FAIRMOUNT TOWNSHIP – People who work near Ricketts Glen State Park in Luzerne County said the mild weather and colorful leaves lingering into late-October have been a boost for family-owned businesses.
Kathy Knappenberger is expecting another busy weekend at Ricketts Glen Hotel and Restaurant, after waitresses had to turn dozens of customers away because of the big crowd last Sunday.
“We just had no more room. Half the people hadn`t even got served yet and more people just kept coming,” said Knappenberger. “We`ve just been packed. I mean thank God the deck has been able to be open since it’s so nice out, but we`ve just had people coming all day.”
With many of the yellow, orange and red leaves falling to the ground and covering the hiking paths, Knappenberger believes this will be the final, big weekend for leaf lovers.
Mark Slobodinsky and Heather Wilkinson said the trip from Philadelphia to see the autumn colors was worth it.
“I just love being outside, love doing active things. I just have great memories from before, so I just wanted to come and check it out again,” said Slobodinsky.
“I just spent two really long weeks studying, so to be out here in the wilderness, just getting some fresh air is really, really nice,” said Wilkinson.
