Watkins Glenn : The Gorge Hike

The New York Trip

So I realized that I hadn't written about our New York trip 

that was in July. We mostly camped at State Parks, we saw 

Niagara Falls, The Hill Cumorah Pageant, and some other 

church sites.

Our first day of the trip we wanted to go to D.C. we got 

about an hour from there and the trailer we were towing 

with all the camping gear seized up and the tires wouldn't 

turn so we spent a good amount of time trying to get it 

resolved but were unable to so we just left it in an abandoned lot and packed 

everything in the car. (It was a little crowded.) Since it took so long to deal with that 

we decided to scratch D.C. for the day and just go to Greenbrier State Park in MD 

which was our accommodation for the night. It was a beautiful park with a really nice 

swimming area and some good trails for hiking.

We hiked the next day and then packed up and drove the entire way to our 

campsite right on Lake Erie. It too was a state park but not half as nice as the one in 

MD. We got there pretty late so we didn't do much of anything that night. 

The next day we went to Niagara

Falls. When we got out of the car I realized that Kai had not brought his shoes. This is 

a very common occurrence, so I really should have thought to check but we were 

already past the border and an hour and half from the campsite so there was no going

back to get them. Emil and I were both sorely tempted to just let him walk around 

barefooted but I couldn't go through with it so I was forced to buy him a $35 pair of 

Crocs (not a $5 pair of flip flops in sight!) at a gift shop. Kai definitely got the most 

expensive souvenir of us all.

Kirstin also had a close encounter with a little bird when we

were eating that ruinedappetite for the rest of the meal. 

Let's just say it left her with a little present right on her

nose! Poor Kirstin! The rest of us had a good laugh though.

Kirstin is such a good sport.

The falls themselves were so amazing! It is such a 

incredible experience to feel the power of the water there. 

We did the Maid of the Mist tour, (How could you not?) 

which was really cool. It was a very neat to go to a place that I had always heard of and seen pictures of but

never actually been to.

So the next day we went to swim at the beach on Lake Erie. It was quite an 

experience. I have to share because Emil and I got such a good laugh from the whole 

thing. The beach itself is pretty rocky there is some sand but it big and there are a lot

of rocks as you get in the water so as you're going out you look like you're walking on 

hot coals because you can't

put your weight on them. So we walk out on to this big long 

beautiful beach but everyone is clustered in a 50 yard area where 

the lifeguards are. (I guess that was the only place you were 

allowed to swim.) There were at least 6 lifeguards, Emil says more.

2 were on the lifeguard seat, one was in a kayak out just beyond 

the ropes, 2 were running drills and 2 were sweeping a walkway. 

Every time someone so much as breathed we would heard the 

Lifeguards' megaphone "Bleeep! Please don't lean on the ropes!" 

"Bleep! Please go out that far!" 

"Bleeep! You're not allowed to chicken fight!"

It was so ridiculous! People were getting Bleeped for the silliest 

things. I felt like saying "Bleep! Please don't have fun! Bleeep! 

Please don't get a tan it'll make the rest of us look bad!" So now I know why all the 

New Yorkers go to Nags Head for their summer vacation. They get to act like they're really at a beach. Plus the lake is Cold!

After the Lake Erie incident we packed up and headed to our hotel. It was 

Saturday and we wanted to sleep some place that had showers and a bed since we 

were going to attend church the next day. It was really good to get back to some AC.

That night we went to see The Hill Cumorah Pageant. It is an outdoor drama depicting 

events from the Book of Mormon. Kai fell asleep but the rest of the family enjoyed it. 

Noah especially enjoyed the fighting scenes.

Sunday we went to Sacrament Meeting and then to the Peter Whitmer Farm where 

the church was organized. It was raining so we didn't get to walk around very much. 

Then we headed to the Sacred Grove which was achingly beautiful. There is such a 

peaceful spirit there. After that we headed to our next accommodations at Watkins 

Glenn State Park in NY.

Watkins Glenn is just gorgeous. The state park is at the top of a small river or 

creek that empties into Seneca Lake, one of the finger lakes by the Great Lakes. The 

creek has carved the rock over time and there are 19 waterfalls within the park. On

Monday we took The Gorge Hike that followed the path that the water takes to get to 

Seneca Lake. I took so many pictures. I haven't figured out which ones are my favorites

yet. After we went up the mountain via The Gorge trail we came back down via The 

Indian Trail. That one wasn't nearly as exciting as the first walk but it was easier on 

the knees. The Gorge Trail has 800 steps. (I was feeling every one by the next day.) 

The park also had an olympic size swimming pool and a really extensive playground 

that Kai and Noah loved. Kirstin and Emil had fun swimming in the pool while Emil 

Michael's favorite past time was sleeping in the hammock while we all went to the 

playground and pool. (He likes the quiet)

Tuesday it was time to head home. We packed up everything possible the night 

before so we just had to put the tent and sleeping bags away and we were off. It was a

long day driving, about 12 hours. We stopped in the town we left the trailer to check 

on it and it was gone. Someone had stolen it. We both knew this was a possibility but 

we were hoping that it would be there. We put in a report with the police but still 

haven't heard anything positive. I don't think we'll get it back sadly. So that was our 

trip it was so much fun and just nice to see a different part of the country and

enjoy the beauty it has to offer.

Birthdays, Fort Moster and Climbing

This past Saturday was Emil's birthday, he's finally catching up to me an can no longer claim to be a year younger than I am. He went early to go get some items from Home Depot and help a friend move a few boxes. Then he came home and worked on Fort Moster (the treehouse) and ended up finishing it up. Kai was his right hand man and it was so cute to hear how excited he was to come in the house for a drink and tell me all about the new trap door or whatever else they had just completed. He ate it up. It's so nice to have the Fort actually done since Emil's had this project brewing for over a year. We even used recycled wood from a friends deck they tore down so we were "green" about it too. Emil's a great Dad. 

I asked the kids what they thought Emil would like to do best for his birthday and they all thought rock climbing so after a birthday dinner we headed out to the Rock Gym in Va Beach. It was just like a bad romance novel. It was a hot steamy night....(OK, well maybe only that part, did but how often do you actually get the chance to actually write that line and it actually apply?) 

Emil and I belayed the kids for about 2 hours and that was very sweaty but fun. Then he had a go at a wall he wanted to see if he could conquer. It was pretty fun but most of my happiness came from the fact that we were all together.

Blueberry Jam, Rolls and Family

The Blueberry season is coming to a close but I've gotten to go picking the past couple of days and yesterday decided to try my hand at making some blueberry jam. I invited my friend over and we divided and conquered. I got about 10 8oz jars of jam and I feel so resourceful. It's berry good and today I'm making Lion House rolls to indulge in!

We also got out family pictures taken and wanted to share them with any of you who might be interested. They are posted at www.portraitsbyjana.smugmug.com . You go to the recent sessions tab and then the one listed The Mosters. You have to know the password which is my maiden name all in lowercase letters. 

It has been a rough week for us. For those of you who didn't know one of Emil's uncles passed away this week from cancer. Thankfully his family was able to say their goodbyes the weekend before and just went back for the memorial but because of all the uncertainty we called off the Maria/Emil birthday bash scheduled for this weekend. We will do it some other time. 

Additionally my niece has been having some serious problems with her liver this week and was in serious condition at the hospital at the beginning of the week. Thankfully she was able to come home on Wednesday but her wedding, which is planned for next saturday, is now going to be postponed. She is a sweet gal and she as well as Emil's family have been in our thoughts and prayers this whole week. We are so thankful for her recovery and for the blessing family is in our lives.

Next week may find me peach picking. If so I'll try to remember to take some pictures and give you a good post. No peach jam thought, it's not one of my favorites. See you soon!

Everybody's Doing It!

Ok. So it seems like everyone is blogging now and with more and more of my family members sending me their sites I decided "It can't be that hard!" So here is an attempt to keep people up to date on the Mosters and also include pics with the least degree of downloading problems. Hope you enjoy!