Week 7, Thurs - Sat, Oct 13, 2007

Thursday -- Oh, geez, last nite we caught another big-eared deer mouse – this one was sashaying across our small carpeted area on its way toward the kitchen. Ah well.... Our day began with those lovely raspberries for breakfast before we drove to the Von Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe. What an excellent setting they have - a little piece of Austria in Vermont. Watched a 1983 video of Maria Von Trapp (the real one) that was very moving. She passed away in 1987. Then we hit the road. Ferried across Lake Champlain, bypassed Plattsburg NY (cloudy, brisk day) and continued on into the Adirondack Mountains – again, such a gorgeous drive! Didn’t stop in Lake Placid or Saranac Lake, just admired the scenery. Arrived at Forestport CG (one of the few still open) near dark in misty rain – and discovered it too had closed for the season! A handyman okayed our one-nite stay at the forested campground, for which we were grateful. Imagine, being the only folks there. Fixed breakfast for dinner. Soft rain fell most of the night.

Friday -- 40° again this morning and cloudy, but the rain’s stopped. Our RV is plastered with wet leaves. We drove to Utica and stopped at a Wal-Mart for sweats and thermal clothes, plus a few groceries. Continuing along, we jumped off the Thruway to drive the scenic Lake Ontario route. This whole area is planted in apple orchards – we had no idea apples were the main crop here. Roadside stands with apples and pumpkins abound. We bought more apples and a NEW 20-pounder “everlasting” cabbage! This is such a lovely route to drive with farms and fields, orchards and stately trees, tho not as much autumn color. A powerful headwind worked against the RV all day. We lucked up on a CG with one “loop” still open: Hamlin Beach St Park, with acres of trees and manicured grass, and it’s right on the lake. We walked a bit after setting up, but the chilly wind cut right thru us. We aren’t far from Niagara Falls….

Saturday -- White caps on Lake Ontario! Nevertheless, the sun was shining brightly, so we hiked along the lakeshore, admiring the tailored grounds in this huge park and picking windfall apples. We even spied a beaver slinking along in the grass before it disappeared in a hedgerow! 

We enjoyed a nice drive to Lockport alongside the lake; bought more apples at a roadside stand! (going to have to make applesauce again....) After setting-up, we donned lots of clothes for a short (chilly) bike ride on the Erie Canal towpath trail, and a visit to the museum. Digging the Erie Barge Canal began in 1817 and it was completed in 1825, and, by gum, the locks are still working! Our Lockport CG closes for the season this coming Monday. Wow, we made it in under the wire. 

Scenes along the canal.  Of course, Canada Geese are everywhere!

Windy!!

At one of the canal locks.

We didn't last too long on our bikes, the wind simply made it too chilly to be Out and About.

Week Seven - Wednesday, Oct 10

A rainy/misty morning, great weather for moose, like the gal (moosette?) we spotted enjoying a big slurp at roadside north of Mount Washington. We passed from New Hampshire into Vermont, and at a gas stop across the line, we ate farm-raised elk burgers (not moose!) for lunch. We drove toward Cabot VT since we wanted to tour Cabot Creamery (the cheese people). They put on a good show and – and you’ll be surprised to learn this – they give free samples of their cheeses, with amply stocked shelves directly behind! It worked – everybody bought something. 

Our next aim was Stowe VT and Gold Brook CG. We enjoyed another beautiful drive today, with fog fingers drifting about the mountains most of the day… like a New England painting. We finally finished the second “everlasting” massive cabbage at dinner tonite. But, on my way to the shower I spied wild raspberries near our campsite and picked enough to top our cereal in the morning. Life is good!