Central New York to South Jersey, Boondocking All the Way

 

We traveled along some lovely, pastural roads to arrive at Winn Hill Farm, another Harvest Host (HH) in Port Crane, New York.  We were glad we arrived early afternoon and got the most level spot and the only site with gravel, since three other HH guests came in late afternoon/early evening. 

We visited and made purchases at their country market, which basically contained products from the local Brynes Dairy and Deli Store—chips, ice cream, dairy, and baked goods—along with a few household items like potholders.

 

It is tough for Mom to get her walking/hiking steps in on travel days.  So, we drove to Chenango Valley State Park to clock a few miles around Chenango Lake.  I was a bit surprised that folks were swimming in the algae-covered lake.

You never know who you will meet on a trail!

Later, while Dad visited with a former work buddy, Mom and I walked for 2 miles along the rolling country roads near Winn Hill Farm, seeing God’s works of wonder. 

Les and Mel! Twin Brothers from other Mothers! 

We headed out to our next HH, a brewery in Mt. Bethel, Pennsylvania.  Unfortunately, we never made it there.  PA-611 was under construction, and the road was closed 1500 feet ahead.  But that didn’t stop Dad from going down the road anyway.  He was adamant that Google Maps showed a big parking lot just before the closure in which he could turn around.   (Good thing—it would be a pain in the butt backing up on a winding road and an earache from listening to Mom rant about putting us in that predicament.) All nearby alternate routes had weight limits that precluded Big Boomer/Suite Retreat.  Our only other option was to go into New Jersey and head in the back way.  But the traffic was at a standstill on I-80 on a Friday afternoon, so we nixed that idea.  We ended up staying overnight at the Pennsylvania Welcome Center at Delaware Water Gap, which worked out great.  Though signs say, “2-hour parking limit”, several staff members assured us that we would have no problems overnighting there.  However, don’t get the idea this is a good place to hang around for a few days, because if they see the RV unattended and/or parked for too long, they will have it towed at the owner’s expense.  We set-up in the lot then walked over to Sherwood Creek, where a local park had short trails for us to get some exercise.

As promised, we left early the next morning.  We wanted to beat the traffic into New Jersey.  Even on a Saturday, I-80, I-287, and I-95 (A.K.A. New Jersey Turnpike) are very busy.  It was interesting to see that New Jersey still accepts cash payments on the Turnpike since so many states require EZ-pass (or equivalent) or bill you by mail.   I was amazed to see how often drivers gave each other the finger that I wittily call the “New Jersey salute”. (What a nicer gesture it would be to just give the FULL peace sign instead of one finger!)

 

We arrived at Muddy Paws Animal Rescue, our HH in Southampton, New Jersey.  This is one of my favorite HH ever!  It offered easy access along a firm gravel road, a huge, gated, level parking area, friendly hosts, and lots of animals for me to meet.  They have a small market, but we opted to give a monetary donation to aid in the care of the animals.

Chairman of the Welcoming Committee.

Best of all, staying at Muddy Paws facilitated a quick visit to Aunt Maureen, Uncle Ted, and my animal friends at Misty Lee Farm (where we helped do farm chores when Uncle Ted was gravely ill in 2021. See blog post Misty Lee Farm 2021).  Dad was so happy that Valentine the horse remembered him, and Valentine was happy to have Dad cater to his latest whim.

New chicks arrived at Misty Lee Farm.

 

Muddy Paws is also near one of our other favorite places:  DiMeo Blueberry Farm in Hammonton, New Jersey.  This century old, 4th-generation family business has the BEST blueberries we have ever picked (and we have done our share of picking throughout the US).  They are delicious, plump, organic/non-GMO/heirloom berries on tall bushes in manicured fields—can’t get better than that!   The 900+acres also include nature trails along Hammonton Creek within the Pinelands of South Jersey.  With New Age music playing softly (Mr. DiMeo says the music assists with plant growth), birds singing, and dragonflies enjoying God’s bounty as much as we are, DiMeo Farms offers a unique and spiritual picking experience. We think DiMeo Farms would make a perfect future HH site.  Time will tell!

 

While Dad fueled up my Rambling RV Rat Pack Rubicon, I visited Mighty Joe, a Roadside America attraction.  Mighty Joe once graced the boardwalk of the Jersey shore.  Now he stands in Shamong, New Jersey, as a loving tribute from Larry and Barbara Valenzano to their son, who died of a brain tumor in 1999 at the age of 29. 

 

The next day we drove up to North Jersey for a quick visit to the graves of my beloved human grandparents and to catch up with long-time friend Barbara over lunch at Pompton Queen.  This is one of New Jersey’s few remaining 24 hour diners.  Then we looked in our rearview mirror and said, “adios New Jersey”!

What I love about Jersey diners:  Portions big enough to feed ya twice!

After a longer-than-anticipated drive along the Pennsylvania Turnpike due to congestion/ construction, we arrived at Ben Franklin RV Park in York, Pennsylvania.   It is a smaller, older Park, but it is well-maintained and affordable at $40/night for full hookups.  It also has a nice clubhouse, whose bathrooms I inspected personally and found to be very clean.  What it does NOT have is acceptable customer service.   No office staff was on site when we arrived (or at any time during our visit).   Nor was paperwork for our confirmed reservation (made in May) left for us in the bin outside the self check-in office with all the other reservations for the day.  Mom received no response to the voicemail and text messages to the cell phone number posted on the locked door.  Cranky, tired, and hungry, Mom, like a bloodhound, went on a hunt to find a worker.  She locates Nate, who made some phone inquiries and instructs us to go to Site 298, which is an easy back-in.  It was not until 3 hours later that the office staff responded to Mom’s various text messages (yes, Mom sent a second one asking for Wi-Fi code/site map/laundry info).   We were instructed to return to the bin outside the self check-in office to find all pertinent information. What!  They thought it was good customer service to inconvenience the guest?  How rude!   Perhaps my reaction was transmitted telepathically.  All I know is that a few minutes later the paperwork arrived via text.   But in reality, it should have been brought in person to us.  If there is one thing this Rambling RV Rat despises, it is conducting business with a phantom. 

 

A visit to Gifford Pinchot State Park, about 14 miles from the RV Park, was a perfect antidote for a stressful day. I saved some cheese money since there is no day-use fee for this park.  My parents met their goal of hiking 5 miles.  And we had the  amazing opportunity to watch a bald eagle sit in a field eating dinner.  We captured a video just as he was finishing up.  This visit was like winning a trifecta!  

Well, I am tuckered out, so I’ll sign off for now.  I’ll talk to you again soon!

Visiting the Wicked Witch of the East (WWTE) In New York State

Heading into Pennsylvania from Ohio, I rode shotgun with Mom in the Rambling RV Rat Pack Rubicon following behind Dad, Big Boomer and Suite Retreat since we cannot legally double-tow in this part of the country.  We traversed the scenic hills of the Allegheny Mountains, but going through Pittsburgh was the pits!  Heavy traffic, construction, and an accident made for a slow commute along our entire route, turning a 3.25 driving day into a 5-hour stress-fest.

 

This serene photo was taken well before hitting Pittsburgh.

But Stem-to-Table Farm in Center Hall, Pennsylvania, our Harvest Hosts for the evening, was the perfect place to relax.   The long driveway loops you around the barn, where there is plenty of room for set-up and wonderful country views.  Their country store has tasty meats, eggs, and syrup to buy—our kind of place!  

 

We settled in, then went to explore the surrounding area.  I offered my greetings to Belle, the Big Brown Bovine, another Roadside America attraction.  We also did a 5-mile hike along the canyon gorge at Spring Creek.  It was a pretty area, the trail was not heavily traveled, and, despite recent rainstorms, there were no mosquitos bothering us.

`

A very cool round red barn.

God's Country.

Belle, the Big Brown Bovine, a Roadside America attraction.

Hiking along Spring Creek.

We left Stem-to-Table the next morning, backtracking along the same local roads we took for arrival because all the alternate routes had weight limits that Big Boomer/Suite Retreat would surely exceed.   We drove through gorgeous areas, but I’ve got no photos to share.  The need to drive the jeep separately ties up my staff photographer (i.e., Mom).

 

Welcome to New York State, where plastic grocery bags, mini bottles of toiletries supplied by hotels, and double towing the Jeep are outlawed.  After getting off I-81, we traveled on US-13.  This was a scenic but long route through small, rural towns and villages that got very stressful as we went through the city of Ithica (founded in 1790 and incorporated in 1888), with its abundance of traffic lights, roads in disrepair, and constant speed limit changes.

 

We arrived at Tilden Farm in Vernon, New York.  We discovered this Hip Camp gem in 2021 when we needed to stay in the area an extra night and The Village RV Park in Oneida, New York, could not extend our reservation.  We learned upon arrival this year that Tilden Farm is now with Harvest Hosts, too!

 

The property has been in the Brewer family since 1798! So, I am thrilled Ken and his family have found a way to keep the farm going.   He has made several camping improvements since our stay in 2021, adding sites with electric and water hookups, bathrooms on premises, and a dump station.  He has created walking trails along the cattle pastures and has designed a course for mountain biking/hiking within the woods (Mom was thrilled to have these at her disposal).  He has quality meats for purchase, too, which we indulged in even though we were not staying through Harvest Hosts.

What brings us to this area of New York?  It is the land where my Auntie Laurie lives.   We have a love/hate relationship—I hate to love her and she loves to hate me.  Hence, my referring to her as Wicked Witch of the East (WWTE).  

See how she tries to ignore me!  But even WWTE can't resist this Rambling RV Rat's adorableness!

We came specifically to celebrate a milestone in WWTE’s life (retirement) by treating her and a few close friends who are like family to dinner at a place of Aunt Laurie’s choice.  She selected the Black Stallion Restaurant in Vernon, New York, with Italian-American cuisine.  I was pleasantly surprised by the tasty Italian dishes, from the seafood antipasto to the stuffed hot peppers special-of-the day, from the chicken saltimbocca to the veal parmigiana, all were freshly made and good-sized servings that produced to-go boxes for all of us to enjoy another night’s dinner.  By request from Aunt Laurie, we topped it off with one of Mom’s homemade devil’s food cakes and assorted baked goods.

 

Aunt Laurie seemed unimpressed with my gift of a self portrait made with Lake Superior rocks.  She doesn't appreciate my artistic creations.

Rather than buy Aunt Laurie real flowers (she doesn't like to part with them, even when dead!), I bought her this paper floral arrangement that she can keep for posterity.

Now that WWTE is retired, I figured her flying monkeys may need to find some new employment.

No need to worry about that--I put them onto a new career path!

We did several fun things during our visit.  One day we all went blueberry picking at North Star Farms.

On another evening Aunt Laurie surprised my parents with tickets to join her and Rob at Vernon Downs Race Track for dinner and a concert by the hair band Night Ranger, who performed at a fundraiser for the local food pantry (notice she did not include yours truly, Rambling RV Rat, in this rendezvous).   Fortunately, it did not rain, which it did for most days of our visit.

 

We enjoyed an afternoon/early evening at Aunt Laurie’s “home away from home”:  Turning Stone Resort, operated by the Oneida Indian Nation.   The casino in St. Ignace, Michigan, is in infancy compared to this joint.  Turning Stone consists of every amenity imaginable:  hotel and lodge accommodations, restaurants galore, retail shops, concert venues, golf courses, and a casino with slots, table games, bingo/keno, and sports betting.

Aunt Laurie is one of Turning Stone's VIPs, having an affinity for playing the slots in her spare time. (Thankfully, she hasn't had as much spare time as she would like.  Otherwise, I’d be dialing 1-800-GAM-PROB).  As a VIP, she receives “free play”, comped rooms and meals, and a variety of retail gifts (from cutlery to purses, from pillows to cooking pots, from candles to dishes—forget visiting the department store, you can go to Aunt Laurie’s house to shop).

 

We planned to have dinner at the Resort’s Upstate Tavern with Aunt Laurie and our friend Rosemary.  We were seated, reviewed the menu, and had just placed our order when the skies outside turned ominous.  We heard some thunder, the lights began to flicker, and poof—we were sitting in the dark, with no power in the restaurant!  We learned a tornado touched down in Rome, New York, about 20 miles away.  The generators took their time firing up, and in these times of everything electronic/digital, it took over an hour for us to get our dinner.  But it was tasty and worth the wait.

 

Unfortunately, that storm wreaked havoc at our RV at Tilden Farm.   We returned home to no power in the rig, the slide topper torn off, and Starlink flipped over.  Dad was quick to remedy the first two issues.  But even after doing the usual trouble-shooting, Starlink was down for the count.  We are blessed that Starlink would send us a new unit, free of charge, upon receipt of the old one.  However, we would not be stationary anywhere long enough to accommodate the shipping schedule until late August!  This Rambling RV Rat went on a rant.  Without Starlink, my efforts to stay current with my blog were stymied!  I consoled myself by eating a bag of cheese puffs and repeating the mantra, que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be.

 

Ironically, that same day we learned from friends and neighbors that winds from Hurricane Beryl toppled the old oak tree that stood on our long-term leased lot in Rainbow’s End in Livingston, Texas.  Good thing we are traveling, otherwise Big Boomer would have been damaged severely since the tree fell right where he would be parked.  

 

Aunt Laurie doesn’t cook much, but she and Mom spent all day together making an Italian dish called pizzagaina.  Traditionally made at Easter, it is a scrumptious pizza dough (Mom made that from scratch the day before), stuffed with basket cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, ricotta, eggs, parsley, and dry meats (Aunt Laurie uses soppressata and pepperoni), baked to golden brown.  (I am salivating even as I write this!)

 

Mom cooked dinner that night for us all, making some of Aunt Laurie’s favorites:  steaks cooked medium rare, shrimp barbequed in garlic/butter sauce, twice baked potatoes, salad greens, broccoli, and cauliflower.  Afterwards, we spent an evening at the lounge of Vernon Downs Casino.  A multi-generational band, consisting of several fathers and sons, were playing.  Their repertoire was that of a wedding band from the 1980s (“Celebration”, “Dancing Queen”, “Sweet Caroline”, “Ladies Night”).

 

It was time to say good-bye to Aunt Laurie.

I wish I could say our visit went without any arguments (that would be a phenomenon of unparalleled proportion!)   When tempers flare among these Italian sisters, you get a blazing five-alarm fire.  But grudges are never held, communication is never cut off (you wish you could get the silent treatment from them), and the good times always prevail.

I got myself checked in here for a few days now that our visit with Aunt Laurie, WWTE is over.