Although the heat followed us from Virginia to Pennsylvania, it took only a couple of days for it to start to feel like fall. And, despite the storms moving through the mid-Atlantic, our travels had us avoiding most of the rain as we visited with family and friends and did some sightseeing on our own.
Central PA Local Flavor
Our plan for the month of September was to park the RV in a campground, which we would use as a hub for some trips without it. We found Christmas Pines in Auburn, PA, about 45 minutes west of Allentown, which allowed us to pay for just the weekends. In return, we could leave the RV unoccupied in our spot for free during the week. (We opted to stay plugged in for $2/day.) That gave us freedom to come and go per our plan. While in the area, we explored a bit, taking in a local winery, distillery and brewery, and a chocolate factory.
Our plan for the month of September was to park the RV in a campground, which we would use as a hub for some trips without it. We found Christmas Pines in Auburn, PA, about 45 minutes west of Allentown, which allowed us to pay for just the weekends. In return, we could leave the RV unoccupied in our spot for free during the week. (We opted to stay plugged in for $2/day.) That gave us freedom to come and go per our plan. While in the area, we explored a bit, taking in a local winery, distillery and brewery, and a chocolate factory.
Lost Trout Winery in Auburn PA Snaking our way up a winding mountain road back into the woods, we made our way to the appropriately-named Lost Trout Winery. Surrounded by tie-dye T-shirts and psychedelic album covers, we stepped back in time a few decades as we entered the tasting room. We could taste any of the more than 20 offerings, which was a bit overwhelming. We left with a bottle of “Dark and Disturbing”, which says a lot about the atmosphere of the winery. Legal moonshine distilleries are on the rise, and we found one in the nearby small town of Schuylkill Haven. Their array of flavors led us to choose a jar (these come in jars not bottles) of Chocolate moonshine. We were given the idea of soaking cherries in it for an ice cream topping. That we could do.
Yuengling can-filling line Further up the road was Pottsville, where the country’s oldest brewery sits – Yuengling. At the original brewery building downtown, we were given an entertaining and informative tour. This original historic structure still operates as an active brewery, canning and packaging the signature Yuengling lager. We were allowed frighteningly close to all of the brewing, filling and packaging activities, and treated to a sample at the end of the tour. Unfortunately, since we aren’t beer drinkers, that part of the tour was lost on us.
Tempting, but . . . no And then there’s that sorta famous chocolate place, which offers tours. In this case, you’re just taking a ride through a display. The chocolate making has moved out of the building. But you can bet we ate the sample at the end of this tour. We did decline to take home the World’s Largest Hershey bar.
It still seemed a bit early for the "Thin Ice" warning on Irondequoit Bay. Rochester and Back
As we made our way into Rochester, we realized we had a few minutes extra before we needed to meet up with our friends. So we drove straight north, past 104, past Seabreeze, past Don’s Original to the Irondequoit Bay inlet from Lake Ontario. On this late summer day, there were beachgoers sunning themselves, and the sailboats were coming back in from a day sail on the lake. As a cormorant sunned itself on a nearby rock, Dave reminisced about coming here as a child to his grandparents’ friend’s place on the shore.
As we made our way into Rochester, we realized we had a few minutes extra before we needed to meet up with our friends. So we drove straight north, past 104, past Seabreeze, past Don’s Original to the Irondequoit Bay inlet from Lake Ontario. On this late summer day, there were beachgoers sunning themselves, and the sailboats were coming back in from a day sail on the lake. As a cormorant sunned itself on a nearby rock, Dave reminisced about coming here as a child to his grandparents’ friend’s place on the shore.
with Ralph and Joanne from S/V Whitebird While our primary reason for coming to Rochester was to see our dentist, we managed to squeeze in a bit more. Our friends Ralph and Joanne from S/V Whitebird hosted us for lunch and we revisited our first year cruising to the Bahamas together. We spent a few nights with our friend Carol, who took us to see a Cirque performance at the Rochester Fringe Festival.
Offerings from the Blue Barn Cidery -- very tasty. New York has its share of wineries, and we couldn’t pass through Finger Lakes Country without stopping by a few. In Rochester, we stopped at A Gust of Sun winery in Spencerport, followed by the Blue Barn Cidery where were tasted a “flight” of their offerings as well. Making our way back down by Seneca Lake, we stopped into a couple of wineries and a cheese tasting shop before leaving the Finger Lakes and the wineries behind.
Visiting with Dave's Mom and sister in Whitehall PA Visiting Family
It had been several months since we had visited Dave’s mom and sister who live near Allentown PA. So, we took several days to catch up with them as well. On our way back to the RV, we swung by the Hershey RV Show to checkout the latest offerings from the manufacturers and vendors. Not too much that excited us this year.
It had been several months since we had visited Dave’s mom and sister who live near Allentown PA. So, we took several days to catch up with them as well. On our way back to the RV, we swung by the Hershey RV Show to checkout the latest offerings from the manufacturers and vendors. Not too much that excited us this year.
One of the CCC-built cabins at Pocahontas needing repair Preservation Pitch Entry in Top 3
While standing in Wegman’s, Dave got the notice that the our pitch to save the CCC Cabins at Pocahontas was accepted by Preservation Virginia as one of the top 3 pitches to be considered for a $2,000 grant. Internet voting will take place here through October 1st. The winner will be announced at their annual conference on October 19th. If it’s not too late, we welcome your vote.
While standing in Wegman’s, Dave got the notice that the our pitch to save the CCC Cabins at Pocahontas was accepted by Preservation Virginia as one of the top 3 pitches to be considered for a $2,000 grant. Internet voting will take place here through October 1st. The winner will be announced at their annual conference on October 19th. If it’s not too late, we welcome your vote.
Parting Shot
After 30 years, Cathy’s engagement ring had become so thin, that it wasn’t safe to wear it any more. We found a jeweler in Whitehall who reset the ring so it will last more than 30 more years. Not so sure about the finger that wears it. But it is lovely.
After 30 years, Cathy’s engagement ring had become so thin, that it wasn’t safe to wear it any more. We found a jeweler in Whitehall who reset the ring so it will last more than 30 more years. Not so sure about the finger that wears it. But it is lovely.
