Boxcar Rocks

It was the 4th time this summer we headed 81 North. What a beautiful view! I LOVE passing all those mountains. If you are with me in the car, you will hear me exclaim it the entire time "uhh, look at this", "ohh, look at those".. I always appreciated the nature. People who live in certain areas (mountains, lakes, even like Chocolate World or Hershey Park), we are so used to it that we do not even notice it. 

I have to say I do love state of Pennsylvania. It is amazingly beautiful state! 

The road to Tower City did not take us too long but finding the right trail did. Internet really did not provide us with reliable directions and of course, who heard about cell phone reception so high in the mountains?? When we finally found the road, I was amazed again. The road went up and up and up and so windy, almost 360 degrees at some parts. Crazy! 

We kept going until we thought what was supposed to be the right trail and parked. We were supposed to walk for about 1/4 of a mile and then see clearing on the right and turn there. We walked for about half of a mile and tried to walk what looked like a clearing. No luck. 

Surprisingly, kids were okay. Nobody whined or complained. Initially, before we left Kyra kept complaining that she can't climb, that she can't walk too far, that her legs would get tired, you name it. But she did not express much of complains here. 

She had fun with her walking sticks. 

Brandon said it looked like belly button, I agree :) it would have been a funny belly button but it is only moss

At some point we just decided to drive back and start all over from Tower city itself but Brandon saved us. He saw a parking lot with a gate before the trail. It was so far on the road, I did not see it. It happened to be the one. We did not know it was until we walked and walked looking for clearing. "Is that a clearing?" "Oh is that?". When we saw it, we knew, we had the right way.

On this picture you can not see but I noticed how in the row those evergreen trees were, like someone planted them on purpose.

 Me? and not climb??

 Both kids had fun posing the entire time, which is not like them. "Hi there!"

 Awesome view! That is how it looked!

My silly kings of the jungle :)

 Another one

 Why not?

"I want to try!"

 "I have to try since my brother tried"

 "I am that high"

 Can see how trees look below. Itching/scratching time :)

My wild man

 Both kids, actually, relaxed :)

 I think that is where I scratched my knee (our only injury for 3 of us). Brandon took a pic

 Cute one!

 Kyra developed an appetite for photos this time :)

 So did Brandon

 Love this shot with green in the background

Like a photo model :)

 I am telling you, she is enjoying it!

 One of my fav!  "Kyra touched the butt"..

 "It's a biiiiiig butt!"

 "Hey, there!" :)

 Beauty Nature

 "I am thinking over here"

 Love having both kids on the different levels :)

 Next three were our finale

 Running to the car to see who was the fastest when I said I would beat them all. I lost.

 Love, love love the view of our travels

When I asked the kids if it was worth coming in, they said VERY worth. Even whiny Kyra did not complain a bit when we got there. So fun! very unusual workout, being in the nature, see the beauty.. Priceless. 

When first we could not find the right trail, I told the kids that because they did not cry, complain, fuss or fight, they deserved Sweet frog treat. I am sure they would have been okay without it but it seemed like a good idea after hot workout on the trails. We enjoyed every single bit of it :) 

Life can be hard. But if you see and take plain pleasures - just being out there and enjoy quiet natural surroundings instead of cars roars.. I would take it anytime.