07/21 to 07/26 - Newfound RV Park

 

Greetings and welcome back. My 4½, 175 mile trip from Lake George to Bridgewater, New Hampshire reinforced my love of driving. Today's light traffic journey was awesome. I enjoy soaking in the sights of the rich, lush green, country roads while traveling through New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. What scenery. Vermont is surely the Green Mountain State. My route ran parallel and followed the Ottauquechee River(AWT-ah-KWEE-chee) in eastern Vermont, a 41.2 mile tributary of the Connecticut River which eventually flows into Long Island Sound. Its rounded stones and boulders that form the riverbed gave testimony to the lack of water in the region.

Severe weather was forecasted for the afternoon in this area and it held off until I arrived at 2:30 pm. I saw the lightning and its immediate clap of thunder as I entered the campground. The 10-minute deluge kept me in the office with Anita, the owner, granddaughter, Sophie, and CZ the dog. The dime-sized hail on the roof pounded both Winnie and the building.

This downpour was as torrential as what we experienced disembarking the Lac du Sacrement back in Lake George but without the hail. The pelting of dime-sized hail was an experience to be remembered. Anita, the manager, was without power and using her iPhone light to check my registration.

Hail at the entrance doorway

CZ and....

...Sophie were okay at the onset of the noise but eventually she got to crying and had to be reassured that everything was going to be okay; it was that loud. She calmed down a bit when I told her how happy the trees and plants were about getting such a big drink of water. A treat or two from my pocket calmed down old-timer, CZ, who took it more in stride than little Sophie. Anita told me CZ isn't bother by either thunder or fireworks. She just takes it all in stride.

As it turned out, my site #1 was right next door to the office, seen above as the red dot at the beginning of the campground.

I found the Newfound RV Park and Campground using CAMPSPOT. To my RVing friends, I recommend it. I'm a KOA member but they're sparse in this area and this application is a nice, user friendly alternative. I'll be using it again when I plan the finale of my 2022 RVing season...September 16 to October 15th as described below. The website for this campground is well done and inviting. To quote the website: "Our quiet, family friendly campground has 40 large, level pull thru sites, 5 spacious Creekside (Brook) sites, and 2 large primitive tent sites on the Brook as well.  All RV sites are full hookups with water, sewer and your choice of 20, 30, or 50 amp electric service. We also offer complimentary TV and WIFI from our state of the art wifi access points that have fantastic reception throughout the park.  Our campground has private bathrooms and showers that are cleaned daily and a laundromat as well." I plan to do a couple of loads of laundry this week. Due to the oppressive heat this week, I haven't explored.

The 80º+ temperatures prior to the storm were cooled down to 72º resulting in steam rising from the blacktop.

Down the road apiece toward showers and laundromat.

Site 1: Level. Tomorrow setting up will continue with extending awning and a closer look at the store and walk around the campground and laundromat.

Entire campground surrounded by a heavily wooded area.

Looking back toward my campsite from the rec room/laundromat.

With weather being the HOT topic this week. New Hampshire was similar to back home where temps remained in the nineties. My AC ran all day and couldn't get the inside temp below 81. The blowing, cool breeze it provided, however, made everything comfortable. My large load of laundry cost me less than at home.

With no distractions and oppressive outdoor heat, I occupied my time by planning and adding to my final travel plans for the 2022 season (9/16 to 19/15). My calendar:

Thanks for joining me on this uneventful trip. Heading back to CPP tomorrow for restocking and 'taking care of business.' Till next time, stay safe, cool and happy.

07/14 to 07/21 - Lake George Riverview Campground-Part Two

Monday

The dreary, overcast and drizzly day on Monday sadly coincided with our purchased tickets (thank you, Dawn) for a 2-hour luncheon cruise on the Lac du Saint Sacrement. The boat was named after the original name of the lake given by Father Isaac Jogues, a French Canadian missionary who found the lake in 1646. When the English won the French and Indian War in 1756, it was renamed Lake George. 

The Lake George Steamship Company that owns the fleet of lake craft including the "Minni-Ha-Ha" is the oldest continually operating steamboat company in America; 205 years of continuous service. Our two hour journey took us only 12 miles north of the total 32 mile length of the Lake. At its widest point its three miles wide with the deepest section at 200'. Although there are 183 islands in the lake, 29 of which are privately owned, the low lying mist and drizzle prevented any picture taking.

And as time passed, conditions worsened. By the time we disembarked,
the 15-minute downpour was torrential.

Some information about Lake George you may like to know:

• The lake is 25% spring fed.
• Flows north into Canada vis Lake Champlain and Richlieu River and out into the North Atlantic via the St. Lawrence River.
• Average water temperature during July and August is 70°.
• The lake freezes over in winter
• Controlled by Iroquois Indian Nations up until 1740.

Our trip took us up as far as Bolton Landing, the Narrows and the famous Sagamore Hotel.

Some indoor shots:

I thought this server was greeting me with what looked like a frozen Mudslide.
Alas, not to be.

Looking forward on the starboard side, a view out the window shows the day. Our
table was by the other couple you can see in the distance.

The buffet had a nice selection of tasty food. Salad bar on right, entrees served
further down on the left. Our waiter, Lanning, kept us happy with the drink orders.
Food photos not included.

Entertainer and "tour guide", Danny Lombardo gave the history of the landmarks, mansions and attractions we could just about see along the shore. Prizes for local dining establishments were awarded for identifying show tunes, bands and song titles. Our Ray won himself a discount coupon to a nearby campground by "naming that tune," from Forrest Gump.

Tuesday

Canada Street in Lake George Village looking north

Unusually quiet looking south.

Giuseppe as a young man in Italy

While Sue and Ray spent the day at their property, John, Dawn and I drove into Lake George Village and had an early outdoor Italian dinner at Giuseppe's Pizza and Restaurant. The menu was extensive and typical of Italian restaurants. Our server, Gabriella, was most pleasant and accommodating. "We are a family owned and operated business since 1975. Our parents, Giuseppe and Anna, along with their children, Gino, Jim, Carmela, Joe & Nick, started Giuseppe’s Pizzeria after moving here from White Plains, NY. After 25 years, Gino & his wife Anita, along with their children Emily, Alyssa & Victoria, took over the family business. We’re happy to say that we’re still going strong!" We enjoyed their Eggplant Rollatini Special, Penne Vodka with chicken and their Manicotti. No photos, sorry.

And, wouldn't you know? The Lake George Distilling Company  was right next door.
This photo seemed to be captured in early spring.

I was disappointed that the website didn't provide any information about their products. We stopped in, tried their "flight" of four flavored Moonshine samples. I purchased a bottle of gin for my future get-togethers.

Wednesday

With another situation requiring the presence of Sue and Ray back to their property at Indian Lake, John, Dawn and I ventured out for lunch. Today's treat was the Tokyo Steakhouse which took care of John and Dawn's hibachi tastes while satisfying my sushi tastes.

Rock Shrimp: Crispy shrimp in a creamy, spicy chili sauce.

I asked our server to make my selection. She chose the Pink Lady Roll: Spicy tuna, avocado, shrimp tempura, kani and cucumber wrapped with soy paper.

Our next stop after lunch was the Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery. This farm distillery was a giant leap from storefront shop to a farm distillery. One gets a better "feel" of how distilled spirits are produced. Located five miles from Lake George, it is nestled and set in the Foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. 

Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery is located on 200 acres of land with outdoor seating available to relax and view the stunning landscapes and wildlife. Not a soul to be seen during our visit.

Springbrook Hollow has been a source of water for centuries. The original wooden pipelines that delivered the precious water to the farmers are on display in the tasting room and...

...has fantastic views of French Mountain of “French and Indian War” fame.

The tasting bar

Nevin and Josh do the bottling and packaging. One other fella is in charge of distilling. Here, Nevin, after slipping the plastic cover over the top, heat shrinks and seals the tops of the next batch of Limoncello.

My purchases at this distillery were
Limoncello and...

....the Sly Fox Gin

And finally, on the way back to the campground we stopped at the storefront shop of J Gallup Farms and was served by owner, Julie Gallup Harrington. Her interesting story was highlighted in this news article. 

All products are  freshly prepared and baked on the premises; her "Fickle Pickles" are a popular item. Thinking ahead to my trip to New Hampshire tomorrow, I picked up some items for my frig and freezer: a loaf of sunflower wheat bread, an orange cranberry loaf, a frozen container of broccoli cheddar soup, a frozen tray of ziti to be baked and a small "buckle." I've never heard of a "buckle" so researching I learned: "Buckle is a dessert which combines fresh seasonal fruit, a rich cake batter, and a streusel topping. The result is a rich, dense cake with a moist crumb which is sometimes compared to coffee cake. It is an excellent summer dessert, and can be served hot or cold, plain or dressed with drizzles of sauce." I chose apple over peach. I wonder how long that'll last.

'

Meanwhile, back at the campsite...

It was all about dogs, dogs and more dogs. And after that, dogs, dogs and more dogs. On average easily two per RV...correction e-v-e-r-y RV had t-w-o. Fortunately, with that number, barking was never an issue. All shapes, sizes, breeds and colors. And when owners took them for walks, if the ladies of our group (just two) noticed as they walked by....well fuhgeddaboudit.

Angel, Rosie and Sandy 

Each 14 years old

On the other side of me, these fellas (whose names elude me) were
on their way back home to South Carolina.

Kiki

Nicholas and Gianni

Neighbor's cat who was let out each day for a period of time (along with a little Scottie looking dog) both unleashed. She stopped by to say hello and then...

...returned back to her Class A.

"I gotta guy," says Ray as he shared his friend/owner of Dusenberry Vineyards
limited 2020 Marquette.

And so concludes another adventure. A small group, true; but thanks to Dawn for the "looking up and planning stuff" and John's Uber services, I got another wonderful taste of the Lake George region. Sue and Ray are knee deep in their long term project that required their "commuting" from here to there, a one way trip of about 45 minutes, 38 miles. I'm sure there'll be more future trip up to this neck of the woods. There's so much to see and do. I'll see these folks as well as others of the Hudson Islanders group on August 16th in Maine when next we gather as a group. 

Meanwhile, for me, it's off to Newfound, New Hampshire, (Bridgewater/Bristol area) about 175 miles, 4-4½ hours east for another week of relaxation soaking in the beauties of Mother Nature. See you there.