June 24th, 2021, Thursday, we gathered at the fountain before Alumni Building at 6:15 PM. After checking in with everyone’s Hawkwatch code, six cars headed out to Bake Oven Knob in Germsville, PA. It was a short 0.2-mile hike to the lookout site – many felt it was a too short hike. The sun was still high above the horizon:

Some opened their snack packs and started to enjoy the snack while observing the scenic view of the Appalachian Trail; while others began to explore bouldering the rocks.

Micheal was standing on a steep rock:

Some were going down to explore the boulders:

The lookout view was great: )

And some were smiling happily sitting on such a big rock:

We got some social time to chill and chat with new friends:

Finally the sun set:

We took a group picture before heading back:

Heading back in the dark, people started to turn on the lights on their cell phones.

It was a great weekday night trip to enjoy the sunset, have some exchanges with fellow grad students, and have a retreat away from the campus. We were rewarded with the beautiful Strawberry Moon view as we headed back to campus. The moon was right hanging in front of our wheels as we drove eastward – so orangish and big in the night sky across vast acres of country farms.

 

Trip leader: VamC, Shasha

Writing: Shasha

Photos: Everyone on the trip