Wissahickon Chillin

There’s a park in the middle of Northwest Philadelphia that I go to with my friends to hang out, fish and relax.  This past saturday we added and extra activity…that was hiking.  It’s called Wissahickon Valley Park.  http://www.fairmountpark.org/WissahickonValleyPark.asp

First off let me say that walking from the car to the fishing point is a hike in and unto itself.  Armed with a folding chair and my packback full of snacks and eats, i followed Drewfus and Angel down the path.  We’d spied a few spots to set up our first fishing foray.  The spot not being plentiful with fish we unrooted to a place near the base of the ravine.  Above it a foot path leading to a covered red bridge.  I thought immediately…so pretty..pretty creepy…it was one of those bridges..

We set up shop, prepared our fishing rods and went about the task of fishing.  Mostly we catch and release.  The waters were full of Sunfish, Carps and some Bass.  Of course you know I couldn’t be caught dead not stylin on someone in the park..lol.. I wore a cream cardigan the whole damn time while i fished and hiked!  I felt no kind of way about it, because it’s me.  *shrugs*  The sounds of the calming waters put me in a trance quite a few times.  Mostly while i took these pics, I was chillin on the shore of the creek/ravine sipping a corona.  Good times.  I did eventually start fishing after a rough start at our first stop.  Seems the rod wasnt acting right and when i went to cast it…i casted it to the right and it almost ended up on the bill of Angel’s hat…YIKES!!!

This fish ended up being the biggest fish we’d caught that day as a collective.  Before i caught this, I’d caught a few sunfish…which have a very pretty color..Pictures do them no justice.  As you can see he didnt even have his whole mouth around the hook or the worm before I caught him.  He struggled and fought with me tooth and nail before I bought him ashore.  (for the animal and fish crusaders, this pic only took me a minute or less to pose for and our scaly friend was placed back into the murky depths)  I think he also posed for the pic too..lol..

The sun began to set as we decided to take a hike up to the see the indian that watches over the park.  He’s 15ft tall and from a far doesnt seem so big.  As we set out to hike, the weather was absolutely perfect.  The right mixture of sun and breeze.  Briskly we walked thru the paths gingerly at first then,path, after path, after path we’d made it.  Immediately I knew telephone reception had improved, because as soon as we sat down..they both were on their side kicks..

I do regret not taking pics along the paths because it was simply gorgeous…

We didn’t end up leaving the park until well after sun down.  They do recommend you are off the elevated hiking paths before sundown and we were.

In all if you’re ever in the philly area you should stop pass the park and give it a good try.

~ by bewradley on August 18, 2008.