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Journey North

Stephanie Chace
Sep 14
5 min read

This trip didn't start out quite the way I had expected as I was totally knocked on my behind by a bad cold. I could feel it coming on when I left Florida, but it was in full force by the time I got back to North Carolina. Somehow, I managed to push through those first few days, but by the time I got settled into my spot at Oak Hollow Campground (in High Point, NC), I could barely move. I managed to get some amount of work done that week, but all I can really remember doing was sleeping. Taking the dog out was painful, and it felt like a major accomplishment to not pass out on those fairly short walks.


Ultimately, getting sick was probably a good thing as it forced me to slow down a bit and helped set the pace for this part of my journey. My primary focus was to get to New Hampshire to see my daughter and then head over to Niagara Falls (I had not been there before). Everything else would be a bonus. So as I recovered from my cold, I focused on my goal and settled into a routine - I'd park for the week to work and then move on the weekends with stops at wineries and breweries along the way. Lather, rinse, repeat...


There were definitely some real great finds (links to all the stops are listed at the bottom of this post). I was also able to follow a route which both avoided the major cities along the east coast and took me through some parts of the country I hadn't seen before - most notably was Shenandoah Valley.


I personally think the drive up I-81 which passes through the valley is one of the prettiest interstate highway routes I've ever been on. It does have a lot of truck traffic and can be subject to some major slow downs as a result, but the views are pretty amazing so it's almost nice to get stuck for a bit as it enables you to take in the view.


Campsite at Creekside Campground in Edinburg, VA
Campsite at Creekside Campground in Edinburg, VA

The cold that had kicked my behind at the start of this trip had me dragging big time for several weeks. I wasn't really starting to feel normal again until the day I started up through the southern part of Shenandoah valley. Perhaps this is part of what made it feel so amazing. My main stop in the valley was in Edinburg, VA, and it was just spectacular. The campground is beautiful little park along a river bank just behind the main street. There had been a LOT of rain so it was a bit muddy, but the damp weather created a stunning mist along the river in the mornings, and we had LOTS of mallards waddling in and out of the campsites throughout the day.


Upon leaving Edinburg, I made a short visit to Shenandoah National Park proper, and while I loved the views from the ridge, I did not like the drive up (was feeling some mountain driving PTSD after the driveway of nightmares mentioned in my last post - Another Transition). I much preferred being in the valley where the roads aren't so steep and winding.


Unfortunately, my generator also picked this stop to act up again (I'll have more to say about that in a future post). Our stop for the night was in the parking lot behind a shop in the historic part of Front Royal. Temperatures were in the 90's, and there was zero shade. This turned the RV into a sauna since no generator means no AC. Venturing out to try and find some relief, we did find a bar that was dog friendly. It had lots of shade, lots of fans for a breeze, and some of the most non-PC conversations I've had in ages. So great beer and good company turned this into a really great day!


Twin Bridge Campsite in Chambersburg, PA
Twin Bridge Campsite in Chambersburg, PA

So while our day in Front Royal worked out despite the lack of AC, I was still extremely grateful to have it back at our next stop. But better than the AC were the fireflies that night. I was totally blown away! I don't know what has happened with the firefly populations in this country, but I remember them so fondly from when I was younger. They used to be everywhere in the summer, but you just don't seem many places anymore. So it was pure magic that first night in Pennsylvania.


Fireflies also filled a willow tree outside my window at Crosswinds Winery making it feel like there was some sort of fairy convention going on (I definitely didn't want to disturb that!), but as soon as I left Pennsylvania, they were gone again.


OK - now while I-81 is one of the prettiest Interstates I've driven on, I-76 has to be one of the worst maintained. It was so bad I though the windows on my RV were going to pop out, and that was when I was only going 50 mph. You really couldn't go much faster. Thank goodness for the Ciderhouse in Ashbury, NJ as their hard cider was very much needed after that drive.


My campsite in New Jersey (a short drive from the Ciderhouse) was at Mountain View Campground which oddly has no mountain views - unless you count being on a mountain and consider looking at where you're standing, on a mountain, as a "mountain view". But it was quiet and I had a great spot to sit and watch their sheep. It was also good to have this peace and quiet before heading into New York.


What was Dubco Brewery in Warwick, NY
What was Dubco Brewery in Warwick, NY

The drive up from western New Jersey to Warwick, NY keeps you clear of Newark and takes you through a beautiful lake region. The roads are quite windy, but the views definitely make it worth while. Sadly, the brewery we stopped at on this part of the trip (Dubco Acres) is now closed, but Warwick, NY is still a beautiful area to visit with a lovely main street area.


Heading from New York into Connecticut, I passed through both Danbury and Hartford, CT, and then up through Springfield, MA. New England cities are definitely NOT RV friendly, and quite honestly not all that much fun to drive through even in a car. Fortunately, the drive was without incident even if the traffic was nerve wracking.


Our last stop before New Hampshire was an awesome winery in Hardwick, MA (wine much needed after the drive through those New England cities). This winery has quite a diverse selection of infused wines. My favorite was a lavender infused white wine, but it was fun to try the variety which included an asparagus infused wine. Let's just say that while it's not for everyone, it is way better than it sounds. The owners really do an amazing job for RVers (think there must have been about of a dozen of us on site while I was there). And since it was they weekend, they also had live music and a screen setup for an outdoor movie. This was just a fun place all around, and I will definitely be going back next time I'm in New England!


The fun night at the winery had me dragging a bit the next morning, but I was now in what used to be my "backyard", and it was nice to be back on some familiar roads. I couldn't wait to get settled and finally see my daughter!


Heading North Travel Stops (June/July 2025)

You can find highlights for each of these stops on my Instagram (@dandelionroadtravel)


 
 
 

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