If you're like me, summers are a challenge. Every year, you think the extra-curricular activity clouds will part, the free time for projects sun will come out, and your children will voluntarily entertain themselves without completely rotting their brains on screens all day. Every year, you're disillusioned abruptly, as you desperately try to accomplish one whole task without a knock on your door and the familiar thin whine of, "I'm bored." No joke. This just happened.
Ever since getting our beautiful American Bulldog, long drives to faraway attractions are out of the question, unless someone stays home with 'the baby.' She loves people, don't get me wrong, but not every stranger is enthusiastic about greeting seventy pounds of super excited pure muscle. So trips to the beach require some coordinating. And alas, on hot, humid days, we have no pool for cooling off.
But all is not lost. During the infamous 2020 Covid lockdowns, there wasn't much to do other than go out and explore. In so-doing, I discovered that faraway feeling is only minutes from home.
If you're going hiking in one of the many beautiful spots scattered across the Bucks & Montgomery County area, here's some tips I've learned along the way that will help you maximize your experience.
Don't Forget Your Towel!
More than a Douglas Adams reference, this really is a motto to live by. I can't tell you how many times I've come across a beautiful creek, a swimming hole, a beach or even a small waterfall and thought, "Damn. I wish I had a towel." These days, I keep one in the back of my car, because you just never know when you'll wish you had one. If I'm heading into the woods, 9 times out of 10, I'm bringing a towel. If nothing else, sometimes you just need to wipe off your feet after splashing in the water. And yes, if you live in Bucks or Montgomery County, all of these gorgeous water features are things you can find in your own backyard!
Speaking of Feet.
Look, maybe you're the kind of person who really loves the way squelchy mud feels between your toes. I am not that kind of person. For this reason, if I'm heading to a water feature, I like to bring a pair of water shoes. I bought this pair a couple years ago on Amazon, and they've held up pretty well. Are they fancy? No. Do I look cool wearing them? Absolutely not. But considering their sole purpose (hehe) is to keep my feet from making contact with funky brown goo, they work just fine for me. In a pinch, those slides everyone's wearing these days are better than nothing and rinse off easily, but don't blame me if there are close encounters with aquatic plants. None of this footwear is appropriate for long hikes, but let's be honest, I just wanna hang out with trees for a while, I'm not winning any marathons.
Be Nice to Your Environment.
I always tell my kids when we go to parks that we're in someone else's home. So be aware of your surroundings, be respectful of nature and don't hurt the wildlife. My big fear in Pennsylvania rivers and creeks is water snakes - not because they especially like to mess with people, just because I, much like Indiana Jones, hate snakes (this is, unfortunately, where our resemblance ends. One day I'll learn to crack a whip and invest in a really great hat to remedy this). I've encountered only three over the years, and although I really wasn't a fan, I stayed (externally) calm and we were happy enough to go our separate ways without incident.
Protect Your Skin.
One big problem in Bucks & Montgomery County parks is TICKS. These tiny little creatures are almost impossible to spot and can make you super sick. I invested in a big jug of Picaridin just for these guys. This stuff feels gross and smells weird, but it remains effective for a long time, even if you get wet, won't damage your clothes and goes above and beyond regular bug spray. This stuff repels everything - most importantly, ticks. You'll also want to invest in a good sunscreen. Make sure it's water resistant and reef safe, if you plan on getting in the creek.
Don't Sit in Poison Sumac.
This one seems obvious. Don't ask why it's listed. Ok, fine. Let's just say it involved six weeks of misery, a lot of calamine lotion and a dose of steroids. If you're not sure what you're getting into, so to speak, consider downloading an app like PlantNet - it lets you take a picture of your mystery plant and search matches for identification.
Stay Hydrated.
I have not hopped on the Stanley or Hydro Flask trains, but if that's your thing, go for it. Personally, I've been loving Nalgene for as long as I can remember and am rarely without my 32 oz. bottle. They are incredibly durable, BPA free, dishwasher safe, and can hold hot liquids, if necessary. I never go hiking without a full water bottle.
And Finally... Leave the Trail.
I know I'm gonna get flak for this, and note I am not advocating for unsafe adventures or getting legitimately lost in the woods. But so many gems are not on the trails. From fields of flowers to hidden caves, old ruins and mermaid coves, there's a lot to find just a little way off the paved road. It's worth checking out.
If you'd like to see some of Bucks & Montgomery County's most breathtaking spots and go on your own adventure, check this out.
*Not sponsored by any brands mentioned in this post. Just a big fan.
Lexi Bird Photography is a Bucks & Montgomery County Ethereal Portrait Photographer. For Daring Dreamers seeking Adventure Self-Discovery, she provides Otherworldly Opportunities and Emotive, Ethereal Imagery.
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