Summer Travel 2023 #6: July 8-22 Return to PA and Camping in NY and NJ

My landing in Philadelphia was earlier than expected, but the plane was delayed nonetheless when it took a full hour for the pilot to be given permission to taxi to the gate.  Further disappointment followed when the entire flight found that their luggage would not be appearing on the baggage carousel and would likely be delayed.  It is not that the baggage did not arrive with the flight, it was that the airport was full of incompetent morons who could not handle the logistics of an airport. FIVE FLIGHTS worth of baggage had been delayed, they had been unloaded from the aircraft haphazardly and therefore they were lost in the bowels of the airport for an indeterminant amount of time.  I waited for three hours before deciding to come back the next day. I will never fly through Philadelphia Airport again.  I picked up my car rental and then went to my sister's where I crashed for the night.  

The next morning she took me to get my bags and brought my nephews (4 and 7 year old) so they could pass some time riding every elevator, escalator, and moving sidewalk in the baggage claim area.  I got my bag and they had a fun time.

I managed to snap a rare picture of their dog since she never seems to hold still long enough to get a clear photo.  

I hung out with my sister and nephews for a little while before heading to my mom's.  

I made two short stops on the way to pick things up at my dad's and stop at a medical dispensary.  I drove in the rain all the way there. 

When I stopped at my dad's to pick some things up I found a nest of baby spiders.

My dad and Lisa were not home but I was greeted by one of their three cats who insisted I turn the tap on so he could have a drink.  Once I grabbed my things I went to the dispensary and then my mom's.

I got to my mom's and ate dinner.  Then I played with the dog and caught up with my mom and aunt. It had been 10 months since I last saw them, so we had a lot to discuss. 

I did not do a whole lot on the 10th.  I, my mom, and my aunt went out for dinner at a place called Kay's for some delicious manicotti and a cinnamon bun, but other than that the day was spent enjoying quality time with my mom. 

On the 11th I met a friend, Cory, at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for a hike and lunch at the Brickhouse in Orwigsburg, PA. 

On the 12th my college friend Ashlyn and my older half-brother Kyle met me at our mom's place and we headed off to Watkins Glen NY for three days of camping at the Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite.  We visited a number of waterfalls including Taughannock Falls, Montour Falls, Havana Glen Falls, Lower Falls, Buttermilk Falls, Shequaga Falls, and Watkins Glen State Park. I could not tell you in which order we visited them as I do not recall. 

We also visited the Seneca Harbor Wine Center for a tasting and bought a couple bottles before walking along the pier. 

It had rained a lot prior to our trip so many of the falls were running high. We camped out until the 14th.  Then I went to visit my father from July 14-17.

On my way to my dad's I took a video of some flooding near my mom's place. Parts of the road on the way there were closed because it had rained so much that they were flooded out. 

While I did not do a whole lot while staying at my dad's. It was nice to catch up with him and Lisa. My cousin came to visit on the 16th and we went to Jim Thorpe, PA for drinks, shopping, and lunch. I was also able to get ample attention from two of their three cats who were always keen to get scritches and scratches.
  

I departed my Dad's place on the 17th and headed for Stokes State Forest in NJ where I stayed in one of their lean-tos until the 19th.

My friend Damon met me there on the first night.  He booked himself a lean-to adjacent to mine and we did some light (very light) hiking in the area.  I had come there to be near the Delaware Water Gap, which is among my favorite places to visit. I make a point of going here once a year, even if I have to fly across the planet to do that, and swimming across Crater Lake.

I stayed the night of the 19th at my dad's again where I got some more affection from the kitties. 

Then I spent the night of the 20th at my mom's.

On my last night in the US, the 21st, I stayed at my sister's.  I made a point of enjoying my time with them as much as possible.  We spent a lot of time jumping on the trampoline and my youngest nephew Austin put on a private concert for me. 

On the 22nd I was back in the air.  My next destination was Hong Kong via Doha Qatar on my way back home.  It was good to see my family.  I had missed them and they had missed me.  I was a bit sad to be leaving but no more so than when I had originally moved to China.  The last time I lived abroad was from 2016-2018.  At that time I did not have the means to return home to visit my family but this time my job provides a travel allowance and covers the cost of housing so my financial situation is much better.  Next year I will endeavor to spend more time with them before I do my summer travel.  I also plan to make a point of visiting my younger brother in Maine next year as this time I did not have enough time to make it up there during my short stay in PA.