Here is the Gang leaving Ives Run ....Story to follow...>
April 27, 2011, The Airstream is packed and we hit the road at 9 am going up Highway Rt.283. Along the way we meet Carl & Jackie Light to travel together, our next stop is the Ranch House on Rt.15 above Duncannon. We meet the Bates, Jacobs & Davis there by 10 am. After a short hello and hugs, we are on our way.
Five of those silver Airstreams heading up Rt. 15 for Ives Run. I am the caboose of this Caravan bring up the rear and keeping everyone together. We stop at Lycoming Mall above Williamsport for a quick lunch at Burger King, then off we go.
We arrive at Ives Run and check in at 3 pm. Warning!! The rain has flooded a lot of the park, we may have to evacuate. So we are told not to unhook just connect to water and electric for now. It has stopped raining here, we never saw any rain today along the way. But the park has high water everywhere. The swing set has 3 foot of water and the Park pavilion has water up to the edge of it. The Olshefski's have been here since tuesday and are the Rally Hosts for the week. The Leitners arrive also and join us. We all get setup and gab the rest of the night.
Then it happened....Rain..Rain..Rain kept coming all night long 3 and 1/2 inches fell. We walked down to the swing set, it was covered and the pavilion had water all the way up to the roof. Wow.. That’s a lot of water. The trees even were covered half way up and the one bath house was under water. Here comes the Ranger with some bad news, the park was closing and we had to leave today.
The Koreny's arrived and had some suggestions for a new campground. They checked out the state park down the road but they were full, no room for 8 of us. After a few phone calls, we decided to go to Twin Streams Campground 10 miles south of Wellsboro.
We all checked out and met along the service road to stay together for a Caravan to Wellsboro. This was Cool!! Airstreams in front of me and following me too, 8 of us all connected by CB's and passing thru all along the highways. I would blow the horn to bystanders as we passed then they would wave and wave and wave to all of us. I guess they wondered where are they going?
We arrived at Twin Springs and check in, $28/nite full hookups and Cable Too!! Her comes the fun part .. the grass was wet and slippery, some of us got stuck trying to park. would you believe the ones with 4 wheel drive were stuck the most. The camp handyman brought gravel to put under the tires and everyone got parked.
Thursday night supper was prepared by JoAnn , Soup and sandwiches and salad too. The camp gave us a nice little cozy club house for us to use. It had a TV and Tables/chairs and even a counter for the Food Buffet as needed. This was a great asset for us to get out of the dampness and have fun.
After supper we played "65" card game till 9:30 then time for bed. PS. since we had cable some wanted to get up at 4 am to see the Royal Wedding, but if you slept in like I did, you can see the reruns all day.
Friday was a damp day but we made the best of it, with a drive back to Wellsboro for a downtown walk. We saw the Famous Wellsboro Diner, just an old fashion little diner but cool lookin'. Then off to the gift and Department stores also. The town has real gas lights along the middle yard of main Street, they look awesome at night.
On the way back to camp, I saw a wood carver along the roadside carving wood with a chainsaw. We stopped and took a tour. He had Big Foot, a Bear, Frog, Squirrel, Wild Duck & Otters on display. He showed us around inside and outside his work place, What Talent!
Back to camp, Time for Pot Luck supper. Ok!! we didn't starve this week either, there was plenty of food for everyone.
After supper, I ask Steve and Linda Koreny to talk about their past winter in Florida at Collier-Seminole State Park near Naples as workcampers at a State Park as Canoe guides and just all around experiences. You could have heard a pin drop as they spoke for at least an hour telling us the details. You could tell they Loved it!! They are returning again this winter for 6 months to help again in exchange for Free Camping, all they work is 20 hours a week(total per camper, 10 hours each=20 hours) "The three hour canoe tours were for the public to experience the wild everglades and its passages thru the water." They gave 2 or 3 canoe tours a week. Steve then told us about the animals in the Everglades.. Alligators and Crocodiles, we learned a lot about their habits and dangers of meeting them.
Sat, April 30, what a beautiful day, high in the 70's and sunny! We all loaded up and headed for the Penna. Grand Canyon. We arrived and walked all around the top and down the steps to various look outs to see the canyon below. We could see the river with canoes and Kayaks enjoying the water. Also we saw people on bikes riding the trail along the river. The trees still didn't have their leaves but what a sight.
Talking about bikes, did you know Steve and Linda rode for 3 days 18-20 miles a day while here? Well they did! They also had kayaks along but didn't have time to go, Bikes only!! They rode their bikes along the Pine Creek Rail-Trail which is rated as one of the top ten rail-trails in the country. A well planned, well maintained, beautiful trail, they rode along Pine Creek past many streams rushing down the mountains, crossed the river several times on old railroad bridges, past stone outcroppings with lichen, moss and ferns, through the gorge and also along farmland, deer crossed the trail as well as many birds from blue heron to red wing black birds and enjoyed our packed lunches including a thermos of hot tea as we sat on one of the many benches along the way.
Sat night we went to Wellsboro to Harland's for supper. We all ordered off the menu and some had the salad bar & soup.. Delicious. Back to camp for a campfire and more stories from Steve and Linda, they are great story tellers and was enjoyed by all. Sue Bates made smores for some and Burnt Marshmallows for the rest. Time for ZZZZ.
Sunday was overcast, we were thankful for the clubhouse to hold our get togethers. Time to eat again, We had Hot Dogs for lunch then for supper we had all the leftovers from the week...I am FULL!! and gained weight.
Tonight we watch a DVD movie on "Motorcycle Hogs" starring John Travolta & Tim Allen Funny.. Funny time together.
Monday May 2, Time to leave, we gather at 11 am to leave the camp and caravan home together (5 out of 8 left together) We drove for an hour then stopped at the Turkey Restaurant along Rt. 15 for a Turkey Menu, Great Meal, time also for a group shot too. Down Rt. 15 we go, one by one we drop off to our destinations till it was just Carol and I heading for Manheim.
Great Time, Friends, Food, and Sightseeing and doing all this with Airstreamers!! Central Penn Unit Caravan to Ives Run is Completed and in the History Books. Thanks JoAnn for being Host!! We Loved it and it turned out to be the Best !
God Bless...AirstreamHobo & Carol