We could all use a respite from the heat this week and give our air conditioners a break. You wouldn't think that break would come from being outside, but there's a spot where you can take a hike and cool off at the same time. WFMZ's Karin Mallett takes us to Bushkill Falls in this week's One Tank Trip.  >> REPORTER: Mother Nature's hum.. it's what you'll hear from the moment you take your first step on the trail. You'll hear it.. even before you can see it.. Known as the Niagra of Pennsylvania, Bushkill Falls is in Pike County in the Pocono Mountains. There's 8 cascading waterfalls within the 300 acres here. 

>> DIANE HANNAN: People have a chance to just unwind, everybody's lives are so frenetic that it's really nice to.. take the day away from the hectic part of our lives and enjoy mother nature. 
>>REPORTER: Put your cell phone in your pocket.. there's no service here.. and pick your trail. There are 4 to chose from. The easiest gives you a spectacular view within minutes. When you get close, you'll notice the water sometimes looks a little soapy.. even foamy. It's a natural effect caused by tannin and tannic acid.. a natural product of the trees above. 

>> REPORTER: One of the rewards of the trek is found here at the bottom of the main falls.. it's at least 20 degrees cooler. There's a constant breeze and a cool spray from the falls.. kinda like a mini shower. From here, the adventurous can pick up the red trail. 

>> HANNAN: We are known for the red trail.. When you take the red trail, you actually go into the woods and that's where you'll have access to the bridal veil falls. 

>> REPORTER: Views.. tourists have been taking in for more than 100 years. Bushkill Falls was opened to the public in 1904 by founder Charles E. Peters. He charged 10 cents a person.. and you could take a walk on the swinging bridge. 

>> HANNAN: He was called Crazy Charlie because people couldn't understand why anyone would come and pay 10 cents to see a waterfall.. 

>> REPORTER: Seems Charlie wasn't so crazy after all. Surviving the 1,267 steps of the red trail on a One Tank Trip to Bushkill Falls, Karin Mallett 69 News Berks Edition.

One-way time from downtown Reading: 2 hours
One-way distance from downtown Reading: 92 miles

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