2 Days in the Poconos (Delaware Water Gap)

 Matt's Birthday to the Poconos

Delaware Water Gap

Friday October 20-Sunday Oct 22 2023

Black is research done prior to the trip. Purple is what we learned from our trip

Friday Oct 20th:

Leave Friday Oct 20th  ~530p

~ 2 hr 6 min drive to Airbnb from Lancaster, PA

Airbnb: Studio Mountain Retreat in Stroudsburg, PA

    Great spot! 5 stars. Totally private. Clean. Great location. Saw deer in the side yard. Would go back.

Get dinner somewhere. Asked Airbnb host for recs:

• Trackside Station Grill & Bar: (in East Stroudsburg) (this is where we ate when we first got into town, before checking into the Airbnb)
•  This restaurant is housed in a historic train station and offers a diverse menu with items like burgers, sandwiches, and various entrees. The atmosphere is casual and comfortable.
• Matt got a burger that was really good. My salad was eh. The place was ok. I think i was expecting it to have a lot more character. Music is LOUD, but I loved the music so I liked it. All my throwbacks! but a local told us they don’t go there bc its too loud
• Sarah St Grill
• Sarah Street Grill: Known for its American cuisine, live music, and casual atmosphere, Sarah Street Grill is a popular choice in Stroudsburg. They offer a diverse menu with options like burgers, seafood, and more.
• Really liked it here! Huge. Neat atmosphere. Lots of TVs. Cool vibe. Big stage for live music. 2 kitchens, 1 of them is sushi!
• Thai Orchid
• If you're in the mood for Thai cuisine, Thai Orchid is a great option. They serve authentic Thai dishes in a pleasant setting
• We didn’t eat here, but heard from a local the space itself is nothing fancy, but the food is amazinggggg
• Cedars (Mediterranean)
• Derailed Taphouse
• This was a bar across the street from Trackside and it looked so cool! Awesome bar vibe. Live music. Great time. Decorated and lit up really cool.
• 2 Irish pubs on Main St: St Final's & Siamsia
• Siamsa Irish Pub: For a cozy and inviting pub experience with a touch of Irish charm, consider Siamsa Irish Pub. They offer a range of traditional and modern Irish dishes, along with a selection of beers. The food was good. But we went for dinner after we hit some wineries. It was so busy. Maybe bc the Phillies were playing? Understaffed and I felt bad for the bartenders bc u could tell they were so busy and running around. Not my fav place.

Saturday Oct 21st (Matt’s Bday):

Hiking:

** For more detailed information on these 4 hikes, please check out my separate blog posts. These can guide you for where to park, which trail to take, length of hikes, time needed, etc. These include Raymondskill Falls, Hackers Falls, Bushkill Falls, and Mt Tammany.

For a brief overview of all 4, see below. **

Delaware Water Gap

• Raymondskill Falls (49 min drive from Airbnb; 46 min drive from parking lot for Mount Tammany; about 23 min from Bushkill falls)
• While not a hike-hike, the Raymondskill Falls area is worth a visit. It's a short walk from the parking area (.3 miles)  to view three stunning waterfalls, making it a more accessible option for those looking for a leisurely stroll.
• Raymondskill Falls is a series of three cascading waterfalls, and the viewing platforms allow you to observe the falls from different angles.
• If you add the height of each cascade together, the waterfall is only a few feet shorter than Niagara Falls.

Raymondskills Falls

Raymondskills Falls

• Hackers Falls (49 min drive from Airbnb; 46 min drive from parking lot for Mount Tammany; about 23 min from Bushkill falls) 
• Hackers Falls Trail begins across the street from Raymondskill's lower parking lot. 
• Another beautiful waterfall hike that leads to Hackers Falls, a picturesque cascade in a serene woodland setting. It's a relatively easy hike suitable for most skill levels, only 1.5 miles round trip. 
• If you are short on time, you could go without this one. Its a nice flat easy hike. Pretty trees. Relatively quick. But the waterfall wasn’t THAT impressive? After seeing Raymondskills at least lol. But we were already out there, and it was fairly quick. So why not!

Hackers Falls

Stop and grab brunch on the way to Bushkills falls:

• The Village Farmer and Bakery: Located in Delaware Water Gap, this charming bakery and café offers sandwiches, salads, and a variety of baked goods. It's a convenient stop between the two falls and is known for its delicious homemade treats.
• I loved this place! Cute little markey. Jams. Jellies. Candy. Baked goods to buy and take home. They are known for their apple pies! You can get their special - a hot dog and slice of apple pie. However, we both went for the breakfast sandwiches. No indoor seating; outdoor picnic tables. Pumpkins and gourds for sale everywhere outside. There’s also a BBQ place right next door.

Hiking:

• Bushkill Falls: (this is about 27 min from the Airbnb; about 23 min from the parking lot of Tammany, & on the way home from Hackers Falls and Raymondskill falls) 

  

  Bushkill Falls

• Doesn’t open until 9am!

• We had planned to go here first, but were thrown for a loop when the entrance gait was locked with a sign on it saying it doesn’t open until 9am lol

• Known as the "Niagara of Pennsylvania," Bushkill Falls features a series of eight waterfalls and several hiking trails. The main loop offers an easy hike that takes you to all the major waterfalls.

• I guess it’s a “hike” but its very well maintained. Like there are wooden or stone man-made steps with railings put in everywhere. So instead of a rock scramble, its steps to and from everywhere. Pretty even flat walking path. Small children were doing it.

  

  

  Bushkill Falls

• Bushkill Falls is found on private property and a small entrance fee is charged to walk these trails and view the breathtaking scenery. Since this is privately owned, Bushkill Falls does not receive any local, state, or federal money for upkeep.

• I thought a small fee would be $5….when we went it was $20 per person. More than I thought it would be, but still worth it. Awesome place! Just a heads up so you have $$. They take credit cards. 

  

  

  Bushkill Falls

• "Open since 1904, the "Niagara of Pennsylvania," Bushkill Falls is among the Keystone State's most famous scenic attractions. This unique series of eight waterfalls, nestled deep in the wooded Pocono Mountains, is accessible through an excellent network of hiking trails and bridges which afford fabulous views of the falls and the surrounding forest."

Bushkill Falls

Back to Airbnb. Shower. Wineries. Then dinner.

Winery and Breweries: 

• Blue Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery: (22 min from Airbnb) Located in Saylorsburg, Blue Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery offers a scenic setting with views of the vineyards and surrounding mountains. They offer wine tastings, tours, and often host events and live music. (11 min drive to the next one)
• Sat 11-9
• Sun 11-6
• Dude this place is huge. Various bars. Food trucks. Levels. Can stay and drink here allll day. Some ratchet ppl here though hahaha. Like I see why they have mult security guards present hahah

• Sorrenti Cherry Valley Vineyards: Situated in Stroudsburg, this family-owned winery has been producing wines for over four decades. They have a diverse selection of wines and are known for their hospitality and beautiful outdoor seating areas. (13 min to the next one)
• Sat 11-8
• Sunday 11-7
• Cool spot! Another large place. Outside is really pretty. Wines were gross. 

Sorrenti

• Mountain View Vineyard, Winery & Distillery: Found in Stroudsburg, this establishment not only offers a variety of wines but also craft spirits. Their scenic location provides excellent views of the vineyard and the rolling hills.
• Sat: 11-9
• Sun: 11-6
• I liked these wines! Hugeeee building sitting up on a hill. Gorg views every direction. Got the hummus plate and it was great!

Mountain View

• Barley Creek Brewing Company: Located in Tannersville, this brewery is one of the oldest in the Poconos and offers a selection of craft beers and delicious pub-style food. (8 minutes to the next one)(Barley and pocono brewery company are away from the 3 above, but close to each other) 
• Sat: 9-1030
• Sun: 9-930
• We didn't make it here
• Pocono Brewery Company: (16 min from Airbnb) Found in Swiftwater, Pocono Brewery offers a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers. They often host live entertainment and events.
• Sat: 11-11
• Sun: 11-9
• We didn't make it here

Dinner (same ones listed above)(this is when we visited Siamsia):

• Sarah St Grill is good place

• Thai Orchid

• Cedars (Mediterranean)

• Trackside (in East Stroudsburg) 

• 2 Irish pubs on main St Finola's and Siamsia

Sunday Oct 22nd:

Hiking:

Delaware Water Gap

• Mount Tammany Trail (11 min from airbnb)
• "This is one of the most popular and rewarding hikes in the area. It offers two primary routes: the Red Dot Trail (steep and direct) and the Blue Dot Trail (a bit longer but less steep). Both trails lead to the summit of Mount Tammany, providing breathtaking views of the Delaware Water Gap, the river, and the surrounding mountains."
• We started with the red trail, to do the rock scrambles going up hill; shorter hike, but harder. One of my fav views was on this red trail, before we even got to the summit. Got some great pics! The leaves were gorggggg this time of year! Then we came back down the blue trail; this was longer but not as difficult. Deff tiring to your legs doing all the eccentric lowering downhill. Some waterfalls towards the bottom right before you hit the parking lot to end your hike. The trails are very well marked.

Lunch:

After the hike, we grabbed lunch at Sarah St Grill (mentioned above) and then headed home.

Overall...GREAT birthday weekend celebrating Matt outside in a gorgeous area <3

Half a Day in Goblin Valley State Park

 Goblin Valley State Park

Address: 18630 Goblin Valley Rd, Green River, UT 84525

State Park Website

This was our 4th stop of our Mighty 5 Roadtrip. 

We stopped here after we did a half day at Dead Horse Point State Park. It was a 1hr 45 min drive from Dead Horse, but it was on our way to our next 2 stops, 

Little Wild Horse & Bell Canyon & Capitol Reef National Park.

Hours of Operation: 6 am to 10 pm daily

Fee: $20; and no, the interagency pass (if you bought it) covers National Parks, but not State Parks.

Since we did Dead Horse first, we didn't get here until mid-day, so the line to get in is LONG. Once they reach capacity, its 1 car in = 1 car out.

Once you get past the entrance, keep to the L when the road forks, and park in the main parking lot.

Parking lot was CROWDED, but there really weren't a lot of ppl. So small parking, but lots of land to spread out.

Thank you to Earth Trekkers for helping us plan our trip. Their blogs are amazing and have so much helpful info. Highly rec!

After we parked, we took a glimpse down into the valley, via Observation Point.

 Hoodoos fill the area! Hoodoos, referred to locally as goblins, are "formations of mushroom-shaped rock pinnacles, some as tall as several yards." Kids were running around playing hide and seek-tag among the massive figures. It honestly did look like we were on a different planet. You can climb on them, making it lit the perfect playground for kids, but to be careful not to damage any of them.

We read there are 5 hiking trails in Goblin Valley State Park. The plan was to just explore the valleys, bc of what I read on Earth Trekkers, but Matt found a hike with an underground cave, so we HAD to do it! So very glad we did, as this was a big highlight of our trip.

The Goblin's Lair

Distance: 1.5 miles one way

Basically, instead of going down into the valleys, you stay on top and wrap around to the L, that leads you BEHIND the cliffs that create a back wall to the valleys. 

This is the Carmel Canyon loop that then splits off after 1/2 mile to cont on to the Goblin's Lair. We enjoyed our hike, as the scenery was so different from what we had seen so far on our trip.

 We had fun with some pics, until we arrived at the talllll rock scramble. 

The cave is not actually a "lair" but is a slot canyon that the entrance has been sealed by a rockfall years ago. We had to scramble up the steep slope over boulders, to get to the top entrance, and then repeat, scrambling down into the cave. 

The holes in the "ceiling" allowed light beams into the cave. 

We saw a guided tour of 4-5 people rappelling down into the cavern, which was something I would have loved to do, if I knew it was a thing. 

You can pay $4 at the visitors center for a permit to rappel, but if you aren't experienced, you can book a guided canyoneering tour at Get in the Wild Adventures.

On our hike in, we passed some kids that had just rappelled, and were hiking back. They told us that there is a small passageway inside the cave, that you can go into and explore even further. It leads you completely THROUGH the rock scramble, to get back out of the cave, instead of going OVER it. 

I was hype about this; I could get out of climbing the rock scramble up and down for a 2nd time? I'm game. But then they told us, the small passageway gets smaller and smaller. To the point where you have to take your backpack off, put it in front of you, and PUSH it through, as you army crawl behind it, in the TOTAL PITCH BLACK DARKNESS. No thank you. We left our headlamps in the car. But even with them, idk if I could do it. 

When we got back to the parking lot, we headed over to explore the Valleys.

The Three Valleys

When you descend the steps from Observation Point, you are in Valley 1. 

We trekked out to Valley 2.

and tried for so a longggg to get to Valley 3, bc we heard the hoodoos out here were the best. If I could do it again, I would skip trying to get to Valley 3. It was just a long time of the same landmarks, and no shade. We kept checking the map but weren't really making progress. With no other people in sight, and starting to get late, we headed back before we officially made it to Valley 3.

Next up: Little Wild Horse & Bell Canyon

More Days in Curaçao

More Days in Curaçao

 

I have a blog titled "1 Day in Curacao" you are welcome to click on, but please use this free travel guide if you're lucky enough to spend MORE than just 1 day in beautiful Curaçao. I did a LOT of research prior to our trip, to ensure we made the most of it, but below are some awesome (and not so awesome) places we were unable to get to see. 

Black font is research we did prior to our trip, and pink font is feedback from our own personal experience.

In Town/Port:

Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue

Punda has the oldest Jewish synagogue in the western hemisphere (still in use). $10 to tour Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, but ppl say it's worth it. 1-2 hours to walk around the gorgeous place with unique sand floors.

The Synagogue holds worship services on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. and on Saturdays at 10 a.m. The museum opens its doors Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. 

I wish we would have been able to tour here, but we visited after it had closed for the day.

Floating Market

By the waterfront, is the Floating Market. We visited here, but at night after it was closed. looks like it would be a fun place to shop for local goods/food. 

Fort Amsterdam

The oldest and most interesting of the 8 forts still standing in Curaçao. Has a courtyard, a church, a cannon wall. 

Plasa Bieu

If we need to eat while on the island, Plasa Bieu is the place to go. Plantains, jerk chicken, pumpkin pancakes, meat stews; 4339+QVH, De Ruyterkade, Willemstad, Curaçao. Matt and I wanted to maximize the cost of the cruise, so we got on/off the ship to eat as needed.

Sea Aquarium

Curaçao's sea aquarium has real sea-water pools fed by the ocean; located on the water-front of the west-coast of Willemstad. Has sea-lion, dolphin, and shark show held daily. Could spend 2-3 hours here. Can use the beach after to swim and snorkel. $21 per adult. Open 8a-5p. $15. This leads me to Mambo Beach, and other various beaches.

Beaches:

Mambo Beach

Mambo Beach (aka Seaquarium Beach). Man-made and located 4 miles south of Willemstad. White sands and crystal blue waters like the rest of this magical island. They have sand volleyball courts and alcoholic drinks available. Ocean Encounters is where you can rent snorkel gear or take a scuba trip. There is also a boardwalk with shops, restaurants and many bars. The waves are low, so well-suited for kids. We were told there's a large amount of shade available on the beach, and the on-site amenities are nice (bathrooms available and lockers for valuables), but it gets very crowded. Very touristy.  

Cost: 

$8 each from cruise port to Mambo beach; 

$3.50 entry fee

$5-$7.50 beach chair rental

$26 beach bucket of 6 beers (275ml)

I would suggest finding another beach. The cruise ship will advise you for this one, but there are other nicer beaches, that are free. This one is just a convenient tourist beach. Every review I have read and mult people on the ship that we asked, say this is an over crowded beach, sand isn't that nice, costs money, and hard to find a beach chair. If you want a lot of bars close by to drink near the water, then maybe it's for you.

Kleine Knip

Obsessed. Highly Rec. Check out our full review here, with pictures and all.

Playa PortoMari ($3)

• "Has a rehabilitated double reef and on-site snorkel rental. The beach also serves as a trailhead for three nature trails that are great for hiking or mountain biking. 
• If you're hungry after all the physical activity, you're in luck: Playa PortoMari features a beach bar and restaurant that serves up enough Indonesian sateys and Dutch kroketten
• Known as the pig beach. But please don't go here with the sole intent to see the wild pigs. It's not like that one Pig Beach in the Bahamas where you are guaranteed to see little (ok big) piggies.
• A 20-mile drive northwest of Willemstad
• Hours: 9:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m
• Cost: Admission costs $3 per person and chairs cost an extra $3.50, but children 3 & under are free.
• For more information about beach activities, visit Playa PortoMari's website

Cas Abao Beach ($6)

• Known as the Snorkeling beach
• "The white-sand beach is surrounded by cliffs and lush greenery, and shaded by thatched palapas (large palm umbrellas). Sea turtles, spotted eagle rays and a rainbow of tropical fish beckon snorkelers into warm, turquoise waters."
• Apparently you get a full-body massage right on the waterline.
• The Beach Bar & Restaurant offers a range of snacks and drinks
• They rec water shoes or sandals bc of the pebbles and broken coral
• Cost: $6 but have amenities like showers; they also say it can be $6 for a car of 4 people, instead of per person. $7 on Sundays.
• About 20 miles northwest of Willemstad, near the town of Fontein. 
• Accessible by car, and there is a parking lot on site. 
• Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Playa Lagun (free)

• Located in a narrow cove with calm waters perfect for snorkeling. There are facilities to rent scuba and snorkel gear.
• Not a lot of amenities, but peaceful and plenty of shade
• They rec water shoes for the rough terrain
• Can rent chairs for a fee, and get some refreshments from a bar overlooking the cove

Other Beaches include:

• Blue Bay Beach -people say it’s overpriced get
• Playa Santu Petra
• Playa Santa Cruz
• Karakter Beach

Have any info on these? I'd love to learn more :)

Outside of town/port:

The salt flats near Jan Kok: 

“Near the village of Williwood, you can find the salt pans of Jan Kok, also known as the Flamingo Sanctuary Sint Willibrordus. This is a popular tourist attraction as it is on the road from Willemstad towards the beaches of Banda Bou.” There are other spots to see flamingos, but this sounds like it is the closest to the boat). They rec binoculars. 

"The Flamingo Sanctuary allows tourists to view the flamingos from a viewpoint. At the plateau near the road, you have a breathtaking view over the salt pan and the flamingo family that lives there.  You just pull over and park by shrubs. Upon arrival, you have to park your car along the road since there is no parking lot next to the viewpoint. Do not leave anything of value in your car when you head towards the plateau."

Address: 1b Weg naar St Willibrordus, Jan Kok, Curaçao

I could not for the life of me figure out how to find this. So unfortunately we didn't go. Anyone else have luck finding it?  

"The best time to see flamingos is in the mornings until 11:00 AM or around sunset. The birds will be present in large numbers at those times."

Boka Charomba and its cactus forest:

"A fascinating forest of giant cactus should be considered an obligatory stop in Curaçao. This is one of Curaçao’s best kept secrets, as travelers exploring the area will probably encounter only one or two fishermen during the whole day.

Once at Boka Charomba, visitors can follow a path that leads to the cactus forest at the top of the cliff, as well the best view of Boka Charomba’s inlet. It’s a very strange experience to walk along a coastline and starting to see how the whole area surrounding turned slowly into a forest of cactus. These can reach heights up to 10 meters and are commonly known as the Kadushi cactus.

If you want to see the turtles, but not embark on a hike, an easier option is to go straight to Playa Charomba, on the southern side of Boka Ascencion. There’s a parking lot directly off the main road, just before the Landhuis, and the beach only takes a few minutes to reach."

We passed the parking/trailhead for this, but we decided to skip it as we wanted to prioritize the Chete Boka National Park and a beach instead. 

Address: Boka Ascension: 7WCW+G3V, Assension, Bisento, Curaçao

Turtuga trail: 7WCW+VF9, Boka Ascension, Assension, Bisento, Curaçao

Blue Room Cave:

I read lots of reviews for this one bc I REALLY wanted to go. AMAZING! But go with a guide. Bc some days the water can be bad. Have to hike 20 min. Then climb or jump into the water. Then dive down to swim under water into the cave. Have to be able to swim and tread, bc you can’t touch the bottom. The entrance is good, on a good day, which is rare. Other days the water is rough and ppl get pushed into rocks and cut their heads. Need water shoes bc rocks are rough climbing in and out. 

Watamula Hole:

"An ideal free attraction that is worth seeing. Amazing rainbow, sometimes double with each ‘blow’ of water. An ideal photo opportunity for lasting vacation memories. Be sure to wear tennis shoes, not sandals to protect your feet." 

Address: 9RRV+5G4, watamula hole,, Westpunt, Curaçao

Some ppl say it’s not worth it, bc it's a far drive. And on a dirt road (tricky/not possible with a rental car). And if u go at low tide…there's nothing to see. 

National parks:

Christoffel National Park

"In 1978, the island's highest point (Christoffel Mountain), three plantations, a mine and a village near the northern tip of Curaçao merged to create Christoffel National Park. The park houses indigenous flora and fauna, such as barn owls, the rare and endangered Curaçao white-tailed deer and 450 species of plants, including wild orchids. While you can take a scenic drive through Curaçao's largest national park, hiking or mountain biking is the best way to experience Christoffel's rugged landscape."

Unfortunately, we did not get to hike this, as we didn't arrive on the island via cruise hip until 9am. The park rangers do not let you start your hike past 10am, to ensure your safety bc of how hot it can get. We saw mixed times, some stating you cannot start your hike after 9am, bc of the high temps and lack of share. So get there early, like 6 or 7a. Bring plenty of water, and com

Duration: 2-3 hours, or half a day if you start from the visitor center.

Hours: daily 6am-2p

Cost: $15 for a 1-day pass (adults) or $5 pass (children 6-12) that includes admissions to Savonet Museum (located on the Savonet planation & rich in the park's history). Cost for just the museum is $3 for adults and $2 for kids.

Location: 25 miles NW of Willemstad

Bring comfy shoes as it get rockier closer to the summit, and plenty of water. There are 2 driving and 8 hiking trails. They offer Jeep safaris and a guided climb up the mt. 

For more information, visit the park's website.

Shete Boka National Park

Amazing. Highly Rec. Check out our full review here, with pictures and all.