A River Runs Thru It!

The last day of this one week trip was spent in Ohiopyle, PA.  Its not that far into n Western PA, but far enough for me to enjoy the beautiful rolling hills of the Allegheny.   I had intended to use this path and make my way up to NY's Watkins Glen, and then beyond....so I don't know when and IF I get to head out again if NY is still going happen...so Im glad I was able to see more of PA, I have done some travel in Eastern PA, been to Lancaster Co. Went to Philly to a John Denver concert, and got lost in one of the Ghetto's up there after the concert!  The great thing about Ohiopyle is the Youghiogheny River (Yawki-kee-gany) or some call it the Yawk....that flows right through the town...in fact the town is a State Park! It's a small town...and it is part of the Laurel Highlands about 3,000 acres of wonderful woodlands! I did not get to do half of what I had planned for this area due to the schedule I was now on, but I will hit what I did do!  Like I siad the town is a state park with the river embracing the town! Shops and homes on the left and the river on the right!!  I wanted to show you the relationship the town and river share the best way to do that is from the air, this photo is copyrighted so I couldnt copy and paste I hope you will click the link and go take a LOOK 

So the major draw is water sports, mostly rafting, kayaking, duck boating, and of course hiking, biking, and tourism.  The Campground is the Kentuck, where I stayed.  It was PACKED so i didn't take one photo and it was warm so I didn't even pull into my site till just before dark when it was cool enough with my battery powered fans to be inside the van, it did cool nicely overnight. 

Annie and I hiked to Cucumber Falls and enjoyed playing by the river right after we got our site paid for and I went to hang my Reserved tag...

you  can swim, get behind it and play etc...we headed down stream to the edge of the river to play...just a little rock hopping and there is a narrow trail down..,looking back at the falls 

the water was cool and perfect for swimming, wish I had thought of a swim suit!  Annie got wet and loved it..

                                                          Hiking down to the bottom

                                                                             people for scale...

                                                                     from ground level 

Annie in the river...

she kept trying to get me to come in with her I sat on a rock and enjoyed a good foot soak....here she is on the same rock..

the fellow in the duck boat stopped for a short chat before heading on down the river...he told me it is not as hard as it looks, I would like to try it with a guide of course to show me how to maneuver the rapids and rocks...this man with the red helmet,  was getting a lesson...and he did a great job...

As I said the river runs right through town and there are a couple small falls along it, people can swim upstream of this falls...swimmer beware of course!

There is a nice river walk and park along the river, with many good views of the river...

Lovely flowers along the walk too...

the walk has some interesting bronzes along the way...like this

there is a visitors center at the end of the walk since Annie was walking with me, I didn't get to go inside...

I really enjoyed these bronzes... and afterwards we walked across the street to the Falls Market, they indoor and outdoor dining, with a walk up window to order...

perfect since Annie was with me, so I ordered the Grilled Sesame Tofu wrap with a huge plate of box cut fries and freshly made lemonade...we sat outside and the grill chef brought Annie an ice cold bowl of water which she totally ignored! 

I had wanted to see Fallingwater while here it was one of the main reasons I picked this area...that did not happen, BUT I'm not giving up hopes of seeing it, since I drove back from this area in ONE day it could easily be a weekend trip to see it. I think fall would be the best time with color all around. We left the crowded CG while everyone was sleeping, and I headed back to Falls Market and got a breakfast sandwich to go with a large coffee, we sat outside near the bike bridge to eat, then headed out..

the bridge crosses over the river, the river walk and gives a lovely view of the town..

Dogs not allowed, "sad face" 

I made one fun stop at the New River Gorge...got a passport stamp and saw the river and the gorge bridge.  This is in West Virginia on US 19 as I made my way back to I-77 S

Very nice visitor's center...
       

We  hiked out to see the bridge....

The New River Valley....West Virginia 

the longest arch bridge in the western hemisphere...so the sign says!

WOW...

And then we drove over it, heading south...from this point it was just driving to get home...arrived about 6 pm and Annie had surgery on Monday she is doing well so far altho it has not been all peaches and cream. Hopefully the 14 days will go by fast and she will make a complete recovery...

UPDATE Annie's test was negative for cancer, so all is well...I enjoyed sharing this trip with her! 

My trip continues...Plan B

PEACE

Eleanor Roosevelt: You must do the thing you think you can not.