Fishermens Memorial State Park - 10/03 to 10/10/2022

FISHERMENS MEMORIAL STATE PARK, RHODE ISLAND

Spacious Skies: Woodland Hills 09/24 to 10/03/2022

SPACIOUS SKIES AT WOODLAND HILLS 

The 4½ hour, 162 mile trip was another pleasant drive that heaped more "wows" onto my already crowded collection of visuals reminding me of just how beautiful this country is, New York State in particular. There was no noticeable color change in the foliage along the entire route. Last night's chill my begin the process but everything I saw was lush and green.
With stops for fuel and a visit to Hannaford's  for some grocery shopping, the trip took a tad longer. But it was a sunny day, a pleasant 70° and I in no hurry. On I-88 to I-90 to the Mass Pike, I averaged 65 mph and found this speed affords me my greatest fuel economy. In Howe Cavern I filled up with diesel at $4.799/gal. This off-the-beaten-track Citgo station alone made the ride even more pleasant. Other prices I passed were as high as $5.35. A most pleasant ride indeed. 

My site 9B is right on the pond.

This is the second Spacious Skies Campground I've stayed at. Walnut Grove in Maine was the first. I was there for an overnight returning from Maine, photos of which can be viewed at the end of my Searsport, Maine BLOG.  I'm planning many more during my 2023 Winter Itinerary. Established in early 2021, Spacious Skies Campgrounds is a collection of campgrounds and RV parks in beautiful areas within the Eastern United States. Be sure to click the link at the top of the page to read about this campground. For my RV camping readers, booking was through the CAMP SPOT website. I have found campsite rates to much cheaper that my usual go-to KOA campgrounds. 

This very large campground is in Austerlitz, NY, the eastern town line of which is the border of Massachusetts. The name Austerlitz is said to be derived through the efforts of then State Senator Martin Van Buren. "who, being an ardent admirer of the great Napoleon, was somewhat incensed at one of his political opponents (Elisha Williams, if we mistake not), who had succeeded in having a town in Seneca County christened "Waterloo," leaped to his feet and moved to amend by calling the new town "Austerlitz." Having carried his point, he retired to his seat, saying "There's an Austerlitz for your Waterloo."  (Wikipedia)

Woodland Hills seems to be largely seasonal so there's not a lot of activity other than on-going maintenance work across the pond. Neighboring sites are empty so human contact has been non-existent. Closest seasonal neighbor has been busy sawing some wooden structure on his site and immediately throwing the wood into the fire leaving it unattended most of the time. What a waste of wood...says this romantic camper who enjoys the pleasures of a campfire on these chilly nights. Oh well. I decided to drive straight in to my site 9B rather than back in. Shore power and water would have been on the wrong side of my RV. Facing forward gives me a perfect view of the pond. The ground was soft and its proximity to the pond prevented the use of sewers or septic fields. I emptied my black and gray tanks back at Belden Campground, so this would not be a problem for my 7-day stay.  I also topped off my propane tank so I'm ready for any below 38° temperatures that would render my AC/heat pump useless.

The view out my front window. This is a collage of three photos I took with my camera. I think it's a better result than using the pano view of an iPhone.

Every now and then I include one of the meals I prepared and enjoyed here in the RV. I don't always have the opportunity to drive in and out of campgrounds to dine, so fending for myself comes easily. Some of the goodies I've cooked up and you've seen before:

Thailand Birds Nests (from Trader Joe's) was a favorite

BLT

Potato, egg, pepper omelet

Tomato, mozzarella spritzed with Balsamic vinegar

Baked stuffed shells

Toasted then baked English muffin pizzas

Perfect!

My old stand by reminder

Well, so much for being bored with a lot of time on my hands here in Austerlitz, NY. The weather has been overcast and chilly with intermittent short periods of light rain. Temps have not gone much higher then mid-60's; not even comfortable to sit outside. And the worst part? Not having the company of someone for my morning coffee.

A major accomplishment, however, with all this time, was the completion of my 2023 Winter Itinerary. With the use of the CAMP SPOT account I set up, I've plotted, booked and paid for 26 campground locations where I'll stop as I travel from NY to FL to TX and back to NY. This will include visits with dear friends, Roger and Wendy in Bluffton, SC, Pat and Marty in Georgetown, TX, and lots of friends and relatives in Florida. 

This 4,630± mile excursion will last from January to the middle of May. In addition, my May to October calendar is also filing up quite nicely. After a few more details to pursue, I'll include the itinerary in a near future blog. These details include a Sunday jazz concert/brunch on a paddlewheel on the Mississippi while in New Orleans, a Luray Cavern tour while in Virginia, and an Okefenokee Swamp tour while in Georgia to name a few.

Meanwhile, at this writing, hurricane Ian is about to slam into the west coast of Florida between Sarasota and Coral Gables as a possible Category 5 hurricane. A 15' to 20' storm surge predicted will cause unprecedented damage. My thoughts and prayers are for the forty or so friends and relatives I know in that state.

With those thoughts of caring and safety for those in Florida, I'll conclude this blog. My next stop will be Fishermens Memorial State Park at Point Judith in Narragansett, RI, for eleven days; seven of which I'll be alone, the last four with some members of the Hudson Islanders including, Roberta, Tony/Doreen, Vicki/George, Melanie/Dan and John/Martine. 

We shall see what Ian has in store as it moves across Florida, up the coast through Savanna, then turn inland and probably dissipate by the time it reaches West Virginia. Till then, stay safe, healthy and happy.

Belden Hill Campground 09/16 to 09/24/2023

 

I had a very pleasant ride Friday morning. Once off I-84, NY-17, someday to become I-86, is a very scenic ride once you're up past Middletown. The estimated completion date of the NY-17 to I-86 upgrade, originally 2009, has been pushed back several times. Due to lack of economic development along the parts of the corridor signed as I-86 and the current state funding situation, the project has been postponed indefinitely, and the funding transferred to other projects. The day was a perfect driving day with one fuel stop.

As mentioned in my previous blog, the Hudson Islanders are planning the 2023 RV season and my stay at Belden Hill Campground in Harpursville, NY, will give me a first-hand experience. I'm posting this blog three days after my arrival so that members of the Hudson Islanders considering reservations can perhaps see for themselves and reserve soon.

For those new to my blogs, I always encourage readers to click on any links that are in RED for more information and facts that I cannot add in the blog. This website in particular is worth a look. It's well done, pleasing to the eye and hopefully the members of my group will find it worthy of the trip as there are many details contained on the website. I've already contacted the owner, Brian, a most pleasant, easy going, personable gentlemen who has extended himself to make planning a breeze. His plans for upgrading in several areas will make our July 23, 2023 week most pleasant.

I researched Harpursville via Wikipedia and found the following about Robert Harpur (January 25, 1731 Ballybay County Monaghan, Ireland - April 15, 1825) for whom the city was named. He was an Irish-American teacher, politician, pioneer, and landowner. He participated in surveying lands within the Central Military Tract in New York State and is credited with giving classical (Latin and Greek) place names to numerous locations in central New York. He settled in the Binghamton, New York area, where Harpur College is named for him.

Harpur was a graduate of the University of Glasgow and taught in Ireland for 7 years before coming to the Colony of New York in 1760. Three days after his arrival in 1761 he was installed as professor of mathematics at King's College, renamed Columbia College after U.S. independence (today Columbia University). One of his prized pupils was Alexander Hamilton while he studied there in 1774. During his tenure, he was hired by the university to catalog the collections of the Columbia library, making him the first librarian of the university.

Harpur served in various capacities in the New York government during the American Revolution. He was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1777 to 1784. He was Deputy Secretary of State under John Morin Scott and Lewis Allaire Scott from 1778 to 1795. In the spring of 1795, after the American Revolutionary War, Robert Harpur, with his 2nd wife Myra and family, moved west along the upper Susquehanna River. He settled near Belden Brook on his Warren Patent, which is near present-day Harpursville, NY.

Clean, nicely landscaped; a great first impression.

Approaching the Registration Office

My site somewhere up in the "Mountain View Pull-Thrus". This view facing northwest.

76 acres with terrific views east and south

I am presently on site H. Next year, site C

My site H before pulling into it; about 70 feet.

Near level as it could be, there's still a big first step onto a sloping grade.

My two levelers gave me perfect level

Plenty of room for those towing vehicles ("toads")

Fire Rings on each site

My view to the southeast. Terrific views even on this overcast day. Note the plank for leveling if necessary.

Across the road behind me.

Even in front, plenty of space.

Spacious sites are well maintained.

On the way out I plan to top off my on-board propane tank. Current rate is $4.00/gal

Here's a 360° video clip of my surroundings. Despite the hilly look, the individual sites are surprisingly level. I noticed this morning that after an RV leaves the site, a tractor comes by to re-level the stone. He drops his bucket and plows backward to smooth the site for the next camper.

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read. Next blog from Spacious Skies: Woodland Hills Campground in Austerlitz, New York. Enjoy this incredible Fall weather.

Hudson Islanders at CPP September 2022

 

The Hudson Islanders concluded their second rally at Croton Point Park this season on September 8 - 15th with a record number of thirty members in seventeen RVs attending. This year marks the 25th year of the RV club.

The VIP Members

Larry

Nina

John

Martine

John

Doreen & Tony

Dawn & John

Roberta

Roberta & Erve

Bob & Bearnice

Kathy

Ray

Fran

Walter

Dan & Melanie

Noreen & Jack

Charlie

George & Vicki

John & Carole

Johnny

Tony & Linda

Maybe New Members
Steve and Maria
Thanks for stopping by to visit Uncle Tony and Aunt Doreen

The Celebration

When it comes food, be it in the form of our "Meet and Greets" or our "Pot Luck Suppers", this group continually comes through with food selections that are delicious and always plentiful for all to enjoy. The camaraderie is what camping in a group is all about and it's the food and campfires that bring it all together. I've only been a part of this group for eight years (since 2014) thanks to the folks pictured to the left.

For our Celebration Dinner we treated ourselves to dinner prepared by Capriccio's in Croton.

Chafing dishes (Thank you Amy) waited while Jack and Doreen picked up the order.

That good ol' standby, Penne a la Vodka

Meatballs and Eggplant Rollatini

Chicken Marsala and Sausage and Peppers

Garlic Knots

Fresh Baked Italian Bread

I was a happy camper

The Campfires

And to sum up this blog post, a picture whose thousand words sums it all up; our nightly campfires. Each evening a 3-hour campfire in a smokeless burner along with whatever tasty drink suits you concluded a wonderful memory of camping with friends.

Thanks Dawn for your homemade
concoction with a very flavorful, 
cranberry k-i-c-k. FYI. John shared.

“If ou see a campfire as just a fire, your imagination is very weak, because it is not a lifeless warmth, but a mysterious friend who came to visit you in the darkness of the forest and shared your food, dreams and life!” ― Mehmet Murat ildan

Yup. Even in the rain.

With a good bye to all, I'm headed up to Harpursville, NY, and Belden Hill Campground on State Route 7, about 15 miles northwest of Binghamton, NY Friday morning. I've suggested this campground as one of the three Hudson Islander trips to be made next July and August; so my "job" is to check it out.

Plans for the club are in progress and it looks like another great RV season is coming up in 2023. June and September dates are already booked for rallies at Croton Point Park.

After I leave Belden Hill Campground, I'll head east to Woodland Hills Campground in Austerlitz for a week, then on to Fishermens Memorial Park in Rhode Island for 11 days before returning to Croton Point Park. Hope you've enjoyed this anniversary celebration and you're still with me for the ride. See you at Belden Hill Campground.