Shady Groves and Winding Roads

Covered Bridges, Parks and Other Seasonal Diversions:  Bucks County day trips to keep the summer blues at bay.

By: Daniel Shearer

"Frankenfield

Staff photo by Daniel Shearer
Above, the Frankenfield Covered Bridge, Tinicum, Pa.

   For reasons unknown to humankind, Theodore the cat has taken an interest in the Cabin Run Covered Bridge.
   He stands in the middle of the road, seemingly unfazed by an approaching Range Rover. The
cat dodges into an opening in the side of the bridge, reappearing minutes after the vehicle passes.
   His owner, on the other hand, is visibly displeased.

"Loux's

Staff photo by Daniel Shearer
Above, Loux’s Covered


Bridge in Plumstead, Pa.

   "Theodore, you know I don’t like it when you do that," says Virginia Grubb, a retired chemistry
teacher who lives near the bridge in Plumstead, Pa.
   The cat answers by cocking its head to the side.
   "Yes, I know," Ms. Grubb says, "but Teddy, I don’t want you in there. Come here."
   She attempts to close the distance between them. Teddy retreats to his nook.
   Frustrated, Ms. Grubb throws up her hands.
   "He does this all the time," she says.
   Ms. Grubb, you see, was in the process of checking her mail when she noticed a visitor taking
pictures of the bridge, along with a certain mischievous feline on the wrong side of the road.
   Bridge tourism is fairly common on aptly named Covered Bridge Road. Dozens of motorcycles
and cars pass Ms. Grubb’s home on most weekends, a fact she acknowledges with mixed enthusiasm, since many
of them rudely park in her driveway. But even for people who have absolutely no interest in bridges, there’s
plenty to do in the area. Ralph Stover State Park is nearby, as is Tohickon Valley Park, run by Bucks County
Department of Parks and Recreation.
   Based in Point Pleasant, Pa., Bucks County River Country offers canoeing and tubing excursions,
an ideal way to cool off on a hot summer day. For more experienced paddlers, Tohickon Creek offers a challenging
course for closed-deck canoes and kayaks during high-water conditions. The creek has several drops as it winds
past Tohickon and Stover parks.

"Stover-Myers
Above, the 19th-century Stover-Myers Mill in Bedminster; below, the mill’s vertical saw.
"The

Staff photos by Daniel Shearer

   "Do you have a bridge map?" Ms. Grubb asks. "You can get them at the Bucks County Visitors
Bureau, if you’re interested."
   She offers directions to two other covered bridges, Loux’s Bridge on Wismer Road, also in
Plumstead, and Frankenfield Bridge, on Hollow Horn and Cafferty Road in Tinicum, Pa., both of which can be
maddeningly difficult to find without a proper map. Bucks County Conference and Visitors Bureau has all 12
of Bucks County’s covered bridges listed on its Web site, along with directions for self-guided three- and
five-bridge tours.
   A short drive away on Dark Hollow Road in Bedminster, Pa., stands Stover-Myers Mill, a 19th-century
gristmill and sawmill complex that operated for 155 years. Designated a National Historic Place, the mill is
open for tours Sundays from 1-4 p.m. through September. The site contains much of the original milling equipment,
including millstones, separators, flour gyrators and a sawmill, which ceased operation in 1920.
   Across the road from the mill, Myers Dam is a popular fishing spot for locals. Chalfont,
Pa.-resident Joan Garges fishes the creek for small-mouth bass, sunfish, bluegills and an occasional catfish
that washes down Tohickon Creek from Lake Nockamixon.
   "There’s still gotta be trout stocked in here from earlier this season," says Ms. Garges,
shortly after another Chalfont resident, Carol Bigham, reels in a large catfish.
   "We fish with mealworms, minnows, almost anything," Ms. Garges says. "There’re so many natural
minnows in here they’ll sometimes bite something else because it’s different."
   Ms. Bigham holds her catch and turns to her 12-year-old son, Pat.
   "Are you gonna name him?" Ms. Bigham says. "How ’bout ‘Big Ol’ Mouth’ catfish?"
   Pat nods agreement.
   "Good then. Back you go," she says, returning the fish to the water.

Pat Bagnick (below)


prepares to release a sunny at Myers Dam in Bedminster, Pa. His mother, Carol Bigham (right), caught
a catfish.

  "Carol
"Pat
Staff photos by Daniel Shearer

   AS THE DAY HEATS UP, thoughts inevitably turn to ways to keep cool. Instead of jumping in
a creek for a quick dip — not an option that appeals to everyone — Tohickon Valley Park, a few miles
from Point Pleasant on Cafferty Road, operates an attractive and largely undiscovered pool. Surrounded by trees,
with a quaint picnic grove and playground equipment within sight of the pool, the park is perfect for family
gatherings.

"A

Staff photo by Daniel Shearer
Above, a great blue heron on Tohickon Creek in Ralph Stover State Park, Pa.

   The pool is open daily through Labor Day weekend, with daily rates for Bucks County residents
between $2.75 and $3.75, depending on the day of the week. Non-residents pay a few dollars more. Seasonal rates
are also available for those who frequently visit the area.

"One

Staff photo by Daniel Shearer
One of four cabins (above) in Tohickon Valley Park.

   The 612-acre park borders Tohickon Creek, with a 22-site campground, showers and an R.V.
dump station, two large group camping areas, and best of all, four lovely cabins located in a wooded area near
the creek. Each cabin has its own unique design, but two of the cabins come equipped with a full kitchen and
are fully furnished and completely charming. Perhaps the most attractive thing about them, other than the locale,
is the price — Bucks residents pay $80 and $90 a week for one of the two "primitive" cabins; $200 and
$250 a week for the "modern" cabins. All camping or group day use requires a completed application, which must
be delivered to the County Park Office in Langhorne, either by fax, mail or in person.
   Make plans and enjoy the rest of the season.
Bucks County Conference and Visitors Bureau is at 152 Swamp Road, Doylestown, Pa. For information,
call (800) 836-2825. On the Web: bccvb.org
Bucks County River Country is located on Byram Road, Point Pleasant, Pa. Offers a variety of canoeing,
kayaking and rafting packages. Rates vary. Day trip tubing starts at $16 per person; $18 weekends, weekday
holidays. Parking costs $5. Reservations required. For information, call (215) 297-5000. On the Web: www.canoeonline.com
Stover-Myers Mill is located on Dark Hollow Road, Bedminster, Pa., one mile east of 413 at Pipersville.
Mill tours Sun. 1-4 p.m. through September. For information, call (215) 489-5133.

"The

Staff photo by Daniel Shearer
The Tohickon Valley Park Pool.

Ralph Stover State Park is two miles north of Point Pleasant, Pa., on State Park and Stump Road.
For information, call (610) 982-5560. On the Web: www.dcnr.state.pa.us
Tohickon Valley Park is located on Cafferty Road, Point Pleasant, Pa. Pool open daily through Aug.
25, 12:30-6:30 p.m., abbreviated hours until pool closes Sept. 2. Daily pool fees: Bucks County resident, $2.75-$3.75;
non-resident, $5-$7.50. Seasonal rates also available. For pool information, call (215) 489-5132. Camping and
cabins available by reservation. Resident and non-resident rates apply. For information, visit the Bucks County
Department of Parks and Recreation, 901 E. Bridgetown Pike, Langhorne, or call (215) 757-0571.