An Autumn Vacation Without Fall Foliage

My Autumn Vacation Without Fall Foliage was also without my good camera (the lens had been sent away for repair AGAIN) so I did not look forward to this 3-day get-away with my usual anticipation.  I was able to resign myself to not having my camera because there were no colorful leaves to take photos of anyway.  SO I'm asking you to imagine colorful leaves on the mountainside, better picture exposure, and more depth of field as you peruse my photos of Jim Thorpe, PA and Bushkill Falls.

After driving 50 minutes to drop Gabriel off at our son's house we drove another 3½ hours to Jim Thorpe, PA, where we were staying at the Times House B&B.  This red brick house was actually two houses when it was built circa 1870.  From 1927 to 1967 it housed the Times-News.  You can read about the present owner's story of how they came to turn it into a B&B in 2009 HERE.  The B&B sits high above the rest of the town on Race Street nestled into the side of Flagstaff Mountain along with St. Mark & John Episcopal Church on the left and a row of shops on the right. . . .

The name of our room was Serenity and was aptly named.  On the third floor at the rear of the house it was quiet and very comfortable.  Our continental breakfast was left for us the night before on the dining table and in the refrigerator.  Because I'm an early riser it was very nice to have my coffee and eat my muffin and the other baked goods, yogurt, granola, and juice without having to get dressed.  The only drawback was we never got the chance to meet the other guests.

We arrived mid-afternoon before our room was ready so we walked through the quaint historic town. . . .

I thought the sign advertising this shop was rather clever. . . .

We like visiting libraries wherever we are to check out their Book Sale Shelf.  Ken found a book by an author he reads.  This building's brick work was very intricate. . . .

We also stopped in the town's history museum to watch the video about how the town's original name, Mauch Chunk (Lenape words for "Sleeping Bear"), was changed to Jim Thorpe to honor the 1912 Olympic winner who later played major league baseball as well as football.  The town was established in 1818 when anthracite coal was discovered in the surrounding area.  It was so prosperous that by Victorian times 19 of the country's 26 millionaires had a residence in Mauch Chunk.  You can read more of its history HERE.  If you visit the town's website you will see a photo of what it will look like when Autumn finally arrives.

The next day we drove 75 minutes to Bushkill Falls.   We'd taken our boys there in 1995 on that year's Autumn Vacation and thought it was time for another visit.  Looking back at the photos I took then I can see how much it has expanded.  It is a family-owned venture which was first opened to the public in 1904.  More about that later.  First, you must see what it looks like today.  You begin by walking down these steep steps to get to the top of the Main Falls. . . .

This is at the top of the Main Falls which has a drop of 100 feet. . . .

A map is posted to help you decide which direction you want to go in.   We decided to head left on the Red Trail. . . .

I'm glad we went left because by the time we got to Peter's Corner we were ready to head back for lunch so we took the trail heading back to the Main Falls.

This is the bridge at the bottom that crosses the gorge. . . .

credit: Ken Schultz

Steps take you up and down the side of the gorge. . . .

In some places it's pretty narrow . . . .

The view of the Main Falls from across the gorge. . . .

You can see the steps and deck where we started at the upper right. . . .

You'll get an idea of the size of the falls from my video . . .

                   

This is a good photo of the lack of color!  We came upon this view on the Red Trail. . . .

When we got back to the starting point we went to the dining area to buy lunch and look around at the exhibits and shops.  Refreshed, we headed back down that steep set of stairs and took the Yellow Trail this time.   Here is a view of the Main Falls in the early afternoon. . . .

This was the extent of the leaf color change with the Main Falls in the background. . . .

After crossing the gorge on the lower bridge and walking up the other side we were once again back at the Main Falls, only this time you are seeing where the water is heading toward the drop off. . . .

People have thrown coins into the shallow end of this pool of water.  You can also see the trees reflected in the water. . . .

credit: Ken Schultz

Back where we began as the water cascades 100 feet down into the gorge. . . .

We also visited the History Cabin to learn more about Bushkill Falls. . . .

In the 1920s and 30s this swinging bridge spanned the stream above the Main Falls. . . .

Here is another 1920s photo of a bridge and walkway along the stream fed by the Main Falls. . . .

It's hard to see because of the reflection in the picture glass, but you're looking at the Main Falls frozen over!  In the lower right you can see a man waving at the photographer. . . .

That evening back in Jim Thorpe we ate at Molly Maguires Pub at the Hotel Switzerland. . . .

credit: Ken Schultz

credit: Ken Schultz

Ken had the fish and chips and I had the Shepherd's Pie.  I must say it was the best meal I had on the whole trip!

We walked around town a bit more before returning to our room where I had a good soak in the jacuzzi.  Ken's Fitbit said we'd walked 6.53 miles, 13,841 steps, and climbed 66 floors.  In the morning we left early.  Fog shrouded the mountainside as though to keep me from seeing once again that my Autumn Vacation was without Fall Foliage! . . .

Have the leaves changed color where you live yet?

❤️Take Joy❤️