That's a marathon, right? ha ha ha 9 hours, most of it hell...actually, I was surprised that it was fun except for the last few miles to the car...I was limping and exhausted...and we had a three hour drive home....

@thinktwice I'm very impressed. I think my last long trek was about 21 miles and that just about killed me. Take it easy for a bit and you will be raring to go again

@Moravian I hope swimming is involved in my next outdoor excursion...I can swim a long time and enjoy it more...beach time!! ha ha ha

Hope all goes well...exercise was recommended for full recovery but that walk was ridiculous...but, my knee held out! Thanks...now for the next medical thing...ugh...

West Virginia is beautiful as well....we really have some gorgeous forests on the east coast...

@thinktwice we do. Maryland and Pa and Delaware. All beautiful.

You can take my place...I am leaving in a few months...

@thinktwice I'm sure you'll be missed

except that it is really a popular place and one never knows when a group of college kids or younger dash down the rocks!

@thinktwice If it was really hot I'd be tempted .

@silverotter11 I did go into one but with my shorts and tank top...refreshing but we had to get out of the woods before nightfall...

Climbing the wet rocks was a bit treacherous...FITBIT told me that I did over 10,000 stairs! I was sore and tired for days...we just missed the "turn" and ended up walking along the ranger trail into the forest...I had a compass and we retraced our steps and made it back in time to get an ice cream cone at the little lake there...kids love it!

@thinktwice, we went up in April one year. Started from the bottom where it was fine. Half way up we started to run into ice and snow, but too stupid to stop. By the time we got to the top, there was a foot or so of snow on the ground, no tracks, and the trail signs were covered. No compass, un insulated shoes, my wife at the time said to just leave her there to die! We set out blindly to find the ranger station up top. Made it there, our feet were frostbite, the rangers couldn’t believe we made it up! I have pictures, the Falls were beautiful! One of the rangers drove us back down to our car after our feet thawed out! Wouldn’t want to do that again!

@Barnie2years I don't know how many times I told my husband that I wanted to stop and just lay down and die...he urged me on...my feet were so blistered (even though the shoes were not new) and it was hot as hell...I think over 80 degrees? We carried water in our backpacks but I was on my last one when we finally got on the path to our car...

I am an experienced hiker but this was ridiculous...we did see a huge black snake on the trail...that was cool...I won't go in winter...I hate snow...you are lucky to be ok...the ranger told me lots of people get injured...

Camped up top a few times. Once we heard a bear growling but thankfully didn’t see it. We were in a tent!

@Barnie2years Pennsylvania bears are pretty docile, not that I would ever approach one too close. Especially Mothers.

I have them in my backyard... They are pretty harmless and scare off easily...especially if the dog is around...

yes, I have pictures from Watkins Glenn as well...also, World's End and Little Buffalo...it is beautiful in the mountains but I am ready for the beach and the ocean...and the mountains of North Carolina!