Let me say first, there is something seriously wrong with Pennsylvania.

We went to multiple state parks, and there was not a SINGLE postcard to be purchased at any of them. I get that not as many people send cards and letters these days, but it’s not like postcards expire, or go stale and have to be thrown away.

And I doubt they’re THAT expensive to print. So: what the hell PA? Sure some of the places we stopped weren’t that exciting, but some of them were gorgeous and stunning and amazing–so very many missed postcard opportunities.

We attempted to avoid Interstates as much as possible, enjoying the scenery of back roads and trying to stop at places that looked interesting.

Our first stop was Bald Eagle State Forest which ended up being a brief stop, since where we ended up didn’t have much hiking. So after a quick scenic view, we moved on.

Winkleblech Vista

We went onto the Street of Shops in Lewisburg which was listed in one of the PA books as an interesting place to see.

I texted that picture to my brother with the quote, “Read the TV Guide, you don’t need a TV.”

It was strange and interesting and a lot. It quite literally had a little bit over everything.

We had a fun wander, but I got a bit overwhelmed so we moved onto Sellinsgrove where our hotel for the night was.

Michael starting off his vacation right

Then we took a short hike at Shikellamy State Park.

Why, you ask, did we choose a hotel in Sellinsgrove? Because it was ALSO for Shamokin Dam, and how could we not visit a place called Shamokin Dam?

But also because it was close to where we wanted to hike the next day: Ricketts Glen State Park.

This is why I couldn’t believe the state parks didn’t have postcards.

I mean, the Falls Trail has twenty one waterfalls.

It wasn’t an easy hike, at 5.7 miles of steep and rocky trail, but it was the perfect day for hiking, and the scenery was gorgeous.

The next day was a scenic drive through the Delaware Water Gap with some hiking.

Then eastward, for our first aquarium. (Aquariums in a separate post.)

Following a day of aquarium, wandering the town, and eating lots of seafood, we had another day of scenic driving with some hikes thrown in.

First stop was Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center for a hike along Bushkill Creek.

Then a wander around Ringing Rocks Park.

The final stop of the day was Ralph Stover State Park.

Then onto Philadelphia, where stayed and explored for several days.