earlier we had seen a 6 point buck run right in front of us.

A pretty white flower

A pretty, yellow wildflower

A view of the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek

At the bluffs

Mushrooms and fungi fascinate me

Flowers from a Brother's Garden

Every so often my wife and I like to visit the gardens of one of my brothers. The pictures that follow are from one of those visits. They were taken in the late evening near dusk back on July 3. But looking at them again still brings me pleasure.

Willard H. Markey Centennial Park

This past Monday morning I went hiking at Willard H. Markey Centennial Park off Ridge Road in East Rockhill Township, Bucks County, PA.  It was a hot, humid morning but still fun! I had never been there before so it was fun exploring. Below are some of the sights I saw.

Many of the sights I saw came from meadow areas

such as this bright yellow flower above.  

 There was a little bit of wetlands area

thus the cattails.

Queen Anne's Lace

Black-Eyed Susan

Timothy Hay

A common wildflower

A beautiful butterfly on a clover flower

Another yellow wildflower in the meadow

An old house in the park currently used by the Perkasie Boy Scouts

Family, Friends, and Homemade Ice Cream

Last evening, we went to my parents' home to celebrate the birthdays of my two youngest brothers and as a going away party for one of them. It was a good time of fellowship and we'll miss the one who is going away.

 Some of our family and friends

Our bountiful table - meatball sandwiches, salads, and fruit

Time to eat!

Picnicking outside - almost done

 The guests of honor in white T-shirts

The one on the right is soon moving to California for a new job

Making homemade ice cream

 The finished product

Homemade ice cream on top of my wife's chocolate cake and raspberries

Three of my nephews

My sister with one of her kittens

and a nephew hiding behind her