08/18 to 09/05 The Trip Back Home

 08/18 to 09/03

Tohickon Family Campground

Dingmans Campground

Neversink River Resort

Welcome back. As my cross country travels come to an end, I am making three more stops to time my arrival back in Croton with my Hudson Islander friends once again. Among others, our rallies are enjoyed each June and September at CPP. It's proximity to most of the members guarantees a terrific turnout each time. From there I will end my Summer Adventure with a trip to New Hampshire, Maine and Rhode Island before storing Winnie for the month of October. In probably a blink of an eye, it will be November and off I go again to the southland until late April or May. My already completed itinerary will appear in a future blog post.

In this blog post, I'm sharing highlights of each campground I visit so that any RVers who reads the blog may want to consider a short weekend stay at any of these places just a few hours drive from the Hudson Valley. With lots of time on my hands, it's an excellent time to enjoy what Nature has to offer, create and write my blogs and to plan my future itineraries in the Great Outdoors. Be sure to click on RED links should you want more details on campgrounds.

From 08/18 to 08/22, I was at 

Tohickon Family Campground

in Quakertown, PA, 125 miles and 2½ hours from Croton, NY.  The Tohickon Family Campground is a sprawling older campground of about 200 campsites, most of which are seasonal or long-term (In green in the map below). They caution RVers approaching to note the covered bridge near the entrance is 12' and suggest alternate routes. 

The seasonals are the typical aging RVs with decks, "porches" or lattice work. I have not driven or visited the blue sites but the amenities listed for families are extensive. Do take a look at the website. Their cafe, unfortunately is open only on weekends. The menu on their website looked pretty good. 

The sites along the Tohickon River look more desirable. The name "Tohickon" is derived from the Lenape word "To-Hick-Hanne," which means "Deer-Bone Creek." The Lenape Native Americans lived along the creek for generations and relied on it for sustenance. It's famous for its semi-annual controlled water releases in March and November from Lake Nockamixon, creating Class III and IV rapids.

My back-in site 117 with just water and electricity was slanted downhill and required my leveling ramps and the full length of the power cord to reach the service box. The site was opposite the long term sites with no one occupying them while I was there. The nearby bathhouse had both laundry and shower/toilet facilities and were satisfactory.

My site 117: Back-in, water, 30-amp service @ $27.00/night

Occupied site to my right.

Unoccupied site to my left. Like many others, it seems they're here more for storage than week-end get-aways.

Across the road; more likely to be occupied on weekends

From 08/22 to 08/27, I was at 

Dingmans Campground in Dingmans Ferry, PA. 

Dingmans Campground is a 77 miles, 1½ hour drive from Croton.  It's a 65-acre, 134-site rustic campground located along the Delaware river in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and is a concessionaire for the National Park Service. As tents only are allowed along the river, I had to reserve in the "Forest Area." How rustic you ask? No sewer hookups, no wi-fi and the location is in a "dead zone" for cell service. This will be a challenge

Although just a 73 mile trip, the drive from Quakertown to Dingmans Ferry, PA was for the most part along back country roads with short stretches on I-78 and I-80. I stopped at Muller’s Family Restaurant about 20 miles from my destination and what a brunch it turned out to be. It was the biggest 3-cheese omelet I’d ever had. Eating only a third assured me of two more breakfasts while a Dingmans.

After exiting the main highway, another 12 miles brought me along the Delaware River to the campground. The office was near the entrance and served as the general store. It was well stocked and impressive for an out-of-the-way “camp store.” It had everything any camper would ever need. I had called ahead to see if the office would accept delivered packages for campers. Because they did, my package containing my hot water circuit board was delivered and waiting for me. The 5-minute installation and wiring hookup once again gave me the hot water I missed these past few weeks.

Campsite #10 is near both the shower/bath house and dump station. It’s level, shaded with 30-amp service and water. No sites have sewer nor do they have cell service or wi-fi.

Wildlife precautions were in effect. The wildlife I may encounter include: black bear, whitetail deer, raccoons, opossum, turkey, squirrels, skunks, and, of course, insects.

The only human traffic I saw were campers from wherever making their way to the bathrooms and showers. The weekend, as you would expect, saw an increase in the numbers of bathroom visits. The campground was quite full.

As for wildlife, all I saw were birds and, on my last day, a 6-point buck raced through the woods. A stunning sight.

One outstanding feature was how the light of the setting afternoon sun filtered through the dense undergrowth to produce a calming sense of peace and serenity. The grove of pines behind me produced a darkened under story highlighting nature’s peaceful imprint.

Saturday morning I found a bundle of wood placed by my fire ring. I didn’t see or hear it being delivered. A nice unexpected amenity for a fire that night. Here's a one-minute mesmerizing treat fireside.

Sunday, after the campground literally emptied. my solitude returned. All I could see was a bright orange tent in the darkened forest behind me. All alone once again there was a late afternoon light rain to add to the coziness of camping in the woods.

It was a challenge working this week without the Internet. But it can be done.  The best was the lack of amenities beyond the essentials. So I accepted the challenge: No Internet and no iPhone service for five days. What to do?  Commune with nature. To "commune with nature" means to engage deeply and harmoniously with the natural world, often in a way that fosters a sense of connection, peace, and understanding. It involves being present in nature, observing, and interacting with the environment in a mindful and respectful manner. As I sat outside and noticed leaves were beginning to fall, one in particular landed and caught my eye. It moved.

 

A Common Wood Nymph. Its distinctive eye spots, one or two on each wing, are well suited to deter predators.

So that's what I did: Listened, relaxed and enjoyed to enhance my appreciation of nature. Oh, and I ate well.

From 08/22 to 08/27, I was at 

Neversink River Resort.

It's listed as being in Cuddebackville but the website indicates Godeffroy, NY, It too lies 77 miles, 1½ hour from Croton. Having never heard of either Cuddebackville or Godeffroy, NY, I had to research it. Both are hamlets in Orange County. Godeffroy is named after Charles Godeffroy, a French immigrant and prominent businessman who settled in the area in the 19th century. Cuddebackville is rich in history and natural beauty, situated along the Neversink River and surrounded by woodlands and scenic landscapes. Both enjoy their rustic character that attracts the tourist trade for hiking and water pleasures on the Neversink and Delaware Rivers. 

The Neversink River Resort is a 70-acre campground, next to the Neversink River and a 500-acre nature preserve. Since the summer of 2022, their website indicates the owners have poured their hearts into transforming the 300-site campground on the bank of the Neversink River, into the getaway of their dream.

Site C-20, as you can see, is way off the beaten track on the perimeter of a large field.

Being on the western side of the expansive field, I was happy to enjoy the afternoon shade.

The back-in site had just water and 30-amp service.

Looking back toward the main camping area, this road had cottages lining one side and....

...tent sites lining the other.

No neighbors all week.

And across the field just beyond that stand of trees lies the Neversink River.

The origin of the name "Neversink" is debated. One theory suggests it comes from the Native American word "Mahackamack," meaning "a place where fish are abundant." Another theory posits it may derive from a Dutch phrase, "neversinck," referring to a "land that will not sink" or a "high place," likely describing the elevated land in the river's vicinity.

A path on one end of the filed leads to the River Hammocks.

Four hammocks are placed for camper's use while enjoying the sounds of the river.

A fifth along with the bench makes for a most pleasant, scenic sitting area.

My picture post card to you.

The Neversink River was dammed in the 1950s to create the Neversink Reservoir, part of New York City’s water supply system. This reservoir holds over 34 billion gallons of water and is one of the cleanest sources of drinking water for the city.

The construction of the reservoir led to the displacement of several small towns and communities. Homes, schools, and churches were submerged, and residents were relocated to make way for the reservoir.

Here two fathers wait for their youngsters as they tube downstream.

At this point an eddy enables tubers to climb up the ladder and do it all over again.

And this concludes yet another memorable episode in my journeys with Winnie. Hope you enjoyed the trip. Next blog will feature another Rally with my fellow Hudson Islanders. We should have 14 RVs with upwards of 23 people in attendance at Croton Point Park (CPP). Stay tuned.

"Camping is when you get to enjoy the great outdoors without a bathroom. RVing is when you get to enjoy the great indoors without leaving the outdoors."

08/11 to 08/18 Mill Bridge Village Campground, Ronks PA

  08/11 to 08/18

Mill Bridge Village Campground

Ronks, Pennsylvania

Welcome back. It's time to get together with other RVers...8 of my fellow Hudson Islanders and their 5 RVs. It'll be a nice change from my past month of traveling solo. Since my last blog from Gering, NE, I've spent another overnight in Nebraska and then on to Iowa, Illinois and two nights in Ohio, the second of which was noteworthy.

 

It was at Chestnut Ridge Campground in Hubbard, Ohio, where I was able to schedule a windshield replacement through my insurance company with SafeLite for damage occurring on the road in Wyoming. With the threat of rain, the SafeLite tech, Conrad, chose to chance it rather than reschedule. That worked out fine but after completing the job along with Casey, the rains came that night. Elsewhere in the area, the storm that came through knocked out power about 5:30 pm Tuesday night. The next day, I checked the website of the local utility company in Hubbard, OH, and for my location, power was estimated to be restored 2-3 days later. I decided to pack up and by 3 in the afternoon and 183 miles later drove to my next destination, Bald Eagle State Park. All the campgrounds since my last blog (6) have been excellent. Granted my stays were short and sweet but everything went smoothly. I was able to reschedule, get a refund for unused days and put it toward my extra days at the State Park. 

While at Bald Eagle State Park, tropical storm Debbie skirted the area and we just had a day of rain. Much better than back home in the Hudson Valley. The week in Ronks, PA, looks to be nice.

On my way to Ronks, I made three stops in nearby Lancaster. My long overdue haircut at a Super Cuts, a sushi lunch next door at Sushi One and lots of shopping at a Super Walmart.

 

Fruitville Pike Roll: Shrimp tempura, cucumber inside, wrapped w. crabstick, topped w. mango sauce, spicy mayo, eel sauce, flying fish roe.

The Mill Bridge Village and Camp Resort is in the heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. The 1738 Herr's Grist Mill, a registered historic landmark is at its entrance. The Park's footbridge is often used by the locals as well. There's a working Amish Farm next door and others will frequently stop by in their buggies to sell homemade goods in the campground.  The link above is full of information and photos of the campground and worth your time to check it out.

Hudson Islanders in attendance this week:

Sue & Ray - Site 21

Tony & Linda - Site 50

Roberta - Site 51

Tony & Doreen - Site 52

Johnny - Site 53

Charlie - Site 64

Welcome Home

You Did It

When Tony and Doreen arrived, their "Welcome Home," "You did It" balloon was tied to the mirror on Winnie. That evening, we enjoyed a toast to that event with a bottle of Schramsberg Blac de Noirs. The winery gained international fame when President Nixon served the wine at the historic "Toast to Peace" in Beijing, China in 1972. Thank you, Carlo.

On Tuesday, Roberta made arrangements for those who wished to attend Sight & Sound Theatre's presentation of Daniel. View some of the scenes HERE. The story of Daniel is taken from their website:  "Taken from his people, Daniel is exiled far from home in the perilous kingdom of Babylon. Now this faithful servant must navigate his new life inside a palace filled with golden statues and shifting empires. As royal pressures mount, Daniel is faced with a dangerous choice. Will his trust in God remain steadfast through every test of faith? From the fiery furnace to the infamous den of lions, DANIEL is a spectacular theatrical experience for the whole family. Witness one of the Bible’s most powerful stories as it comes to life in this brand-new original stage production."

This presentation and biblical story of Hope, was powerful. Everything about it was awesome: The 65 member cast, the sounds, special effects, and costumes (13,000 yards of fabric, nearly 300 wigs and over 100 beards crafted). The rebuilt theatre with its 2,000 seat and a 300' panoramic stage was truly a spectacle. With visual projections and two computerized set pieces, the audience was kept in awe as Daniel's story unfolded.

Afterward, our group went a short distance to Agape Cafe and Grille for a late lunch. 

I enjoyed the turkey BLT with a side of onion rings.

With so many activities squeezed into a week, I prepared links to pages with nothing but photos of the places and locations we enjoyed. A Thank You to Roberta who provided some for me. The highlighted links in RED will take to you to awesome, well done websites where you can pick and choose how to share the adventure. 

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania 

We visited the museum just as the model railroaders of four clubs began setting up for Model Railroading Days 2024. Follow this link for the details. The huge building housing more than 100 locomotives is worth the time and visit.

46 other photos including the model railroaders setting up for their Model Railroading Days 2024 exhibit can be viewed by visiting my extra page of photos HERE.

Central Market in Lancaster

After some tricky navigating through the streets of Lancaster we found the Central Market.

The Market is the oldest continuously operated Farmer’s Market in America! Entirely indoors the crafts, fresh produce, meats, baked goods and treats were available row after row, aisle after aisle. I picked up 3 ears of corn to enjoy. There are about 60 stand holders the directory of which can be seen HERE.

A striking feature noticed while driving to and from Lancaster from the campground was the great number of brick buildings. Lancaster is one of the oldest inland towns in the United States, founded in the 1700s. During this period, brick was a common building material for long-lasting structures like homes, businesses, and public buildings.

The region naturally has clay deposits that were historically used to make bricks locally. This made brick a cost-effective and accessible building material for the area including sidewalks and courtyards.

Shady Maple Smorgasbord 

For over 50 years, Shady Maple has been the largest buffet in the USA and has over 200 feet of delicious hand-prepared dishes. There is a 44,000 square foot gift shop and a high-quality Farm Market. This is my second time visiting this one-of-a-kind dining experience. You can read the old blog (from 2020) HERE. It's Part 2 of a 3-part blog that other Hudson Islanders may enjoy.

Shady Maple offers a unique birthday perk—if it’s your birthday, you eat for free (with a paying guest) on the day of your birthday.

At the Campground

The Grist Mill

Herr’s Mill, located in Ronks, Pennsylvania, is a historic grist mill with a rich history that dates back to the 19th century.

The mill was powered by Pequea Creek, utilizing a traditional waterwheel system. This type of water-powered technology was typical for mills in the 19th century.

The historical literature indicates the Mill was built in 1844. The sign at Herr’s Mill shows the Mill was built in 1738, not 1844. My research showed this earlier date highlights the mill's long-standing history in Lancaster County, making it one of the older structures in the area. The 1738 date reflects its origins as an important part of the local agricultural community, serving generations of farmers. The mention of 1844 may be linked to later renovations or ownership changes, but the original construction dates back to 1738.

Found the stone used fascinating.

Belt driven buzz saw

Belt driven peanut roaster

Foot powered shave horse used for shaping shingles, pegs and wheel spokes. See how it was used HERE

Corn sheller

Stone wheels for grinding corn and/or wheat.

In Pennsylvania Dutch country, the grass traditionally used to make brooms is broomcorn, a type of sorghum. Broomcorn is not actually a true corn but a species of grass that grows tall and produces long, stiff fibers ideal for making brooms.

The Pennsylvania Dutch community, known for their resourcefulness and craftsmanship, would harvest the broomcorn, dry it, and use it to craft durable, hand-tied brooms.

 These brooms became a staple in households throughout the region and were often sold at local markets.

The Resident Moose, Bruno.

Fortunate to have a watercolor sunset one evening.

On another evening, three hot air balloons drifted nearby from the north. Johnny captured the next two shots.

Another big thank you to Ray. His 25' 30-amp extension cord was needed as my "buddy site" was situated a distance away.

On the site next to me was a young couple with their family of three girls and two boys.  They provided us with a glance on how to herd cats. Grandma Suzie offered to give the youngest, 9-month old brother his bottle. When finished, he went out like a light.

My home made apple pie was delivered by pony express. I ordered it the day before when she came by with other baked goods. The oldest lad's aunt from a nearby farm made them as well as cookies. (Asked permission to take photos)

Justin tolerated it all and well trained in deliveries.

Here, the young dad and his youngest daughter bought a basket of flowers for mommy. The young Amish lad pulled his cart through the campground accompanied by his brother on his "scooter" or "kick scooter." The Amish community often prefers these pedal-less scooters over traditional bicycles because they align more closely with their values of simplicity and self-reliance.

I hope you've enjoyed my week stay in Pennsylvania Dutch country. We've all parted ways for awhile. The Hudson Islanders will meet again for another rally at Croton Point in September. Up to 22 are expected to attend. Meanwhile I'm on my way to campgrounds in Quakertown, PA, Dingmans Ferry, PA and Cuddebackville, NY and will wind up in Croton.

"True riches are the love we give, the memories we make, and the values we live by.” "The Amish know that happiness doesn’t come from what we own, but from how we live.” "We do not need to go far to find peace; it is within our own hearts and homes." ~~ Amish quotes