Shirley M.

Cornwall, PA

Joined May 2019

Camping for our 3rd year in a small RV. It is a way for my husband & I and our two rotties to get away and relax.

Ranger Review of Banner & Oak Women's Hoodie at Parker Dam State Park

Campground Review:

This is our second trip to Parker Dam State Park.   It is a beautiful PA state park.   It is quiet and peaceful.   The leaves were beginning to change.  This trip was chilly at night, but gorgeous weather during the day.  Bathroom/shower houses are a bit outdated, but clean.  We had a full hook up site.  They have pet loops as well.  If you want to stay in September, book early.  Limited cell service.   Spent time driving to Benezette - about 30 minute trip - to see the Elk.   Great experience seeing approximately 100 elk.  Several very large bulls.   Would recommend the campground and the trip to Benezette to everyone. 

Product Review: 

As a Ranger for the Dyrt, we get products to test from time to time- today we tested the Banner & Oak Women's Hoodie. https://bannerandoak.com/collections/hoodies/products/freedom-heathered-black I so apologize because we were so busy watching the elk in Benezette, that we completely forgot to take photos of the product.  This hoodie is very soft! The sizing is accurate.  While it is not a thick sweatshirt material, it keeps you very comfortably warm.   I prefer the thinner material versus a thick and heavy sweatshirt.   It has become my "go to" hoodie.   Pros:  Lightweight, but very warm.   Con:  The pouch in front is actually 2 small pockets even though it looks like a pouch.   I'm not sure this is really a "con" because it depends on what style you prefer.  At first, I wasn't sure about it, but I am beginning to like it.  Wish the pockets would be a little bigger though.   Overall, I think this is a great lightweight hoodie and worth a purchase!

Ranger Review - Red Ledge Free Rein Jacket At Hickory Run State Park

Campground Review:   

This was our first visit to [Hickory Run State Park](http://Hickory Run State Park ) & we loved it.  Hickory Run is in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. We had a full hook-up site in the back loop, pet friendly part of the campground.   The sites in this loop were spacious and more in an open area, but we were along a wooded area which gave us some shade.   It was a very quiet weekend for us as our loop was not crowded.   The bath houses in this loop are non-flush/pit toilets.   However, the other camping loops had shower houses and flush toilet restrooms.  The other camping loops were located within the wooded areas and the sites appears closer together.  There are pet friendly sites in the other loops as well.  Even though it was a very hot weekend and our site was in an open area, we had a nice breeze and shade from the wooded area behind our site.  The late afternoon sun did hit the front of our trailer, but we used this time for a nap or a went for a drive to explore the area.  

There is a lot to do in the state park.   Many hiking trails (44 miles of trails).  They are rated from easy to difficult.  We found the 2 trails we hiked - Hawk Falls and Shades of Death trails - where were rated "more difficult" were not bad to hike at all.  We hiked both with your 2 large dogs.   Both of these trails had a creek and waterfalls.

There was a large open field in the loop we camped in with a swing set on it.  This was nice for families with children.   There is a camp store which was loaded with anything you may need from grocery items, equipment, pans, and toys.   One thing of note - if you require firewood, look for local sellers in the area rather than the camp store.   It was $4.50 for a very small bundle of what we would use for kindling.  Park Staff were very friendly. 

We took a drive on 2 afternoons on a stone road through the woods to see the Boulder Field.  It was a beautiful drive.  We were on the lookout for bear, but only saw 3 deer.  There is also a lake for swimming.   Be aware that this area has a high bear population and all campers are required to keep food items in their vehicles or trailers when not at the site.  

We would definitely recommend Hickory Run for all types of campers - RV, tent, pop-up campers.   Lots to do for families. Or if you are like us and want to just kick back and relax, you can't go wrong. 

Product Review:  As a Ranger for the Dyrt, we get products to test from time to time - today we tested [Red Ledge Free Rein Jacket](http://Red Ledge Free Rein Jacket)   We chose to review this jacket because our first two camping trips this season, it poured!!  My husband got soaked while closing down outside and getting the trailer hooked up to head home.   But… as Murphy's Law goes, we haven't had rain while camping since receiving the jacket.   My husband was a good sport and "modeled" this jacket for me during a heat wave of over 90°.   My husband normally wears a 2XL,  which is what we ordered.  It appears to be true to size as the jacket fits him well, even in the length of the sleeves.

The day after we got home… we got our rain! While my husband was not available, I decided to put the jacket on and go outside and test the jacket during a heavy down pour and stormy afternoon. 

PROs:  The jacket is well made, but not heavy or bulky.  It has adjustable velcro cuffs on the sleeves so you can tighten the cuffs if you need.   It has 2 front zippered pockets with a mess lining.  It also has 2 zippered vents at the sides of the jacket.  The hood has a cord on either side for adjustments. 

Even though this jacket was 2 or 3 sizes too big for me, I was able to adjust the cuffs on the sleeves as well as the hood to give me a better fit.    I stayed dry!   The rain literally beaded up on the jacket, therefore the jacket did not get soaked through.    Once I came inside, I could shake out the jacket and the water drops would just fall off the jacket.   It dried quickly afterwards, but honestly because the rain never really saturated the jacket, "dried" may not be the correct word.     Overall I was impressed with the quality of the jacket and how the water just rolled off it.     I would recommend Red Ledge to anyone looking for rain gear that is lightweight, durable and, most of all, Works!!

CONs:   At this point, I really can't say I could find anything wrong with this jacket.

Nice, Friendly - Okay for when you will be at beach all day

This is a huge campground. It is 95% seasonal permanent trailers. We estimate close to 500 permanent sites. Some very well maintained, but most are on the "junky" side.  There are limited RV sites and tenting sites.    The RV sites provided water and electric hook up.   There is a dump station which, when leaving, you need to go around the loop to get on the correct side.  The tent areas are literally on top of the dump station.   The RV and tent sites are on top of each other.  Shower/bathrooms are clean.  Staff is friendly.   There is a camp store, pool, and activities.  The campground is gated.  Many people and LOTS of golf carts.  They didn't enforce the over 18 to operate a golf cart!  Lots of dogs.  We have dogs so that is fine.  All this is fine when you plan on not being at the campsite too often.  But, we prefer a quieter campground so we stick to state parks usually.  We booked this site because we waited to long to book Cape Henlopen.  Can't say it is a bad place.  Everyone was friendly.  Just not our type of place to go and relax.  We got lucky and our site, RV17, was the last site in the row of RV sites so we had no one on the back side of us.

Time to relax!

Very nice quiet campground.   Level spots.   Large lake to boat and kayak.   Beautiful scenery.  Full hook up spot

Love this place!!

Been going for years. Started renting, then pop up, now small travel trailer. Great staff! Have upgraded shower houses. Close to everything. Can’t say enough about how wonderful it is here. Great shaded sites. Have to book early!!!!

Not impressed

While the area is beautiful, we were not impressed with the campground. We have a small 19” travel trailer which was almost impossible to park due to very tight sites. Sites are almost on top of each other - we had a group of people with tents next to us that were basically on top of us. Not their fault…it was the size of the sites. Staff was not very helpful at checkin. It was relaxing being away but won’t be back. We did hear that they are remodeling campground so hopefully they provide more room for the sites

Great campground!

We loved it here!! First time here. Very spacious site with full hook up. #76 Next to camp host who were terrific. Deer came up to campsite every morning. Came to do some elk viewing. About 30 -40 min drive to Benezette. Already booked for next year!!

Revisiting childhood camping memories!

Camped here often as a child. Now back as an adult. Great site lakeside. Very dark at night which is great. Quiet campground. Need to do self check-in if after hours. Full hook up. Great place to sit back and relax. Not much to keep busy which is how we like it. Did take a drive to see pa Grand Canyon. Had our 2 dogs with and they loved it!

Very nice!

We camped here over Columbus Day weekend. We wanted a quiet escape. We had one of the few full hook up sites. Very quiet and peaceful. Lots to do at the lake if you want or quiet enough to just kick back. Bath houses were very clean. Staff was pleasant.

Annual Grandkids Weekend!

We come here once a year to take our grandkids on an annual camping trip with us. Lots to do! Playgrounds, special events, crafts. Very nice sites and shower houses are very clean. Staff is excellent. Camp store is well stocked. Can’t beat this place!!

Childhood memories and now adult memories

Camped here growing up. Visited again as an adult. Great memories. Quiet and relaxing. Great place to do nothing

Great place!

Wonderful state park. Spacious sites! Beautiful scenery. Nice hikes for various hiking levels. Quiet and relaxing. Clean shower houses.

Great for families!

This is a great place for families. A lot to do and organized events. The lake is beautiful. If you have an RV, just beware that some of the sites are rather small and tight. Well kept. Staff is very friendly. You can have a quiet relaxing time or keep busy with activities.