We also made room in our busy schedule for sojourns to the surrounding spectacular spots within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area . . .
. . . where waterfalls abound.
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They even call themselves the Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania.
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With good reason.
A modest group of 18 of us hiked one day.
We may have set the World Record for Biggest Group Hike.
My sister Julie is really into her kids.
Aw.
The falls were crashing . . .
. . . and the boys were plotting. 
They were constantly carrying around gigantic tree limbs to throw over the falls onto unsuspecting heads.
The falls were unfazed.
What would a hike be without some Mistah Schleckah nature shots? Nothing, that's what.
You could climb precarious ledges and get really close to some of the falls. Mom would have hated it..
And then . . .
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The Swimming Hole.
Little boys' backs kill me, they really do..
Little girls are pretty great, too. Jacquie's girl wins the prize for best expressions.
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She's a pip, that one.
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Mistah Schleckah was swimming this very moment at a different swimming hole, where it was raining babes. That, clearly, is another story for another day. The youngest 5 cousins swimming at this swimming hole, though, was a magical end to a fun outing.
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You know what's one of the 8 million things I love about this family? They're hikers. They love to hike, and they're game for anything.
And another thing? You can barely tell the moms from the kids.
You know what's one of the 8 million things I love about this family? They're hikers. They love to hike, and they're game for anything.
And another thing? You can barely tell the moms from the kids.
Gorgeous photos! But.. um..er..from someone who lived next door to Niagara Falls growing up, I'd just like to point out that these falls (as beautiful as they are) are positively zygotal compared to Niagara. They're also missing all the kitchy tourist crap that surrounds Niagara Falls. They should just be proud and happy to be the Poconos Falls.
ReplyDeleteActually, XUP, it has come to my attention (as our high school principal used to say) that Bushkill Falls claim to be the Niagara Falls of PA. And these aren't them. We went to Bushkill Falls on our first day of hiking. And they were grand. In PA terms, of course.
ReplyDeleteEllie
Is there a swimming hole where it's raining dudes? Just curious. Considering taking up hiking.
ReplyDeleteThat looked like fun. How cold was that water though?
ReplyDeleteI love this, El. That was a glorious day. Kathi - I only saw dudes raining down into the water, some of them by way of a back flip. I think Schlekah was hallucinating from the chemicals in his bacon.
ReplyDeleteCaptain, the water was sublimely perfect. Although I only went in up to my ankles, it was not that bone jarring cold you might expect.
Jacquie
Nothing like the Poconos vacation I accompanied a friend on back in my teens. Still really envious of the whole thing. :)
ReplyDeleteDawnie
You all had some good times. I want to join you. Do you allow geezers disguised as whales? Could be interesting watching me go over the falls.
ReplyDeleteLove all the pictures, Ellie & Jacquie! It's so great re-living our Poconos vacation. I miss you all!
ReplyDeleteEllie, I noticed on the ultra-touristy refrigerator magnet I bought at Bushkill Falls that it touts itself as "The Niagara of Pennsylvania." No mention/comparison of falls at all, sensibly!
MB
Barely is right. Only the gigantic tree limbs set you apart.
ReplyDeleteBeth