To continue on with our journey Kaiya and I left Massachusetts and went into New York and managed to stay off the highway most of the trip. After a hiking on the Mohawk Trail and driving up and down the mountains for hours we decided to call it a day.
This was the worst campground I have ever stayed at. It opened up only 4 days prior. Female shower, no water, coin machine wouldn't take coins, hot water tank, all plumbing and wires exposed for a child and Kaiya to play with, men's shower, no shower head. $20 a night, weekdays for tent with nothing included and the owner does not give discounts. I had to use site spiket to bathe. I was hoping for 2 nights, $30 cash, no way. I wanted to see a couple of sites, Howes Cavern and The Stone House to name a couple. Only 2 active sites while we was there, 20-25 sites total. And you can forget about sleep. The sites are on top of the highway, literally!
Our leaky worn out tent. If you see the emblem don't ever buy this brand, junk! This is 3rd time set up in a year and fabric is completely worn through by backpacking. I am 5' 1" and just make it. Behind the tent is the pavilion and it has a huge spotlight. No idea when it finally turns off.
OK, This is a pretty view but when your in the mountains almost every turn is magnificent. I am standing on our site and that is the busy super highway.
The next morn we decided to leave early. This is the 16th longest river without commercial boating within the United States, Susquehanna River, 444 miles long, starting in New York and dumping into the seas of Maryland. This photo was taken at the New York-Pennsylvania border. We spent some time wading and watching the baby fish swim around us. The water was cool, refreshing and the bird life is amazing. I lost my driver's license just before my trip and didn't want to wait up to 10 business days for it to be sent so we didn't stay anywhere for too long since quite often we trespassed or else we would have stayed here longer than an hour.
We found a spot to boondock, finally! Some form of an old construction site, town owned? Luckily there was a long trailer to the right of the photo to block our van from 2 homes. Kaiya did get her before bed walk, as short as it was, then we watched a movie until 9 and then the skies opened up. The pounding of the rain was so loud but aft lacking sleep for 2 nights we slept soundly, finally.
It end up pouring all night long and got 4 inches and swelled the rivers to three times their size. Some homes now on an island, trees uprooted and floating like sticks, bridges closed. This is the Susquehanna River.
I believe this is Bear Creek. It runs along Bear Creek Road. In the background is Hill Creek State Park where you can fish, boat, swim, hike, picnic and there is a campground, $20 a night for tents.
Since I couldn't go any further on PA287 due to bridge closures I had to climb Hill Creek to go around the closures we decided to stop at the ranger's station and find out where to hike and was told the upper area was flooded that we had to drive down for White Birch Trail, so not happening so we wandered to the dam. The rain had stopped for a bit so time for a little scouting.
A happy family.
When we left this was full of boaters with lines of them coming in to take in the views of the swollen lake. Motor boats only, how odd.
I was so happy to see every baby made it across safely.
The dam.
And then I saw a trail mark! Why didn't the ranger tell about this when I inquired? So Kaiya and I took to the trail 100% unprepared, such a bad, bad idea. Not even a knife, whistle or first aid kit. And the area is thick with black bear, coyot and rattlesnakes. We didn't even go 1/4 mile before Kaiya sniffed out a coyot den.
I was wondering how long the trail was and if it looped. I totally forgot all the details about the Mid-State but I never will again.
Here is a great link for this 323 mile hike:
http://www.pahikes.com/trails/mid-state-trail-tioga-region/195-mid-state-trail-exploring-the-latest-addition-in-the-tioga-region?vsig1_0=3
Aft being tethered and long car rides, which she enjoys, Kaiya had some energy that needed to be released.
We only got maybe 1 1/2 miles in and we came across a gushing river (this may be Stoney Fork) that was flowing across the plank. There was no way I was going to attempt this without my hike poles, no waterproof bag for my camera and Kaiya is scared of gushing water so we had to turn around. Behind the marked tree are steps to climb. We was a bit bummed out but the rain was coming back and I was changing clothes and shoes for the third time and not even 1pm yet.
The rocks are part of an old railroad grade. I almost photoed it but didn't so I must give credit to:
http://www.pahikes.com/trails/mid-state-trail-tioga-region/195-mid-state-trail-exploring-the-latest-addition-in-the-tioga-region?vsig1_0=3
I did see this odd formation next to the grading. The rocks are placed to form a filled in circle.
I found this German cemetery in Tioga County. Many are the fisrt settlers of the area, Rexford and Furman are a couple infamous names. We almost boondocked here but didn't feel "safe from the boys".
It is now 4pm, time to eat and relax. We have driven to the Allegheny Moutains and across the street a bit from the Susquehannock State Forest is Potter County Family Campground. Everyone is friendly. For a large campground it is pretty empty until Memorial Day. Again no price breaks, $20 a night, basic tent site, only 4 available, we was alone. Lucky if we was there 30 minutes before I had a battle with the ice chest.
The handle breaks off of it and I flew backwards. Off to the hospital we go.
The ice chest won, fractured above the wrist. My left hand and wrist badly bruised. We got back 5 hours later, now 10pm, and glamped it. Good thing because a very hungry black bear came through the site. I wouldn't have thought of having my machete. I was hungry, tired and in pain. Temps dropped to 33F. And it is suppose to rain for 4 more days. Campground owner felt horrible when I got back from the hospital and wanted to upgrade us to a heated cabin with a bathroom. All I wished for was a comped night to think over my plans but that wasn't going to happen. What is it with these campground owners? I have never seen anything like it. The tap water is very brown, makes your hair feel icky. Clogged shower.
So, after turning around again and again, wondering if I should jump on highway and travel quickly for 6 days to Washington or head back to Massachusetts I decided to head back, 11 hour drive. Ends up everything the Massachusetts doctor did I could have done. We will not leave again until the trailer is ready and the hitch is on the car so if I need to boondock I can. I had no phone or internet service so I couldn't ask for anyone's opinion.
It was an expensive but fun trip. These miles are close to the Ohio boarder.
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