Lake Frederick, West Point, New York

“You are not in the mountains. The mountains are in you.”

John Muir

Our bunk houses at Lake Frederick for the long weekend.

For 365 days, we wait with great anticipation for our next epoch event at Lake Frederick, New York and it is finally here. For our whole group of friends, that get together once a year to enjoy our near private paradise, we all cherish our time here. This is a military campground for use by Active Military and immediate family, Retired military and immediate family, and DOD Civilians, Reservist, National Guard, 100% DAV, and Boy Scouts. We have many military retirees and families that join us this long weekend as well as our son-in-law, Darren who is still active duty. My deepest thanks to all who have served.

West Lake Cottage - the haunted house. 

The new bath house 

Pulling off Smith Clove Road on onto Proctoria Road, the private road leading into Lake Frederick, you drive past the landing zone where the Black Knight Parachute Team practice. We have been lucky enough to see them in the past jumping and landing precisely in the right spot. They are an impressive group. After you pass their landing site you turn right between large rocks and go a short ways till you are in our “happy valley.” The 18 acre beautiful lake and beach is to the left, with the bunk houses in front of you and the mess hall, the new bathhouse, and the West Lake Cottage (a historic and haunted home) which is now the headquarters for Lake Frederick to the right. It is hard to believe that this scenic mountain setting is only fifty miles from New York City.

The old mess hall - soon to be demolished.

Danny, the hero who saved Joe's plane.

History of Lake Frederick 

History of Lake Frederick 

Wildlife at Lake Frederick

This land was owned by the Frederick Freeman Proctor (known as “Dean of Vaudeville”. At one time Proctor owned 53 theatres all along the East Coast. In 1912, he built Proctoria, “Land of the Skies,” on 1142 acres in Central Valley, New York. Proctoria included five large homes, various barns and a gatehouse. In 1929, when Proctor passed away, the estate was up for sale and the United States Military Academy acquired the lands and buildings – all but the Gatehouse, and a small cottage. The Gatehouse was deeded to the town of Woodbury in 1973. Now this land is used for the Parachute team, military training, and camping and recreation.

Lining up for a walk around the lake. 

the beach

So that is a little of the history of the magnificent place that we are blessed to be able to come and get some well needed R & R and enjoy our family and friends. I get out of the car, breath in the fresh air, and take it all in. How I love this place and how at peace I feel every time I arrive. What makes this place so special? Is it the beautiful scenery? The sky that seems bluer and clearer here? The mountains? The smell of the morning dew? The crystal clear lake? The camaraderie of our friends? I would say it is a little of everything and since starting to come to West Point since 1988, this place is deeply rooted in our hearts. The memories we have made here and Camp Buckner are beyond priceless. Over our thirty years of coming here, we have seen our own children grow up, our friends children grow up, and our children’s children grow up. We all have a deep love for this place and each other and that is the glue that holds us together.

Quiet sitting area on the lake.

Entrance to Lake Frederick.

This year was the first time every, I came up by myself after Joe was all ready here. He was blessed to have an extra couple days here to enjoy the splendor and peacefulness of this place. When I pulled in after a long trip and saw all my friends and some of our family, it was more than special and that greeting will be relished for all time. I ran into everyone’s arms and felt a love that is shared year after year between us feeling as if no time has lapsed between visits. We all sat down under the shade of tree in front of the bunk houses and enjoyed each others company and the amazing view of the lake. The scenery couldn’t be more glorious and being with our friends was magical.

Barbara (Janet's mom) Janet and Danny - the newlyweds.

After awhile, we all scattered and put on bathing suits and started heading to the beach for an afternoon swim. I stopped by to visit with Danny and Janet Eichner, the caretakers for here and Round Pound, another West Point Campground. I had to congratulate them on getting married last weekend.  They are two very special people who put there heart and soul into this place to make it what it is. Danny has been working at Round Pound since April and we are hoping they bring him back here to continue with all the improvements here at Lake Frederick. They have made this place into a grand resort that improves every time we come back. They are great, honest, friendly people who make our visit enjoyable with no stress. We feel blessed that we have gotten to know them and now call them part of our family.

The beach

Virile - John Blanc  - picture taken by Erin Jones

Then onward to the beach. There are nice lawn chairs to sit and lay on and a couple picnic tables to put snacks and drinks on. The water looks crystal clear and I put my feet in and realize it was cool but not cold. I went right in feeling refreshed and was amazed by how clear the water was looking down at my feet. The girls were sitting on floats drifting out near the rope at the end of the swimming area and I swam out to join in the conversation. Deb and Gabriella tend to float out there with their hats, sunglasses, and a book (prop) and sleep out there. Today they were awake and floating with Marie also. The guys were in a huddle closer to shore talking. Then my Joe swims out to be with the girls. He has been friends with these wonderful women since grade school. We floated for a good long time catching up on each others year. From the beach area, you can look up into the mountain and see the ruins of the Ledgewood Ruins. That used to be part of the Proctoria estate and was a two story colonial revival home with cedar shingles on the roof. It must have been magnificent in the day. When we first starting coming to Lake Frederick, it was not visible but they cleared some trees and now it is quite visible and adds a bit of interest while looking at the mountain.

Kathy Reid and Erin 

Distance shot with the beach and mountain in the background.

John and Moniko 

After our lovely swim, we got out of the water and laid out on the beach soaking up the sun. What a blessing to be able to come to this place and relax and enjoy the magnificent scenery here. Then some of our group left to start preparing dinner but I did not join in today as I was tired from the trip. My turn would come to cook tomorrow. This year is was about 40 people who joined us and chipped in with food. Our friends, Matthew and Melissa showed up this afternoon and cooked enough pasta and sausage for an army. Then there was also taco meat, chicken chili, ham, salads, and fruit. No one would ever go hungry here. Our group comes together from all over the states. Many came from New Jersey, our childhood home, but they also came from Washington, Virginia, South Carolina, Connecticut, and Georgia.

Our group walking around the lake near sunset

Still walking

The Ledgewood Ruins

Red sun light in the woods - beautiful

And the walk continues.

We made it to the top  - Marcia is tough.

Darina and Moniko

Kaley and Jackson 

Anthony and Kenny

Darren and Jeannine

Joe organizing a picture of all the children

The Gazebo

Bella and Moniko

Joe's picture of the children 

Sunset 

Enchanted Forest 

After the dinner meal, we gathered a group together of those who wanted to walk around the lake. We sang cadence while walking. The sunset tonight was amazing and the sun reached through the woods with a beautiful reddish tint. We past what we call the fish pond on the left which actually was the Proctor families swimming pool. The just past the pond, we saw “The Enchanted Forest.” That is my favorite part to see as it is so different from the rest of the area and the green is so vibrant. Further down the path, we walked to the base of the Ledgewood Ruins and got a great close up view looking up at it. Some of the children ran up to check out the ruins. Then onto the Gazebo that is at the top of the hill and overlooks the south east corner of the lake and dates back to 1912. From here, we sat and took in the views of our Eden and enjoyed seeing the infusion of color coming from the sunset. Spectacular. What a gift God has given us. After a lot of rain, there is a waterfall that goes off the mountain here that drops 50 feet. It has been dry so there was no waterfall this year. Passing near the old bathrooms, we looked out at the field below and saw a magical show of all the lightning bugs blinking in dusk. What a show.

John and Joe at the campfire releasing a sky lantern.  

There it goes - yes,  it did miss that tree.

Joe releasing a sky lantern - picture was taken by Erin Jones 

When we got back, we gathered around the fire for guitar playing and singing. This year it was Marie, Steve, and Jackson playing guitars and singing in perfect harmony. What fun. We enjoyed the evening laughing, telling stories, and doing our best to remember lines to the songs we were singing. We would always do great with the first verse but not so much after that. As the night got later and the stars came out, our friend, John brought out the sky lanterns. He started bringing them the year after, our good friend Willie passed away. We went out to the field and said a prayer and put one up in his honor. Now it is a tradition and we send a couple off throughout the weekend. We all love that and send up a prayer to our Willie who is so missed. Then Joe plays “Taps” on Willie’s bugle and some go to bed while the night owls stay up near the fire.

Sunset over Lake Frederick with the beach in the background

Beautiful Lake Frederick 

Wildflowers 

Claudine and Jason doing the peanut butter and jelly procession

Claudine doing face painting on the girls

View from Erin's bunk house - great shot Erin

The next day, I got up early, walked outside our bunk house and looked at the lake. Mist was rolling over it and the grass was covered with dew and it smelled like freshly fallen rain. It felt cooler than it has been and it felt great. I walked to the mess hall and started breakfast starting with the most important thing – putting on a pot of coffee. As people woke up, they chipped in with kitchen duty. We enjoyed pancakes, hash browns, eggs, sausage, and bacon, sausage gravy, bagels, and fruit. We joke while we are here that once we finish one meal and clean up, it is time to start preparing the next meal.

Cannons on West Point 

Brand new cadets training - Cadet chapel in the background.

Victory Monument

More cannons 

More cannons

West Point Flag pole

Superintendents house at West Point with Arvin Gym in the background. 

Washington Hall with the Cadet Chapel looming overhead.

Entrance to the Cadet Chapel

Inside the Cadet Chapel.  Gorgeous.

Organ inside Cadet Chapel.

Where the Superintendent sits at the Cadet Chapel. 

Stained glass - Cadet Chapel

After breakfast, I took a few people on a tour of West Point. Driving over the mountain, we were lucky enough to see a mamma deer with her baby that looked just like Bambi with the spots on her back. How precious. I always enjoy going onto West Point proper and will never tire of it. What an amazing academy with the most fantastic architecture. Today all the newbies were training on the parade field. God bless them. It makes me proud of our men and women serving every time I step foot on that sacred ground.

Joe, Kenny, Claudine, Lynette, and Anthony -  trip to the winery. 

Palaia Winery's float for Fourth of July Parade.  

Claudine and Jason

Our group at the Winery

Cheers!

Where the magic happens.

Relaxing and enjoying some wine.

I guess that means don't trespass. 

The tasting room.

We have to give her a name.

Our day continued very much like the day before and except we did put together a group to run to the Palaia Winery which is only a few miles from Lake Frederick. This is a wonderful winery that we call the hippie winery. The wines are nice and the atmosphere is wonderful. The signs here are priceless. We loved the girl who was doing our tasting and we just had a lovely time. Our friend, Anthony, who has made wine for years, had never been to a winery. He really enjoyed it. This is a great winery to visit if you are in the area.

Danny and Brien having a moment.

Darren showing the kids how it is done.

Erin, Danny, and Marcia

Darren driving the kids around the lake. 

The next day consisted of the just relaxing at the beach, playing games, eating, singing, and all the campfire action. What energy they have. We all enjoyed watching the children run and interact with everyone. Our friend, Arizona treated everyone with buying Jamaican food from Grand Mango Caribbean Restaurant in Woodbury, New York, a local restaurant nearby and let everyone have a taste. Wonderful food and great idea.

Bella posing with her new hat.

Goodbye Kathy and Mike.   Till next year.   Erin you are such a ham.  Love this.

John came up with a new game this year, where everyone picks a number and has a chance to win one of his fabulous prizes. He went around his house and picked up ten unique items to have us win. His prizes were a hoot. The prizes included a pen from the Radisson Hotel, a 2016 Farmers Almanac, an apron, a phone charger, two prints, a Make America Great hat, and more. Next year we will all bring a few items to put in a bag and share for this game. Thank you John for adding great entertainment for the night.

Another beautiful sunset.

As the sun sets on our final night behind the majestic mountains of our beloved Lake Frederick, we say goodbye to this beautiful piece of land that is a second home to us. We will think back on these fun times with fondness and look forward to our next visit throughout the year. Our love for this place grows every year we come back. As the night came to a close, “Taps” was again played by Joe and then to bed so we could wake up early and pack out. Good bye for now.

“I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let’s face it, friends make life a lot more fun.”

Charles R. Swindoll

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