Saturday, October 16, 2010

Apple Picking at Hopewell Furnace

After our RoadTrip to Sonic, we headed back to RoadAbode and Molly. K honed her driving skills by driving over with A - and I E and Molly took the trails over to the Historic Village . We both arrived at the village around the same time, with K. taking some detours and enjoying the drive, while E and I talked about our favorite camping trips. We each had fun in our own ways.
Once we were together at Hopewell Village, we got our apple bucket and picking "catcher" and set off into the orchard. There are plenty of varieties there to pick, and we were toward the end of the harvest season. Rome, Staymen, Red delicious and more. In short time we picked 7 lbs!
A few pics of the pickers:

Sonic

After our Fungi Hike Adventure, we headed out to Sonic in Morgantown for Amy's Birthday lunch. Not fancy fare, but exactly what everyone wanted. Everyone had some type of Sonic Burger, but we are saving the icecream for later today.

Cool fungi





Cool fungi

Went on a 'Fungi' hike

Went on a 'Fungi' hike with Lisa Miller of the DNCR. Great fun, + informative.
Meet at Scotts Run Lake, where Lisa gave us some introductory information on the various types of Fungi. She handed out illustrated guides that gave some of the characteristics to watch out for.
Since it is hunting season, we needed to don orange vests so as not to be mistaken as deer by any nearsighted hunters. Even Molly got one.
Luckily we didn't meet any Muzzleloaders or Archers.
Plenty of Fungi though!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Late Arrival in French Creek

Even though we were packed and ready to go, and traffic was not bad, we still ended up driving in the dark. I also opted to exit at route 100 instead of my usual Route 23. This would have been good in the daylight, and more scenic, but in the dark, just made me a bit edgy. A deer darting in front of RoadAbode on the curvy road didn't help either. I got to Route 345 where it meets Route 23, and found that there were signs for a detour for Hopewell Furnace, but not listing Frech Creek SP Campground. It listed a bridge 2.5 miles up the road. I was pretty sure it was a bridge right before the Entrance Road for the State Park.
We took the detour, which led us past St. Peter's Village, and over Harmonyville. we had to do a detour of our own, as a sign listed the bridge on that road was only supporting 3 tons (RoadAbode is around 7 tons) This roundabout took us right to Route 345 again - but by the entrance of Hopewell Furnace & Village, which is above the State Park Entrance Road. We prayed that the detour was for the bridge I was thinking of. As we got closer - we could see signs that the road was closed - we just couldn't figure out if it was below the Entrance Road. Once we got there - it was thankfully below the Entrance. After our 20 minute detour, we got to our capsite. The good news it was easy to pull in, and is right near the showerhouse and water. Bad news is not even with all our leveling brick, are we level. Not terribly off, but one of the more unlevel sites we've had.
Still, glad to be out in RoadAbode.