Camping in State Parks

 

April 13, 2023



When I started my trek, I tried to find actual destinations. Often events were weeks or months apart, so I ended up with many side trips. My first planned stop was in northwestern Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Equine Council has a division dedicated to equestrian trails. They hold one- and three-day clinics on trail mitigation and maintenance. They also aid Pennsylvanian equestrian clubs. I took their three-day clinic where we installed three bridges and a ford on a trail in a state park that was doomed to be closed because of the stream damage. Their programs are textbook instruction as well as hands-on. When I first left home, I saw a call for volunteers to help mend a muddy spot on a trail the local park service was threatening to close. I called and volunteered. I found a state park nearby that had campsites and booked one.

After winding my way up and down mountain roads, back and forth on switch-backs, I arrived at the park. Expecting to be met by rangers and attendants, I found no one at the gate house. I found my site with my nametag hung on a number post. There was a young family in the site next to mine, but no one else anywhere. To make matters worse, my pad was at the top of a steep slope, and to reach it, it was necessary to back up the hill. On a slant, with no room on either side for mistakes-a chute on the side of a hill. Let me also explain here, that my truck is two-wheel drive and gets “stuck on spit.” And, yes, it had rained recently, and the chute was muddy. The young man from the next site could see I was having trouble. Being afraid to “gun the motor” I would only make it halfway up the hill before the tires started to spin. After the second try, the young man asked if I would like him to park my camper for me. He zoomed up the hill and I was very thankful.

My arrival was on a Friday and by evening the park had been filled with families spending the weekend camping. This park was quite remote. On my way back from the showers that evening, I saw a black bear crossing the site beside me away from the helpful young man. I went next door to suggest they watch their children just in case. (Where I lived in Pennsylvania black bears were fairly common and not much of a threat if you left them along.)

The next morning I went to the site of the trail mitigation. The first session was a one-day clinic. I attended the clinic, partly as a refresher and to render assistance where needed. The next day we repaired the mud hole with hardware cloth, rocks and gravel. Monday morning when I awoke, there was no one left in the campground. Crossing my fingers about backing up the hill to hitch up my camper, I zoomed up the hill. To my surprise, I was able to get my position correct on the first try. As it turned out, this was one of my most challenging campsites. It certainly prepared me for the rest of my trek.

 

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