Kayaking

I'm pretty sure I've said this before but I'll say it again, my family is extremely active.

One thing I've always really loved to do it go kayaking.

My dad is pretty darn good (he competed for the Ukrainian team) so being out on the water with him is awesome.

If you know anything about kayaking, you'll notice this is no ordinary kayak.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is a racing kayak.

Much, much harder to use than a normal" kayak.

So much harder actually that I was only able to do any kayaking for maybe 5 whole minutes.
The rest of time was spent in the water, rescuing the paddle.

My dad is a whole lot better than any of us were.

This is really hard work.

And what goes really, really well with kayaking? 

Shishkabobs.
And naps.
And a little bit of volleyball.

The kayak was retired for the day and we all sat on the shore, shishkabob in hand enjoying nature for a while.

Writing about all the things I did this summer really makes me miss it.

I'm currecntly in Pennsylvania, experiencing probably the coldest winter in decades, so thoughts and reminiscing of summer couldn't be more welcome.

Bushkill Falls

A place similar to Glen Onoko and not much further is Bushkill Falls.

My personal opinion is that it's not nearly as wonderful as Glen Onoko for the following reasons:
1. There are wooden stairs, everywhere. (This might be better though for those with issues walking.)
2. You have to pay to get in. ($13 per adult...)
3. It's a lot more touristy. (And therefore less personal.)

The scenery is still breathtaking though.

Clearly I'm an outdooray, nature girl... I can't live in this cold for much longer.

Glen Onoko

There's a little tucked away place in the mountains of eastern Pennsylvania called Glen Onoko.

Locals know of it, but not many others, which makes it a perfect getaway for the day for a hike, a picnic, a bike ride, some kayaking and canoeing, or a swim if it's warm enough.

I go here multiple times a year, and every time you go your hiking path looks just a little bit different.
Why you ask? Because you hike up along a waterwall all the way to the tippy top, and anytime it rains, or there's a drought, or a rough wind, it changes the path of the falls and therefore the climb of the hiker.

You can take a slightly easier path up/down around the back of the mountain too if you didn't want to take the more scenic route.

Last time I was there I spotted a deer just a few feet ahead!