Camping in Pennsylvania!

Locust Lake

Camp spot 212

More lake - this is one of many fishing piers.

So the Adirondaks went off the radar early Thursday morning with a forecast of rain and cold all weekend and we made plans to move farther south to PA. The forecast there was 75 and sunny all weekend. Amazingly enough there were camping spots open and we headed to Locust Lake State Park somewhere in the middle of PA. It took about 3 hours with a stop at Wegman's for some food. The camp is in the middle of the mountains and woods and was created in 1970 by a damned up lake. I think we got super lucky in finding this place. Our camp spot was surrounded by trees and about 50 steps to the bathroom, but you really couldn't tell it was that close. For the most part it was quiet - I'm going to say it's because they don't allow alcohol, but that's just my guess. I know people were drinking, but if they say no alcohol that means you need to keep it quiet. Bonus for us who don't stay up until midnight. The best part about the PA parks is that it is free to get into their parks - no park fee's and they had all sorts of free activities. Movie nights, hikes with guides, animal shows and stuff. The trails were well marked and the lake actually had a paved path around it. The lake was stocked with trout and lots of kids were fishing - free for them. Nothing like a Michigan state park in many ways.

Friday we went golfing at a course about 5 minutes away. Excellent fairways and lots of good hits by us. They did a great job of landscaping and using the natural resources around the course. We almost got rained off and then when it quit we joined up with Paulie and Billy, the guys in front of us. They told us that if we went to the 9th hole on the next set of holes we could see our campground down below - and we could.

Saturday was hiking day...

this is the Spirit of Tascora - check out that tree knot!





PA really knows how to show off their parks. Saturday we went on a hike at another state park a few miles away - they didn't have camping there only a lake with a beach and picnic facilities and then hiking. The hike was led by a DNR lady and we were lucky enough to have the tour really led by the man who made the trail, Paps. He goes out with the DNR lady quite a bit and points out things she can show others when he can't go. He keeps the trail clear of limbs and grass and takes special pride in making it special for others. He showed us the Spirit of Tascora Lake, a cool stream, some special butterflies (so special I can't remember what they were called), and a White Pine that he estimates to be over 180 years old and it had it's middle missing so it was was like a 4-pronged fork. Oh and we saw purple mushrooms. Yes, purple. We were out for almost three hours walking, jumping, and leaping over logs. Quite fun. And free.

So tonight we are home and going to snuggle into our own warm comfy bed and it's only a few steps to the bathroom - ahhh.... and a clean shower. Camping is fun, but coming home is fun too.