How the hell did I end up going to Hicks Run, Pennsylvania for four nights ? ⛺

That was my reaction when I printed up the camping permit today. Did I really intend to spend half of my vacation there? I don’t know, the camping permit was free. Technically I’m supposed to set up on the first night of the permit or risk forfeiting but I’m pretty sure nobody would notice either way – especially in November before regular season opens.

I honestly still don’t know if I want to go that far – it’s a long ways west and the end of next looks unsettled. The permit was free – I could always write back to cancel or just not show up, I highly doubt there is anybody else who would want the site. That said, Hicks Run isn’t that far from PA 555 which is plowed year round – and I’m not seeing any massive snow storms coming down the pike – although Lake Effect is still a possibility although I’ll be pretty far south.

The truth is that I’ve been watching the Real Appalachia channel on the YouTube and thinking a lot about the small towns in West Virginia – or for that matter elk country in Pennsylvania. Not too different. I like exploring the hollows and going somewhere that’s just different from New York. I haven’t gotten out of the state in two years now bar a brief jaunt over the border to the Green Mountain National Forest last summer. I’ve never spent much time in Elk Country PA except for passing through and that one night I covert camped years ago. Listening to those elk at 5 AM were so magestical.

I don’t have to go there if I don’t want. I’m no fan of campground camping but I expect I’ll have it mostly to myself. The second half of the week might be stormy or cloudy. That said, I’ve been studying up on scenic vistas and hikes nearby. I can always park and walk the dirt roads and trails. I’ll wear plenty of blaze orange for safety.

I still haven’t figured out where I will start my trip. I kind of want to do some time in Madison County and Cazenovia and then take NY 13 to the Finger Lakes through the Otselic Valley and Cortland. Been a while since I’ve gone that way. Maybe it’s because of the good memories of November 2020 at Stoney Pond. Not certain to be repeated. Or if could do an overnight at Long Pond then out to the Finger Lakes. But if I want to go to West Virginia then I really should head down to PA on Saturday for County Bridge campground and straight to West Virginia thereafter on Sunday via the 99. But that’s such a long drive and gas is so expensive. I only have a New York hunting license.

I really haven’t started packing yet. I should have a plan but none really exists. I need to get a lantern globe but I’m not sure where. Dicks at Crossgates? I hate both of those businesses. Walmart locally doesn’t have them although I’ve gotten it before at Walmart Oneonta. I also am very low on groceries – will need at least some to get started. I need to find my map of the Elk State Forest although I’ve been studying online. Pennsylvania has good, free maps.