Promised Land State Park, 7/30-8/2/2006

Pickerel Point runs north-south in Promised Land Lake so that campers along the water’s edge see either sunrise or sunset. We saw two great sunsets from our sites, #117-121. Ducks would waddle up and watch us. I even saw one extend a webbed foot and scratch the side of its face vigorously, much as a dog scratches fleas. Blueberry bushes grew along the shore and were loaded with fruit -- best approached from the water, in a canoe, or with "surf-mocs", as the lake bottom is stony.

Nine of us showed up and some rented a canoe which we kept at our site. A beach was a short walk away. Kirsten and David brought bicycles. We had great morning bike rides past Conservation Island and lake houses. My favorite house was crafted from the rocks and boulders that are prevalent here. Our destination: a "Camp Store" that sold everything from those 99-cent rain ponchos I never seem to find any more -- to a 25-cent ice cream sandwich.

On the food front, some brought "Country Hen" eggs high in Omega-3’s and lutein. Sylvia shared a fabulous vegan "rice pudding" made from squash, coconut, dates and raisins. We roasted marshmallows (donated by first-timers Brian and Sarah) around the campfire. We had some noisy debates about the best method for roasting: golden toast, or fiery flambe?

I liked Promised Land a lot. I appreciated the dumpsters for camp waste. And, the camp office staff took our empty propane cans for recycling.

Sarah