Shenks Ferry

Shenks Ferry is named after a fellow named "Shenks" (duh!) who, wait for it ... ran a ferry.  Providing service across the Susquehanna River many years ago. Most of the land in the area had been cleared for farming with that which is now the Wildflower Preserve returning to forest only in 1970.

Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve is a little over eighty acres in size, with the main trail following above a steam for 1.7 miles round trip.

There are flowers both sides of the trail.

Bluebells and Trillium above, Mayapples below, albeit not yet in bloom (although there were some up the hill which were).

The trail ends at some rocks. Look closely and you'll see a bit of dirty snow in the hole.

Cool air was blowing out the holes and cracks in the rocks and some locals we met along the trail told us that it is refreshing to sit and cool down before walking back to one's car on hot summer days.

Along with a tunnel for the stream.

I do not know what the numbers mean. Nor why such a structure was built.

There were also the ruins of an old bridge.

Leading one to wonder about this place's former life.

The trail was well maintained and easy to follow.

With informative yet unobtrusive signs along the way. Some easier to read than others.

How long does a tree take to eat a sign anyways?

It was a bit cool while we visited, although it warmed up later in the day. And thus there weren't many bugs about.

A couple of caterpillars.

And what I think is an assassin bug nymph.

Along with bees buzzing about the flowers.

All in all a very nice way to spend the morning. We finished with lunch at our car, parked on the side of the road with the view above (there is no visitors center and but a small dirt parking lot, but there is a porta-potty). Look closely you can see people on the other side heading up the trail.

As I mentioned in the prior post, well worth repeated visits.