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If
anyone ever needed the Terra Wind motor coach on a vacation,
RV'ing the Valley of the Susquehanna River area would seem
to be a great place to give this remarkable RV a run for its
money. Being the only RV of its kind, able to navigate on
land with wheels or water by using propellers and a rudder,
puts this custom built 45-foot, luxury RV to the test. Priced
between $850,000 – $1.2 million dollars, with a roof top doubling
as a sun deck and diving area, there is one drawback to this
otherwise picture of manmade perfection; too slow to pull
the skiing enthusiast! Since the Terra Wind has a 102 inch
wide body side to side (with slides engaged), you won't find
this baby parked in camps unable to handle the big rigs.
Pit
this manmade super vehicle against one of nature's toughest
acts, the Valley of the Susquehanna, and what do you get?
One great adventure! Maybe you are the RV'er who just picked
up your six-pack (camping vehicle) and are having the time
of your life. Some of these new little hybrid camper shells,
fully contained type camper units on truck beds come with
storage racks on top which allow for packing up that one person
kayak or bicycles on the back. Pit this economy vehicle against
the Susquehanna River Valleys, and what do you get? Another
great adventure in a different perspective! Most RV'ers will
agree, just get me on the road! They'll always find ways to
adapt whether their space is grand or limited. Just being
on the road transforms them.
What
washes over you when hearing quaint songs about the “home
in the valley,” or “rivers running through the valley,” possibly
finding “love in the valley?” Are you left with wistful thoughts
of moonlit nights, sitting under the stars, and settling into
peaceful oblivion? Get over it! There's too much to do and
see here in the Valley of the Susquehanna. When you drag your
tired body into that RV for the night, then you may have some
passing thoughts about “the valley.” I'm guessing your thoughts
are going to be, “what's up for tomorrow?”
The
Valley of the Susquehanna is remarkable containing 6 counties
in Pennsylvania where you'll find a fabulous “Grand Canyon.”
Carved by years of melting glacier ice, the Pennsylvania Grand
Canyon has its own beauty to behold. Within its massive boundaries
are national forest preserves, excellent fishing and kayaking
opportunities, as well as observation of birds and wildlife.
There are miles of biking trails which allow you first hand
glimpses at the changing fall foliage. Driving tours are available
should you have happened to have brought along the tow vehicle.
Most of these tours are self-guided and are well-marked. Each
county offers special packaging prices for attractions located
within their boundaries. Some counties offer underground cavern
boat rides, yes, you read correctly. In Pennsylvania, there
are streams which flow through underground caverns. These
caverns were discovered in the 1800's which boast of large
interior rooms featuring the living stalagmites, stalactites,
and draping flowstone cascading downward decorating the cavernous
rooms. Tour guides carefully take you through this one hour
trip by boat to view these spectacular geological formations
and you'll be treated to watching the stream trout jump up
for food! Pennsylvania's history is a commonwealth state with
influence of Irish, German, and French settlers upon the formation
of the colonies. The Quakers and Amish settlers continue into
the 21 st century to impact the culture of the area. Go to
website www.pavalleys.com
where you'll find the six counties listed which make up
the Valleys of the Susquehanna. Click on one county at a time
and explore each areas events and attractions. For vacation
planning, you may request individual information from each
county separately.
There
are numerous RV campgrounds throughout the Valleys of the
Susquehanna. Some are on the river's edge. Due to the fluctuation
in the weather, there are a few RV camps which will only stay
open through the middle of October or through the end of October.
When making reservations in the Valley of the Susquehanna,
be sure and ask about closing dates! One such campground is
www.riveredgervcamp.com
River Edge RV Campground and Marina with 140 sites (open
only through October 31 st ) which have all amenities, pull-through,
and organized activities for the kids if you have them. Another
campground open year around is Nittany Mountain Campground
at www.fun-camping.com
. With 350 sites, this
campground can accommodate large functions, has all amenities,
with fishing and swimming nearby. Sites come in semi-wooded
to wooded areas. Nittany Mountain is named after a local Indian
princess whose legend has it that her seven brothers threw
her boyfriend into one of the underground caverns where he
died. If you listen closely while taking the tours through
the caverns, you can still hear him calling out “Nita-nee.”
Of course,
you probably packed up the RV to get away from everything.
So if all these exciting activities don't interest you and
you're still just letting that feeling “of the valley” over
take you, enjoy sitting under your awning or by the campfire.
Look up into the starry skies, view the changing fall foliage
“in the valley,” and count your blessings! Terra Wind or six-pack,
towing camper, pop-up, or a tent, life in the Valley of the
Susquehanna River says it all. Happy Traveling! Photos
are courtesy of the Valleys of the Susquehanna River CVB's
tourism centers
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