RoadAbodode's June RoadTrip

This June for our annual "Afterschool RoadTrip" we ventured to parts familiar to us, and beautiful interesting new territory. The landscapes and surrounding areas of each were relaxing as we would like, but still offered more activities to take part in that we could possibly do in our week away. Since part of the fun of having a motorhome is travelling, we stayed part of our time in the woodlands of South-Central PA, then moved on to our first stay in the First state - Delaware.

Panorama of our Jonestown KOA Campsite next to the Swatara Creek

First Leg of RoadAbode's June Trip

We need to store RoadAbode outside the city. This slightly limits what the girls can pack - which I believe is a good thing. We pack up our tiny Honda Fit coupe with the possessions needed for the week, and head to RoadAbode's home at the storage yard. Once there, we all pitch in to more the load. We also prep the Honda Fit with tow lights, as we use it as our "toad" - pulled  behind RoadAbode with a tow bar. The Fit is the second car we've had a tow bar setup installed on, and makes as a perfect little car to explore wherever we are.. We pull RoadAbode out of her spot, pull the Honda Fit behind, and connect the car to the tow bar. Our eldest daugher has been helping connect up for years now, and knows the process. Amy does the drivetrain process - each car that is towable has a specific way to shift gears and get ready for towing. Finally we check each other and  are on our way!
It helps that we have four android phones with us. We have some favorite Apps we use. My smartphone is used as our GPS using Google Maps. (we still consult a printed map as well from time to time, or utilize campground directions) Amy's is used to scout out eateries, grocery stores or gas stations along our route. Hers is also used as our main phone if we want to contact the campground or anyone else during our drive. The other two switch off between listening to music, or consulting the Internet for interesting things to do at our destination or sights as we travel. And yes, sometimes the girls will ignore us up in the cab for a while and just use their smartphone to read or play a game, especially on longer trips.
I forgot to mention Molly, our Lhasa Poo pup. She can be found either sitting on Moms lap, on the couch with one of the girls, or way in the back snoozing on our bed. She really enjoys the RVing life!
On this trip our first destination was only two and a half hours away. We arrived at Jonestown KOA about an hour before check in, but they were gracious enough to check that our site was ready, and one of the young ladies escorted us to our site. There was a car parked not in our site, but close in front of it, making it difficult to pull in. The KOA staff right away checked with campers in the area, and quickly figured out it was a guest of someone staying at a Kabin close by. (They were having a birthday celebration for a child there) What some would have found aggravating turned out pretty nice, because it gave us a chance to meet the neighbors and find out how the weather's been, and where they were from.
Our site was perfectly level, so we connected the essentials of water, electric and cable, then set out to get Barbeque! Within a 15 or 20 minute drive of the KOA sits a building that looks more like a feed store than a place to get good eats Shakedown Barbeque. is located on firehouse lane, which is a small winding farmers road off the beaten track in the middle of cornfields. Inside this establishment you find some of the best pork, brisket and chicken barbque you can have. Sit inside, outside, or take with - you will not be disappointed. Large portions of flavorful meat - with delicious sides. They also occasionally have live music to enjoy outside.

Reconnecting at waters edge

After getting our fill of pork and brisket, we headed back to RoadAbode. Normally we'd wade the creek looking for crawdads, fish or other creatures but because of recent storms, the waters of the Swatara were too deep and swift. Our plans for tubing or canoeing right from our site would have to happen another time. We sat a bit outside watch the waters, relaxing, reading and reconnecting. It's one of the joys of RVing together as a family.. As the day turned to twilight, we decided to play a game of monopoly. It's fun to be a little competitive, and maybe even chat a bit how just life - like monopoly - isn't always fair, but we can still help one another out. After an enjoyable competitive game, we watched a little cable, did a little reading, and headed off to bed.
Dogs are probably more excited about camping than we realize. Monday - At the crack of dawn, Molly was waking me up to go out and explore. New sights and especially new smells were waiting for her to check out. And there are chipmunks and squirrels to chase after! I enjoy our walks as well. There are usually a few other early rising dog owners to say hello to, and sometimes we get surprised by seeing a doe or groundhog along the way. Additionally, since we are on vacation, I really dont want to waste too many moments laying in bed!  Once Molly had sniffed and marked new territory, we headed back to RoadAbode for her breakfast, and my first coffee of the day.  Remoting into work to check server processes was next on the agenda.
Once everyone was up we start planning the day. Since playing on the rain swollen Swatara was off the menu of activities, the girls decided to do one of their favorite past-times - thrifting. I enjoy hunting out a good bargain too, so finding some  places to stop was as easy as asking "OK Google, show me thrift shops" We found a line of them on Route 422 in the nearby county of Lebanon.  First thing is breakfast - and as a treat we head first to The Farmer's Wife Family restaurant in Ono, down the road from the KOA on Route 72 about 20 minutes. Great meal, quick service and not expensive. Having some plate-size pancakes with farm fresh sausage and eggs was perfect for a vacation treat! The girls thrifting finds included dresses with hoop underskirt (different stores) they will use as costumes for our church's Vacation Bible School, and Amy found a new Vera Bradley purse for $12 (apparently that's good)

PA National Guard Museum Exhibits

Back at RoadAbode, lunch was a healthy salad since we were still pretty full from breakfast. In the afternoon, we took a short ride over to Fort Indiantown Gap. Though the National Guard Museum was already closed, we still enjoyed looking at the aircraft, tanks and memorials relating military history. Back at RoadAbode, our day progressed with lots of lounging, reading, or relaxing watching TV at our campsite till evening. A few games of cards were in order to close out the night.
On Tuesday, since the creek was still relatively high and murky, we decided if we wanted to do any boating, Memorial Lake State Park in the middle of the Fort Indiantown Gap National Guard training area was our best bet. We took the the short ride over, only to find out that boat rentals are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. We still enjoyed a short hike around the lake, but no boating this RVing trip out! We had some brats grilled over the fire for our evening meal, and enjoyed a game of clue for our the night's entertainment.

Memorial Lake State Park Boat Launch

Second Leg of RoadAbode's June Trip

After a relaxing few days at Jonestown KOA, it was time for a change of venue! Wednesday was our pack up and travel day. We've never stayed in the state of Delaware before, so we let Google map our drive down to our next stop - Delaware Seashore State Park. We stayed in the new North Inlet Campground  Here is a Photosphere of our Campsite. You can drag the photo around with your cursor for a 360 view of our campsite.

Most people call the bridge by the campground the Indian River Inlet Bridge. It's given name is the Charles Cullen Bridge, after a state highway commissioner of the 1930s . This beautiful cable bridge was built in 2012 and replaced a string of wooden and girder steel beam bridges.  Check this link to learn the history of the bridges that spanned the inlet in this location over the years.

After setting up RoadAbode in our campsite facing the bay, we jumped in the car and took a ride to check out the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk. Parking in Rehoboth is all metered, and open parking was hard to come by. We lucked out and found a spot only a block away from the southern end of the boardwalk. The boardwalk is one mile long, quite short compared to the Atlantic City (4 miles) and Wildwood (2 miles) boardwalks we grew up on. It still has all the excitement of "Jersey Shore" boardwalk, just in a more family friendly "fun size".  Being a bit hungry, one thing we had to try were the famous Thrashers Boardwalk fries. Hot authentic boardwalk French fries were a great treat as we wandered up the boardwalk and poked our head in a few of the shops. Amy saw a funnel cake stand and decided to partake of one of her favorite desserts. If you've never had this concoction, it's simply a cake batter drizzled by a funnel (hence the name) in a rotating pattern onto boiling oil, and flash fried. The crispy yet doughy mess is then lifted, drained and placed on a paper plate and liberally coated with powder sugar. There are versions that include chocolate, whipped cream and fruits - but my wife is a woman with simple tastes :-)
While waiting for us to pickup Amy's order, the girls sat and people watched from a nearby bench. They also looked onto the dunes, and found a tiny bunny nibbling on the sandy. Never though of rabbits living on the beach! After the bunny sighting, we headed back to our Honda Fit, (meter almost out) and out of Rehoboth beach, back to our North Inlet Campsite.
The sky as the sun was setting looked like it was on fire from our campsite, and the bridge light in blue gave this spot an almost patriotic feel. Great end to the day.

Sun Setting over the North Inlet Campground of Delaware Seashore State Park

Indian River Inlet Bridge at Night

The sun is up early here! Guess it should be, since we are right by the Atlantic Ocean. For a June trip, this probably was the most drastic environment change we've experienced. From stream and woodlands to a ocean beach spot with no mature trees at all in one day.
Molly was ready to walk before 6am, and with the sun already up, so was I . This new campground is aligned between the bridge and the US Coast Guard station. There is also a public access parking lot directly next to the bridge. All the roadways are black macadam, and the walkways white cement. As we walked around the campground, there were only one or two campsites that those residing there felt needed leveling blocks or jacks. When we set up, we basically pulled in, checked the level, and then setup. Besides being well laid out, this campground also has very nice shower facilities, and even a great laundry room with large washers and dryers. Include that we have full electric, water and sewer hookups, and this is probably the nicest and well equipped state park we have enjoyed camping.
Down past the campground if you continue walking the inlet road is the marina and Hammerheads Restaurant. Plenty for Molly to sniff on her morning walk!
Today we stayed mostly close to camp. The girls headed to the beach, while I stayed back with Molly and enjoyed just watching the people and boats on the Inlet, and some light reading.

Claire and Sophie of "ComedySportz World Tour"

On one of Molly's walks we noticed a Class C motorhome with "Comedy Sportz World Tour" emblazoned on the side and back. A quick Google search and we found the story of Claire and her pup Sophie. So Amy and I wandered over, and interrupted Clair relaxing and reading a book outside her RV. Seems Claire had a great idea as an office dweller for Comedy Sportz - which is an improv group with locations in major cities through North America. She pitched a travel and marketing campaign - via a motorhome. She got the go ahead!
You can follow Claire, Sophie and their travelling comic companions as they criss-cross the country to visit and work with other comedians. Check out ComedySportz here.
Back at RoadAbode, though we all did snack as the day went on, we decided to head out for an early dinner. Using a Google Maps search for restaurants close to us, we found the highly rated Nalu in Dewey Beach. We piled in the car and headed over.

Tiger Shark hanging from the ceiling of Nalu

Only a 10 minute drive from the campground, Nalu is a Hawaiian surfer themed bar and grille. With open swing-out windows, palm trees, totem poles, tiki bar, and huge Tiger Shark hanging from the ceiling, we had the feeling we were sitting at an outdoor luau. The decor, may be over the top, but really put us in an island frame of mind. If you ever get the chance to head there, make sure to try the HUGH Nachos, and a plate of bacon wrapped pineapple. Plenty of tasty choices on the menu, many with a Hawaiian twist!
After being thrilled with our dining find and filled with a tasty mix of seafood, pork and more, we headed back to camp. There were a few excited people pointing and taking pictures as we were about to enter RoadAbode. A pod of dolphins were swimming up into the bay! It was so cool to see dolphins - right from our picnic bench! Did not get good pictures, but you can see the dolphins a bit in this video.

To end the day on a literal high note, the Park staff had scheduled a musician to play in the pavilion leading to the beach. As the sun set, a mix of laid back beach and old rock ballads drifted through the campground. After the music, everyone was invited for a beach campfire featuring toasted marshmallows. Great way to bring a close to the evening!
Since Friday was predicted to be wet, we planned a few inside activities in Rehoboth Beach. Traffic was crawling through Dewey and Rehoboth. Looked like day trippers and weekenders were clogging the roads. We stopped at the Fractured Prune for a breakfast of doughnuts. Their specialty is made to order hot donuts. Unique flavor creations abound, with combinations of sprinkles, toppings and glazes to make your own taste sensation. I went with a staff favorite - Maple glaze with cinnamon sugar named a French Toast doughnut. The girls went with a mint chocolate chip concoction, and a berry mix of some sort. We all enjoyed our sweet treats!
Our main stop was to the Nassau Valley Vineyards. Beautiful grounds with well kept colonial buildings, the Winery was quite busy readying for an afternoon wedding and serving other tastings. We opted for a self guided tour, showcasing the history of wine-making more than the winery itself. Once we were able to get a tasting (requiring an additional wait after our tour) we tried a few wines on the sweet end of the spectrum. We did end up with a bottle of True Blue Blueberry and Peach Ambrosia - more for the novelty than because of the taste. The True Blue is produced from 100% locally grown blueberries. Still was fun to try some different vintages, and enjoy a short walk through the art gallery and grounds. The girls day seemed to be made more by meeting the vintner, who was a surprisingly young muscular surfer type that seemed to catch all the female eyes in the room. The young man being just a bit shy when introduced by the ladies who led our tastings seemed to make him even more interesting.
We decided to stop for some "touristy shopping" as we headed back to RoadAbode. One place that caught the girl's eyes was The Sea Shell Shop. Connected to a mini golf course and ice cream parlor, the store seemed to have the trifecta of tourist traps rolled into one. Filled with all things nautically inspired, the girls found some trinkets to keep for themselves and for a few friends back home. I did well with my new motto "simplify." I don't need more clutter, though some of the items available were pretty.
For our last full day enjoying the North Inlet at Delaware Seashore State Park, Amy baked a light breakfast of homemade buttery croissant rolls, which we devoured while watching the boats entering and leaving the Inlet. After cleaning up, we headed out to find out what the Mid Atlantic Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival was about. We learned that collecting sea glass, much like collecting gemstones, is become a "thing." People look for certain colors, shapes and love the jewelry and mosaics created with the glass. If the glass can be authenticated as from a certain age bottle, or from a period type of glass - it has more value. The items we saw were beautiful, even while walking among the booths in a slight drizzle. There were plenty of other artisans there with paintings, carvings and various interesting artwork - all ocean and beach themed. Add that they had some food and a live steel drum musician, and it was a downright good time.,  The girls picked up some seaglass to remember the trip, and a few other items. After, we walked and perused some of the stores on nearby 2nd street.

Some Island sounds during the Sea Glass Festival

The rest of our day we just enjoyed lounging at RoadAbode reading and enjoying our campsite by the sea.

Sunday was our reluctant pack-up day, and we left at 11:55 am - right before our Noon checkout. We were not in a hurry to leave! I was surprised the traffic was not heavier on the way through Dewey and Rehoboth Beach. In face, we kept moving pretty well until we were at the Pennsylvania border. If this had been coming from the New Jersey Shore, we would have been in bumper to bumper traffic for over four hours all the way home! We made the trip back to storage in a little over 2 and half hours.

We really enjoyed this year's trip, even though we were no more than 3 hours away from our home in Philadelphia. We had a nice mix of things we'd enjoyed before, and some new places to discover. We definitely recommend both Jonestown KOA and The North Inlet Campground at Delaware Seashore State Park. If you've been to these places, we'd love to hear what you enjoyed - or didn't - in these places. Hope to see you down the road! Happy Travels!

RoadAbode ~ RV RoadTripping ~ Railroad Fan in the Family? Head to Pennsylvania!

Steamtown Roundhouse in Scranton, PA

Pennsylvania has a rich heritage in railroading. Railroads extended into virtually every corner of the state and the rails became part of a way of life during the Industrial Revolution. Tons of goods, both perishable and non-perishable, were - and still are - sent by freight train. Because a station or depot was in the heart of  local communities, the comings and goings at a train station of famous and common people alike ended up as important headlines in the local newspaper.  People traveled by train to visit family and friends. A train was a way to get to a job, or get to shop the latest fashions in the "big cities". Men went off to war, trains brought them back home to loved ones. Travel by train allowed quick trips, and a freedom that many would not had in those times by alternate forms of transportation.
Even as a boy in the late 1960s, I can still remember the excitement of taking an electric powered commuter train into Center City Philadelphia. Reading Terminal station, and it's farmers market were a crazy, whirlwind of sights, smells and sounds. Oh, mom could have made us taken the bus, but - the train! That was the cool way to go. Though perhaps the arrival and departure of rail cars does not incite as much excitement as those years long ago, railroads still play an important role in moving goods and people every day in Pennsylvania. Even though we now have interstates to swiftly move us from one destination to another, there is a nostalgia, or sense of serenity seated in a train watching the world go by.
For those that really love the "clickty-clack" of the rails, or that distinct scent of greasy steam, there is nothing more fun than a ride on a coach pulled by a big ol' steam engine. There are still places to enjoy the scenery as you pass the changing landscape pulled along by these behemoths. How interesting it is to inspect the mechanisms and workings of those old engines up close! Riding a scenic railway is a great way to see the landscape, relax and enjoy the company of family or friends. Below, the RoadAbode Crew highlights a few places for the RVing rail fan in your family or group of friends. Check out these places to learn about, play with, get up on, and close to the Iron Horses of Pennsylvania.

 #1123 (retired) from Strasburg Railroad in Lancaster, PA

Lancaster County Area

Strasburg Rail Road

The Strasburg is one of the few railroads in the U.S. that still utilizes steam locomotives to regularly haul revenue freight trains. Located in Lancaster County, this railroad has been operating since 1832 to present day. The change from strictly  a working freight and passenger line to offering Heritage Rails excursions started in 1958. The rail line is now quickly closing in on it's 60th anniversary as a mostly tourism driven railroad. The rail line includes the U.S.'s only operational wooden dining car which allows visitors to dine while riding through Lancaster County. In 2011, Strasburg Rail Road received a state historical marker. This honor, presented by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, recognized Strasburg Rail Road’s impact on the railroad industry and its innovations in heritage tourism. Each excursion travels through the picturesque farmland of Lancaster County. For younger railroaders, the line offers seasonal rides with Santa, the Easter Bunny, and special excursions featuring Thomas the Tank Engine and his friend Percy. For more information on the Strasburg Railroad check http://www.strasburgrailroad.com/

Railroad Museum of PA ~ Tahoe Steam Engine from 1875

Railroad Museum of PA

Right next door (and a combined ticket is available) to Strasburg Railroad is the Railroad Museum of PA. The museum has more than 100 historic pieces of rolling stock in their collection, including passenger, freight, and maintenance pieces, in addition to their locomotives. Some locomotives can be climbed into and onto, bringing alive America's railroading history. Interactive displays allows visitors to "take the throttle" on a simulated run in a real freight locomotive, climb aboard a caboose, inspect a 62-ton locomotive from underneath, and view restoration activities on the iron horses via closed-circuit television. The museum offers plenty of other exhibits, which include several model railroad layouts, an educational center, a library with archives, and a smaller exhibit gallery on the second floor. One weekend the RoadAbode Crew visited, there was an author giving a presentation about hobos and train hoppers of the 1920s and 30s, which was the topic of his book. It was really interesting to lean the codes and language of the people from the era.
Open since 1975, the museum has grown to 18 acres of land, including 100,000 square feet indoors.
More information is available at www.rrmuseumpa.org

National Toy Train museum

For something you can play with rather than ride, this museum near Strasburg holds a collection of toy trains which dates from the early 1800s to current train sets. Trains are collected according to gauge, age, manufacturer and rarity. Five operating, interactive train layouts in G, Standard, O, S and HO Gauges. Videos on all aspects of toy trains play throughout the museum. You can find Lionel, American Flyer, MTH, Weaver, LGB, Bachmann, Marklin, and more manufacturers of toy trains on display, or operating. Many of the layouts for the trainsets are arranged so all you have to do is push a button, and they run a predetermined track and path. Each large layout represents a different period of the 20th Century. The museum als houses a research library, which has a vast collection of information on the history and characteristics of toy trains in the United States and elsewhere. 

http://nttmuseum.org/

Choo Choo Barn

The Choo choo barn was formed by one family's love for model railroading. The massive interconnected layout features many local Lancaster County buildings and landmarks. Some of the pieces incorporated into the scenery date from the original platform the family built in 1940s. Back in the beginning, the train platform was for display only for family and friends, setup in the family basement. In the 1950s they shared the growing layout with school and church groups. By the 1960s the family wanted to earn extra money for college, so in 1961 they moved everything to an unused township building and created a 600 square foot layout with six running trains. Every year since they have added to the layout, and to the building or landscaping. Whether you enjoy model railroading or just like looking, there are unique animatronics and details through the Choo Choo barn to be found.

Visit www.choochoobarn.com/ to learn more about the Choo Choo Barn.

Some of the sights at the Choo Choo Barn

National Christmas Center & Museum

Also worth a trip is the National Christmas Center & Museum, While not specifically train-centric, the museum, it does have a large part of it's display dedicated to toy trains. Toyland Train Mountain stands three tiers high and thirty feet in diameter. Besides the train room, there are also a walk thru olde time Woolworth display, and village highlighting Christmas traditions from around the world.
The National Christmas Center & Museum website is www.nationalchristmascenter.com

Camping in Lancaster County

There are some great places the RoadAbode Crew have stayed in Lancaster County Click here for our  favorite campgrounds in this area.

Lackawanna County Area

Steamtown

Steamtown Overview

Housed is the site of the former Scranton yards of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (DL&W), Steamtown is in the downtown of Scranton, and encompasses over 62 acres of land. The museum is built around a working turntable and a roundhouse and is actially reconstructed from remnants of a 1932 structure that was originally on the property. The museum tell the story about the history and technology of steam railroads in the United States and life on the railroad. A steam locomotive with cutaway sections helps visitors understand steam power. Park rangers and volunteers offer a variety of demonstrations, tours, and excursions that demonstrate how railroads functioned in the age of steam. Several working locomotives take visitors on short excursions through the Scranton yard in the spring, summer, and fall.  Longer trips are a seperate cost from Steamtown admission and are scheduled to various nearby towns, including the Lackawanna River valley and Carbondale, Tobyhanna and Moscow, Pennsylvania. On rare occasions, excursions are run to the Delaware Water Gap, East Stroudsburg, and Cresco, Pennsylvania, or on the Canadian Pacific Railway to Binghamton, New York.
Steamtown is a National Historic Site. It's website is www.nps.gov/stea/index.htm

Campground to check out nearby : Cozy Creek Family Campground For a great state park, check this link to learn about a park the RoadAbode Crew really enjoyed.

Northumberland County Area

Knoebels Amusement Park

Probably not the first place to think of railroading, Knoebel's amusement park has two great steam engines that you can ride. Though miniature compared to true iron horses, the rides are fun for old and young alike. Old Smokey a coal burning coal-fueled steam locomotive takes you around and through the grove where children's rides, the lumber mill, and blacksmith reside. Pioneer Train, run on gasoline power takes a journey through the woods and close to the the Knoebels campground. Both engines are from 1960, with passenger cars dating from 1946. Many of the attractions of the park are beautifully maintained from the early 1900s. Kids of all ages enjoy coming year after year.

To learn about the campgrounds available right on site, check our information on Knoebels campgrounds here

Bucks County

New Hope and Ivyland Railroad

New Hope Station

The railroad was originally known as the New Hope Branch of the Reading Company, which leased the North Pennsylvania Railroad, of which it was a part. n 1914, a segment of the classic silent film The Perils of Pauline was filmed on the tracks now used by the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad. the railroad operates wine and cheese tasting trains dubbed the Grapevine Express. On select weekends, the railroad runs its Evening Star Dinner Train between New Hope and Buckingham Valley. Check https://www.newhoperailroad.com for more information.

Camping in Bucks County

A close Campground would be Beaver Valley

York County Area

Steam into History

Steam into History

Steam into History is located south of York PA Opened in 2013 This non-profit's locomotive and train set are a faithful replica of the 1860's train Abraham Lincoln rode to present the Gettysburg Address and two years later carried his body in a funeral car.
Each of the runs have a narrator who is well versed in the history of the area as well as Civil War History.  Most volunteers and staff are knowledgeable on the history of trains.  The train sometimes included rides with actors or reenactors, willing to share with you their stories on the Civil War.  The emphasis is on telling the story and recreating when President Abraham Lincoln traveled by train to Gettysburg to give the famous Gettysburg address, possibly even writing or re-writing parts of his speech while on the way.  The other story told occurred just a year and a half  later, when the funeral train for President Lincoln passed through New Freedom and Hanover Junction, stopping in the city of York to take on water for the train’s boiler. www.steamintohistory.com/

Camping in York County

Codorus State Park is only twenty minutes from Steam into History. 

Venango County Area

Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad

The Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad (OC&T) is a tourist ride through the valley where oil was first discovered and refined in the United States. The OC&T is notable in that it operates the only working Railway Post Office in the United States. For income, it may carry a few freight cars at the end of the passenger cars. Excursions operate over tracks that were originally built as the main line of the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railroad in the 1880s. Oil City is known as the site of the world's first oil field. Unlike the previous railroad railroads mentioned, OC&T does not have any steam stock, and it's oldest engine is from 1947. The train does pull through  some beautiful countryside, featuring special fall foliage and murder mystery excursions.
For more information, check in at www.octrr.org/

Camping in Venango County

Camping nearby: Oil Creek Family Campground

Carbon County Area

Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway

Located in the the quaint town of Jim Thorpe, this train line follows the former Lehigh Valley main line, along state park rails-to-trails, and rounding curve after curve  along the Leigh River. Pulled by modern deisel locomotives, the passenger cars are either standard coach style, or open air car that has a roof over its top, a bench that runs down the middle, and the sides of the train car are completely open.  People can get up and walk around or stand in this coach to look at the passing scenery. Unique to the Lehigh Gorge railway is the opportunity to take the train one way and ride back by bike. You can either bring your own, or rent a bike  It takes most people 3 to 4 hours to bike the returning slightly downhill 25 mile trail.
For more information on the Lehigh Gorge Senic Railway check www.lgsry.com
For the "Bike Train" check www.poconobiking.com/specialty-trips/bike-train for more info

Carbon County Camping

Camping nearby: Jim Thorpe Campground

Philadelphia County Area

Garden Trains Morris Arboretum

If in the Philadelphia area, besides riding the commuter rails of SEPTA, check out the beautiful outdoor multi level layout offered at Morris Arboretum. The display and buildings are all made of natural materials and feature Philadelphia Landmarks. The railway is going into it's 17th year in 2015. 

Visit www.business-services.upenn.edu/arboretum/gardens_railway.shtml for more information

Other PA Railroading Museums and Historic Sites

There are plenty of other ways to experience Pennsylvania rail history. Check out some of the other attractions and historic areas - linked through Wikipedia:

Allegheny Portage Railroad
Howard Tunnel
Electric City Trolley Museum
Gallitzin Tunnel
Horseshoe Curve
Mars Station, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Trolley Museum
Rockhill Trolley Museum
Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum

For great reads on the History of Railroading in Pennsylvania, check out the books by Pennsylvania transportation historian Dan Cupper below.
Pennsylvaina Rail (and other) History Books by Dan Cupper

The RoadAbode Crew would love to hear about your favorite places to enjoy the history of railroading in Pennsylvania.  Did we miss any great places to visit? Share your favorite places, and tips or secrets how to best enjoy the places we mentioned above. Please post in the comments below to let others know about the great ways to enjoy railroading in PA!

RoadAbode ~ RV RoadTripping ~ Gettysburg, Knoebels, & Jonestown Pennsylvania

An Aerial View of Knoebels Amusement Park, Elysburg, PA

For the past ten years, the RoadAbode Crew has taken a family trip in June. For our family it's a great way to celebrate the end of the school year and really get's us into our "summer groove". This year's trip we wanted to stay closer to home and do a tour of Central Pennsylvania. There are plenty of great spots to hit, but we only have ten days to fit the trip into.After a few discussions  (and concessions by me to cut back how many places to visit) the RoadAbode Crew finally decided on our destinations for this year. We've never been to Gettysburg Battlefield, so we wanted to check out the history and what else the area had to offer. We decided to check in on an old family favorite, Knoebel's Amusement Park, with a short visit into the abandoned town of Centralia, and finally head to a campground outside Fort Indiantown Gap Pennsylvania and spend a few days relaxing creek side at Jonestown KOA. 

Town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Regiment Cannon on Battlefield at Gettysburg 

The Battle of Gettysburg took three days in the heat of July 1863. Thinking you can experience and learn about this pivotal battle or tour the area in the same time just can't be done. 

There are plenty of options to camp in the Gettysburg area. When we learned that we could stay next to a creek at Gettysburg Campground we decided to stay there. The girls love searching for crawdads fish and other creatures when we relax at our campsite. The campground has over 260 sites, including those for tent campers. Some of the sites do back up to Marsh Creek, Our site number was 52, and though we did back up to Marsh Creek, the bank at our particular campsite was steep and overgrown with underbrush, no easy access to the stream bank at all. If staying and you want creek access, we would suggest sites 54 through 58 and 235 thru 238. The campsites are all gravel, and all seem quite level. The amenities at the park are great, including a fully stocked store, clean restroom/shower facilities, and landscaping that was well kept. Though we didn't use the pool on this trip, looks like plenty of people were enjoying a dip. Another plus of this park is JR's RV repair shop right on the property. We could see that as being handy if you needed something repaired while vacationing in the area. Molly enjoyed the large dog walking area near the entrance to the campground. The campground is on the outskirts of the town of Gettysburg, but close to drive to the fields where the Northern and Southern armies engaged, and see historic farmhouses where the injured were taken to be treated.

State of Pennsylvania Monument

The Battle of Gettysburg lasted for three days in the heat of July in 1863, and has become known as the turning point of the American Civil War, and inspired Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. The fierce battle and loss of life changed how future wars the United States would be involved in were fought.
On this trip, I'd be correct in saying we discovered our girls are not civil war buffs. As we toured, places I would have stayed and learned more about the reason and story behind monuments, they were ready to run to the next item on our list. I had downloaded some really well done podcast audio tours and maps of the various important battle areas. Though really interesting to me, the podcasts did not hold the girls interest. Nothing wrong with the podcasts, they are informative and interesting stories, just not something that 20something and teen girls wanted to sit still for. We did stop at the Pennsylvania Monument. The State of Pennsylvania Monument is the largest monument on the Gettysburg battlefield.  On top is a statue of Winged Victory which stand on top of the dome; its metal came from a melted down Civil War cannon. Just thestatue is over 7000 pounds. The girls climbed up the stairway to the roof to glimpse beautiful views of the battlefield and surrounding land. 

Another area the girls did find interesting was the Cyclorama found in the Gettysburg Museum and Visitors Center, which is administered and run by the National Park Service. I don't want to give away spoilers, but I felt intrigued by both the portrayal of the battle, and the background history of the  Gettysburg Cyclorama. Talking back at our campsite, we felt the Museum and Visitors Center were the highlights for our Gettysburg portion of our RoadTrip. Take the time, and wander through the museum. Learn more about the individual stories of the young men on both sides of this conflict that gave their lives fighting for what they believed was right.

Devil's Den as seen from Little Round Top

Interest of individual locations of engagement will vary by what state you are from, or what story catches you. One storied battle area that I personally found interesting was Devil's Den. The stage for this battle was set by an outcropping of large boulders located in a valley facing Little Round Top. Confederate sharpshooters took cover among the crevices and in between the large rocks. Though only a few men, they succeeded in holding their ground while picking off Union artillerymen and officers. Having read about this particular battle, I was interested to see and walk the topography of the site. To understand  how this Confederate standoff occurred, it really helped to visit this particular site. We saw that kds love to climb the boulders of Devil's Den and of Little Round Top, but make sure if your do, they are supervised and make good choices. Even though run by the National Park Service, you need to be cautious as terrain can be uneven with steep slopes and drop-offs. It's worth the trip - even if you are not into the history of the civil war, to understand what these men went through can be stirring. For some visitors, perhaps the spectacular views of the countryside from Little Round Top are worth the visit.

When roadtripping in RoadAbode , I always enjoy sampling some local fare. Since this trip was closer to home, we already are familiar with Philadelphia scrapple and cheese steaks, or shoo-fly pie and sweet & sour chow-chow of Lancaster. Though I had read about the historical staples for both the North and South, I didn't see any hardtack or salt pork for sale, which were the two most common foods provided to Civil War soldiers on both sides of the battle. Probably not something I'd want to eat a lot of, but I'm always up for a new taste! Instead we enjoyed some regular fare. Tommy's Pizza, was our favorite! I've caught conversations of the girls still talking about the hand-formed dough - crisp yet still soft on the interior; and the fresh toppings we had on our vegetable pizza. It was the first pizzeria we've been too that the wanted to revisit the next day for more of the same. If the girls come back to Gettysburg, part of the reason will be fror Tommy's Pizza. General Pickett’s Buffet in the "all you can eat" style of dining was great after a day touring out in the battlefields, This eatery offers a variety of standard buffet fare, with plenty of choices so everyone can find something they like. It's not fine dining, but sure was tasty and filling. General Pickett's also has a gift shop and "Battle Theater". Though we did not take time to visit this attraction, it sounded interesting, featuring a miniature diorama, which depicts scenes from the famous battle. The main attraction is a 30-minute sound and color presentation that describes battle times and places, army advance and retreat paths and a complete animation of the three days of battle. Both Tommy's Pizza and General Pickett's Buffet are on Steinwehr Avenue (Business Route 15).

After dinner, we strolled along Steinwehr Avenue past quite an array of touristy shops, bed and breakfasts, and various fooderies. There are plenty of tours of the battlefield and surround area to chose here, from tours by dressed re-enactors to nighttime ghost tours, and tours by horse-drawn carriage or air conditioned coach. One unique aspect of the tours of Gettysburg is the "Association of Licensed Battle Guides" The battle guides association is close to 100 years old. Guides need to pass a certification process sanctioned by the US Government. Today, more than one hundred Association guides conduct thousands of tours for visitors around Gettysburg and other battlefields of the Civil War each year. For the RoadAbode Crew, all this would have been lost money on our uninterested girls. Next Time I'll maybe go without them! I really enjoyed learning about the history of Gettysburg.

Perhaps when I visit Gettysburg again, I'll make it an awesome "Guys Trip". Besides the over 1300 monuments to the soldier on both sides of the conflict, there are plenty of attractions to take part in. Museums, Soldiers National Cemetery, theaters, wineries, a Cidery, brew pubs, and more. Looking forward to going back!

To research more and make a trip to Gettysburg of your own, check these links:

Destination Gettysburg

Gettysburg National Military Park

Gettysburg Campground

Knoebels Amusement Park, Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels has been America's largest free admission park for over 85 years of operation. Sandwiched  between mountains in a wooded grove straddling Columbia and Northumberland Counties, the award winning amusement park has been highly rated for it's rides and food. The park originally started as a place to picnic and swim in the waters of Roaring Creek which run through the grove. In those first years the Knoebels family added a carousel and a pool of filtered water - Crystal Pool - and the amusement park was born from there. 

Knoebels Tilt-a-Whirl

The RoadAbode Crew love Knoebels for it's family friendly layout and the no entry fee policy. Parking is even free. It's great to bring along grandparents who don't "DO" the rides anymore, but still want to enjoy watching the kids have fun. Also, it's wonderful that Knoebels has great rides for all, from toddlers to teenagers. There are size and age appropriate versions of older kids rides for wee ones to get thrilled on. Some of the rides have been here for decades, yet are well maintained and lovingly cared for. The Main Carousel (one of two traditional carousels in the park) is a "I gotta do that" ride. With moving and stationary horses, and even comfortabe benches, the ride is appropriate for everyone. Sit on the outer horses for a chance to grasp the brass ring! If you missed it, don't worry, you can buy an engraved keepsake at the Carousel Museum.Our girls love coming back year after year for old favorites, from bumper cars, Italian Trapeze, two miniature steam engines, to the motorboat ride they can steer through part of the park. Not all the rides are "old school" and Knoebels is known by Roller Coaster enthusiasts for the Twister, Phoenix, and Flying Turns Coasters.  Also announce is the building of another massive coaster to be called Impulse. Other favorites for youngsters and oldsters alike are the shows featuring bands, singing groups, or other talent. You can even learn something in museums of carousel horses, Knoebels history, and of coal mining. There are plenty of places to sit on a bench in the shade and take in some people watching and the menagerie passing by.

Enjoying the Parachute Ride at Knoebels

What's great about Knoebels for RVers are their two campgrounds; one right next to the amusement park and one a short shuttle or car ride away . The campground next to the park offers limited electrical connections and water fill connections in each loop or section. For those really into roller coasters, there are even campsites right next to the Twister. Lake Glory Campground offers full hookups for each site. Both Campgrounds offer well stocked camp stores and cabins for those friends you invited without a tent or RV. We have stayed at both campgrounds, and though we like having the ability to walk right into the amusement park from our campsite, we prefer the full hookups at Lake Glory. The Lake Glory campsites are more of a wooded setting,  and feel more spacious. It's nice after being at the park all day and coming back to a quieter setting.

Our girls & friends riding one of the antique cars at Knoebels

If you leave Knobels without trying the food in the amusement park, you've missed half the experience. Local birch beer, and favorites like pierogies, tri-taters and the fresh hot waffle ice-cream sandwich are just a small sampling of the home-cooked goodness that awaits at the amusement park. There are choices to grab wherever you are throughout the park, and even a sit down full service diner. The International Food Court near the Phoenix roller coaster features tastes from around the world. Knoebels has been the Golden Ticket winner for food quality and value for over the past 10 years They were just edged out in 2014 by Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The food at Knoebels is one reason I'm always up for a trip there!

What our family loves about Knoebels are the rides, the food and the overall relaxing fun. It's a family-friendly place, and a good value. It's a unique piece of Americana that we recommend you visit!

Other attractions near Elysburg include the Knoebels Golf Course, a beautiful natural area called Weiser State Forest, and the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mining Tour.

Our Side Trip ~ Centralia, Pennsylvania

 Not a far drive from Knoebels is the town of Centralia. Not officially an attraction, it is infamous as the town that is burning underground since 1962. This is "coal country" and the hills here have a rich history of miining. I had previously visited Centralia by myself a few years back, and now that the girls are a bit older, wanted them to see this town that has become equal parts legend, truth, and folklore. I drove the girls around the grid pattern of streets with no homes, just plots with overgrown trees, sidewalks, street signs, and fire hydrants. We walked together and I showed them fissures in the ground near the dump where the underground fire started. Wisps of smoke and gases still rose up and you could feel heat coming from deep within the ground, still 50 years later. There are far less warning signs than I remember. What are left still remind of the hazards of noxious gases and possibilities of cave ins.. We also hiked down the closed section of Route 61, with it's deep cracks from the underground fire and surface covered heavily with graffiti . Must be a right of passage when graduating high school to tag the road with your name or other symbol. There are fewer then ten residents living in the area, and we continually saw the curious stop, get out, take a few selfies with smartphones, and move on. It's curiously sad and eerie at the same time. If driving to the Centralia area with your motorhome or trailer in tow, know that the area is mountainous and there are some steep and long inclines to travel up AND down.

For more information on Knoebels, and other area attractions, Check out:

Knoebels Amusement Park

Knoebels Campground Map

Lake Glory Map

Weiser State Forest

Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine

Centralia

Jonestown KOA, Jonestown, Pennsylvania 

Jonestown is not a mecca for tourists. It doesn't have tons of award winning restaurants, or must do attractions by the handful. Even the State Park is not on a list of biggest or best. For the RoadAbode Crew, that is fine by us. This small town community may be a little off everyone's radar - and is exactly what we are looking for to just put up our feet and relax toward the end of our week. Jonestown KOA, formerly named Lickdale Campground, is a medium-sized campground with great amenities. The campstore also operates as a local Ice Creamery and convenience store. Want a broasted chicken, or sandwich along with that pack of firewood? They've got you covered. (and they can deliver too!) Whenever we go, we book one of the "pull up" stream-side campsites. Not exactly a pull-thru, as you are parallel between the road and the Swatara Creek. Swatara is also the name of the State Park that Jonestown KOA is linked to via the local trail system. The campsites along the "Swattie", as the creek is called locally, have a concrete pad, and steps leading down to the water. The waters of the creek by these campsites can move pretty well, but unless rain swollen, are easily waded in. The girls have a blast (and me too!) trying to catch crawdads, fish, and other creatures found there. Jonestown KOA also acts as a local water-sports outfitter, so you can rent canoes, kayaks and tubes to go for a float. The campground will even transport you a mile or two upstream, and you can float back to your campsite.

Helicopters on display at  Fort Indian Town Gap

If you don't want to just relax at your campsite or float the Swattie, there are great things to do close by, or within a 30 minute drive. The Indian Town Gap Military base and the VA National Cemetery are just up Fisher Avenue from the Campground. Though we haven't figured out how to tour any of the facility, there's plenty of military hardware on display. Helicopters, transport planes, jets, and tanks are on display to check out. Most have signage relating to their history or what engagements they were a part of.

If you are into motorsports, then check out the Friday night excitement happening at Linda's Speedway. Every Friday night this small dirt oval track turns local drivers and wrench turners into heroes going for the honor of hoisting the checkered flag on the victory lap. There's loud noise, a few spills, and plenty of sights to entertain as they race around in specialized vehicles. Jonestown KOA is even a driver sponsor. Most of the racing is with Sprinter and Slingshots classes, which to the untrained eye (which would be me) look like radically souped up Go-Carts with wings. Check the schedule on Linda's website, because though the Sprinters are exciting, the Legends and Charger classes take the adventure up a notch. Legends remind me of 1940's coupes, while the chargers give off a distinctly mustang stock-car look. Whatever race you go to it's great fun, and the pricing won't break the budget. 

Close to the Jonestown KOA there are plenty to chose from to relieve your hunger pangs, but for true country cooking, I have two places in mind. First, the Farmers Wife's Restaurant in Ono, PA is a great homey diner experience.The interior has exposed beams for an old barn style look, but all the food inside is fresh. We love hitting this eatery for breakfast. Huge piles of hotcakes, Belgian waffles, and eggs any way you want them. They's got plenty on the menu for lunch and dinner - one day we will eat those options as well. I'm pretty sure it will be just as tasty. Our other favorite looks like a Feed store in the middle of a corn field. But as their tag line says "Follow the Smoke" for some of the best barbecue I've ever had. Shakedown BBQ in Grantville, PA is THE place for pulled pork, beef brisket, baby back ribs and even turkey and sausage. The sauce is tangy, the meat tender, and the sides are just as tasty. The whole feel of the place is laid back and friendly. When waiting for your order it's interesting to see the mix of clientele. Burly guys on gleaming Harleys, sweatered dads pulling up in Beemers or Land Rovers, and college guys in whatever junker makes it up the driveway are all in line - and even talking together. Want world peace? Get everyone talking round some good food! Check Shakedowns website to see if a local blues or country rock band will be playing to double up on a great experience.

View from our Campsite at Jonestown KOA

Jonestown KOA is pretty close to other attractions. In season they even have a shuttle to Hershey Park. Indian Echo Caverns is also a cool (literally) place to visit. But for us, they are just a bit far at 30 minutes or so away. If you are not from Pennsylvania and staying for a while, it's a good location to use as a "home base" to visit the Hershey area as a side trip.

Check out these links to plan your visit to Jonestown KOA and the surrounding area to make your own adventure:

Jonestown KOA

Swatara State Park

Linda's Speedway

Farmers Wife Restaurant

Shakedown BBQ

Indian Echo Caverns

Hershey Pennsylvania

More from RoadAbode - Guys Trip to Jonestown KOA
More from RoadAbode - Family Trip to Jonestown KOA - When Lickdale Campground

We love visiting and exploring the Central Pennsylvania area. We know there's still more to experience, and we don't want to miss out! If you have a favorite place to visit, explore, or to grab some good food - we'd love to hear about it in the comments section below. Happy RVing!