Today is going to be a special day: Not only is the Traveler going to hike all the way up the Rickett's Glen gorge and experience all of its waterfalls... but he's going to do it with company. Youssef, his travel companion from way back in Morocco is in the US on a visit, and the Traveler suggests that they hike Rickett's Glen together.

On their last hike together, they explored the rock formation wonderland of Tafraoute Morocco . Today they will explore another geological beauty--but this one is combined with forest greenery and falling water. Lots of falling water. It's a magical combination.

The Ricketts Glen waterfalls don't have the splendid majesty of Niagara Falls or the stunning spectacle of Ouzzoud. This is more of an intimate experience, where you can get up close and personal to each. And there are so many of them! 24 named waterfalls that an all be seen in a single day. But you really need to pause and soak in each one's uniqueness, otherwise this hike risks of becoming a blur.

Back in Tafraoute, the Traveler was mildly annoyed that Youssef constantly wanted to stop and take pictures. Now the roles are reversed, and it's the Traveler who is constantly trying to capture and preserve each scene. And it's the perfect day to do it. The rich green of spring is already in place, and the weather is warm enough for a swim--and yet the crowds of summer haven't arrived yet, detracting from this magical encounter with nature .

So the two head briskly down the trail, eager to catch sight of their first waterfall.

Onendaga Falls is a classic Allegheny mountain waterfall, with dozens of layers of sandwiched shale explose by a three step waterfall, each step wider and wider... Next is Rickett's Falls, with wide, multiple steps. Here the Traveler and Youssef step under for a first shower of the day...

Shawnee falls hits the rocks halfway down, then pouring down into a pool where the bold can go under to get a breathtaking pummeling...

They continue on... trying to preserve a mental picture of each beauty of nature. "This is probably the most beautiful nature place in all northeaster USA" the Traveler tells Youssef.

Finally the reach Murray Falls, a small but exciting waterfall where you can try to climb half way up into an semi-enclosed bowl to enjoy your own private pool .

Here on a little island, its time to enjoy some lunch. The Traveler discovered, to his chagrin and Youssef's amusement, that he bought the cheaper cans of tunafish that require a can opener. Refusing to give up, the two resort to cave men tactics to try and open the cans with whatever tools they can find... keys... rocks... until finally their efforts are rewarded.

On back upstream the follow a different stream with another whopping 10 unique waterfalls to experience on the way, the climax being Ganoga falls, a 94 foot sheet of water cascading down the cliff. Here the Traveler lies down on a log, letting the sound of the water put him to sleep.

This is one of the few times on his journey through Northeast United States that he's been surrounded by nothing but undisturbed nature. Other than the trail--which often becomes one with the rocks and cliffs. It's been an unforgettable day...

... And worth repeating. The Traveler knows that he must bring his family back to this place. It will be their first full length nature hike as a family...