Even more interesting up close?

 This week might be a small bug's last hurrah of the season, seeing as the how the weather is going to turn cold soon. So, take a few minutes along the Susquehanna River north of Wrightsville, spend some time looking closely at the weeds along River Road. Are these tiny insects are even prettier and more fascinating up close? The fact that these little things look furry...

New Jersey bike ride

Biked a part of  New Jersey's Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park bike path over the weekend. A perfect day for outdoor anything, probably, but the biking was superb.

The canal parallels the Delaware River on the New Jersey side, and there's another trail on the Pennsylvania side that buzzes through New Hope, a little town that its chamber of commerce calls "sophisticated yet country-casual town". There are plenty of elegant, trendy shops, a tourist train and scenic beauty along the river.  Bring your credit cards or a thick wallet.

On June 2, the New Hope Historical Society Garden Tour kicks off, with tours of six private gardens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $30.  New Hope is about 120 miles from York, and a 2.5 hour drive

Arrive early in New Hope and Lambertville, because tourist season is here, and parking is tough to find already. Unfortunately, last year's storm ripped the area, and the bike trail in Pennsylvania is still not fully repaired. Check locally for more updates.

In New Jersey, the flat trail is packed well and shaded, so even in mid summer, the ride would be a pleasant one. Like York County's Heritage Rail Trail, small towns along the trail offer a place for relief of sore bottoms and dry throats, or a place to spend the night and make the return trip the next day.

Stopped at Frenchtown for lunch, and while it wasn't nearly as crowded as New Hope and Lambertville, we paid $12 for a hamburger and fries. For anything more, I'd have to leave my bike as collateral. Lambertville is famous for its many antique shops.

On the way back, we stopped at a couple iris flower farms and bought a few to decorate the houses. Don't know why, but there are plenty of area farms that specialize in irises at which to pick your favorite color.

Garden Club of York coloring the city

Summer is never far behind when the Garden Club of York hangs 122 baskets of colorful petunias and begonias throughout downtown York.

Longwood Gardens isn't 'just' flowers

Longwood Gardens is about 90 minutes from York in Kennett, Pa.,  and it's a place you'll find hard NOT to like, even if you're not a nature lover. Many years ago, I remember a friend's daughter saying our trip to Alaska was boring. "It's just trees," she said, without a note of sarcasm. With that in mind, Longwood is 'just' flowers. And trees, and fountains, architecture, waterfalls.  Here are some reviews from the website--

"It's hard to write about Longwood Gardens without taking all the superlatives you can think of and stringing them into one long sentence.  This place is incredible, amazing, stunning, fabulous, mesmerizing, and unforgettable.  All these things are true even if you are not a gardener.  This place delights just about everybody, even children."

"Amazing lily ponds.
Gigantic greenhouses.
Stunning architecture and buildings.
Friendly, helpful staff.
Gorgeous flowers, trees, greenery, landscaping.
Fountains, waterfalls, ponds, all over the place."

 Friday, April 18 is Earth Day, and visitors can go behind the scenes to see the production greenhouses that supply the gardens and its color.

On April 27 and 28, visit the gardens for the Arbor Day celebration. The first 400 visitors receive a free tree seedling.

Check the photos hanging throughout the entrance building. They make these photos look like snapshots.

Shenk's Ferry is a wildflower explosion

Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve in Lancaster County is in peak color now, with trilliums, Virginia bluebells, phlox and 70 other species decorating the hillside. Located just north of Pequea along the Susquehanna River in southern Lancaster County, the 50-acre glen surrounds Grubb Run off of Green Hill Road and is part of PPL. For more information, check http://www.pplweb.com/holtwood/things+to+do/shenks+ferry+wildflower+preserve.htm

Hang on

There are days, aren't there, that the best we can do is just grab someone or something and hang on. The bee at left was a bit heavy with saddlebags after buzzing through Flinchbaugh's Orchards in Hellam Township, and apparently just needed a respite from the day's work-- or at least, that's what it looks like.