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."