October 9-10, 2023 Into the Forest, Allegheny National Forest

October 9, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY ANDY!

After saying our farewells to Anne, we headed west and then south.

Beautiful farms:

Some nice two lane roads:

Through small towns – love the mural:

More farmland:

Leaves are peaking!

And the barns, oh my!

Horses in the field:

Lumber Mills:

Check out the signs…  Never saw a bear sign before:

And back to PA:

We made our way to Red Bridge Campground in the Allegheny National Forest where we will be for 3 nights – Love the forest.

“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul”

― John Muir

We had planned to have steak over the fire but it was so windy that we decided to wait until tomorrow. The local Elks was serving food so that is where we went for Andy’s birthday dinner.

Stats for today:

Miles Traveled:  205 Miles

Routes Traveled:

New York: 281; Foster Road; NY-90; NY-281; US-13; I-86; US-219

Pennsylvania: US-219; PA-770; PA-59; PA-321

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

We decided to hang around the campsite today.  We had to do a few chores and we wanted to enjoy a campfire –

Our site:

Our “new to us” truck:

Ask us about our new license plate – LOL!:

Enjoying the campfire:

Looks like he is up to something – LOL! 

Yes, we enjoyed out steak and potatoes over the fire!

Tomorrow we will be heading to Kinzua Bridge State Park – Stay tuned and enjoy today.

October 6-8, 2023 Visiting Family and Friends

Friday, October 6th

On Friday Morning, we woke to rain and drizzle. After doing our final preparations (shutting down the house and organizing the RV), we were off.

The traffic on I-81 in Pennsylvania was terrible – lots of construction and back ups, plus the rain did not help.

And then we were in…

Once we crossed the state border, the road was great and the rain held up – YEA!

We made our way to Camillus, New York and parked in my aunt’s driveway.  We spent the rest of the evening getting caught up with my Aunt and Cousins.  What a great time!

Stats for today:

Miles Traveled: 217 Miles

Routes Traveled:

Pennsylvania: Chestnut Street; US-209; US-61; I-81

New York: I-81; I-690; NY-695; NY-5; NY-98; NY-155; Carol Drive

Saturday, October 7th

After a great breakfast of Swedish Waffles made by my aunt, my cousins, Lauren and Fred, took us sightseeing. 

They built a camp/vacation home north of Syracuse on a lake so that was our first stop.  What a beautiful place. I am so happy for them!  (Sadly I did not take any pictures – )

From there we went to the Fish Hatchery.  The salmon are running right now and it was amazing to see all the streams filled with fishermen.

The Hatchery had a nice little museum that talked about the salmon and their journey as well as other fish found the streams and Great Lakes.

The fish are making their way up the ladder to the hatchery:

Blocking the fish from going upstream – to ensure that they go to the hatchery:

It was amazing to see all those salmon jumping.

Here is the link if you would like to know more:   https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/21663.html

My cousins, Lauren and Fred:

We all got together for dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse – YUM!  And had a great visit afterwards.

My cousins, Eric and Pennie and my Aunt Loretta:  

Sadly I did not get a picture of Rachel (Eric/Pennie’s daughter) or Julia (Lauren/Fred’s daughter).  What beautiful girls.

Guess who?!:

WHAT A WONDERFUL TIME!  Thanks to my Aunt Loretta and Cousins Lauren, Fred, Eric, and Pennie for making us feel special!

Sunday, October 8, 2023

After saying our goodbyes and doing some errands, we headed south to Cortland, New York.

It was a beautiful day!

We are here to visit our friend, Anne.  We met Anne at the Florida SKP Park where we both had lots.  When we first arrived there, Anne was one of the first folks we met.  At that same time, a stray cat adopted us.  As it turned out, Anne adopted the cat and she has been her buddy every since.   The young stray has turned into one beautiful friendly cat. 

We spent the day getting caught up with each other.  Anne gave us a tour of her beautiful home with a great view. She treated us to a great dinner and we were able to meet her daughter,Sandy, son and son’s friend, Greg and Jenn.

Andy, Anne, and me:

Thank you all for the great time and hopefully we will see you again.

Stats for Sunday:

    

Miles Traveled: 40 Miles

Routes Traveled:

New York: Carol Drive; NY-155; NY-98; NY-5; NY-695; I-690; I-81; NY-281; NY-90; Foster Road 

Tomorrow we continue our journey south so stay tuned and enjoy today!

July 6-7, 2008 – Winding down in the Catskills

We will be leaving here tomorrow. Tonight is our 27th night here – the longest we have ever stayed in one place. It has been nice but we are ready to move on.

Yesterday was laundry and grocery day and today, after another great bike ride at the reservoir, we started to put away what we could. The site now looks empty (as well as the campground – only 5 sites rented tonight versus 76 over the weekend). And it was really nice tonight to have quiet at the campfire.

Tomorrow we head to Vermont so until then…

July 5, 2008 – Bicycling at the Reservoir

This morning we made a trip back to the Askokan Reservoir with our bikes and had a wonderful ride (~4 miles).

Some pictures:

Back home, we have started to dismantle camp – today was the screen tent. This is the longest we have ever stayed in one spot. While it has been nice to really see the area and get to know some of the locals, we are ready to move on.

The workers had a picnic today and Audrey (one of the staff) brought us some fruit salad – fresh and delicious. Audrey has been really good to us every time she is working and it has been great talking with her. The ranger who works weekends, John, gave us a farewell (hug for me and handshake for Andy). John has always entertained us with stories. Everyone here has been absolutely wonderful.

One of the campers we met a few weeks ago is back in the park and stopped by today to chat (he asked if we were still here from before – yep!). Maybe we need to put out a mailbox. Oh, and last night, Andy lent a shovel to the young couple across from us. When they brought the shovel back, they gave us some grilled shrimp as a thank-you – mmmmmmm!

Although I liked having the park to ourselves, it has been very interesting people watching. But after two days, I am ready for some quiet in the evenings/nights!

And of course another great campfire!

July 4, 2008 – Happy Independence Day to all!

Happy Independence Day to All and a special thank you to those who have fought and our fighting for our freedoms.

The rain started again last night and continued into the morning. But it started to clear right before noon and stayed dry (though cloudy) for the rest of the day.

We did some bicycling around the park – it is not totally full but the people are still coming in!!

This afternoon, we went to the town of Saugerties to see their celebration. We did miss the parade but stopped at the park and walked through the vendor area. From there we decided to go to the lighthouse.

The Saugerties Lighthouse was first operated in 1869 and automated in 1954. It is now owned by the Saugerties Lighthouse Conservancy who gives tours on the weekends. Right now, the lighthouse serves as a bed and breakfast throughout the summer and a keeper who lives in the house full time.

The lighthouse:
A view from the porch:

On the lighthouse trail – notice the height of those grasses:

Andy on the trail – notice the size of that tree:

And I was blessed again with another great shot – notice the bee:

Back home, it was still dry so we were able to have a great campfire. The campground is almost full and noisy. We have salsa music on our right, classic rock on our left and Indian chanting in front of us – wow!!

Until tomorrow….

July 3, 2008 – Kayaking, More Rain, the Crowds, and Ken

A beautiful morning in the Catskills!!

We took another kayak ride on the lake and here are some pictures:

And the lilies:

It was so peaceful just being out there with no one but the birds and the frogs!!

This afternoon we did some odds and ends – cleaned and deflated the kayak (and put it away for now), did final fittings on our bike helmets and seats, etc. etc.

And, oh yes, I did finish my bracelet:

How about that!

It started to rain mid-afternoon but we were able to spend some time with a camp fire this evening. The crowds are coming in for the weekend. (We will miss some of the peace and quiet in the evenings - :-)) We also got a chance to talk to some of the camp ground staff and as one told us “the party is over – we will be incredibly busy over the next few days!” God bless them.

One final note:

For those of you who followed us last year in Alaska and the wonderful time we had in Tok at Sourdough Campground with Ken and Ann and the Pancake Toss: It is with heavy heart that I tell you that Ken passed away on March 24th, 2008 in a snowmobile accident. Ken had such a zest for life and for Alaska and made everyone feel at home and that they were a friend. He will be missed.

Please keep Ann and his family in your prayers and also enjoy every day to its fullest because life is short.

Ken entertaining us (in Alaska 2007):

God bless you Ken!

http://sourdoughcampground.com