On Wednesday, February 25th, the sunrise was blocked by clouds, but it made a neat lighting effect. The wind had shifted in the night. It was still very windy. Now that we were no longer protected, the anchorage was filled … Continue reading →
Visiting Duncan Town, Ragged Island in Ragged Islands, The Bahamas
Sunrise on Tuesday, February 24 Last night, there was a big storm with strong, cold wind. However, our anchorage was very protected from that direction and we had a calm night. This morning, the wind was so cold that Christi … Continue reading →
Moving to Ragged Island in the Ragged Islands, The Bahamas
Sunrise on Sunday February 22 The wind is going to change this evening to the west, a direction that was not protected by this anchorage, so we needed to move today. It was actually a good time for us to … Continue reading →
June 16 – Raymond B. Winter State Park
“True self-care is not salt baths and chocolate cake. It’s making the choice to build a life you don’t need to escape from.” -Unknown
Today we decided to drive down the road and hike at Raymond B. Winter State Park. It’s literally located on Buffalo Road (our road) about 17 miles from our home. Plus all 120 state parks in Pennsylvania are free. Raymond B. Winter State Park was originally established in 1933 as Halfway Dam State Park. It’s famous for Halfway Lake, which is held back by the first hand-laid stone and cement dam constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
We chose to hike the Boiling Spring and Overlook Loop. We hiked about 2.8 miles through mountain laurel, ferns, blueberry and black berry bushes, pine and hemlock trees. It was a fairly easy trail and it was a beautiful day to be outside.
Halfway Lake is filled by spring fed mountain streams. The water temperature never rises above the low 50s, because much of the lake is filled with water that comes directly from underground. Little Bubbler is an artesian spring located on the west end of the beach. The sand bubbles as the water seeps up through the ground. I felt the water and it was like ice water.
The lake got its name from a historic tavern and barn called the “Halfway House,” which was built in the 1800s. It served as a resting spot for teamsters transporting farm produce across Sand Mountain between Lewisburg and Centre Hall.
Mountain laurel everywhere. It was so pretty.
The only pink ones we saw were in the open areas that got lots of sun. We aren’t sure if that is why they looked different. The flowers are just amazing.
Part of the trail.
The view from the top. We could just make out the lake and road at the bottom.
A small boulder field we went through. It was along the mountain ridge. It was formed 10-15 thousand years ago during the last glacial period.
Little Bubbler…it’s hard to tell from the picture, but there were about six holes where the water was bubbling up.
The beach looking across to the dam.
Our picnic spot.
Looking across to the beach from the dam side.
The dam. People fish from this side of the lake.
The east side of the lake looking towards the beach.
Our hike
June 16 – Raymond B. Winter State Park
“True self-care is not salt baths and chocolate cake. It’s making the choice to build a life you don’t need to escape from.” -Unknown
Today we decided to drive down the road and hike at Raymond B. Winter State Park. It’s literally located on Buffalo Road (our road) about 17 miles from our home. Raymond B. Winter State Park was originally established in 1933 as Halfway Dam State Park. It’s famous for Halfway Lake, which is held back by the first hand-laid stone and cement dam constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
The Annual Valentine’s Day Fundraiser on Hog Cay, Ragged Islands, The Bahamas
Dawn on Saturday, February 21 The anchorage had been fine with the last few days with both flopper stoppers out, but today the wind shifted back to its prevailing direction from the east, and the anchorage became super calm and … Continue reading →
More Photos and Videos from January & February 2026
Photos from the Exuma Islands, The Bahamas Photo from Long Island, The Bahamas Photo from Hog Cay, The Ragged Islands, The Bahamas And a couple shots Christi took while she was in San Diego:
Keith’s Perspective on Rudder Cay, Staniel Cay and Georgetown, The Bahamas/Le point de vue de Keith sur Rudder Cay, Staniel Cay et Georgetown, aux Bahamas
Saturday, January 24 – Friday January 30 — This week has been fun. On Saturday, Dad went diving with Bogumila. Fynn came over to our boat, then Keira came over. All of us and Bogumila went to the beach. We … Continue reading →
Lying Low in Hog Cay, Ragged Islands, The Bahamas
Dawn on Wednesday, February 18 It was another day of puttering around the boat. Before doing school, Eric and Keith changed the generator oil and cleaned the sea strainer for the generator. Eric also ran the wing engine. Then Keith … Continue reading →
Hiking to a Viewpoint in Hog Cay, Ragged Islands, The Bahamas
Sunrise on Tuesday, February 17 Our friends on Tiki Tour were at an anchorage a couple miles away from us. This morning, they sent a text saying that they were coming over to visit in their dinghy. Since we’d last … Continue reading →
