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White Thorn Lodge - Report |
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This report is brought to you by Jim Dodge.
Trip Report
White Thorn Lodge
R.R. 1,
383 State Line Road,
Darlington, Pennsylvania
16115
Phone: (724) 846-5984
Written by James Dodge.
July, 1997.
Truly hidden away in the NW almost corner of Pennsylvania and
about 50 miles slightly NW of Pittsburg, the White Thorn Lodge,
member owned and operated, has been for me one of the moat
pleasant surprises in many years of visiting nudist resorts in the
USA. One does not expect this far North a facility so well
equipped and operated, with such attractive homes, landscaping,
sport and social facilities. In the deep South where the "season"
is very long, or year-round, perhaps such quality is not unusual.
Situated on some 100 acres in the hills North of the Ohio River as
it flows from PA into Ohio, the site has been "in development" for
over 30 years. Formerly it was a strip-mining area to the total
ruination of the landscape. But in the course of time these
devastations have been covered over, trees have grown in
abundance, and one would never know the terrible condition of the
surroundings of that time. As one drives North on SR168, coming to
the top of a rather steep hill there is a cross road--Lisbon Rd.
to the Rt. and State Line Rd. to the left. There turn left and go
about 4 miles on a very winding road that seems to be heading ever
deeper into the "boonies". It is fair black top, sometimes a bit
narrow, yet at all times adequate for my 31' Airstream. As one
ascends another of the hills, close to the top on the East side of
the road one abruptly comes upon a very new ('97) automatic gate
and broad entry way.
The usual phone and numeric pad are there so that one can call
in for a gate opening. If that does not immediately work, there is
a pedestrian gate so that one can walk in to the reception kiosk
to call again for help!
The entry area is very neat and well kept with a vista through
the trees of some of the residences and sport complex. While only
a very few of the members reside here throughout the year, there
are many mobile homes, cabins, a brick dwelling and numerous other
buildings. Among these are the recreation halls, rental units,
restaurant and snackbar, shop, and sanitary buildings all in
attractive brick. Of course there is the customary pool, hot tub
and a real finnish sauna!! Many of these are situated around two
sides of a very large open quadrangle with water and electric
hookups for rv's and campers. A bit farther away is another very
large flat, grassy field with hookups for some 30+ campers. It is
easily understandable how 2000 guests can be squeezed in for the
huge volley ball matches the weekend after Labor Day.
For the sport enthusiasts there are two permanent, hardsurfaced
volley ball courts, two tennis courts that double for volley ball,
All of these are in full use for the big championships that dray
visitors from a very wide area. Nudity on the courts is
obligatory, though evidently not always for the spectators--but no
media are present to "record" the events (at least not
officially)!
Other sports facilities include horseshoes, boccia (petanque),
shuffleboard and a large, well equipped play area for children.
Thus all ages are well provided for, including a special building
with pool tables, juke box and other "equipment" for the 'teens.
For those not interested in participatory sports, there are many
trails through the woods so that one can spend hours hiking nude
through the natural surroundings without meeting another person.
Along the various roads, all well kept, covered smoothly with fine
gravel, there are many RV's, mobile homes, log cabins and other
appropriate vacation structures, many with lawns and pleasant
landscaping, flower beds, etc. When one recalls that 30-40 years
ago this was a strip mining site, it is difficult now to imagine
what it then must have looked like, now with a variety of large
trees of many kinds. Perhaps this is what surprised me most: that
a resort (I could hardly call this in any sense a "camp") that is
used primarily for weekends and only in the Spring to Fall season
could provide such pleasant, attractive and abundant facilities
easily comparable with any in the deep South or Florida.
As a co-op with some 300 members and the income from the volley
ball tournament in September the rates are likewise amazingly low.
Everyone is expected to and most do pitch in to do the
maintenance, supervision, and usual running of the resort, again
cutting down on the general overhead.
Since obviously many come to such a setting to escape the
"madness" of the textile world, I shall say little about the
attractions which seem to dominate that scene other than to remark
that TV reception is adequate for all the necessary information
that one might need. And NPR is clear from Pittsburg on 89.3!
Certainly for anyone in the area or passing within 50+ miles or
more of WTL a visit would be more than worth while. As an added
attraction, the rates are truly very moderate. Furthermore, on
weekends (with much heavier attendance) there is a well-run
restaurant serving meals prepared by the volunteer staff. White
Thorn Lodge is without question one of the best spots I have
discovered in the whole Northeast.
N.B. Coming from the North, as one drives South on SR168 at the
crossing with SR251 (Blackhowk Rd), turn West (Rt) for about 1.7
miles. Watch closely on left for "State Line Rd." Turn left for
1.5 miles to entrance of WTL. BUT just beyond SR251 on SLR there
is a somewhat narrow bridge with a sharp rt turn that has to be
negotiated carefully with motor home or trailer.
Copyright © 1997 NetNude Inc.