Kettle Creek State Park has always felt a little different to me. Maybe it’s the way the mountains seem to fold around the water, or how the morning fog hangs low over the lake just before sunrise. Maybe it’s because nearly every memory I have there involves my uncle’s boat, a Barbie fishing rod and constant reminders to stop talking so much. (Since the constant ramblings of a child tends to scare the fish away of course, or so I was told.)

Growing up, these fishing trips with my uncle became something of a tradition for me and my brother as we packed up the car early in the morning and hit the road for what felt like hours. In reality, the trip was a quick 25 minutes from Renovo but the excitement of getting on the boat got the better of us and time slowed down.

The best part of the drive became the turn leading up to the Alvin R. Bush dam, my holy grail of a landmark, and just a few minutes outside the main park. Every now and then we would stop to enjoy the view since there is a lot to stop in while visiting.

Out on the water some days we caught a few fish. Some days we caught absolutely nothing. And one day I caught every single fish and they didn’t get a nibble, but who’s still keeping track. But I don’t think any of us cared all that much about the fish, contrary to my uncle’s grumbling throughout the day. The peaceful surroundings of the park made the trip worth it to me.

Kettle Creek Reservoir offers 167 acres popular for boating with rowboats, electric motorboats, kayaks, canoes, sailboats and paddleboards.

Back then, I spent most of my time watching him bait my hook and typically cast into some weeds, making my uncle find a new spot away from anything that wasn’t “Laura-proof” but he would laugh, untangle everything and eventually get me set up again.

Looking back now, I’m sure his patience was probably the most important thing he ever taught me out there.

That’s part of what makes the park special to me. It isn’t loud or overcrowded. It doesn’t feel overly commercialized. It just feels real.

Kettle Creek has plenty to offer besides fishing, of course. The campground stays busy throughout the warmer months and the lake becomes a hub for kayaking and canoeing during the summer. The hiking trails winding through the surrounding mountains offer some incredible views, especially once fall starts creeping into the valley and the leaves begin changing color.

But for me, Kettle Creek will always be tied to those fishing trips.

LAURA TARANTELLA/THE EXPRESS Courtesy docks and a boat launch are available for use at the lake at Kettle Creek State Park.

Life gets busy as you get older. Jobs, responsibilities and schedules have a way of pulling people in different directions. But every now and then I’ll find myself back at Kettle Creek standing near the water, although no fishing rod in hand, and it all comes rushing back.

The smell of the lake. The feeling of cold mountain air early in the morning and I’m reminded of the endless possibilities that Kettle Creek offers.

And somewhere in the back of my mind, I can still hear my uncle reminding me not to scare the fish away by talking too much.

Kettle Creek State Park may not be the biggest or most famous park in Pennsylvania, but for me it represents something bigger than hiking trails or campsites. It’s a place tied to family, memories and the kinds of quiet moments that stay with you long after childhood fades.

If you ever get the chance to spend a morning (or even better, a weekend) there with a fishing pole and nowhere else to be, I’d recommend it. You might leave with more than just fish.

— — — —

Laura Tarantella is a reporter for The Express.