Friday April 23, 2004

Port Jervis, Milford, Hawley and West Point
[Wednesday-Thursday-Friday ]

Thanks to all the folks who have sent emails or left messages in the guest book. It really does boost our spirits. Webmaster James certainly deserves some pats on the back too.

We achieved one of my goals Thursday when we backtracked (by car) to visit the U.S. Mint at West Point. Standing in the same room with 20 billion worth of gold is a exhilarating. You'd think they'd let us take home one tiny bar.

Very few people get to see the inner workings of this mint (it's not open to the public) so we feel lucky they let us in. I'll write that visit up as a separate story next week. It's good enough to stand on its own. I understand Travis has some nice pictures too.

The Pennsylvania travel folks had a receptioin for us when we crossed the Delaware Wednesday (Port Jervis was there too). Pennsylvania was all uphill from there! Well, it felt like it was all uphill. Milford was charming with its blooming Bradford Pear Trees lining both sides of the street.

Today, we made it from Milford to Hawley. It was a hilly, rainy and the inserts in my shoes wouldn't stay in place. It was tough walking, but I had an unexpected pleasure at Shohola Falls.

In a car, you drive right past the falls. On foot I was more impressed with the deep gorge (100 feet?) than the actual falls. After I moved on, I noticed a big parking lot, with no sign saying what it was for. I went in and followed a trail that was marked "To Falls." I was muttering about how stupid I was to be wasting this time, since I had already seen the falls.

Well, at the end of the trail is a wonderful waterfall at the far end of gorge. (Can't see if from the road) It reminded me of Niagra, in a much smaller scale, of course. It's well worth the trip.

We're staying in a nice old inn (Settler's Inn) in Hawley. If you're out this way you should try the restaurant. It's not cheap, but it's worth it. I'm told the hills tomorrow (Saturday) will be higher. And next week we start the section of the state called The Endless Mountains. Oh great.