Autumn in Central Park - New York City

Central Park, New York City

With the last of the color of the season, Central Park was full of tourists and locals soaking in the sights and smells one last time.

Jim Thorpe - Overlook

Jim Thorpe Overlook from Flagstaff Rd

Jim Thorpe is a picturesque village in Carbon County and is called the "Gateway to the Poconos".  The town is an active recreation hub as well the host for seasonal festivals. 

Mill Pond - Poconos PA

Mill Pond in Poconos PA

Beautiful autumn weekend in the Poconons. Mill Pond is located in the Saw Creek Estates Community.

Fulmer Falls - Childs Park

Fulmer Falls - Childs Park Rec Area

The site is named for George W. Childs a noted philanthropist, whose widow deeded the land to the commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1912. The George W. Childs Recreation Site is a former start park and now part of the Delaware Water Gap National Park. It is located in Dingmans Ferry in Delaware Township, Pike County, PA. 

A mile or so of trails, boardwalks and steps meander down the gorge to the three main waterfalls: Factory Falls, Fulmer Falls and Deer Leap Falls. These falls are just a few miles upstream from Dingmans Falls and Silverthread Falls. The site also host the ruins of Joseph Brooks' 19th century wool mill. 

Gruber Wagon Works - Berks Heritage Center

Gruber Wagon Works, originally uploaded by Mike Roush Photography - Berks Awhile.

The Berks Heritage Festival was the reason to get out on a beautiful fall day.

A beautiful venue along the Tulpehocken Creek was the back drop for numerous crafters, food, entertainment, historians and tours of the Canal Building and Gruber Wagon Works.

Free admission with a $5 parking donation was the entrance fee.

New Hope Train

New Hope Train, originally uploaded by Mike Roush Photography - Berks Awhile.

The growing New Hope Arts Festival, held in late September, has moved up the hill to the large school parking lot where it can accommodate the large number of artists and shoppers.

Most people also meander down the hill to walk the town and explore the ecclectic shops and diverse food choices.

SOS (Steaks on South) - Philadelphia

SOS (Steaks on South), originally uploaded by Mike Roush Photography - Berks Awhile.

A couple blocks from Jim's Steaks is the not so famous SOS (Steaks on South).

Not wanting to brave the hour long line of Jim's, we walked up to the counter and ordered cheese steaks and fries.

In ten minutes, we were eating a really good cheesesteak.

Add SOS to the abundant list of good Philly cheesesteak spots.

Wilbur Chocolate Factory - Lititz

Wilbur Chocolate Factory, originally uploaded by Mike Roush Photography - Berks Awhile.

A visit to Lititz wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Wilbur Chocolate Factory/Store.

Chocolate scent permeates the downtown beckoning you to visit the building.

Free samples are popular and usually lead to purchasing a bag or two of Buds.

Besides Wilbur's, Lititz has a vibrant main street with many cool shops and restaurants.

Saw Mill Demonstration - Hay Creek Festival

saw mill demonstration, originally uploaded by Mike Roush Photography - Berks Awhile.

More attractions at the festival are the old saw mill and wood working shop.

Belt-driven machines are attached to old tractors fitted with drive wheels to power the machinery.

Civil War Letter - Hay Creek Festival

Civil War Letter, originally uploaded by Mike Roush Photography - Berks Awhile.

The Civil War Encampment is a popular attraction at the Hay Creek Festival at Historic Joanna Furnace.

Knowlegable historians dressed in early American clothes are everywhere during this festival.

Highly skilled crafters show and sell their wares.

Hot Peppers - Bowers Chile Pepper Festival

Hot Peppers, originally uploaded by Mike Roush Photography - Berks Awhile.

A really cool and wildly popular event occurs in early September in the park in the little town of Bowers.

Easily 50 vendors booths with the common theme of chile peppers offer their unique products. The originality and amazing flazors to sample (and purchase) make this a very memorable event.

The subtle heat of chile peppers recipes is truly enjoyable while the uncomfortably hot peppers are rare and clearly marked for the more adverntuous.

Main Fountain Garden - Longwood Gardens

Main Fountain Garden, originally uploaded by Mike Roush Photography - Berks Awhile.

In the summer on the hour is an impressive dancing fountain show.

Lilly Pad Ponds - Longwood Gardens

IMG_3571, originally uploaded by Mike Roush Photography - Berks Awhile.

Longwood Gardens never disappoints.

A neat highlight in the summer months are the massive Lilly Pads in the ponds behind the Conservatory.

High Line - West Side NYC

High Line scene, originally uploaded by Mike Roush Photography - Berks Awhile.

Last year, 11,000,000 people hiked the High Line Park in NYC. Open since 2009, it has fastly become another must see walk in the city.

Starting at Gansevoort St in the Meat Packing district and running to 30th Street with 8 access points, several with elevators, the sites are great on the old rail line as well as the views of the river, streets and buildings.

Traveling over three major neighborhoods, it's surely worth while to visit the streets as well. The Meat Packing District with its cobblestone streets is full of restaurants, shops and even an Apple store. Chelsea has over 100 truly diverse artist stores and galleries. To support the arts are a large residential area, dozens of restaurants, cafes and shops. Hells Kitchen and Railroad Yards are the final section.