Quick Trip to Lancaster

After church services, packed up and headed to RoadAbode. Had lunch then K and I headed toward Lake-in-Wood Campground, not far from Shady Maple. E had play rehearsal, so Am and her will meet us after up there. Easy ride up - Molly seemed to enjoy the ride as well.
Once everyone was at the campsite, (Newer concrete pad and gravel - laid out well) We had dinner at the Gnome cafe, chicken sandwiches and burgers - pretty good.
Now Back at RoadAbode - watching some cable favorites.

Six Penny Day

After Breakfast and a little cleanup, Molly and

I started on our Six Penny Adventure. The ranger on Friday night said there were still remains of the buildings and lake from Six Penny, and I wanted to see if I could find them. I checked the map, and found we could pick up the Six Penny Trail (orange Blaze) by following a service road near the entrance to Loop D of the campground. As we walked the wide grassy service road,

Molly must have sensed my excitement, because

she started playing her "chase me" game, which I obliged.

After a bit, arrived where Six Penny trail crossed our Service Road, and greeted a few mountain bikers on the trail (Which are forbidden on this part of the trail) We didn't pickup the trail

there, as had seen our service road became a dead end - right int

o the trail. Sure enough we picked up the trail there, where also a large water tower not on the maps resides. Soon we were into the forest, where the only noise seemed to be our footfalls. The trail started to thin, and seemed to be less used than others I've been on at the park. We also started to descend, and I new that on the way back, one way or the other - we'd need to climb again. On a water break with Molly, we spotted Monotropa uniflora (Indian pipes)

On the trek downward, all of a sudden Molly stiffened, then ran behind me. I looked at the trail below, and a large "Labradoresque" dog was galloping toward us. Fortunately he was friendly and just wanted whiff of Molly. The elderly owner panted and puffed up to us Apologizing that he

didn't "hear" us, or he would have put him back on a leash. (Molly's always on her leash - it's the rule in the park) We continued on.

Soon we heard a road, where the trail leveled off, and turned left. The trail had also started to show signs of the sandy soil of Six Penny I remembered. For a while the trail meandered on, full of various fungi and lichen. We saw a unmarked trail to the right, going down the hillside. Intrigued, I almost took it, but wanted to stay on course.

A stream ran under a footbridge, and then our trail . We saw the purple blazed Kalmia trail with it's dilapidated water fountain landmark

(the home of the Six Penny Diary) I felt we were almost there. We went through the undergrowth, and found our first remnants of the Recreation area.

A foundation for the area you could check your belongings while you swam. You could still see the cubbies and baskets they would use to hold your belongings.

Then what I came for, Six Penny Lake itself. After descending a stone stairway we came to where I spent some summer weekends with my brother more than thirty years ago. Not much is left of the lake, it's more of a marshy, cattail filled area. I could not even make out the beach area. But the Dam area, even overgrown by wild rose, raspberry and grasses, was distinctive. I walked around the dam, and found the

macadam roads are still there, though in some places partially overgrown. There was plenty of water going thru the spillway of the dam, but I wonder if this was because of the downpours from the previous evening. Plenty of floating grass seemed to make this seem feasible.

A deteriorating footbridge was downstream of the dam, and led to perhaps other trails and views that could warrant a return trip.

I followed one of the macadam roadways up to the old entrance off of Route 345. There would be parking to be able to check out the old picnic and swimming area without the long trek.

After a water break, Molly and I started our trek back. We continued on the Six Penny Trail, until it followed along with the Horseshoe Trail.

Here was our uphill, and I stopped once to catch my breath. Molly was also looking a bit tired. After the hill, the Six Penny trail took a turn left, and after another short climb, leveled off. We cross both forested and a marshy area. Within another half hour of so we were back at the service trail we had started from, and when we got back to RoadAbode, after a long drink, we both took a nice nap!

Then, time to pack up and leave. Great hike!

Our Saturday Afternoon

After my Shower, Molly & I did a road trip to Elverson, using Lola’s help on the back roads. Plenty of cattle and corn on the farms. Some beautiful Homesteads as well. I let Molly enjoy the wind in her hair, just secured her lead to the seat so she couldn’t try to visit with a steer – while going 30mph down the road. We ended up at Sonic Burger, and I enjoyed a cheeseburger, while Molly enjoyed the scents all around. Even got to see a glider land at the small airport across the street. I took a Blast (Sonic’s take on DQ’s Blizzard) for the road, and took a leisurely ride back to camp. While enjoying my Blast, studied the park map, and tomorrow may try to find the remains of Six-Penny Lake. For now, perhaps a little reading and a nap sound good.

RoadAbode, Molly & Me

At French Creek State Park Campground for the weekend. Was suppose to be a “guy’s weekend” but other obligations kept Frank and Kev away. So it’s just Molly and I.

Got here around 7:30p Friday, and had a basic setup done by 8:15p. I had left RoadToad by the Amphitheater, so we walked down to retrieve her. Just then a ranger was giving a slide show on the “Four Seasons of French Creek” so we stated. Molly was very good, not barking or bother people.

Afterward talked to the ranger about Six Penny Lake, and also asked if the beavers were still active onHopewell Lake. She let me know they are, and that they moved to a new lodge on the west side of the lake. We took RoadToad back to camp, and got to bed about midnight.

Woke at 6:30a Saturday, put on a pot of coffee, and took Molly out on for her morning walk. After cleaning up breakfast (Nice egg, cheese, and sausage bagel) grabbed a bottle of water, helped the neighbor move his table, then started a hike. Decided to do the Boone Trail (Blue blazes) which passes by the entrance to the campground, and leads to the western side of Hopewell Lake. Along the way, a deer bolted across the trail 50 feet in front of Molly. After that, she seemed to look back at me more, as if to ask “this part safe to walk on?”

The trail was very peaceful, and I was surprised to see no one else on the trail. Every site at the campground is filled – no vacancies – and no one is out on the trail? When we got lakeside, we saw a few fishermen in boats, and walked along water’s edge toward the dam, thinking the new beaver lodge would be in the small cove there. Plenty of water lilies, but no evidence of beaver.

We continued along and around until we were at the top of the dam, where we took a short water break. From here, I tried gaze along the opposite bank, looking for the beaver lodge. I saw an area that might be it, so we doubled back around the lake and followed the Lenape trail (green blazes) past where it connects with the Boone trail. Finally were passed by two joggers at that point. Guess not seeing anyone on the trail is both sad and a blessing. Sad for others, blessing of solitude for me. Further up, were three young men fishing, who said they hadn’t had any luck and were moving on.

Near there I started to see evidence of beaver! A few more yards, and the beaver lodge was on the bank. The water was even a little cloudy on the one side, like a beaver had just scooted in. Quite exciting! As we continued on the path, it opened up wide enough to be a service road. It started to look familiar.

Then it opened up into a mowed meadow on both sides, and I knew where I was. This was the location of the dreaded “ants in the pants” story from my childhood! Also the place where Oma and Opa use to pick birch mushrooms, and if I was correct, around the corner was the blueberry patch. I saw the small beach, almost just as I remembered it thirty some years ago, and the path to where the blueberries would be. As I walked this overgrown path however, the landscape seemed different. The woodlands were sparse of undergrowth. In fact, signs were posted not to wander off the path as they were trying to let the vegetation reclaim the forest floor. Then I came upon a sight that looked exactly as I remember it as a boy.

A small footbridge over French Creek. The same rocks I would trip over on the side of the bridge. I spent many hours playing in the creek by that bridge, while Oma & Opa would pick blueberries. Was also the place I saw my first water snake. Molly and I took a water break sitting bridge side. This is a find I need to share with the rest of the family, now that I know the trail that leads to it.

The hike back was not as scenic, as past the footbridge, the trail opened up again, and there seems to be some water treatment equipment now there. I use to remember interesting small vales here, filled with rocks, where you could find colorful salamanders. The trail then follows Park Road, and we took that back to the campground entrance. An interesting hiking loop. Molly was a tired pup, and is napping right now.

For the afternoon, debating what to do for dinner. Perhaps a shower is in order!

RoadAbode, Molly, and Me

Weekend @ French Creek - Frank + Kev had other obligations. Talked 2 a ranger last night, the beavers have moved

At Spring Gulch

Doing Molly's eardrops.

First Weekend Out

This was Molly the Pup's first Camping Trip. This weekend, we headed up to Country Acres in Lancaster Pa (Gordonville). The weathermen were calling for rain, and for once they were right. Most of it though was during the night, so I was able to sleep to that soothing "popcorn" sound on the roof of RoadAbode. Molly enjoyed her longer walks, and trying to figure out how to catch a robin...though she never even came close.
We did our usual Friday night pizza (Chicken ranch from Paradiso Pizza in Paradise) and enjoyed watching a bit of cable. I tested out my crazy "Using a monitor for a TV" idea, The picture was beautiful with the External ATSC/QAM TVBox I had connected. But it would not pick up in either mode the "default" cable channels - like Discovery, History, Nickoloden, or Animal Planet. Guess those are broadcaste by the cable companies in NTSC. Will return that, and guess I'll need to try the TV/monitor Route. If I do that - I'll post (with pictures) the install process.
With the overcast days, was nice to just sit back and read a bit. I made a nice fire, and sat by it, keeping my feet and legs warm, as I delved into the world of William Least Heat-Moon, writer of "Blue Highways", a bestseller from back in the 1980's. A great book for those who travel through those little-known towns of the US - or those that wish to... I've been to a few of the back roads of "Blue Highways", and hope to one day travel many more of them. The book is a chronicle of Heat-Moon's 13,000 mile journey, the people he meets along the way, and the discovery of himself, as he steers clear of cities and interstates, avoiding fast food and exploring local American culture.
This weekend, our meals were pretty simple fare. Egg, sausage, bacon and bagels for breakfast one day, cereals the next - Chili over pasta for dinner, with pretzels and pistachio's as snacks in between. We only left camp once - and that was to check the Black and Decker Outlet for a "Welders Glove" (didn't have any) and to pickup dessert (mix of cookies) from the Pepperidge Farm Outlet.
New Table worked great! Everyone likes how it works, too.
Travels home were pleasantly un-exciting, Molly and Em slept, while Kimberly read, and Am and I listened to an old "fiddle music" CD found on board RoadAbode. When we got home, and unpacked, hear on TV that there were tornado warnings in Lancaster! missed that excitement by a few hours - which was fine by me. We did see the storm move in at home - and Em even captured some pea-sized hailstones.
A restful weekend - only checked in once to work, and didn't even really post or surf til home.
A Few Pictures:














Molly Getting ready to go out and chase Robins.
















Molly's "room" between the driver and passenger seat. While on the road, we moved it to under the dinette table.














Molly and Am having a game of catch in the "hallway"
(Not really a hallway. more like Am is at the base of the bed, with the shower to one side, and the bathroom to the other, and then starts the kitchen. Gives "cozy" a new meaning)

Em and her mis-shapen strawberry. Reminded me of something from the Simpson's
(Like their three-eyed fish)

Meet Molly

Meet Molly, a LhashaPoo Pup, five and a half months old.

She's still a bit shy, but is sure to be quite friendly and outgoing.

The Girls saw her online, and Amy met her and decided to take her from a Rescue Kennel in Chester Springs PA yesterday. Took her straight to the vet - where she got a clean bill of health.

This isn't spur of the moment, the girls have been researching for a few months about dogs, rescue, and what breeds would be a good fit for our family.

I think they did a great job, and look forward to travels with Molly.

BTW - Her eyes are Chocolate Brown - it's how the flash caught her.