I was four years old the first time I went to Jay Cooke for a family reunion on my mom’s side. I know it may be hard to realize but I remember everything. The building, the fireplace, the music, the interpretive center, the trees, how little the water was rushing at the time and the swinging bridge. It had been a long time since I thought about the place or remembered it and then one day I asked my mom about it and she said we would go there a lot. And showed me pictures of that reunion. Everything came flooding back and the next day, I took my kids and husband.
We’ve been going ever since- we make sure we get the annual state park pass to enjoy our favorite places all the time. But we frequent Jay Cooke. The boys, who are now, 7, 4, and 2, ask to go all the time. They love the bridge, are outstanding on the trails in their length. I found new trails. Oldenburg point, which is in the park, is one of our favorite spots to feel the wind! The water rushes a lot now and the kids love seeing it and get really close, lol. The birds are always singing and I know the park rangers by name and they know me. It’s like home away from home to me and I’m so glad there is more for us to discover in it!