I can't find the thread where I asked for advice about this trip I'm on, so I've started a new one. Thanks in part to Mudcatters, we are having a great time. Four of us landed in Baltimore, then drove and ferried to Cape May, New Jersey, where we did some nice birding. Strong winds kept the songbirds down, but we did observe the heck out of a blue grosbeak and a catbird. Shorebirds were abundant and interesting.

Thanks to whoever recommended Bivalve. We had a nice ride there, and got to see the schooner A.J. Meerwald, a tall ship. The lady in the GPS (We call her Samantha.) didn't believe there was a town called Bivalve, but we got there somehow. We go to so many out-of-the-way places that Samantha has had a nervous breakdown. We shall see what happens with that.

Now we are in the town of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. We are enjoying the scenery and geology. The DH identified a klippe over the Lehigh Tunnel, using the geologic map of PA. One bad thing is that many attactions are not really open. I wanted to visit a historic home today but they are only open Sat and Sun until Memorial Day. Good grief!

Oh, I forgot! We visited the Franklin Mine Museum in Franklin, New Jersey. It was great! They have all the usual science stuff, and then THEY LET YOU COLLECT FLUORESCENT ROCKS FROM THE TILL PILE! We got some beauties for our rock collection and bought a new UV light. It was just like being a little kid again for all four of us.

Haven't found any live trad music, but I did buy a nice CD of music of the Pennsylvania Germans, all on the harp. It makes for good listening as we wind through the Ridge and Valley.

Thanks to all who encouraged me in this trip and provided tips.

Today we will drive to Lancaster and ride on the scenic train.