Memorial Lake State Park Falcon Picnic

22-May-2021 11:00 – 2:00 plus cruise

MEMORIAL LAKE STATE PARK
18 Boundary Road
Grantville, Pennsylvania   17028

Here are some pictures from the picnic today. The weather was about perfect. A slight breeze to keep us cool in the shade and blow the bugs away. Judy, William & Jason Barrett did a tour on the lake in the kayaks (THANK YOU LORA FOR THE USE OF YOUR KAYAKS). We all enjoyed lunch on the park picnic tables. (THANK YOU PAM FOR THE TABLE CLOTHS). After lunch it was on to the cruise through the National Cemetery and a stop to check out the helicopters, tanks, the 40 & 8 Gratitude Boxcar and a BIG PLANE. We ended the day at the Lickdale Country Store/Camp Ground for ice cream. Chris Sutch stopped by in his newly purchased blue 64 Futura convertible. Chris is very interested in joining the FCA & the KCFCA.

Click image to see full size.


Picnic @ Lower Road Parking Lot—2 mi. from exit 85 of I-81

Everyone will bring their own lunch.  We will park our Falcons together (30 spaces available).  There are plenty of picnic tables spread out under the trees.  There are also 2 bar-b-que grills at this park location.  Bring charcoal and aluminum foil if you want to use the grills.  There will be 2 personal kayaks to use on the lake.  1 single kayak and 1 two person kayak.  Paddles and life preservers will be supplied also.  They will be available at 10:00am.  There is also a boat/kayak rental at the park.  Come early if you like and check out the lake on a kayak. 

At 2:00 PM we will leave Memorial Lake and cruise to the close by Indiantown Gap National Cemetery and the Indiantown Gap Military Reservation.  There is a display of helicopters and tanks to check out. There is a rare display of a 40&8 “Gratitude Box Car” that was a gift from the people of France and given to the American people in 1949.  40&8 stood for 40 soldiers or 8 horses.  They gave one boxcar to each of the 48 states with the territory of Hawaii and DC sharing the 49th boxcar.  Check out more information here.  https://www.themetrains.com/merci-train-main.htm

At 4:00 PM we will leave Indiantown Gap and head to the Lickdale Campground and General Store for ice cream (about 3 mi.—11 Lickdale Rd. Jonestown, PA 17038).  The store is located at exit 90 of I-81.

If you can’t make it to the picnic come at 2:00 for the cruise or meet us at Lickdale for ice cream.

DIRECTIONS TO THE PARK FROM EXIT 85 OF I-81

Take rt 934 (Fisher Ave.) towards Indiantown Gap.  There are plenty of signs to guide you to Memorial Lake State Park.  You will go by the entrance to the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery on the right.  Turn left (1/2 mile) on to Asher Miner Rd at the Snitz Creek Restaurant .  At the bottom of the hill bear left onto Boundary Road.  Continue on Boundary Road past Upper Road, Middle Road, the Park Office and a church to Lower Road.  Turn left onto Lower Road and then straight ahead to the picnic area.

DON’T FORGET YOUR MASK AND HAND SANTIIZER

This link will take you to a few images from our 1990 Memorial Lake Picnic. Ed will not forget this one.

Below are some shots Bruce took on a recent visit earlier this year.

The Gratitude train car was a gift from France in 1949.  All 48 states got one.  It is called a 40&8 boxcar.  It will hold 40 soldiers or 8 horses.  It’s hard to read the plaque but has lots more info.


I had someone ask about hotels near the Memorial Lake picnic.  Here is a list of hotels I had as an alternate for the KCFCA Regionals at Bethel.  The Memorial Lake picnic is right in the middle off I-81 at exit 85.  Grantville is at exit 80 and Lickdale is at exit 90.  This info is from 2016.  I hope all the numbers are good.  Hershey park will be open only weekends in May.  The Hollywood Casino and Penn National Race track is at the Grantville exit.

Quality Inn Midway
41 Diner Road, Bethel, PA 19507
I-78 Midway exit 16

Lebanon Valley Comfort Inn
16 Marsanna Lane, Jonestown, PA
Phone: 717-865-8080
Fax: 717-865-2259
Gm.pa529@choicehotels.com

Days Inn Jonestown
3 Everest Lane, Jonestown, PA
Phone: 717-865-4064
Fax: 717-865-0730
Daysinn9915@gmail.com

Best Western – Lebanon Valley Inn & Suites
4 Fisher Avenue, Jonestown, PA
Phone: 717-865-4234
Fax: 717-865-4235

At exit 80 on I-81. (Grantville – Hershey)
22 miles from exit 16 on I-78, Comfort Inn Midway.

Holiday Inn – Harrisburg/Hershey
604 Station Road, Grantville, PA
Phone: 717-469-0661
Fax: 717-469-7755
mindymarpoe@stayholiday.com

Days Inn
252 Bow Creek Rd, Grantville, PA
Phone: 717-469-0631
Fax: 717-469-0843

Comfort Inn Suites
450 Station Road, Grantville, PA
Phone: 717-469-8181
Fax: 717-469-1822
GM.PA295@choicehotels.com

Hampton Inn
255 Bow Creek Road, Grantville, PA
Phone: 717-469-7689
Fax: 717-469-2337
Curt.maceachern@hilton.com

WhoVehicleComment
Wolfe, Bruce & Pam1962 Wagon (Ratmobile)
Wolfe, Bruce62 Deluxe Station Wagon
Wolfe, Pam & Lora Varel63 Futura Convertible
Haines, Dan64 Futura Convertible
Servas, Frank & GinnyDaily Driver
Ogram, Jim & Amy1964 Deluxe Ranchero
Ogram, Jim & Amy1964 Ranchero (Speedy)
Barrett, Rick & Judy & William & Jason69 Station Wagon
Scioscia, ChrisDaily Driver
Sutch, Chris64 Futura Convertible
Wolfe, Fred & Rose68 Futura Sedan

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