New York

Just in case you are wondering.....our summer

excursion is far from over.  We have another month coming up...just to be sure the temperatures are more agreeable in the south when we finally return...and because we still have a few adventures on our schedule.

We did locate some fall color when we camped with the Mohawk Roamers at Oswegatchie, NY

But our current area in NY is very green yet.  We are at the Marina Campground in St. Johnsville, NY where it has been about 10 degrees warmer than usual...in other words, temps in the mid 80's until today when the high was mid 60's.  There are some leaves that have fallen and the kids next door raked them into a pile to play in.

The weather has been ideal for dog baths, truck washing and rig washing.  We sparkle once again.

We didn't find any color in Bath, NY either when we joined other Open Range owners at the NE Wine Campout.  The weather was perfect for daytime excursions and cooled down for great campfire weather in the evenings.

The Fingerlakes region of NY is perfect for grape growing...thus it is loaded with wineries.  And.....

Would you believe, grape pie?  Not very exciting.  Rather blah tasting actually.

We are now in apple county.  Pie is much more exciting here  as well as cider floats. Yum!!

We have enjoyed a few games with our friends.  You can sure collect a fist full of cards playing Dirty Uno....Right Bob??

It's a good thing he has large hands!

More fun in Ohio

August 27  28
Berlin, Ohio

Hey, I recognize this place.  We have been here before.  And I recognize Ruthie and AJ.  They were camping here when we were camped here last year, but our sites were much closer together last year.  Imagine that, we are a month later than last year and we still managed to be here the same time.  They love the area as much as we do.

Not only do they provide fire rings for each site at Scenic Hills RV, they have free campfire wood.  An arrangement has been made with a local woodshop who drop off their end cuts. Sure makes a nice fire!

Poor Dad about had a heart attack when he was wandering around Keim's Lumber.

He had sticker shock at the $1500 price tag for this piece of wood....and then he saw

a $3000 price tag.

They always say measure twice, cut once.  In this case, I think you might even want to measure more than just twice!!

I wonder how much cheese I'll get to sample?  Dad and Momma got to sample enough different flavors to make a meal!  Then they went across the street and enjoyed more samples at the bakery.  I think I need to be a service dog who needs to test every bite before it is ingested.  Now that would be one terrific job and I'd be GREAT at it!!

I have to admit, I ALMOST got to sample the marble rye when the bread basket was on the floor on moving day, but Momma is getting too alert for me or I'm losing my stealth mode technique.  I was sooo close to a special treat.

This area is known as an Amish Area.  I think they need wider countryside roads.  There are so many hills that it is hard to pass the buggies because you have limited line of sight.  I sure feel sorry for those horses tugging those buggies up the hills.  It really makes me appreciate my luxurious back seat that I can stretch out in while we zip down the road.  I'm glad I wasn't born as a horse.

Hickory

.....on the road again

Another Gem

August 25 - 26
Have you ever been to Archbold, Ohio?  Momma got a real deal for the weekend!  She purchased the 'package' from Sauder Village which includes our campsite in a nice RV park, two entry tickets to Sauder Village attraction (more about that coming up) PLUS two $15 vouchers to use at the Barn Restaurant.  

Now you notice I said '2' tickets to the Village.  Yep, left home on guard duty once again.  Momma said they wouldn't be gone long but it turned out to be the WHOLE day.  There was more to see than she expected.  She said there were more buildings with docents than what Williamsburg had to offer the last time they went because most of the Williamsburg buildings were closed.

The cooper was a terrific docent with a great presentation on barrel making using hand tools.

 The tinsmith shop had many interesting items

 The woodworking docent was very apologetic.  She was 'filling in' during a lunch break and said she was sorry she had such limited knowledge of the surroundings and made such a poor fill-in.  She was delightful to chat with!  

Momma always gets caught up in the glass works.  She said they made a return visit to see the glass worker in action later in the day. 

 You could tell the broom maker loved her job.  She was bubbly and entertaining as she wove a handle for this broom.

And there was a blacksmith, school, church, doctor, and the list goes on.

The farm area was complete with farm animals as well as buildings and even a covered bridge.

Dad spent extra time in the Sauder museum

while Momma spent extra time in the quilt shop.

While at dinner at The Barn, Momma and Dad chatted with a group of Good Sam RVers who were enjoying dinner together.  The Ohio chapter wasn't hard to recognize with their matching light blue shirts and name tags.  Several members said they winter in Florida ever year.  Some as close to us as Lady Lake at Recreation Plantation RV Resort. 

This might be a bit a of a haul for our Good Sam Chapter, but it would make an interesting caravan camping week!!

Dad did say that his coffee break at their bakery wasn't up to the caliber of his Yukon bakery experiences.  They may call their confections cinnamon rolls, but they sure forgot the cinnamon.  It was all roll dough with just a hint of cinnamon. He said I wouldn't have enjoyed it at all....but he never gave me a chance to check it out first hand.  You KNOW how much I love bread and rolls.  I'm sure I would have licked my lips and not complained a bit.

Hickory

.....on the road again

Family time

Labor Day Weekend
Upstate NY

It's a bit early for the gorgeous fall colors that paint the treed mountains, turning the views into a showy splendor.  But there are a few brave souls who are sharing a hint of what is in store in the coming weeks.  Just a tease of what's to come.  The colors are even more vibrant when viewed without peering through the windshield.

We were on our way to Oscar's Smokehouse in Warrensburg

to fill up our freezer with goodies from the Meat Market.  No, they didn't all make it to the freezer.  The blue cheese burgers went on the grill right away and the smoked porkchops lasted until the next night.  Fresh corn on the cob and it's a meal that will make anyone smile.

We are 'camped' in Aunt Janice's (Momma's sister's) driveway.  Cousin Ciar, the black lab is here to romp with.  He likes to play in the corn fields around the house.

Aunt Janice has been doing a bit of babysitting with the grandkids as school doesn't begin until after Labor Day.  

We arrived in time for Momma to join Aunt Janice at Ethan's PreSchool Graduation Party. Lots of parents attended the cookout, celebrating the end of preschool.  

Aunt Janice has another grandson who is starting Kindergarten this year, while his sister will stay at home with her Mom.

And wouldn't you know, the day the whole gang gathered together was the day it rained.  No outdoor play.  Just a full house.

Needless to say, I stayed in the rig that day while they filled up the house!  

Momma called Hick's Apple Barn and found out that they were making early cider, cider donuts and had some early apples for sale.

Dad thought this goat play area was interesting.

I'll bet they would have let me play with them if I had been in the truck that day.

Well, today we left Fort Ann and traveled to St Johnsville.  Aunt Janice texted Momma to say we departed just in time as they had hail after we pulled out.  Her back deck was covered with an accumulation of small balls.  All we got into was a few sprinkles.  Of course the timing challenged setting up the rig, but Momma and Dad have the routine down and they were quick about it!

I patiently waited in the dry truck.  Life is good!!

Hickory

......on the road again