OhioPyle State Park : Failing to See Falling Water

We went and checked the Ohiopyle back in October of 2020 just to break the monotonous lifestyle that Covid forced upon  in all of us.  We did not plan to do anything except to see how it is.  My husband's friend at work has been talking about this park so we wanted to see how it is.  

Ohiopyle State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on 19,052 acres in Dunbar, Henry Clay and Stewart Townships, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. The focal point of the park is the more than 14 miles of the Youghiogheny River Gorge that passes through the park. Just like West Virginia's New River Gorge, the Youghiogheny River Gorge  provides fun adventures for  the best whitewater boating. Ohiopyle State Park is bisected by Pennsylvania Route 381 south of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. According to the  article I've read, the park was  opened to the public in 1965 but was not officially dedicated until 1971.

We were surprised to see that there were so many people out there despite the scare of pandemic.  I guess, they were just like us who were tired of being cooped up in the house

On our way there, we  stopped at this scenic stop overlooking the beautiful part of Pennsylvania.

My son mentioned about the Falling Water that they are leaning in Social Studies so we wanted to check it out.  Unfortunately, due to Covid, they were only accommodating guests that booked ahead so we didn't get to see the  Fallingwater, a place that is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of American architecture.   

 Frank Lloyd Wright house is sort of off the beaten path in rural Pennsylvania, just outside of Mill Run, and a bit southeast of Pittsburgh. We thought we could drove by and see the location but we were turned away because we did not have a reservation.

Anyway, this is what we missed.  It would have been nice to see it. image source

Going on a spontaneous road trip is always fun as we can see some beautiful farm animals such as horses and cows.  Ohio and PA are our favorite route for that.

We wanted to check out this bridge where there were a lot of people walking but the parking area was so full that we just decided to just leave since it was getting late anyway.  When the restriction of this pandemic is over, we might go back there and do some activities.

I am praying that all of these pandemic restrictions will soon be over and also I hope that they won't require the vaccine for traveling.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed because I really don't want to be vaccinated for something that isn't proven to be safe.

Ohiopyle has some really neat displays such as this one along the  park.

I am not sure what building establishment is this one but the display outside is beautiful.

I have never played in a casino but I have been inside one when we went to Vegas.

We passed by a big flea market area on our way home.  

Pennsylvania is a beautiful state but I find it to be very busy compared to Ohio when we we go on a road trip there.  To me, it feels relaxing to drive around Ohio but in PA, I feel like we are always on a busy highway.

Anyway, I am hoping that we could go back in Ohiopyle someday and do some activities.  I would like to go on a hike.  As I stated earlier, it was a nice break even for just a short period of time.  If you want to check the place out, it is located in 1491 Mill Run Rd, Mill Run, PA 15464.

Last Day in Vegas

We did not have anything planned  on our last day in Vegas so we decided to  roam around.   We had a whole day to kill since our flight wasn't until in the evening.  I wanted to go to the residential facilities for veterans in Las Vegas but my husband said that we might need an appointment for it so we just abandoned the idea.  It would have been a good opportunity for the kids to  greet veterans.

Even early in the morning, the heat of the sun was already setting in so our  strategy was to go in some of the shopping building to cool off then go out again and explore.  

 Being able to explore  on foot is a lot better than driving around as you get to see a lot of things and also experience it.  A lot of walking and sweating is a great exercise.

We got to roam around Vegas on a hot summer day but it was a lot of fun.

Las Vegas  is a beautiful place to really explore.  You get to see different  building structures that you would see visiting different places but it is all there in Vegas.

Caesar's Palace is what captivated me the most.  It's beautiful, I am sure it cost a fortune just to build what's on the exterior of the building.  I used to admire it from movies but seeing it in person is  awesome.

When we were walking around, there were many instances where sales people  were trying to entice us with "freebies" again but  we never fell for it since we knew the drill already from what we experienced on our second day of our vacation.

We do our  vacation during summer time when our kids are off from school so it is always super hot.  We also do it  during this time to celebrate  either our daughter's birthday or our wedding anniversary.  

I can't believe it's been over a year since we last visited Vegas, time do flies!   I think  one of the   shocking experience my kids  had during our roaming journey is when they saw a man lying on the sidewalk, he seem lifeless and we didn't really know if we will try to help but he seemed so drugged out that my husband said don't bother him.  

We don't gamble and we didn't really  watch any of the shows in Vegas so exploring the city and the nearby  natural beauty like the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead was really awesome.

I think our son's favorite is  the car show that we went to.

We stayed in Vegas for our vacation but the most memorable that we did was our roadtrip to Grand Canyon.  It's true that we've seen  so many beautiful things in Vegas but the  beauty of nature still wins for me.

Waller Mills Park in Williamsburg Virginia #RoadtripFun

Our roadtrip  adventure to Virginia was a lot of fun.  We weren't aware of some amazing places and  things to do but glad I  have a friend on Facebook that told me about  places we could visit.  One of those places she suggested is the Waller Mills Park in Williamsburg, it was very close to where the hotel we were staying at was.  

 Our daughter's birthday was full of adventures, we packed it with activities.  The first thing we did in the morning is soak in Water Country USA (I will write about it separately).  That place was  humongous but I did not  swim as I had my period  that time.  Lady in Red  happens to show up at a  wrong timing every time!   Then as I posted a picture  of  that place, my friend told me about the other places we can visit that is for free.  To be honest, I enjoyed most of these places other than the   amusement or water park.

 As recommended, we went to  Waller Mill Park after we got done  at Water Country and  ate our lunch.  It was  super humid that day but we didn't care because we love outdoors and exploring nature is something that we all love to do.

 The kids were like in paradise  seeing this beautiful park with a lake and  lots and lots of squirrels running around the trees.

 The view there was beautiful and whenever the wind  blows, it was truly refreshing.

 This little lady who begged me if she can have an IF account was bummed out that she forgot her  iPod because she  couldn't take pictures to  post on her IG.  Her brother is very kind and he lent her  his  iPod.

 My son is in the stage now where he doesn't like being photographed.  I can't get a decent  picture of him.  Anyway, I take pictures anyway.

 The birthday girl is so thrilled that we are doing all these activities on her birthday. You would think that she would  ran out  energy after an  exhausting morning at Water Country but she is fully energized. which surprised me.

 We just sat  on the benches  there for a while as were  so full after our lunch.

 I was teasing my husband to throw his cellphone on the lake because he keep using his gadget while we were having fun.

 As always, this goof ball is  making faces as I took pictures of him.

 I told the kids that this is by far my favorite of the things that we did.  We can relax and  it cost us only  a parking  fee.  We get to see the beautiful lake and relax.

 My daughter wanted to do a boat ride but we didn't as we just had our lunch and we were stuffed.

 There was a beautiful bridge  there which I love.

 This would be great for pre-wedding shoot.  The view is beautiful!

 We went to the other side and my son was ecstatic.  Squirrels are everywhere.  He was chasing them lol.

Here's some info about the park.  Waller Mill Park is located on Airport Road (Rt. 645) between I-64 and Rt. 60 West.  It  is the City's 2705-acre park situated around its reservoir that was opened to the public in July 1972. The 360-acre lake is open for fishing, boating, pedal boating, canoeing and kayaking with a tunnel connecting the upper and lower sections of the lake. 

 There are numerous picnic tables,  shelters, play fields, and playground equipment  that are nestled among the trees providing a scenic picnic area. There are also corn hole games and fishing poles that  are available for rent .  There are fun activities to do there.

 I am so glad that we went there because it gives us time to relax and bond without the  stress of  being in a crowded place.  The park was very peaceful and only few people were there when we visited.  

 We had the best time out there.  I think we stayed for a couple of hours before we went to our next adventure.

 Time flies when  you are having time.  Even though we still want to  stay, we couldn't because we  still had two activities  planned for the birthday girl.

 After we left this beautiful park, we tried the Jamestown Scotland ferry as suggested by  my friend.  That would be mo next post.

  My kids  had a blast learning how to skip rocks.

 It was  fun seeing my husband  show  them how to skip rock.

 I was laughing because they couldn't find a flat rick to skip.  My son  said it is hard to skip rocks.  I grew up in a coastal area in the Philippines and skipping rock is a fun memories that  I did growing up.  

I am pleased that these kiddos are always eager to try new things.

 Waller Mill Park was a great and beautiful place.  If you ever visit Williamsburg, I highly recommend for you to check out this park.  If you love outdoors, this is a place for you.

I am so glad that our little young lady had a great time  on her birthday!  This is why we do road trips instead of having a party, it is more  fun and lots of memories to look back to someday.

Thanks again Angel for the recommendation.  It really addred excitment to our whole trip!