NE Roundup 2012

OK R-Pod campers, we spent the Memorial Day weekend at Frances Slocum State Park in the Poconos. Very nice park, quiet, verrryy clean!, and pleasant. PAparks are great, but adult beverages are a no-no.
We promised to visit the Pioneer Campground about 45 miles west near LaPorte PA on US 220. So we did, and introduced ourselves as reps of a group of R-Podders interested in finding a place where we could all be close together in a pleasant place. The campground has been revamped since we were last there. New gravel roads and sites. very clean, pool (salt water), entertainment, and at 2000 feet on top of a ridge, it is cooler than valley sites. It is also at the east end of the "Endless Mountains" an area of PA that includes a number of neat state parks and small towns in the northern half of PA, including the Grand Canyon of PA - a 1500 foot deep river gorge with access on both sides.
the camp owner was delighted to help us figure out which weekend would be the best in terms of open sites. We told her late August or September would fit best into schedules at theis time. Her main openings for 6-8 sites together are the last weekend in August 24-26 or in September 7-9, 21-23 or 28-30. Labor Day already has a group in place. There is no reason that the days before and after a weekend couldn't be reserved as well. We will be in contact with her as the summer progresses. But once we agree on a good (or better) weekend for us all, then we can start doing reservations. She is willing to assist by moving a couple of reservations around so we can be together. Current open areas with water and electric are around the STOP sign in the center of the park. all electric sites have cable TV.
If you visit www.pioneercampground.com, there is a map, photos, list of activities and rates. I have a number of brochures, maps and the like i can mail if someone wants them.       
For information about the region visit www.endlessmountains.org, and www.sullivanpachamber.com.
From central NJ (Princeton area) it was 150 miles up the Northeast Extension of the PA TPK and then about 45 miles across county/state highways - one hour or so. total about 4-4.5 hours. From east or west the easiest access is I80 to I180 to US 220. From the south or north, I81 takes you to the region. A number of good grades on in the area, but we had no real problems with our rig.

Please check the campground out. We have found that area to be very pleasant and 'out of the way'! It is also in one of the darker areas of the NorthEast for sky watching. I will have my small reflector scope with us for folks who want to take a tour of the heavens.

I will also post this on the nation forum, as I note a number of other Philly , NY and CT, NJ area podders have joined the forums to learn more about our passion!

What is your choice for the best week end?

Cheers, the newly retired Walt

Looks like a decent campground.  What do you like about the commercial campground vs. the state park you were in?  About a 3 hour drive for us so doable for a weekend w/o taking any extra time off, which is always a problem for my wife during the school year.

Our schedule is firming up for September. The best weekend for us is 22-23 September. If we can get some others on that weekend I will go back to Kathy, the campground owner, and tell her to expect a pod of Pods (just what is the collective form of R-Pod, anyway?) that weekend.
That should be a good weekend- warm days-cool nights! Maybe even some color on the trees in the highlands.

Let us know. Walt

I dunno Doug, some of those don't sound too clean (or easy to say)!!
I like a pod of Pods.
I have two affirmatives from the [other] forum for the weekend of the 22nd of September. That makes four I think. So I will write to Kathy at Pioneer and let he know to expect a pod of us that weekend. I will try to convince Chris to make it a long weekend (easy to say now that I am retired .
We will all have to make own own reservations at www.pioneercampground.com.

See you in September (when the summer's through)!

We can't be sure about the dates until end of June :(