Family Time in Phoenixville
When we tentatively planned out our trip departing from Maine and heading toward Texas, we knew we wanted to spend some time visiting with friends and family in several different states. The first of those states being Pennsylvania. In the past, we have found it difficult to find campgrounds that can accommodate our truck and trailer close to Phoenixville where my Dad and sister’s family live. We have stayed at a few, but none of them have been super convenient. So this time around, we decided to stay close to the route we were planning to take across PA (I-80) and just drive down to stay with family. As we looked for a campground along I-80 that also had availability during the busy, Fall/Halloween camping season in PA, we came across Moyer’s Grove Campground. After giving them a call, we were reassured they would have a campsite for us with water and electric for the weekend. Perfect!
The drive from Bear Creek Campground in Bristol, CT to Moyer’s Grove Campground was a pleasant drive through the rolling hills of Western Connecticut, Southern New York, into Northeast Pennsylvania. The odometer clocked about 210 miles, which equated to just about five hours of drive time with our customary stops. The last six miles after exiting the interstate were a little sketchy for a combination the size of the Big Tow’er and Charlie, but a little caution and not much traffic made it completely doable. When we turned into the Moyer’s Grove driveway it definitely felt like some of the older Pennsylvania campgrounds we had visited during our time as weekend campers when we lived in PA. After checking in with the ladies in the office it was time to take Charlie under his very first covered bridge. Don’t worry, we had already confirmed that the bridge was high enough to accommodate Charlie’s height. After crossing the bridge we made a small circle and pulled into the grass field right in the middle of the campground. It wasn’t private, it wasn’t scenic, but it was exactly what we were looking for. It had electric and water, and was easy in and easy out of the campground. Thanks for accommodating us Moyer’s Grove!
We quickly set things up at our new campsite and then packed a bag to head to Phoenixville for the weekend. All of the Halloween festivities at the campground over the weekend would have to go on without us! We hopped in the car and started our 2 hour drive south down the Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike. We arrived at the Kapusta’s around the same time they were getting home after a long week at work. Dinner was an outing at the Great American Pub in Phoenixville, and a chance to catch up with Ceil and Kris. Before heading back to their house for the night, we stopped in at Root Down Brewing Company, not for a night cap but to say hi to their 16 year old son / our 16 year old nephew Lucas who works there on the weekends.
Saturday morning started as many Saturday mornings had in the past . . . at the Phoenixville Farmer’s Market. But this time was not nearly as early and a lot less hectic. We headed out after a full Kapusta breakfast. They really do run a nice B & B there! Ok, not a real B & B, but a nice place to visit when we’re in the area. It was fun to walk around the market without the responsibility of selling ICED by Betsy cupcakes. We were able to chat with a couple of old market friends and make a couple of purchases. We then headed over for a visit with my dad who is also in Phoenixville. It was great to catch up with him and chat about our travels. Saturday ended with a trip into Philly to go out to dinner with the eldest Kapusta child, Lexi, who is finishing up her Civil Engineering degree at Drexel University. We settled on a tasty Mexican joint, El Rey, in the city. The food was good, but catching up with Lexi was still the highlight of the evening.
After another excellent Kapusta breakfast on Sunday morning, Betsy and I headed over to visit with my dad one more time before leaving the area. My dad will be 86 in December and is still doing well in assisted living. He has definitely been a supporter of our RV’ing lifestyle, and was an early inspiration to get out and travel while we were young. He had shared with us several times that he always wanted to see the country in an RV and had never found the right time to do it. He seems to love hearing about our traveling and working adventures. Our weekend visit ended with a home-cooked Kapusta dinner. Kris even fired up the grill for us! As always, delicious. We said our good-byes before heading back to Moyer’s Grove Campground where Charlie had been patiently waiting for us.
Visiting with family and friends around the country was definitely one of the benefits we hoped to enjoy when we chose this lifestyle change. This weekend was another example of that. Thank you Kapusta’s, as always, for your hospitality. We love seeing you guys and always enjoy our time there. But more visits and adventures lie ahead so let’s get some sleep.
