09-21 to 09/28 R and K Campsite Holley, NY

 Ray & Kathy's

Campsite

September 21 to September 28 

With a grocery pickup waiting for me at Wegmens in Brockport, my breezy, 98 mile trip was scenic and pleasant. Cornfields replaced vineyards. I ordered on line and the side trip to Wegmens in Brockport was timed such that order was ready for me when I arrived. A good experience.

Easter Sunday, 1981

This "camping experience" proved to be most unique experience and worked out perfectly, not to mention the $$$ saved by not going to my original destination, Letchworth State Park in Castile, NY. Ray/Kathy, me and my family go back over 40 years. Whenever we could, we camped with other families during school vacations. Years later, when I did my student teaching in the Hendrick Hudson School District, Ray was a student there. Fast forward some more years and Ray and I wound up as co-workers in Blue Mountain Middle School. Also as members of the Hudson Islanders, the friendship continues.

Their newly constructed home is still a work in progress with Ray being the "contractor" overseeing it all as well as doing a lot of the work himself.

Nestled behind their Class A, I had access to electricity and water.

This aerial view, before the house was a reality, show the terrific location. The Erie Canal borders on their backyard. Lake Ontario is just 12 miles and less than 20 minutes away.

We caught a glimpse of the Thomas X Grasso, one of four new maintenance tugboats for the New York State Canal System built in 2025. This 65-foot tugboat is 22-feet long and has a hull depth of 9'. Their function is to help with upkeep, navigation, dredging and ice work on the canal.

Lots of landscaping yet to be done.

In the summer of 2024

And, with the numerous obstacles and frustrations that only they who contract and build homes themselves will attest, the end is within their grasp and all the pieces have fallen into place (almost)...the way they like it.

The impressive, bright, spacious kitchen welcomes the visitor.

Thank you, Ray & Kathy for a most pleasant eight day stay in what has evolved into a most comfortable and relaxing home that, from the start, has been your own creation. A visit that included terrific home cooking that Kathy has always been known for. Winnie and I have thoroughly enjoyed our stay. 

The tour continues out onto a wonderful sun room, the perfect setting for Ray's and my morning coffee. It was a short walk from Winnie to this setting that could only enhance the pleasure.

With great memories of all Kathy's terrific meals from the past, she ranks right up there with the best. Everything she makes is from scratch and done to perfection. My first evening, presto, I was invited for dinner.

A delicious grilled pork loin with roasted potatoes and asparagus and a Caesar salad. Sorry, it's a mess but I was half way through when I realized, "Hey, this is real food, photograph it!!!" (I've been out of practice.)

The next night it was baked eggplant and...

...cheese tortellini in a delicious light, creamy cheese sauce. Out of this world.

We were joined by next door neighbor, and sister-in-law, Sharon. Her dog, Savannah, joined us. Savannah is a purebred Belgium Malinois; sweet, intelligent and beautiful.

Sharon shared a video taken when Savannah sniffed and knew that an Amazon package was for her. 

Another evening, we dined at The Back Porch

You immediately got the feeling that this place was a favorite for the locals. The menu had a great selection for everyone.

L. to R. Charlie, Ray, Kathy, Sharon, Jordan, Grace.

It's been a long time since I had a good cheeseburger.

Thursday at home, it was chicken Cordon Bleu with stir fried zucchini and mushroom risotto. Oh, and did I mention that Kathy makes her home custard ice cream. AND one flavor she decided to make was butter pecan. How lucky am I?

Friday, Kathy, Ray and I went to the USA Brockport Diner for breakfast.

The diner has been owned and operated by the Mitrousis family for over 50 years. Especially popular among the SUNY Brockport students, it's open very early (6 a.m.) and has breakfast all day. For them, this diner offers good portions of cheap, hearty meals. 

I enjoyed my go-to diner breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs, home fries, well-done bacon, whole wheat toast and jam.

And, like all good things, my time as a squatter has come to an end. Next, I'll be joined by Jack, Dan/Melanie and Tony/Doreen at Hickory Ridge, a campground just three miles away where we all will continue our get-togethers with Ray and Kathy. 

As with so many places I’ve left behind, on my final evening, Mother Nature bid me farewell with a watercolor palette of sunset hues...

...a perfect flourish that deepens the memories of my stay, a tender gesture that lingers, coloring the story of my stay.

Again, thank you Ray and Kathy for your hospitality, generosity and friendship.

09/16 to 09/21 Back-Achers Campsites

Back-Achers Campground

September 16 to September 21 

It was another fine day for relaxing travel. Today's 111 mile trip took 2¼ hours. My route included Interstates I-88 to I-81 to I-86. The exit (52A) that took me along SR-14 and proved to be an unexpected treat that goes with driving along this country's scenic roadways. From Watkins Glen to Himrod, NY, this 18 miles stretch along the western shore of Seneca Lake boasted no less than 28 wineries, a brewery and two distilleries. This includes those located off  route 14, New York State's Seneca Wine Trail. Nothing but vineyards on both sides of the roads, many extending down to the Lake shoreline. Named after the Seneca Nation, the lake is the deepest in New York State at 618 deep and creates a microclimate, a "thermal blanket," that gives the region a 195-day growing season allowing wine growers to grow classic European grape varieties that may not survive elsewhere in New York State. Members of the AVA (American Viticultural Area) have cultivated 1,357 acres in the region.

A little known fact: Seneca Lake connects to the Erie Canal system through the Seneca–Cayuga Canal, meaning you can (in theory) boat from Watkins Glen to the Atlantic Ocean.

Another unexpected treat was witnessing, with mixed emotion, the beginnings of color changes in forests surrounding me as I drove. The beginning of the end of a wonderful summer of travel was about to usher in another season.

At last my turn onto Randall Crossing Road was ahead. It was a bit disconcerting to see a Dead End sign...that usually presses the panic button for an RV driver who would then have to figure out how to turn around and get back out. Driving on another mile or two, the sight of the Lake was welcomed.

Ahh, I'm where I'm supposed to be.

But wait...there's more. On and on I went down this country road and at last, another sigh of relief.

The road continued on, the pavement ended, the landscape went from huge grassy areas to a dark, forested dirt road with a speed limit of 10 m.p.h. 

A very pleasant sight as I approached the office. I was greeted by Jared who was ready to take me to my site but I needed a propane fill. My last propane fill was in July at $3.49/gal. Today, propane was $3.50/gal. The tank was behind me, so after backing up, he filled the tank; Wanda from the office joined him and we chatted. Wanda was a most pleasant young lady well into her 80's.  

Site #6 was a pull in with site #15 ahead of me and soon to be occupied.

My pull through graveled site #6 needed risers on my passenger side. Only half of the long site was mine. I shared the water and 30-amp electrical post with the RV that will back in in front of me. My power cord fortunately, fully extended reached with a few feet to spare.

And, just 25 steps in front of me was the bathhouse. After a long drive, setting up in a hot sun with no shade, I couldn't wait. Showers were clean, spacious enough to accommodate the handicapped and the hot water was available instantly. It was the highlight of the day; a treat that made my G&T that much more satisfying.

During my stay, three different RVers came and went. I had very little interaction beyond the casual, "Hi, how are you?" 

The perfect weather beckoned (actually, forced me) to walk down to the (steep) hill and catch a glimpse of the Lake. Photos that follow are both mine and from the website.

A very steep hill prohibited vehicles other than golf carts.

At various points along my walk, I did catch a bit of the shoreline

One of about thirteen tent sites. A fire ring and a picnic table is all that's available. Definitely rustic but the view is awesome.

At the shoreline.

I received a couple of comments that some folks missed my excursions to restaurants. With a little time on my hands (ha!), I watched and drooled over one: Mozzarella and figs, then this one from Brooklyn, a prosciutto bread hero. I'm here in the boonies in an RV and haven't had good Italian bread in months. I had to "improvise." This is the best I could do: I toasted bread, smeared ricotta cheese and pesto on the slices, laid red roasted peppers and topped it all with a thick slice of mozzarella. I sprayed olive oil and grilled it for about ten minutes.

And, with a glass or two of a 2017 Altos Ibericos from Rioja, Spain, it was satisfactory and satisfying. I should have grilled more for a golden brown topping. 

Another week, another campground and another chapter in my wonderful series of adventures conclude. The best part about RV life—every ending has a new road waiting. My next stop will be Holley, New York, 90 miles and two hours northwest. The campsite? A special one, indeed. The side driveway of good friends Ray & Kathy. Their generous offer to have me for a neighbor in their new home for seven nights will see me parked along side their Class A. I'll just need electricity and company for morning coffee and I'll be all set.  Ray, the dreamer likes 6:30 a.m. Charlie, the realist, prefers 8 a.m. After that stay I'll move on to Hickory Ridge Golf & RV Resort six minutes and 3.3 miles west. There I'll join fellow Hudson Islanders, Jack, Dan/Melanie and Tony/Doreen for four nights before we all, including Ray and Kathy, head up to Lake George, Friday, October 3rd, for Hudson Islanders final gathering for the 2025 season. 

An RV doesn’t mark the end of a stay, it marks the beginning of the next adventure.