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!