After 30-years worth of trips to Erie, Pennsylvania mostly in the late fall, winter, and early spring, on this May trip, I was just a bit nervous when it came to the Erie weather forecast, but I am learning that summer is “the” season to visit Pennsylvania’s Great Lake.

I now have been in Erie County for several days without any adverse weather events so I am starting to believe those people who told me in February – “come back in the summer, this place is beautiful then and the snow will be gone for good.”

As we drove north on Route 18 [parallels the I-79 Interstate “racetrack”] from Edinboro and passed through the small communities along the way and finally into Girard just west of the city Erie, my wife commented on how beautiful, clean and green the landscape is. She was having a hard time recognizing the places without snow.

The closest thing to snow in the air now is the wind blown cottonwood seeds.

Our stay at Uncle John’s Campground is going great. I am sleeping like a baby, but there is a reliable source that says I am snoring like a chainsaw that needs a tune-up. Whatever! I wake up refreshed.

This rustic lodging facility comes with a list of amenities that cannot be beat. Quiet neighbors, no TV [after a few days without the TV I cannot remember any of the advertising jingles], morning sounds of chirping song birds to gently return you to a conscious state and a shaded porch on which to begin or end your day in a semi-conscious state.  Perfect.

We are a hop, skip and a jump away from Elk Creek [for me that measures about 25 feet or so on a good day.]   There is a fire ring and picnic table in front of the cabin, a cozy loft with comfortable mattresses and; in our cabin, a skylight that provides a window to the night sky.  My wife tells me she can see the stars, but I am too busy running the “chainsaw.”

If you plan to cook in the cabins just remember there is no indoor plumbing. There are plenty of outlets for crock pots, a small deep fryer or griddle so you can prepare quick meals. A small frig, coffee pot, and toaster completes the “kitchen nook.”

My wife, who could write a book about “traveling on a budget,” makes advance meals of chili, baked beans, and vegetable soup that she freezes for the trip. We also stop at a local grocery store to pick up frozen wing-dings and fries. We bring a large ice cooler, some snacks just in case, and beverages; we never go to sleep hungry.

 At the Uncle Johns Campground you may want to bring a small fan to help move the daytime air out of the cabin or the cool, evening air in. The cabins units are small enough so the air circulation is no big issue.

Bringing a couple of small throw rugs would help cover the plywood floors and give you a place to stand when changing clothes.

The restrooms and showers – campground like – are across the parking lot from our cabin.

Kids could find this place to be an activity challenge. For the younger ones there is a swing set, and a large field [tent area] for throwing a ball or Frisbee, but the teens will need a heavy dose of video game medication.

If you are looking for a place beyond the reach of shrill young sounds or thumping stereos – this may be it!

The only night life here is the soft night sounds, crickets, Elk Creek flowing toward Lake Erie, and the occasional train passing by on some distant track.

In addition to the cabins and two converted railroad track crew sleeping units that sleep about six each on bunk beds, Uncle John has camping sites too, both tent and trailer with hookups if that is what you prefer.

My Verizon cell service works well at the campground and my DSL card connected to the Internet so I could work from the cabin porch.

The campground is about 30-minutes from Edward Johns Perch Fishing Charters in the center of Erie , 15-minutes from Presque Isle State Park and the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, 10-minutes from Walnut Creek Boat Launch and one minute from the roadside Dairy Oasis Ice Cream Stand where two small cones of soft serve cost us $1.60.   Sweet deal!

Uncle John is planning to change the facility’s layout and add improvements as time and budget permit. More cabins with indoor plumbing [as soon as the city lines are extended], cable TV service [the thought of getting  The  Martha Stewart Show and Food Network in the cabin makes my wife smile and you know my reaction] and a lodge where people may gather and get to know each other.

If you want a "bucket of peace and quiet" with free refills – give Uncle John a call 814-774-8672 - Sorry no email yet, but he is working on it. 

Rental Rates: The cabins rent for $50/night and easily can hold four adults.  I am told that as many as six have stayed in one unit.  The full-hookup sites are $28/night and $20 for tent sites.  In the prime fall fishing season [October - April], the cabins are $50/night base rate plus $20/head for adults.

 

 

 

View the video to meet Uncle John and learn how he named the campground:

 

 

 

Read more stories related to this topic or place;

 

Visiting Presque Isle State Park    Crowley's Restaurant     Not Your Typical Motel    Walleye Fishing Report

 

 Perch Fishing Charters     Tom Ridge Environmental Center