I decided to celebrate my 30-something birthday with new friends, while climbing up and down hills and valleys, for seven hours, with over a total of 9 miles. I hadn’t anticipated hiking that far, or for that long, and two days later, I’m still feeling that my body wasn’t expecting that either. Regardless, I am so happy that I ventured out and met some new people, learned some new things, and proved to myself that I’m capable of way more than I ever thought.

I’ve been a member of the Meetup groups for a while, but hadn’t made the time to get to them and I’m really into hiking. I had recently received an email that a new Meetup group was created. The title of the group “Into the Wild with Gypsy” intrigued me, so I decided to sign up for the first group planned hike on April 18, which was also my birthday. I am having the feeling of “getting older isn’t as fun” so I didn’t really want to celebrate my birthday this year. But I also decided that I didn’t want to spend it in my office.

So I signed up for the hike, took the day off work, and planned to get up and moving early to get to Tucquan Glen Nature Preserve, which was about an hour drive. Little did I know that there would be a detour, which I took after discovering that the road is actually closed (after driving through a few Road Closed signs to see how far I could get.). Even after arriving about 15 minutes late, the group was awaiting my arrival.
Had they went without me, I still would’ve planned to hike the trail, but I am pretty sure I wouldn’t have taken the trails and spent as much time out and about on my own.

The Tucquan Glen Loop Trail is a 2.4 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Pequea, Pennsylvania that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail, according to this website. However, our group didn’t take that trail, we followed the “Orange” trail, a trail for more experienced hikers. And as I reflected during the day, I realized that all the things I thought I couldn’t do, like this hike on an advanced trail, I really could do.
I did learn a few things, for one, I need to invest in a good pair of hiking boots, and a good bag for carrying water, which I didn’t bring enough of, as well. Gypsy provided me with some extra water, which lightened his load as well.

The Lancaster Conservancy was founded in 1969, because clean air, fresh water and wild places are vital to every generation. With thousands of acres being lost every year to development, it is the Conservancy’s purpose to maintain carefully selected portions of the county’s open areas in their natural state.

The Conservancy focuses its energy and financial resources towards preserving these open-space areas for continuing public recreation and educational use as well as providing methods and assistance by which concerned citizens can help protect these precious community conservation tools.

On our hike we noticed trash thoughout the hike, and on or near the trail. As we walked, Gypsy and Roberto collected what they were able to carry. We discussed organizing an official “cleanup day” at some point.

There’s recomendations by the conservancy for hikers and visitors to use alternatives to Tucquan Glenn due to heavy traffic damaging the land.

The vastness is evident in the scenic views as to why people continue to take the trails but it seems many hikers/visitors to the land are leaving things behind. And some visitors have left their mark for decades. Dates on House Rock list carvings from the 1930s.

According to this article, House Rock Nature Preserve in Martic Township offers a gorgeous vista of the Susquehanna River and natural beauty throughout all four seasons. Set high over the eastern banks of Lake Aldred, the preserve is comprised of 95 acres. Its woodland includes an experimental American chestnut tree planting in partnership with the American Chestnut Foundation. Streams, such as Brubaker, Reed and House runs, make their way to the Susquehanna.

Our next stop was the Wind Cave which is a mile south of the Pequea boat launch in Pequea, Pa, along the Conestoga Trail. I began entering the cave, but decided not to venture to far in, as it is very dark and wet due to condensation.

On our trip back to our cars, and much needed relaxation, we took a detour to check out the small waterfalls, which really made for nice photographs.

Check out more of the images on my website.