In 1754, frustrated with the tediously slow progress of his men as they hacked their way westward through the Appalachian Mountains to capture Fort Duquesne (present day Pittsburgh), Colonel George Washington broke off from the main group and, along with a handful of men, began exploring the Youghiogheny River as a possible water route through the mountains. The group made it as far as present day Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania where, legend has it, Colonel Washington stood on a rock overlooking a 40 foot waterfall and decided to abandon the plan when he came to the realization that the rapids of the Youghiogheny would not be a viable means of transporting men and artillery westward. It's this very waterfall, and system of rapids, that makes the Youghiogheny River the focal point of any visit to Ohiopyle State Park.
My son, Alex, and I standing on the west bank of the Youghiogheny River...possibly the same rock that George Washington stood on in 1754. -- June 20, 2018
My parents first brought me to Ohiopyle State Park when I was a child. Now it's become the place that my son, Alex, and I have chosen for our annual "guys camping trip." Alex and I both look forward to our yearly excursion to Ohiopyle. We treat ourselves to a week of nature, a week of adventure, and a week of bonding. This year, Alex's best bud, Devin, came along with us...he is, after all, part of the family. We were also blessed by visits from my college roommate, Chris "Rainman" Lowe, and my partner in crime at NMS, Mike Graham. On any given day that we are camping at Ohiopyle...no matter what activity we choose to do: hiking, rafting, exploring, or mountain biking...the river is the center piece of it all.
Alex took this pic of me on our last day at Ohiopyle. The Youghiogheny River was running incredibly high from the torrential rains that hit the area last week. -- June 22, 2018
Our agenda for the week was simple...fun and adventure (with a relaxation and good food added in for good measure). I brought my mountain bike with me again this year. I really got the itch to explore more of the park after I mountain biked there last summer for the first time in nearly ten years. On this trip, I managed two rides...the first was on the Great Allegheny Passage...an incredibly scenic ride for people of all skill levels. My second ride of the week was a mud-fest ride for the ages which included Sugarloaf, McCune, and Baughman Trails. We also managed to hike a lot more this year. On Wednesday, Mike Graham joined Alex, Devin, and I as we explored and hiked Beech Trail. We also explored the Ferncliff Penninsula which led us to the west bank of the Youghiogheny River and right to the big waterfall. But, it's the white water rafting that we all look forward to the most. I first took Alex white water rafting in 2010 and it's become one of our favorite thinigs to do together. This particular trip was probably my favorite ever...the river was high and fast, our guide was excellent, and the weather was beautiful...which made for a very exciting experience.
On the first evening in Ohiopyle, I snuck out for a ride on the Great Allegheny Passage...one of the most visually stimulating and scenic trails you can ride a bike on. -- June 18, 2018
One of the high points of the week is our rafting trip on the Youghiogheny River. George Washington might have had better luck on this river if he had Cliff from White Water Adventures as his guide. Left to right: Devin Seiger, Alex Raymond, Chris Lowe, Dave Raymond, and Cliff the White Water Guide. -- June 19, 2018
After an afternoon of white water rafting, we took a hike down through Cucumber Falls. My son, Alex Raymond, exploring the Cucumber Falls area. -- June 19, 2018
Exploring BEHIND Cucumber Falls. Left to Right: Dave Raymond, Chris Lowe, Mike Graham, Alex Raymond, and Devin Seiger. -- June 19, 2018
The trail at Cucumber Falls leads down to the river. It's one of our favorite spots to skip rocks and just hand out. Left to Right: Alex Raymond, Dave Raymond, Devin Seiger, Chris Lowe, and Mike Graham. -- June 19, 2018
A hot and humid, but beautiful, hike on Beech Trail in Ohiopyle State Park. Left to Right: Alex Raymond, Devin Seiger, Mike Graham, and Dave Raymond. -- June 20, 2018
Having fun while hiking Beech Trail in Ohiopyle State Park. Left to Right: Mike Graham, Alex Raymond, David Raymond, and Devin Seiger. -- June 20, 2018
After hiking Beech Trail, we explored the Ferncliff Penninsula. The trail leads you down the west bank of the Youghiogheny River and to the big waterfall. You can see the main observation decks on the other side of the river. -- June 20, 2018
Mountain biking McCune Trail in Ohiopyle State Park. -- June 21, 2018
The stream behind my bike isn't a stream at all...it's Baughman Trail. Even the trails became "rivers" after the heavy thunderstorms on Wednesday evening. -- June 21, 2018
Alex took this pic of me as I came off of Baughman Trail into the town of Ohiopyle. What an absolute mud-fest of a ride! -- June 21, 2018
Typically, when we camp in Ohiopyle State Park, our mornings and early afternoon are full of adventure...but the evenings are reserved for relaxation, good conversation around the fire, and amazing camp food. I'll admit, that as I've gotten older (and after multiple surgeries), it's harder for me to relax in tent. I now go out of my way to reserve one of the small cabins in the campgrounds on the ridge above the river which offer a lot more comfort and a little bit more peace of mind when the inevitable summer thunderstorm rolls through the area. The cabin and the campsite literally become our "home away from home" for the week.
Unloading wood for our evening campfire. -- June 21, 2018
One of our favorite campfire meals...beef and potato soup. -- June 21, 2018
Breakfast consists of some Hungry Jack pancakes...the way my grandpap George Morosky made them for me when I was a kid. -- June 19, 2018
It's not breakfast without bacon and coffee! -- June 19, 2018
A little rain doesn't dampen our spirits at the campside. We just moved the grill to the porch and continued on! -- June 20, 2018
Evening dinner aound the campfire. As a thank you, we invited our rafting guide, Cliff, to come have dinner with us. Left to Right: Chris Lowe, Mike Graham, Alex Raymond, David Raymond, Devin Seiger, and Cliff the White Water Guide. -- June 19, 2018
Packing up at the end of the week is bitter sweet. I really hate to leave a place that I love so much and I really enjoy the time with my son...but I also miss my home, my bed, and most of all, my wife. Alex and I have already decided to continue our tradition come back next year at the same time. I'm so blessed to have a son who has some of the same passions that I have. I'm even more blessed knowing that he enjoys spending this time with me. The one thing that made packing up this year a little easier is knowing that, not only will he and I be back next year, but my wife and I will be camping at the same site in less than a week. So...for at least one more weekend this summer...Ohiopyle State Park will be my "home away from home" one more time.
Alex and David Raymond. Our last stop in the State Park before heading home...Baughman Rock Overlook provides a brilliant view of Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands. -- June 22, 2018
Yep...I stopped at the General Store in Ohiopyle for ice cream before I even finished my mud-fest mountain bike ride. Still another 3 miles up the ridge to the campsite...but I just couldn't wait! -- June 21, 2018
Here are the GARMIN maps and data from all of our adventures in Ohiopyle State Park last week. Happy rafting, hiking, biking, and exploring!
Interested in biking or hiking some of the trails featured in this post? Check out the TRAIL MAPS and TRAIL HEADS tabs on the ALL TRAILS LEAD TO ICE CREAM website.
The "Month of Gray" (formerly known here in south central Pennsylvania as the month of May) has finally come and gone. The end of yet another successful school year has ushered in my unofficial start of summer, and along with it, a string of nice weather. Actually, we've had some amazingly nice weather...low humidity, blue skies, and high temps around 80 degrees. I couldn't have asked for conditions to be any more perfect for my first summer ride in Michaux State Forest.
On our first Michaux ride of the summer, Tim and I headed to my favorite vista to catch the amazing view of the forest below. -- June 12, 2018
Tim's bike (you can also see mine leaning on the rock in the distance) resting along the trail a few feet away from the vista. The mountain laurel, Pennsylvania's State Flower, is in full bloom on the left of the trail. -- June 12, 2018
A perfect day for a ride in Michaux State Forest. -- June 12, 2018
Enjoying the cool waters of Tom's Run near the end of my ride. -- June 12, 2018
Tim Sindlinger riding in Michaux State Forest. -- June 12, 2018
Tim Sindlinger riding a super cool section of trail near Michaux Road. -- June 12, 2018
A lot of thought was put into deciding where, in Michaux, Tim and I would ride this week. We ultimately decided that the best way to initiate ourselves into the summer mountain biking season was to make the climb up the my favorite vista and soak in the beauty of the forest below. From there, Tim and I just began to make things up as we went. We explored parts of Buck Ridge Trail, pedaled a little bit of fire road, and zipped through some super cool single track that carved it's way through the forest landscape. Tim and I wrapped up our day with a descent down the ridge and a stream crossing through Tom's Run. A day of beautiful weather, beautiful scenery, good company, a whole lof of Vitamin N...yep, our first summer ride proved to be just about perfect in so many ways.
My summer kicked off with a trip to Mesa, Arizona to see my nieces and my nephew. We managed to get out one evening for pizza and ice cream. Left to right: Isaac Raymond, Sophie Raymond, Jackie Raymond, & Uncle Dave. -- June 9, 2018
Life is a journey...not a destination.
David A. Raymond -- June 16, 2018
While in Arizona, I managed to bust out my brother's old Cannondale (circa 1990) for a 10 mile desert ride. Gotta love the 90+ degree heat at 6:15 AM! -- June 10, 2018
Here are the GARMIN maps and data from my first Michaux ride of the summer and my desert ride in Arizona. Happy riding!
Interested in biking or hiking some of the trails featured in this post? Check out the TRAIL MAPS and TRAIL HEADS tabs on the ALL TRAILS LEAD TO ICE CREAM website.
My parents first took my brother and I camping in 1981. The preparation involved for our family camping trips was a sight to see. Dad had a 1976 Subaru, in which he and my mom seemingly packed half of our household belongings. On those first camping trips, my mom and dad really made sure that our campsite would literally be a "home away from home." On the Coleman grill (while listening to her Neil Diamond tapes), my mom made pancakes for breakfast and dinners that consisted of meals such as spaghetti and beef stew. It was like we were at home...but in some ways better. It was on these trips, at the age of 7, that I was introduced to campfire food...hot dogs roasted over the fire, smores, and my all-time favorite, mountain pies.
My mother, Kathy Raymond, preparing dinner for us at Rocky Gap State Park. -- 1981
Left to right: My father, Dave Raymond, me (age 7), and my younger brother, Jacob at Rocky Gap State Park. -- 1981
Our family continued to camp at Rocky Gap State Park, located in the mountains of western Maryland, for the next 8 years (ending in 1989 when they began to conflict with the busy high school sport schedules that Jake and I had). As I child, I didn't view camping as a relaxing event....actually, just the opposite. The days were filled with activities that I enjoyed with family, and, as we got a little older, the friends that mom and dad permitted us to invite to come camping with us for the weekend. I remember fishing of the docks, swimming in Lake Habeeb, riding bikes, and canoeing with my parents. Fun times...and great memories.
Camping cousins. Left to right: David Raymond (age 11), Joshua Rendulic, Jacob Raymond, & Lucas Rendulic -- October 1984
Canoeing with my Uncle, cousins, and father on Lake Habeeb in Rocky Gap State Park. (Left to Right: Uncle Ed Rendulic, Joshua Rendulic, Lucas Rendulic, David Raymond, and Dave Raymond) -- October 13, 1984
My father, Dave Raymond, at Rocky Gap State Park. -- August 1985
That's me...age 11...hanging out at our campsite. -- August 1985
Sitting around the campfire with my childhood bud, Reese Smith (left). -- July 1985
My mom making us dinner. I'd bet money that my boom box on the right side of the pic is playing Neil Diamond's Hot August Night album! -- July 1986
I guess, by 1988, I had reached my moody teenage years (so sorry mom & dad). Wish I still had those blue Chuck Taylors! -- August 1988
In 2013, my wife, Robin, and I, revived the tradition of returning to Rocky Gap. It's our Memorial Day get away. It's a time for us to relax and recharge. It's also a time for us to hike and enjoy the nature that we are immersed in. This year Robin and I took an amazing hike around Lake Habeeb and then down into the gorge that is below the lake's spillway. As evident in the name...Lakeside Loop traces the entire perimeter of Lake Habeeb. In it's entirety, Lakeside Loop is a five-ish mile hike that is marked incredibly well with orange blazes. The two mile section of Lakeside Loop that Robin and I hiked was lined with blooming mountain laurel and ample evidence of local wildlife.
Hiking Lakeside Loop at Rocky Gap with Robin. -- May 26, 2018
Blooming mountain laurel in Rocky Gap State Park. -- May 26, 2018
Evidence of beavers near Lake Habeeb. These stumps were near Lakeside Trails at Rocky Gap. -- May 26, 2018
Lake Habeeb as seen from the edge of Lakeside Loop. -- May 26, 2018
Lakeside Loop is marked with signs and orange blazes on the trees. -- May 26, 2018
Ultimately, the goal for the day was to take Robin to the spillway beneath the dam...which, if you didn't know any better, you'd think was a natural waterfall. The rocky trail leading into the gorge is easily accessed from a Shortcut Trail that runs up the ridge, away from the lake, and perpendicular to Lakeside Loop. It's about as visually simulating of a hike as you can imagine...rocks of all sizes, streams, and the distant sound of water crashing. Making your way to the spillway requires you to leave the marked trail, head towards the sound of the crashing water, and climb over a few boulders. It's only about 100 yards off the main trail and a nice addition to the hike.
Pausing beneath the Lake Habeeb spillway after hiking into the gorge at Rocky Gap State Park. -- May 26, 2018
The spillway beneath the dam at Lake Habeeb. -- May 26, 2018
The gorge beneath the Lake Habeeb spillway at Rocky Gap. -- May 26, 2018
The trail leading to (and out) of the gorge is steep and rocky...but very beautiful! It's marked well with white blazes. -- May 26, 2018
Robin and I had a first on our trip to Rocky Gap this year. As we wrapped up our hike...we decided to check out how much it would be to rent a canoe for a short time the next day. My first canoeing experience was here, at Rocky Gap, with my parents. I can remember going out with my parents and my brother. There were also a few occasions when my Aunt Rosanne, Uncle Ed, and my cousins Josh and Luke would camp with us. I specifically remember canoeing with them. As for canoeing with Robin...it was a lot of fun. I pretty much had a smile on my face the whole time as we traced very trails we hiked the previous day, paddled to the dam, and then back. A few rain drops hit us along the way...but that just added to the experience.
Canoeing with Robin on Lake Habeeb. -- May 27, 2018
To me, the most amazing thing about Rocky Gap State Park is how, after all these years, it's still the same. Everything is recognizable...the beach, the lake, the campsites, and the camp store are just as I remember them. Sure...there are a few changes here and there...but the park that I remember as a child is the one I see when Robin and I return each year.
The best new tradition that Robin and I started at Rocky Gap is inviting my father and Mary Jane to have dinner with us while we are camping. I'm glad I can repay the experience to my dad...we have a lot of good memories here. Left to right: Mary Jane, Robin, David, Dave (dad) Raymond. -- May 27, 2018
One of the most awesome changes to Rocky Gap is the snack shop located between the camp store and the beach. They serve ice cream and milkshakes. My favorite way to wrap up an afternoon of hiking. -- May 26, 2018
Here is the GARMIN map and data from our days of hiking and canoeing at Rocky Gap State Park.
Happy hiking...Happy paddling!
Interested in hiking some of the trails featured in this post? Check out the TRAIL MAPS and TRAIL HEADS tabs on the ALL TRAILS LEAD TO ICE CREAM website.
Mark has this saying. Actually, it's a line form an obscure John Mellencamp song... "When it's too tough for everyone else...it's just right for us." It's a mantra that encapsulates a certain kind of mountain biking that he and I both love. It's the kind of mountain biking that has no real destination. It's the ride that possibly requires a GPS, a map, or at the very least...cell reception. This particular kind of mountain biking demands that there be no real time constraints. Inevitably, on this ride there will be a ton of backtracking, a climbing to mileage ration that is completely obnoxious, and yes...it will include the infamous "hike-a-bike." The final component of this ride is a friend who knows more about mountain biking than I do and can navigate his way out of just about anything. A friend who finds craziness just a fun as I do.
Mark Lentz and David Raymond exploring parts of Michaux State Forest that were not familiar with us. If you look closely, you can see that the downed tree broke an old wooden gate at the entrance of a logging road. -- April 29, 2018
It's this kind of ride that Mark and I set out on the last weekend of April. The weather was still a little crisp when we pedaled out of the Big Flat parking area in Michaux. Our destination was the northwest side of the ridge below Ridge Road...an area of the forest that I had not ridden in almost a decade. Mark's basic plan was to descend 3 Turn Road and then just explore. Nothing like knowing, that no matter what we run into during the ride, we would have to climb 500 feet in a mile and half on a fireroad to get back to Big Flat! Yep...it would be one of THOSE rides. The area around 3 Turn Road skirts the boundary of the State Forest and Mark and I took a lot of caution to make sure that we stayed within those boundaries. A lot of the trails we found, that at first looked promising, ultimately led to "cul-de-sacs" for logging vehicles. A few of the trails we tried disappeared into the overgrowth and one, in particular, disappeared in to what looked like acres of downed trees.
Not knowing exactly where we are going and what (or who) we will run into...Mark and I made certain to stay within the confines of the State Forest. You can see the State Forest boundary markers nailed to the tree that my bike is leaning on. -- April 29, 2018
This promising looking logging took us more than a mile into the forest before turning into a huge "cul-de-sac." -- April 29, 2018
The ridge, far in the distance, is where Ridge Road is. We parked a mile on the other side of Ridge Road. So cool! -- April 29, 2018
Welcome to the neighborhood! While backtracking out of this "cul-de-sac" in Michaux, I spotted this out of place boxwood shrub. Apparently someone, who didn't want in their yard anymore but who didn't have the heart to just through it away, trekked back here and planted it in the forest. Cool. -- April 29, 2018
By the time we finished our ride, Mark and I had explored more that 17 miles (my Garmin data is a little off) of the forest that was "new to us." Actually, considering that I found zero STRAVA segments on our ride, I'm pretty sure that what we rode would be new to most mountain bikers. It amazes me that, after 13+ years of mountain biking in Michaux State Forest, that there is so much of the forest that I've never seen (let alone, ridden). A day of backtracking and bushwhacking and climbing might not sound like fun to a lot of people...but it is for me. The fun lies in the not knowing what we will be riding and what we inevitably will be pushing and carrying our bikes up, down, through, around, and over...but mostly I really just love the time spent exploring and searching and just riding with a good friend. Ultimately, these exploratory rides are the best way for us to find new trails to ride...and, just as importantly, figure out where NOT to ride. This certain kind of mountain biking isn't possible each time we ride and might not be for everyone...but like Mark says, "When it's too tough for everyone else...it's just right for us."
Mark Lentz carrying his bike. Yep...it was one of those kinds of rides. It even included a "hike-a-bike" and a little bushwhacking when the trails seemed to disappear. What a day! Thanks, Mark. -- April 29, 2018
Life is a journey...not a destination.
David A. Raymond -- May 19, 2018
Here is the GARMIN map and data from our day of exploring and mountain biking (and bush-whacking) in Michaux State Forest.
Happy riding!
Interested in biking or hiking some of the trails featured in this post? Check out the TRAIL MAPS and TRAIL HEADS tabs on the ALL TRAILS LEAD TO ICE CREAM website.
I have this nice little memory of my mother that is uniquely mine. I don't have any pics of it...just the memory. I really don't remember the year or exactly how old I was (but I can guess I was around seven or eight years old). The memory is of my mom waking me up early in the morning so we could take a bike ride together.
My mom, Kathy Raymond. This pic was taken in Ohiopyle State Park. -- November 1980
My mom, if my memory serves me correctly, rode a super cool 5-speed bike that she and my dad got at the JCPenney's in Altoona, PA. No gears for me...my first real bike was old school...a single speed with a sparkly blue paint job and a banana seat! I have no clue how many times mom and I got up early to do this and why my brother and my dad weren't involved...but I know she and I did this more than once. Here, however, is what I do remember...vividly. I remember riding down South Juliana Street with the cool morning mist hitting my face. We both had a head lamp, the size of a grape fruit, attached to our handle bars so we could see in the predawn hours. I can also remember pedaling early in the morning on the quiet streets of the normally busy town of Bedford. I have no problem recalling the exhilaration of descending the hill past Fort Bedford and down to the river...and then climbing (or possibly pushing my bike) back up the "super steep to a kid" hill that becomes North Thomas Street. Our ride then took us past the old Bedford County Jail and Saint Thomas Catholic School before making our way to Lafayette Street and back home...just as the sun was coming up.
Yep...that's me in 1980.
It's a neat memory that I think about often...especially today, the eve of Mother's Day and just a few days past the 15th anniversary of my mom's passing. To this day...I'm not sure why she and I went on those rides alone...but I know that we did and the memory is always with me. I'm not sure if my mom knew it but, by going on those bike rides with me, she created a memory that is uniquely mine. Thank you so much, mom. I love you.
Life is a journey...not a destination.
David A. Raymond -- May 12, 2018
Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there. Today, my son, Alex, and I did some Mother's Day mulching for my amazing wife Robin (who I KNOW my mother would have loved)...capped off, of course, with a root beer float from the Bobcat Creamery. -- May 12, 2018
Interested in biking or hiking some of the trails that I feature in my posts? Check out the TRAIL MAPS and TRAIL HEADS tabs on the ALL TRAILS LEAD TO ICE CREAM website.
