Camping with The Butterflies PA

Central PA

May 7-May 9th 2024

Southern PA

Kelly and I took at trip to meet up with the Butterfly Tribe for a few days of camping in Pennsylvania. On our way to Pine Grove Furnace State Park we stopped at Hershey Park and enjoyed some time at Chocolate World. 

I have been here several times, but Kelly has never been here. I thought it would be fun to stop, get some chocolate and take the FREE chocolate tour ride. 

For as many times as I have taken this tour. It's always a good time. 

I love the cows!

We stopped in the camp visitor center and said hello.  The Campground if called Pine Grove Furnace State Park and it is part of the CCC, so there was some interesting history, but we didn't stay long as they were closing for the day.

Our little set up.

Once we were all set up our host offered an evening of food and gathering. It was taco's for everyone. YUM.

Patty was our hostess! She did an amazing job. I attempted to meet everyone I could and connected with several of the women. I have to say that this is such a nice group of women. Everyone is super nice. Kelly and I had already connected with Lola via FB so we had to come and meet with her personally. Down to earth gal with a ton of fun. 

A few highlights that I have retrieved from my journal. Roz, she helped us with setting up the awning. Another woman had this beautiful vintage camper, but I can't remember her name. Isabella, was camped right next to us, Kelly (she became a close fun friend) is from SC and she is like "our" kind of people. Laney, another women I could see as "our" kind of people. She also lives in SC and I see her often on FB. Pam, was very nice and has a very sweet pup. Susan has one of my favorite van set ups, and had beads for us to play with. Maryland has a youtube channel called MinnieVango. Barb made us dinner on one of the nights...Speghetti. Sharon was very sweet and I liked her rig the best because it is most doable for what I want to do. (There were so many more ladies that I got to meet, but that is about all I could recall, or even in my journal. 

 Most of the gals had vans with some of the most beautiful set ups. I believe there is about 30 of us in total, and like I already said. EVERYONE is so stinkin nice!!!!

There were several scheduled activities during the weekend, but Kelly and I hadn't signed up for much and we spent most of the morning chilling around the campground. We learned a little about the history of the furnace and the importance of the iron industry.

This park has part of the Appalachian trail running through it and the the store here has a custom of hosting the 1/2 gallon ice cream challenge. I was hoping we could see some of this, but it occurs only the weekend, and we were here during the week. 

Some pictures of the park. 

Kelly suggested that we do the Appalachian trail. I had to inform her that the trail is some 2,200 miles and takes most people 4-6 months. It would take us a few years.

Very nice park and campground, by the way.

We decided to take a day trip and found ourselves at the US Army Heritage and Education Center. I can not say enough about this place. It was super fun and educational and it was FREE. Highly recommend if you are in the area.

There is both an indoor and outdoor area to explore...BOTH were Awesome. 

I don't know how to best describe this place. It is basically everything military. 

There were replica's of barracks that we were able to walk through and experience first hand what life might have been like during this period of war. 

There was representation of all the wars our country has been involved in. 

Inside there were more interactive areas we could explore. 

Kelly feeling what it is like to take a parachute.

This was pretty cool. It is an interactive bunker where you hear and see what it would be like while you were right in the middle of the action. 

There was a section on the animals that served as part of the many wars. 

Open the door if you dare. Will you find an empty room or will you be walking into an ambush?

I cannot say enough about how neat this place was. Totally recommend. 

I honestly do not know enough about the military or wars to give you much about the interactions, but it was sure neat. Again, I highly recommend a visit. 

Once we were back at camp, we enjoyed connecting with the gals and saw some of their crafts. 

Lola hooked us up with some pulled pork sandwiches for dinner. We ended the evening back at our site being silly. 

The following day Kelly and I headed off to Gettysburg. I have been a few times, but Kelly has never been there. 

We stopped at the Battlefield visitor center and did some exploring before going downtown. (I'm not going to say much about the Battle at Gettysburg, there are other blogspots that explain this site in more detail.)

Downtown is pretty neat. A ton of old buildings and lots of history. This odd (in that it shows two different time frames in history) looking statue of a modern man seeking directions from Abe Lincoln is called Return Visit. Lincoln is pointing the visitor to the J. Steward Johnson House, where Lincoln had stayed the night before delivering the Gettysburg address, perhaps this guys is asking where is a good place to sleep for the night.

We had a little lunch. 

and strolled around the area taking in the history, and buildings. 

There were many stores that actually sell artifacts from the war. I thought it was like looking at a museum. 

We stopped and took in some ice cream wine tasting. (different)

We did a little more military history before we headed back to the camp site. 

Back at camp we meet up with all the ladies and shared a meal. Tonight was speghetti. We were well fed on this trip!

After dinner, several of us hung out by the fire pit. Saying goodbye, or at least until the next time. 

What a great bunch of ladies. I can't wait for the next meet up.