peaberry green: Falling for PA

Remembering the terribly HOT and HUMID weather I experienced when visiting home in August '07 (100 degrees, 100% humidity and NOT raining), I decided to plan a pleasant-weather visit home in October. It was a perfect week—the sun was shining, it was a warm 75 degrees and the fall leaves were reaching their peak. It was awesome!

My mom and Jackie (Tom's sister) picked me up from the airport on opening day for Flyers' Hockey. We went right to Geno's for cheese steaks. YES! Go Flyers!

Red-tailed Hawk

I had a fun adventure to Hawk Mountain with my sister and little buddies. We saw a ranger program that included an up-close and personal meeting with a Red-tailed Hawk and a Great Horned Owl. The kids enjoyed the scrambly hike on the Escarpment Trail. I got a cool pair of hawk earrings that Tom told me are actually seagulls. Poops.

Great Horned Owl

Binoc-ing for birds of prey

Sierra ponders what makes the leaves change color

Melis learns about lily pads

Fall color in the Lehigh Gorge

My mom and I did a few little day trips, one of which was a day out in Jim Thorpe. We took a scenic ride on the Lehigh Gorge Railroad, had lunch at "Through the Looking Glass" and toured the Packer Mansion. Highlights were the yummy brownie and the Packer Mansion. I learned a lot about the Packer family, specifically Mary Packer. She was a woman quiet ahead of her time—she married to keep control of her family estate (since women by law, were not allow to own property) and also filed the first pre-nuptual agreement in Carbon county. SMART.

Me and the train teddy

Mom on the Packer Mansion grounds

Mom enjoying the Lehigh River & fall foliage

My mom, Aunt Nikki and I took a day trip to Longwood Gardens in Kennette Square. There were some gigantic carved pumpkins, lots of flowers in bloom and cool tree houses. I even got to spend some time catching up with my friend Kelly and her little buddies.

Lotsa lilly pads livin' large

Kate, Camille, Patti, Heather, Anne, Betsy and me

I enjoyed spending a sunny day in Philadelphia. Kevin and Kim met me for lunch at the Bishop's Collar and then I got together for wine and dinner with the good old gym girls. :)

Winos

Locust Lake is crunchy

Me and mom got out for lots of walk whilst I was visiting. One of my favorites was the hike we did over at Locust Lake. We trudged through leaves, shot the sh*t and posed for pictures.