Bill and Eileen's Travels: Spring "Nostalgia" Trip (5/19-6/14)

Because this trip is already complete I will try to run through the stops chronologically. It may be better to follow it that way. We were invited to visit the Godshalk's in Pennsylvania and attend the High School play that Megan was starring in and we discussed with Carol and Skip their interest in traveling to a few places that we hadn't been in years. This idea became a Nostalgic visit to many spots from my childhood and a few more places that Carol and Skip had visited in the past.

5/19

Departed for Americamps RV and the next day on to Village Scene Park in Hatfield Pa. It turns out that Brian Daneker grew up in that area. The park was mostly permanent residences but it did have a few transit sights and we lucked out with the best one in the park.

We spent three nights here and during that time we visited with the Godshalks in Quakertown, attended the "Into the Woods" play at an outside venue, (very good play and Megan did a super job) We also visited Peddlers village and went to an outside concert that Bobbie was in. The weather was scorching and Eileen and I had to run for shade in the first half hour. It was disappointing that we didn't get a chance to say hello to Bobbie. It was an all afternoon deal and he was on the field for a long time.

5/23

We departed for the KOA near Lewisburg. We were here for five nights and had a lot of fun and visited with a lot of people.

Our activities included:

Visited Dan and Brent and the kids. Got the chance to see the new house and catch up on their lives

Went fishing to a private fishing club near Jersey Shore (Invite only thanks to Skip's friend) Catch and release real fun.

Visited Mary Welch and went next door to tour 885. Real nice people and a super trip down memory lane. Hadn't been in that house since 1982

Visited with Sherry and her new friend Dave at his super wonderful hunting lodge. Had a wonderful afternoon dinner, did some pistol shooting and toured much of his expansive hunting grounds by jeep. Super fun day. Really a very nice and generous guy.

Golfed with Dan and Tom at Mindbrook. Lousey play for me but fun to be with those guys.

Went to dinner with Tom and Sandi, Jim (Fran was in Ca.), Mike and Diane, Carol and Skip, Dan and Brent. Fun night at Orlando's Restaurant in Muncy, Pa.

This was a great visit to Billtown.

5/28

We departed for Austin, Pa a very small burg just northeast of Emporium Pa. Emporium was were I grew up from ages 5 through 11. The campground was a little primitive (no wi-fi, no phone service, way down a dirt road) It is the closest campground to Emporium. It was avery wet Memorial Day weekend.

We visited Emporium and went by the old house, ate at The Cabin Kitchen (one of two restaurants in town), drove around to my old stomping grounds, passed Luigui's were I used to spend my paper route money, and really enjoyed my blast from the past. I am glad we didn't stay here for my entire life, things would definitely have been different in the way I grew up and I wouldn't have met my beautiful bride.

The next day we went back through Emporium and drove over to Saint Mary's (where Tom was born) to visit the Straub Brewery and the eternal tap. Unfortuantely the pandemic had closed the eternal tap but we were able to buy a beer and some souvenirs. On the way back we visited one of the Elk viewing areas just east of St Mary's. We were able to see about 14 elk way off in a distant field. The Elk management in Pa has been very successful.

Skip and I were able to get some fishing in on Sinnemahoning Creek. We caught three nice trout that became Saturday night's dinner. A super fun morning in the state park.

5/31

Monday morning we departed Austin Campground and headed for Hammondsporet/Bath KOA in NY. This campround is near the foot of Keuka Lake. When we lived in Emporium we used to vacation in this area. We visited a couple of the wineries and toured the area for the next two days. Skip and I also toured The Glen Curtis museum in Bath. A really neat place. This is the Curtis from Curtis Wright. He was quite an innovator. Into aviation, bicycles, motorcycles, heavy industrial equipment and many other things.

6/3

Today we headed for Chautauqua Heights KOA near Dewittville, NY. After some confusion about a detour we finally arrived at the campground. Tom and Sandi joined us here and the next two campgrounds. Tom and Sandi and Eileen and I toured the Lucille Ball museum in Jamestown and we went out to eat three times while we were here. The third place was on the lake and although it was noisey it gave us a good taste of the summer lake life in this area.

6/6

We moved on to Sparrow Pond Campground near Waterford/Erie Pa. Carol has an old Emporium friend that lives near here. We met up with them for dinner our last night there. (Kate Ognen). We did the drive on Presque Isle State Park, went to the pottery place in Waterford, went shopping at the local stores, and had a great dinner at the pier in Erie. Fun times.

6/9

Departed for Wolfs Campground in Knox Pa. The plan was to have the guys help me repair my treestand for this season, dinner with Bob and Kathy Frederick, visit the cemetery, and tour the great Clarion metropolitan area ie: Wal-Mart. We did take the Ace family to dinner. Without their help we would never had been able to complet the repairs on TAJ Jr. Steve is the best. Sandi left us here and Corey came to help on the stand. This is a lousey campground for transit people but we were able to get the job done.

6/12

Departed for Candy Hill for one night. We left early so we lost our good spot. The campground was 100% full so we settled for a site with 30 amp and no sewer. cooked in.

6/13

Departed for Americamps in Ashland Virginia. Had dinner with Wes and Sara Bergazzi who now live in this area. It was nice to catch up. They seem to be doing ok.Sorry forgot to take a picture.

6/14

Home! In two days Jenn and family fly in from California. We had a great time wish they could come more often.

PICTURES: I'LL TRY TO KEEP THEM IN THE ORDER OF OUR TRIP!!

Ready to Travel North!

Our meeting spot with Carol and Skip at Peddlers Village!
A Perfecrt Picture Spot!

The Rhododendron's were beautiful all over Pennsylvania!

Childhood home of Larry Smith!

May she rest in peace!

Nice campground near Lewisburg!

In the trees!

Our visit with Mary Welch! She is still doing well!

The 885 Owner is a Trump fan. Who knew!

The old homestead. Look at that football field!

Almost like mom and dad never left. The chair and the couch are in the same place.

Catch and release. I was told this was a little one verses what is in the lake.

Metropolitan Austin Pennsylvania!

There is a campground here somewhere!

These were keepers. Dinner on Saturday night!

Hadn't been back here in nearly 35 years. This time I kept the pictures!

Cabin Kitchen. This is a rebuild it burnt down some years ago.

Looks like the Luigi crowd are Trump fans also! The old handout at age 10.

This was our church in Emporium.

St Marks Catholic Church!

I was an Altar Boy at this church.

The old homestead. 1950-1957

That window was my bedroom and Jim's bedroom, and Tom's bedroom! Carport and front porch are new since 1957. 6 people in this house.

A house in Emporium similiar to 650 in Clarion.

The birthplace of Thomas Patrick Graham -3/17/1951

Straub Brewery St. Marys, Pa

The eternal tap is not so eternal. A Covid victim!.

There is a small herd of Elk out there. On the right.

The Elk association had a display at the viewing area. This was one of the mounts.

First Winery in the Kueka Lake region.

Lunch spot at the brewery.

Ate outside witht he dog.

This is Dames Rocket. It is growing along the roadway all over Pennsylvania.
It apparently a weed but it sure looks beautiful. We also saw it in New York.