The event will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2026 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Steamtown & Ricketts Glen: A Two-Day Photo Adventure

Join us for a fun-filled two-day photography adventure in northeastern Pennsylvania! Or, just one day or the other - your choice!

Saturday – Steamtown National Historic Site

We’ll begin our adventure at noon on Saturday at Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton. Bring a picnic lunch, and we’ll meet up for lunch before heading out to photograph this fascinating historic site. Locomotives, railroad equipment, and historic buildings provide plenty of opportunities to explore and photograph at your own pace.

Saturday Evening – Tunkhannock

For those staying for both days, we’ve reserved a block of rooms at the Comfort Inn in Tunkhannock, about a 45-minute drive from Steamtown.  We have obtained a group discount down from $200 per room to $150 per room. Rooms are $150 plus tax, for a total of $166.50 per room. Choose between two queen beds or one king bed.  Room reservations need to be finalized with Jim Wilson by Thursday, Oct 8th.

After checking in, take some time to relax—the hotel has both a pool and an exercise room.

Then we’ll gather for a casual dinner at The Fireplace Restaurant, less than 10 minutes from the hotel. After dinner, we’ll return to the hotel for a relaxing nightcap and some time to socialize in the lobby. Enjoy complimentary coffee or tea, perhaps some freshly baked oatmeal-raisin cookies courtesy of Patricia, our hotel hostess—or a brew or glass of wine courtesy of Jim and Betsy!

Sunday – Ricketts Glen State Park

Rise and shine! For those staying overnight, a complimentary breakfast will be available in the hotel lobby beginning at 6:00 a.m. We’ll leave the hotel by 7:00 a.m. to head to Ricketts Glen and meet up with the rest of the group at 8:00 a.m.

For those joining us just for Sunday, meet the group at 8:00 a.m. at the Lake Rose Trailhead parking lot.

Once everyone has arrived, we’ll split into two hiking groups:

• Shorter hike: An energetic hike featuring seven different waterfalls. While shorter, this is still considered a challenging hike, with plenty of stone steps and uneven terrain.

• Longer hike: A more ambitious option featuring 8–18 waterfalls, depending on whether you choose to complete the entire loop or do a partial down-and-back hike.

Both hikes are considered challenging, with lots of stone steps and uneven, sometimes rocky terrain. Sturdy hiking shoes are a must, and walking sticks are strongly recommended. Take your time, bring water, and remember—we’re there to photograph the waterfalls, so there will be plenty of opportunities to stop and catch your breath!

Not up for a challenging waterfall hike? No problem! You can turn back at any point during the hike, and there are other beautiful trails through the park’s old-growth forests that are easier and involve little elevation change. There are plenty of opportunities for photography beyond the waterfalls, so choose the adventure that feels right for you!

Come for one day or join us for the full two-day adventure. Bring your camera, appropriate lenses, a tripod for waterfall photography, and your sense of adventure!

Let Jim Wilson know if you are interested. He will then send you a short questionnaire to coordinate those going for just Steamtown, just Ricketts Glen, or both. We will need to adjust hotel resevations accordingly, and attempt to coordinate carppols and or/room sharing requests.  

Deadline for hotel reservations with the group is Thursday, Oct 8th.  If you haven't let Jim Wilson know by then, you can still have the option to get a room at the Conmfort Inn or another hotel on your own.