WE VISIT OKEHOCKING PRESERVE FOR THE THIRD TIME

Link and I had our third visit to Okehocking Preserve on June 13, 2020. We really enjoy walking along the trails there. It was a beautiful day, with sun and clear skies. The creek water, as usual, was crystal clear.

Link crosses a bridge at Okehocking Preserve,
just across the Delaware County line on Route 3 between Newtown Square and West Chester.

We are now so familiar with the trails there we actually assisted a family searching for the entrance to Okehocking's 'woods' trail. They were trying to get in on the side, near where the horses are fenced in when they are there. But the main entrance is on the larger trail between the woods and the field next to the interstate.

A man, apparently having his first visit to Okehocking, asked us about the trails as he stood near the intersection that appears just a few yards from the creek. We explained that all of the trails connect to one another in some way, so generally you'll get back to where you started.

Link in Okehocking's beautiful center "woods" section.

Link said "Hi" to five friendly dogs near the creek. He enjoys meeting new acquaintances! Each dog was wagging its tail, so their day was a happy one.

We were there on the grounds for about 80 minutes. We did not hike the entire trail map. One field trail will take you to the top of the hill and all the way around. It's a long walk, and we were honestly a bit tired as we started later than we had been starting. Both of our body clocks were 'off'!

A gorgeous day at Okehocking Preserve

Okehocking Preserve received Trail Tails honor for PLACE FOR BEST FAMILY OUTING, due to its safe environment and cleanliness. There are several picnic tables on the grounds.

TRAIL TAILS 'BEST OF' TRAILS

Link at Smedley Park in Springfield, PA, May of 2020

Even though this blog has only just begun, Link and I had already created our "Best of Trails in The Delco Region" about two weeks ago from the date of this posting. 

We say "Delco Region" because, during COVID-19, we stayed within a 15 mile radius from Media, PA. We may have strayed into Chester County or to the border of Philadelphia, but for the most part we were in Delaware County. FYI: Link doesn't really care where the parks or trails are as long as he is able to do his 'doggie duty' and sniff lots of interesting things.

So here is our "Best of Trails in the Delco Region" after visiting each of these locations. Note: We had already been extremely familiar with Smedley Park in Springfield, Rose Tree Park in Media, Glen Providence Park in Media, and Wawa Preserve in the Media region. Keeping in mind that familiarity might bring a lack of awe after visiting certain parks time and time again, and that visiting trails that are 'new' brings a sense of wonder, here are the nominees and winners. 

If you are a trail hiker, you understand what works and what doesn't work when it comes to exploring. You also understand what you must find in order for each park/ trail to create the sense of 'magic and wonder' for you. Trail hiking, to Link and I, is not just about getting exercise, but about finding that wonderful respect for nature we often keep hidden within ourselves.

Best Scenic Visuals - Newlin, Okehocking, Ridley Creek, Bonner, Crum Woods/ Swarthmore College, McKaig WINNER: MCKAIG NATURE CENTER in Wayne

Best Side Trails - Bonner, Smedley, Ridley Creek, Glen Providence, McKaig

WINNER: RIDLEY CREEK STATE PARK 

Best Single Trail - Newlin, Okehocking, Ridley Creek, Rocky Run, McKaig

WINNER: MCKAIG NATURE CENTER for the Laurel Trail (not to be confused with the East Laurel Trail, which is completely different. This is a mind-bending trail that winds down a very high steep hill at the park's second entrance. It's as if you are walking down a roller coaster, and it is a very thrilling part of the hike. This trail has many tight curves, and is the most memorable trail we have been on.

Best Main Trails - 

Okehocking, Newlin Grist Mill, Ridley Creek, Crum Woods/ Swarthmore College, McKaig

WINNER: NEWLIN GRIST MILL. Each trail has its own atmosphere and unique flavor.

Best Safety-Newlin Grist Mill, Okehocking, McKaig Nature Center, Crum Woods, Hildacy

WINNER: NEWLIN GRIST MILL

Best Safety explained: It is truly vital to feel safe in any park and on any trail. For instance, the scariest trail to me is the Heinz National Refuge Trail from Tinicum/ Ridley area to the entrance at Philly. It's a long, long trail and it's just you ... there is no one else there unless it's crowded, which it rarely is apparently. You'll get an uneasy feeling, because the long trail has no side trails and there is nowhere to go on either side.

Best Trees--(Important! The trees assist greatly in creating the spiritual feel and magic sensation of each trail or park) Bonner Park, Crum Woods/ Swarthmore, Newlin Grist Mill, McKaig Nature Center, Okehocking 

WINNER: BONNER PARK (Photo below, which was taken by us as the sky moved from grey to bright sun) 

Best Spot On Trail - Farm at Bonner, Amphitheatre at Crum Woods/ Swarthmore, Monkey Rock at McKaig, Cave Mountain at Bonner, Gardens at Crum Woods/ Swarthmore, Turtle Watching at Heinz
WINNER: SWARTHMORE COLLEGE AMPHITHEATRE AT CRUM WOODS

EditBest Spot On Trail - Farm at Bonner, Amphitheatre at Crum Woods/ Swarthmore, Monkey Rock at McKaig, Cave Mountain at Bonner, Gardens at Crum Woods/ Swarthmore, Turtle Watching at Heinz

Best Earth To Sky Visual -
Bonner, Ridley Creek, Okehocking, Rose Tree, Heinz, Newlin
WINNER: ROSE TREE PARK (take a look upon arrival at second parking lot--Look at the grounds to the sky. Cannot be beat)

Best Bird Watching - 

Crum Woods/ Swarthmore, McKaig, Heinz, Glen Providence, Skunk Hollow
WINNER: HEINZ NATIONAL REFUGE (There are two entrances: one is in Tinicum and one is right where Philly begins as you move out of Delco. Go to the Philly entrance.)
Best Reason To Stay In Shape - 

Ridley Creek, Bonner, McKaig, Smedley, Skunk Hollow
WINNER: SMEDLEY PARK in Springfield.
(Many hills, some steep, and angled trails near edges of cliffs. Stay alert and keep moving!)

Best Place For Family Outing - Newlin, Okehocking, Rose Tree, McKaig, Crum Woods/ Swarthmore, Skunk Hollow/ Willows
WINNER: OKEHOCKING
(Beautiful, clean everywhere, clear water creek, not much to be afraid of here, no creepy trails at all. I say it's "if Disney had a hiking and trail park".)

Best Parking- Rose Tree, Ridley, Hildacy, Newlin, Haverford WINNER: ROSE TREE PARK
(Always plenty of parking in both parking lots, near walking areas.)

Best Variety in Trails - 

Newlin, Ridley Creek, Crum Woods/ Swarthmore, McKaig, Skunk Hollow
WINNER: NEWLIN GRIST MILL

Best Creek- 

Newlin, Crum Woods/ Swarthmore, Skunk Hollow, Ridley Creek, Wawa Preserve
WINNER: SKUNK HOLLOW in Newtown Square

Best Place to Picnic - 

Rose Tree, Newlin, Ridley, Skunk Hollow/ Willows, Glen Providence
WINNER: SKUNK HOLLOW/ WILLOWS
(Skunk Hollow Trails take you directly to The Willows, which includes a luscious pond, plenty of space to picnic, and is a gorgeous reserve. Skunk Hollow and The Willows are one and the same -somewhat.)
Here is alltrails.com info
regarding Skunk Hollow and The Willows:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/pennsylvania/the-willows-park-loop

Best Trails For Dogs - Bonner Park, Newlin Grist Mill, Okehocking, Skunk Hollow, Smedley, Crum Woods/ Swarthmore, Wawa Preserve.
WINNER: SKUNK HOLLOW in Newtown Square
(If you wish to check out Skunk Hollow Park there are two things you need to know: The park is on both sides of Sawmill Road with the hiking trails and most of the creek on the field side, not the picnic table side. Also, due to a recent storm, there are many trees down right now--some trails may not be walk-able.)

Best Romantic Spot - Bonner Park, McKaig Park, Ridley Creek, Rose Tree, Crum Woods/ Swarthmore, Newlin Grist Mill
WINNER: NEWLIN GRIST MILL

Best Dirt Bike Trails - Pine Ridge, Smedley, Ridley Creek, First State National Park
WINNER: SMEDLEY PARK

Best Rock Formations - Bonner, McKaig, Okehocking, Smedley, Skunk Hollow
WINNER: BONNER PARK for the Cave Mountain Section (I named it that. It's just a very cool and memorable spot. You'll find it when there. There is also an old Civil War farm house there in the center of the park which is being worked on. The park has been created on the site of the old farm land where actual battles took place.)

Best Cleanliness and Upkeep - 

Newlin, Okehocking, Bonner, McKaig, Crum Woods/ Swarthmore

WINNER: OKEHOCKING 

Best Scenic Visuals - Newlin, Okehocking, Ridley Creek, Bonner, Crum Woods/ Swarthmore College, McKaig WINNER: MCKAIG NATURE CENTER in Wayne

Best Side Trails - Bonner, Smedley, Ridley Creek, Glen Providence, McKaig

WINNER: RIDLEY CREEK STATE PARK 

Best Single Trail - Newlin, Okehocking, Ridley Creek, Rocky Run, McKaig

WINNER: MCKAIG NATURE CENTER for the Laurel Trail. This is a mind-bending trail that winds down a very high steep hill at the park's second entrance. It's as if you are walking down a roller coaster, and it is a very thrilling part of the hike. This trail has many tight curves, and is the most memorable trail we have been on.

Best Main Trails - 

Okehocking, Newlin Grist Mill, Ridley Creek, Crum Woods/ Swarthmore College, McKaig

WINNER: NEWLIN GRIST MILL. Each trail has its own atmosphere and unique flavor.

BEST OVERALL - Crum Woods/ Swarthmore, Okehocking, Newlin Grist Mill, Ridley Creek, McKaig, Skunk Hollow

OVERALL WINNER IS NEWLIN GRIST MILL

With so many beautiful sections, a crystal clear water creek, a waterfall area in which children and families may gather to cool down on hot days, and cabins which you may rent to stay in overnight, this place has it all.

Also, there is an absolutely gorgeous area with tall Dawn Redwood Trees which takes your breath away.

NEWLIN GRIST MILL is the best Overall for hiking (and wading in the creek if you so desire). 

Visit their website here: https://www.newlingristmill.org/

About My Hiking Partner, Link The Boxer

Link, a 7 year old Boxer. Photo taken at Okehocking Preserve in Williston Township, PA.

Link is a terrific hiking partner! This friendly and outgoing Boxer adores walking on and along the trails at every park or National Reserve we find! 

Since most of our hikes are local to the Delaware County, PA, region, Link doesn't travel out of state much. However, when heading to trails he knows, he begins to wag his tail and move from side-to-side in the backseat of the car, 

knowing he will be on familiar territory. 

Link also LOVES inspecting and exploring new trails, which from time to time we do find. When I say 'inspecting', I mean 'inspecting' as Link will sniff every spot along each trail to discover which other dogs or animals might travel there, or which humans.

His favorite thing is to chew on sticks found along trails or in creeks. It's a difficult job to keep him from eating them! Link doesn't spit them out, you see---he actually eats them. Have to keep my eyes on Link's stick buffet as we walk along or wade. 

Too many sticks makes for an upset digestive system for this curious Boxer.

Who is Link? Well, he is the mascot for The Media Theatre in Media, PA. 

Jesse Cline and Patrick Ward met Link in Jim Thorpe, PA, and brought him to the theatre when he was 8 weeks old. 

They are the Artistic Director and Executive Director for The Media Theatre. 

While Link has those two Dads, he quickly bonded with me, Roger Ricker, upon arrival. It wasn't long before I became "Uncle Roger" and we began our daily walks in town, which grew into hikes at parks in and around Media.

During COVID-19, Link and I decided -- 

since we had a lot of time to explore 

and the State of PA kept the parks open--

we would hike on trails new to us and share what we learned.

So, TRAIL TAILS was born. 

It's TAILS and not TALES because of a happy dog's tail wagging on the trails! 

Hope you enjoy.