CHINAR SHADE : A VISIT TO ROAMING WOODS LAKE ,PENNSYLVANIA.

A Visit to Roaming Woods Lake, Pennsylvania,USA

We came to Roaming Woods Lake in Pennsylvania on 19th July 2024. It was about 2 and a half hours car journey from Jersey city . We stayed in a newly built house booked through Airbnb on the bank of Roaming Woods Lake . The lake and the colony of more than 3000 houses is in a forest area .Our beautiful and tidy accommodation was a 3 bedroom house built completely with wood, vinyl sheets , asphalt and fibreglass. This is much sought after building material the for residential houses in the US. Wooden logs become RCC pillars to support the structure. I was told that using stones, bricks and cement is expensive and time consuming. One can build a house with 3 bedrooms and basement in just 20 to 30 days. Everything almost is pre-fabricated and done with nuts and bolts. And residential buildings are less of a mason's job but more of a carpenter's work. I was told that many people build their own houses if it is a smaller set up. Walls are made from compressed wooden sheets while load is supported by wooden pillars . Asphalt sheets are used for roofing. These houses are pretty warm in winter and comfortable in summer. I saw a recreational vehicle ( RV) and boats in many houses .

Coming to Roaming woods Lake ;Roaming Woods Lake is a 198-acre lake located in Wayne County, Pennsylvania. It is nestled in the lake homes community called "The Hideout" . Philadelphia is 135 miles south, and New York City is roughly 120 miles southeast of this lake . The area has plenty snowfall in winters while summers are not so hot. The climate is like Kashmir ( a little colder and comparable with Pahalgham ). Apples will be harvested from late August. I saw them on trees. Entry to the residential colony ( Hideout ) is only after proper verification at the entrance . The residents have put system and order in every affair that concerns general security and protection of the lake and the environment .

There is a Public Safety Department set up by residents in this area for security, watch and ward and general emergencies. This Public Safety Department utilizes a fleet of 5 camera equipped radio motor Patrol Vehicles with fully equipped Emergency Services Response equipment. All Patrol Officers are 1st Aid, CPR and AED Certified with some officers being Certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s). Every Patrol Vehicle is also equipped with a fully stocked medical response bag including an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and oxygen tank. During medical emergencies, residents can call the Public Security officers for help or moving some sick to hospital. This is something amazing and a perfect support structure for many seniors living in this colony.

Since the lake is in a forest area, we saw some rabbits and deers . There are noticeboard to take care and not litter garbage anywhere that may attract bears. The lake water is crystal clear .The average depth of Roaming Woods Lake is 6 feet, however, the deepest portion is close to 17 feet in depth. It is also supplied for drinking to residents . At two corners of the lake, two beaches have been developed for swimming and boating . Enough sand has been put in these corners with Kayak boats, jet boats, and speed boats for surf riding. There are two swimming pools ; one for adults and one for children. There are some more water sports for children. To throw anything into the lake or litter around the lake is a punishable . You can be asked to leave the lake with a fine of 500 dollars by guards. No residential boats or houseboats are allowed to be built in the lake. No drain or any dirty water is fed to the lake which like many other lakes in this area serves as the reservoir of drinking water.

The lake is full of fish, the major variety being Lake trout and Largemouth Bass. I was told that the residents living in the colony ( Hideout ) around the lake spend around 3,00,000 dollars per annum to keep the lake clean.The lake is in a way owned by the residents who look after its cleanliness and maintenance passionately. There are about 3000 plus residential houses around the lake . The residents have built a Club House with restaurant and bar, a tennis court, golf course, winter ski slope and some more recreational facilities .Apart from Roaming Woods Lake, the residents also take care of two other lakes in this area known as Deerfield Lake and Brooks Lake. Also located within the community is Windermere Lake, Hidden Lake, and Big Springs Pond.

This is the story of one lake, one can find thousands of similar lakes in the US ; maintained ,protected and all beautiful. We also saw Wallenpaupack Lake enroute our journey.I saw many such lakes in New England as well.

I wish this type of ownership existed among Dal dwellers in Kashmir . Alas ! our Dal Lake is almost dead.

( Avtar Mota )

United States has an estimated 125,000 lakes in the lower 48 states that are larger than 20 acres. The U.S. Geological Survey also notes that the country has about 250 freshwater lakes that are at least 10 square miles in surface area. Of those, nearly 100 are in Alaska, and another 100 are in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, and Maine.