Rondout Valley Resort, Thousand Trail Accord , New York

The last day we were in the Pocono Mountains, we decided to drive to see Pocono Lake. I did some research and found out it was a private lake, but I figured we could at least get a view of it. Well I'm telling you now, you can't. The road to the homes around the lake has a  security coded gate. We did see a bit of the lake once, when we crossed a bridge at the far end of the lake.

 On the way back home we saw this lake from the highway. 

The lakes name is Lake Naomic. This was a private beach club. We just parked in the parking lot, to take a few pictures.  The water is also a root beer or tea clear color. Here is some information I found out about the lake. Today, Lake Naomi / Timber Trails has evolved into one of the most extensive, family oriented, recreational communities of its kind anywhere. Lake Naomi is a mature, well managed leisure community on 2,500 acres surrounding a 3 mile long, 277 acre private lake.  

We have spent the last 18 days staying at campgrounds for three days and moving to the next, do to membership rules. We plan on staying for a week at our next park. We left Pennsylvania, and entered the state of New York. This is a home that we past in Port Jervis, NY. 

There were several neat old homes as we passed through the town.

We took Hwy. 209 most of the way to Accord, NY (except in certain instances, where the GPS thought it was faster). The roads were very good for two lane driving. We hit our first dead end following the GPS  directions, on our drive north. The GPS took us to a low clearance bridge of nine feet. I am so glad Joe watches signs well. We are eleven feet and six inches tall. We were blessed in two ways that day. First, there was a street we could turn at to turn around. Otherwise we would have had to unhook the car to get turned around. Because we were in a  town, we had no clue which direction to go, when we did get turned around. We could not follow the GPS anymore, it would just takes us back to the low bridge. We did not have a map of the towns streets, so we didn't know which way to go to get to Hwy.209 north. Our second blessing came, when there just so happened to be a young lady crossing the street with her daughter, and she was able to give us correct directions. Praise the Lord!

GPS systems needs to have options for us large rigs so we can enter our height restrictions. From now on, I am going to have to check out the GPS directions the night before on a map and internet for low clearances.

We stopped at a rest stop for lunch. I walked Mallery before we ate and I found this sign. Hwy 209 was the "Old Mine Road in 1756. Wagons and Stagecoaches traveled this route. No wonder there are so many neat old homes.

The route took us through many very small towns.

We were following the river, so we were in the low valleys.

I had  forgot and left my camera in the car glove department for  part of the drive. But this is what it looked like most of the drive below Port Jervis, NY. We did go through New Jersey for about two miles. We again will not count that as a new state. I never did see a, " Welcome to New York" sign. New York is a new state for both of us.

Our drive was 75 miles from Timothy Lake North, PA. to Rondout Valley Resort, NY. When we were at Lake Timothy, we asked someone, why some of the parks are called Thousand Trails, others called Encore, and still others called Outdoor World.  We joined the Northeast region of Thousand Trails Campgrounds. We were told that Thousand Trails bought out Outdoor World, and Encore bought out Thousand Trails. I just thought I would clear that up for anyone who was wondering the same thing.

As we entered I saw this sign. I  thought, I'll be the judge of that!

Joe and I decided that this park is definitely not a five star. When Joe registered, he was told that the full hook-up  sites were all gone. We would have to take an electric/ water out in the field.  That was just great! We finally were going to stay for seven days, and we have to dry camp, with no sewer. We had reservations, but we found out after Joe read the contract, they only have to hold a spot for us. It doesn't have to have any hookups. I guess we are lucky, we could have been given a spot without electric and water. I just hate it when you join something, and they leave out so much information, just to get you to join.

We are sent to the  Rally Area or the big field.

We were first given the site where the 5th wheel is parked behind us. After we pulled into that spot we realized it was going to be hard to get out once someone parked in front of us. We pulled back out and parked where we are now in the picture. Then Joe went to the office, and told them we wanted to change our spot. The picture does not show it, but there is a large dip down in front of the 5th wheel where water pools when it rains. With our low riding Honda, that could be a dangerous spot.

This is a look at another open field, where they have horse shoe and  bochee ball.  The pool is to the back of the field.

Over  to the left is the pavilion and snack bar.

Joe asked me why I take pictures of the swing sets. I told him, I do it for other people who have children, and may be looking to see what the park has for their situation. Maybe he was afraid you all would think we played at the playgrounds!

A wood built train.

When we first arrive to this park, we pulled up to the gate. They do not have a intercom system, so Joe had to go inside and ask them to open the gate. When, he got into the office, they asked if he was the one blocking the drive. He said, " yes, could you open the gate for me."

Then he pulled up to the cones, with a sign that say, " Do not park here". Of course we parked there, where else were we suppose to park? We are not a short vehicle! Joe went in again to register. Once again, a guy said, " Can you move your bus, can't you see the sign". Joe asked where were we suppose to park to register. Then we were told to park along side the game room building . He told Joe that there was a road that went around it. That road for all we knew, took you to camping sites. The point I am trying to make is, this park need to set up directions for those who are new and have never been to the park. I watched the next bus come in and do exactly what we had done. This park is not a five star, with customer service. The park needs to work on a better system on making their guest feel welcome, and not in the way.

I did enjoy the nice wood swing out front, while Mallery and I waited for Joe to return, when he finally got to registered.

After you register, you cross a one lane wood bridge across a stream.

The park has a very nice clean looking pool.
     Joe meet the lady across the street from us, who also joined the NE Region Thousand Trails. She was also put in a no sewer site. She was not a happy camper either. Joe was told that we could move to a full hook up site, when someone left and one opened up. Joe asked if he could put our names on a list. They said, " We would need to check every morning, their policy is a first come first serve". The next day when Joe went to see if there were openings, she told Joe he could have one that had cable, but we would need to pay $2 a day more. We don't need cable, because we have our Direct TV dish. We had also found out that there were many sites that had meters on them. These site were rented out for the summer. I went to the office to find out exactly how many full hook up sites were available, that did not have cable or a meters (summer lots). The lady said she really did not know, dodge my question. I kept pursuing the question, and she finally showed me a map of the campground. The cable sites were in a red color, the meter sites were in blue, and the full hook up/no cable were in pink. Looking at the map, there might have been 30 full hook up/no cable in the whole camp of 365 sites. The 70 sites of electric/water, where we are located are not included in the 365 sites on the map. The lady across the street said she would probably not recoup her initial investment, because she had bought the membership to just come to this park all summer. She lives in New York. She was not coming back to stay in a no sewer hook up site again.

Bushkill Falls, Pocono Mountains, PA.

While at Timothy Lake North Campground, we decide to go to the Bushkill Falls, "The Niagara of Pennsylvania". This is their #1 attraction in this area. It had finally stopped raining and we needed some exercise.

As you enter the park there is a large pond. Many people were fishing or paddle boating around the pond. The park has a picnic area, miniature golf, souvenir and outdoor clothing stores. They also have a Snack Bar and Ice Cream Parlour.

At the falls you can choose from four different routes on foot.

We choose route red, being the longest. The first part of the path is flat and even.

Dogs are allowed on the path. Get a look at the lady walking her dog. She definitely did not come prepared. She won't be taking a very long hike with those high heeled sandals.

These are the four color coded paths. The green trail has some steps and takes about 15 minutes.  The yellow  path  take about 45 minutes and you see the Bushkill Falls from the top and bottom, as well as Lower Gorge Falls, Laurel Glen, and Upper Canyon. The blue trail takes you to Pennell Falls, and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

       Charles E. Peters first opened Bushkill Falls to the public in 1904, with a single path and a swinging bridge over the head of the main falls. Bushkill Falls is still owned by the Peters family.

This is a look from the top, before you descend down the stairs to the top of the Bushkill Falls.

We were at the top of Bushkill Falls in this picture. We were here at the right time, with all the rain, the falls are flowing with force.

This place has been maintain very well with the board walks though out.

We got to  # 13, Laurel Glen, and realized we were going the wrong way.

We turned around and went back to the beginning. The maps are a bit confusing. They need to have different colored arrows painted on the board walks to make it clearer. 

We got to the main fall and headed down.

Bushkill Falls drops 100 feet.

Top of Lower Gorge Falls.

Some places were still wet from dripping rock walls.

And some places were muddy with puddles. Don't wear good shoes!

Big Bushkill Creek to the Delaware River.

My daughters seem to always beat me to where ever I go!

Watch out for the big stump!

We're hikers aren't we Joe? I don't know, it has been almost a year since we were out west. We might be a bit out of shape.

Yes the path gets a bit rocky here. No high heels here, please!

I was so glad there were a lot of hikers among us. We were in black bear woods again.

Pond Run Creek

# 8 Bridesmaids Falls

That was a very long and steep climb up those stairs. It is a lot longer down than it looks. You can kind of  see the stream down below, where the climb begins.

# 9 Bridal Falls

Another long climb up. I was looking down and taking a breather, again.

At the top of Bridal Falls there is a look out spot up about 7 more stairs.

A look down at some kissing lovers.

#10 second Bridesmaid's Fall.

This fall, you can get into the water and stand right in front of it.

Another flight of stairs. I had stopped half way up to take another rest. This group of young girls and their mothers run up the stairs past us. I wished I still had that kind of energy!

At the top of the last stairs we found a bench seat to rest at. Some people were going the wrong direction, like we started to do. I needed a dog to carry my water. We did not know dogs were allowed at Bushkill Falls. If we had brought Mallery, I would have been carrying her.

We climb up some more stairs to another bench. I think we should have gone the other way, it might have been easier. I would have to say, Joe and I were the oldest on this part of the trail. We were so glad the sun was not out!

Finally we reached the top, and found a forest of ferns.

The red trail, then took us down a rocky path. Going down, my right knee was giving me a lot of pain. Maybe we did choose the right direction on the trail.

We arrived at # 17 Pennell Falls. As I took this picture the guy kept looking at me. No I didn't want  his picture!

I believe this is Mountain Laurel, Pennsylvania's State flower.

The water color is brackish looking, but clear. It was just hard to appreciate, after seeing the streams out west, last year.

This mushroom looks like, rufous candy cap, but it said in my research the rufous candy cap is only located in California, Arizonia, and Mexico. Does anyone know what it is?  It could also be a Russula emetica

Russula emetica, commonly known as the sickener, is a basidiomycete mushroom of the genus Russula, one of many species with a predominantly red-coloured cap and white gills and stalk.

Mountain Laurel not opened yet.

We reached Adam's Flats next to Little Bushkill Creek.

This part would have been creepy, but there were other people in front and behind us.

The sound of the running stream also had a calming effect.

The signs on the tree are your guide. This is part of the red and blue trail.

We got to the Upper Canyon.

We had almost come full circle now.  We got back to # 13 Laurel Glen, where we had gone before we realized we were going the wrong way.

 Back at the top of Bushkill Falls. The red trail takes you about 2 hours and 30 minutes. We did it in 2 hours.

I walked across the bridge above Bushkill Falls on the west side to take a couple more pictures. The red trail does not take you to that side of the trail. View across the falls.

This picture was taken in the same place as the previous picture, but looking down across to the other side of the canyon. These trails were worth the entrance fee of $11 each. If we ever come back, I would come.