Archive for June 2023
On The Road Again. First Stop. Alexandria Bay New York.
I write this blog while enjoying a spectacular view of the St. Lawrence River from my hotel room in Alexandria Bay in the Thousand Islands region of upstate New York, I had just spent the afternoon exploring this quaint little tourist town and nearby Wellesley State Park. There was so much to see here, but…
Read MoreA Morning Hike In The Otter Creek Preserve In Alexandria Bay New York
I had another long drive ahead of me when I awoke in Alexandria Bay, New York last Wednesday , the second day of my adventure north. I was on my way to James Bay ( not the Hudson Bay as I thought, and stated, in my last blog post). So , after having a cup…
Read MoreMy Journey North Continued To The Sleepy, Scenic And Historic Town Of Mattawa In Ontario Canada
After my early morning walk in the Otter Creek Nature Preserve in Alexandria Bay New York I was soon on the road again. My next stop was Mattawa in Ontario. It was a 4 1/2 hour drive. I never heard of it before I planned this trip a few weeks ago. I only knew it…
Read MoreA Couple Of Weekend Walks In The Wetlands.
I continued my recent trend of hiking in the Susquehanna Wetlands in Salem Township in Luzerne County late Friday afternoon. It was sunny and warm with I hiked there this past Friday. As usual I walked down to the Susquehanna River, then walked into the wetlands area of this small nature reserve. I was the…
Read MoreA Morning Walk In Historic And Scenic Mattawa, Ontario
It was the 66th year I awoke on our beautiful planet. My birthday was a big event as a child and for most of my adult life. I have had my share of happiness and sadness during those many birthdays more sad than happy these past few years but you, my first time readers can…
Read MoreTropical Heat And Polar Bears? Yep, In Cochrane, Ontario Canada.
After my 4 1/2 hour drive from Mattawa, through beautiful forests and some farmlands, I arrived in the town of Cochrane Canada in mid afternoon. It was unseasonably hot with temperatures near 90 degrees. My room, at the Best Western Swan Castle Inn, wasn’t ready yet so I walked over to the nearby train station…
Read MoreRattlesnakes, Mountain Laurel And Song Birds In Carbon County
After returning from an exciting and exhausting adventure in northern Canada last Thursday, I decided to Tank Hollow in Carbon County on Saturday and look for rattlesnakes again. I also wanted to see if our State Flower, the mountain laurel was in bloom. It was partly cloudy and cool when I arrived at State Game…
Read MoreAn Early Morning Walk Through Cochrane Ontario And Then Onward North, By Train.
I awoke early my first morning in Cochrane, Ontario. I stayed at the Best Western Swan Hotel for the night. It was right across from the train station. I was excited to be taking Polar Bear Express train to Moosonee later that morning. . And I was talking my Jeep with me. I had to…
Read MoreLush Green Woods And Wood Ducks On A June Hike In The Susquehanna Wetlands
It was almost the middle of June and I hadn’t been to the Susquehanna Wetlands in Luzerne County the entire month . I have come to love this small nature preserve. It is now one of my favorite places to hike in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I was in northern Canada for ten days. I returned to…
Read MoreA Train Ride On The Polar Bear Express And A Quick Tour Of Moosonee Ontario
During my recent visit to Canada , after exploring some more of Cochrane Ontario and enjoying a delicious breakfast, I left the train station restaurant and boarded the Polar Bear Express, a passenger train that is operated by Ontario Northland Railway. The train transports passengers and cargo the 186 miles between Cochrane to Moosonee. Moosonee…
Read MoreA Great Day In Moosonee. Hiking, A Boat Ride To James Bay And Watching A Strawberry Full Moon.
I was up early my first morning in Moosonee Ontario. I was excited to take my Jeep out and hike in this remote Canadian wilderness, I had received some warnings form the the locals to be careful because there were bears, bobcats and wolves in the woods surrounding Moosonee but I wasn’t worried. I love…
Read MoreMountain Laurel And Warblers In The Penrose Swamp Barrens In Carbon County
It’s mid June, and here in Northeastern Pennsylvania, this is when the blooming of our State Flower, the mountain laurel, is usually at, or near, it’s peak. I decided to hike in the Penrose Swamp Barrens in Carbon County. This 2700 acre tract of wetlands and forests is the newest addition to the Weiser State…
Read MoreAnother Day Exploring Remote Moosonee: A Hike On Charles Island And The Old Quarry Road
I awoke a little later than usual in remote Moosonee, Ontario on Sunday morning. It was a long day Saturday, and I slept until 6 a.m. I soon discovered it was mostly cloudy so I didn’t miss the sunrise. After a cup of coffee in my room I was again walking the quiet and dusty…
Read MoreMy Last Day Exploring Moosonee And Moose Factory Ontario
It was a cloudy, cool and windy Monday morning, my last day in remote Moosonee, Ontario. Temperatures were in the low 40’s. I left my hotel in Moosonee and drove back out on the old Quarry Road. It would be my last hike in this northern boreal forest and so far I hadn’t seen any…
Read MoreRemembering Dad On A Father’s Day Hike In The Susquehanna Wetlands
Father’s Day has always a big day in my life. As a very young child I was filled with excitement and anticipation as it approached. My mom and my aunt Mary would always purchase some gifts, usually including Dutch Master or Bering cigars, wrap them, and tell me they were a gift for my dad…
Read MoreBack In Cochrane Ontario , But Only For A Quick Morning Hike.
After my gourmet meal of Frosted Flakes, as noted in my last blog I was soon fast asleep in the small but comfortable room at the Station Inn in Cochrane, Ontario. I stayed here for the night after my five hour train ride from Moosonee on the Polar Bear Express. The Inn is operated by…
Read MoreA Little Too Late To See The Mountain Laurel At It’s Peak On The Greater Hazleton Rails To Trails.
I heard from some friends that our State flower, the mountain laurel, was in full bloom and putting on a beautiful show, along the trails at our local Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails. So last week I decided to take an afternoon hike on the trail to enjoy and photograph the annual display put on…
Read MoreA Couple Of Nature Hikes On The Cranberry Trail In Callander Ontario
After arriving at the Terrace Suites resort in Callander Ontario, I quickly settled in my room. I was eager to explore this resort community overlooking Lake Nipissing. I asked the friendly proprietor about any hiking trails in the area and she recommended the nearby Cranberry Creek Trial. It was a short drive on some rural…
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