Luray Caverns

We arrived at Canyon Country Campground in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania late Thursday afternoon. This park was situated right next to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon; yet another canyon which is also referred to as, The Grand Canyon of the East. Although this area is considered the darkest quadrant on the east coast, the sun did not set until 8:00 pm and we were able to get a fantastic view of the canyon. The grandeur of the canyon appeared nestled between the treetops, faintly illuminated by the setting sun. Now, after viewing both Canyons which lay claim to being the “Grand Canyon of the East,” it is difficult to say which is more picturesque. Although these canyons are so different in appearance, both are a must see and equally Grand. The following morning we got an early start as we headed to Luray, Virginia home to the incredible cave known as The Luray Caverns. Honestly, we were not aware of the magnificence of the canyons, nor were we aware of their popularity. These canyons attract over 500,000 visitors annually. The Luray Caverns proved to be the most spectacular attraction on our travels, for these caverns have to be one of the most remarkable sights I have ever witnessed. The mile and a half long trail that winds through the cave led me on an amazing journey deep underground. The entire experience seemed somewhat surreal as I explored this subterranean wonderland. The Smithsonian Institution reported, “It is safe to say that there is probably no other cave in the world more completely and profusely decorated with stalactite and stalagmite ornamentation than that of Luray”. Additionally, one of the chambers houses an organ that is connected to a network of rubber mallets that strike stalactite matching a musical scale. We were even lucky enough to hear the mellifluous tones produced by this incredible instrument. The following day we drove to Holly Point campground in Wake Forest, North Carolina. There, I was able to visit my best friend Dalton, whom I have known since early elementary school. He moved to Creedmoor, NC recently, after accepting a position with a building supply company. It was fun having a chance to see him settled in and happy with his decision. Dalton is a hard and conscientious worker; I know he will do well!

Watkins Glen State Park

We spent Friday night at Green Wood Campground in Vermont. This campground served as the perfect overnight stop before continuing west towards Watkins Glen, New York.  Nestled in the Finger Lakes region, the town of Watkins Glen is filled with stunning waterfalls, sparkling lakes and vast pastures which dominate the landscape. Additionally, as every motorsport enthusiasts knows, the town is also home to Watkins Glen International Raceway. We spent both Saturday and Sunday night at Watkins Glen State Park. The park was stunning, with magnificent views around every corner. The most spectacular feature in the park was an immense narrow gorge, which contained 19 waterfalls! We also had the opportunity to visit our friend Jenna, who recently moved to Watkins Glen from Sarasota, to work for the Farm Sanctuary. The Farm Sanctuary raises awareness for the inhumane conditions industrialized factory farm animals endure. The Farm Sanctuary offers beautiful pastures for rescued farm animals to roam and rehabilitate. Jenna gave us a fabulous informative and eye opening tour of the sanctuary. We also spent time with these farm animals and learned of their plight. I have always admired Jenna’s dedication and her compassion; Jenna will truly be the perfect spokesperson for these animals. Way to go Jenna!

Franconia, New Hampshire

On our way back from Canada, we spent Tuesday night at a small campground in Vassalboro, Maine. This was just an overnight stop and a place to unwind as we begin to head South. The following afternoon we arrived in Franconia, New Hampshire. Franconia is a delightful little town nestled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We were lucky enough to arrive in Franconia for their annual Lupine Festival. Lupines are beautiful vibrant purple, white and pink flowers which become quite plentiful in fields this time of year. Many calendar photographers flock to Franconia to capture the hillsides blanketed in wildflowers. After photographing the Lupine, we stopped for lunch at Polly’s Pancake House. This quaint establishment has been serving delicious food for 75 years, and I highly recommend Polly’s famous pancakes. After finishing lunch, we went hiking in Franconia State Park. Our four mile hike consisted of steep, rugged terrain, but the magnificent vistas were well worth the effort. We were able to view numerous waterfalls, including the parks famous flume. The flume is a deep narrow gorge with waterfalls and rapids in its basin. The flume has attracted visitors since the 1800’s.

York, Maine

We spent Friday evening at Brialee Campground in Ashford, Connecticut. This park served as the perfect overnight stop on our way to Maine. We arrived at Libby’s Oceanside Camp in York, Maine on Saturday afternoon. Our site overlooked the ocean and the views from our RV were spectacular. The town of York is an exceptionally scenic village with many historical buildings, churches and points of interests. Most of the town is situated along the picturesque coastline. That evening we decided to sample some authentic Maine cuisine. Per our camp host’s recommendation, we dined at Dockside Restaurant. The restaurant overlooked a peaceful harbor with sailboats moored in the distance. Later we enjoyed a campfire along the water’s edge; the gentle crashing of the waves made the experience even more memorable.  The next day we visited several stunning lighthouses along the coast.  Afterwards, we drove to the summit of Mt. Agamenticus.  Mt. Agamenticus is not particularly high, being only 692 feet above sea level; however, the views from the top were breathtaking. We are now on our way to Acadia National Park on the mid Atlantic coast of Maine.