The Road South

After the friendship reunion with the gang from Florida, we began making our way southward. We will visit family and get our annual medical tests and dental cleanings done in middle Tennessee before moving on to Auburn for a football game or two and a visit to Auburn's Vet School Clinic. 

First Stop:  West Point Military Academy

There are a few things at West Point we missed on our last visit. 

I strolled Lexie and Ozzie around leisurely while Wayne busied himself with history.  We snapped a few photos.



The Honorable Army Mule
The mule has been West Point's mascot since 1899 and promotes the spirit of the Corps of Cadets.
Mules were very important to the Army in the late 1800's and on to World War I.
While not used as standard Army mounts, mules were known to be stronger,
more surefooted and more intelligent than horses. 
Added bonus: they eat less.



West Point Cadet Chapel was dedicated in 1910.
It has a cross-shaped floor plan, soaring arches and ornate stone carvings.
This chapel hosts the largest chapel pipe organ in the world with more than 23,000 individual pipes.

 The campus view from the chapel was beautiful the day we were there -- clear with bright blue skies.

Looking out over some of the main buildings of West Point from Cadet Chapel.

Finally, we spent some time around West Point Military Academy's Michie Stadium.


Michie Stadium is named for USMA cadet Dennis Mahan Michie, born at West Point in 1892.
Michie was killed in action in San Juan, Cuba in 1898. 
Eight years before his death, Dennis Michie organized the first football game played at West Point Military Academy.



The USMA football equipment truck.  Nice.

Second Stop: Carlisle, Pennsylvania 

That's where we took on our first hitchhikers -- the dreaded brown marmorated stink bugs. They became an immediate nuisance and caused us to keep the coach windows closed. While we worked hard to keep them out, we knew they were getting into the coach at every opportunity.

Third: Manassas, Virginia --

Catching Up on Forty-Two Years...

Another bonus in retirement is having time to look up old friends. Another bonus in retirement during this particular time in history is having access to data at your fingertips and cell phones.   Through membership in one of those "people finding" groups, Wayne gained access to names and telephone numbers of old high school friends, Army buddies and college buddies. 

To this point, he's surprised his old Army Sargent in Franklin, North Carolina and now he's found another of the guys with whom he served at Grand Isle, New York. He was thrilled to hear his friend Richard Drake's voice on the phone and couldn't wait till we reached Manassas, near Richard's home.

What a great reunion this would be!


Richard (L) and Wayne in Richard's fabulous gourmet kitchen.

Richard's family was the original Drakes Cakes Drakes. The Drakes Cake name and the original recipes have recently been purchased and the old Drakes Cake Devil Dogs are back on store shelves.  Of course that was cause for still more celebration. 


With the Devil Dogs

While Wayne had often heard Richard speak of the sweet girl who would eventually become his wife, he had never met Kim. This trip we did meet her and fell in love with her.  Such great folks.



Blurry but beautiful, Kim, Richard and Wayne

In all, Wayne enjoyed three short but valuable visits with Richard. We did our best to encourage Richard and Kim to consider the RV'ing lifestyle.  What great fun it would be to cross paths with them along the road!  We will see.

Our campground is at nearby Haymarket not far from the significant Civil War battlefields of First Manassas. 

First Manassas

The First Battle of Bull Run, known as First Manassas by Confederate forces, was fought on July 21, 1861. While there, we returned to the battlefields and re-studied the Civil War during that time.  We're both always saddened at this part of our country's history. 



Looking out from Henry Hill Visitors Center toward Brawner's Farm property.

In addition to the Henry Hill Visitor's Center and Brawners Farm, the Stone House is available to visit. The day we were there, the Stone House was closed, but the grounds were available to walk. 



This poster puts America's war casualties into perspective.
Each red soldier represents 10,000 deaths.
Notice how the Civil War casualties dwarfs those of World War II.

There's plenty to do in this are to 'while away' a few hours. We explored the museum and saw the displays of uniforms, weapons and field gear.  There's a 45 minute film shown at the Visitors Center, but we didn't watch it this time.  We did browse the bookstore, but left without a purchase.

There's also a self-guided one mile battlefield trail that we didn't walk as lunchtime was drawing near and that's an event we just don't miss.

Another "to do" item at the Battle of First Manassas is to pay honor and have your picture taken standing alongside the statue of Stonewall Jackson.

"There stands Jackson like a stone wall" -- statue base inscription.

The dreadful mormorant stink bugs, first encountered in Carlisle, Pennsylvania have overcome the family farm campground at Haymarket.  The awful boogers literally will fly into your mouth. I'm sure all the coach openings are invaded and we'll have stink bugs to fight for a long, long time. 


Jamestown, NY: Lucille Ball's Hometown, Grave and Museum

Last week I learned  that Lucy-Desi Museum, Desilu Playouse, childhood homes and the grave of Lucille Ball were all in nearby Jamestown, New York.  I happily convinced Wayne to make the small sacrificial trip detour.  We stayed at nearby Hidden Valley Campground where it's unseasonably warm (mid 80's) and large gnats swarm all around your head. There's been no frost here yet, but it's not far off...

Lucille Ball, co-star of "I Love Lucy" was born on August 6, 1911, here in Jamestown, New York.  She lived in this area until she was a teenager when she left for New York City.  The house she was born in, and the house where she lived with her grandparents, are both still standing.  Jamestown is proud of the "Lucy connection" and residents here were pleased to have her (and her family's) remains moved to the local cemetery from California in 2003. 

 Here are my photographical treasures of our visit to Jamestown.

An "I Love Lucy" fan, yours truly.

The Desilu Playhouse contains original set pieces
from the tv apartment of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo

The house where Lucy was born.

The house where Lucy lived as a child.

Lucille Ball's grave marker 
Lakeview Cemetery in Jamestown, NY

Erie Canal, Niagara Falls and Fort Niagara - New York

Monday, September 20th was a travel day and we drove west through New York, finally leaving the beautiful mountainous area and entering the vast flat agricultural part of the state. Huge farms with large barns, multiple grain silos and great fields of corn, soybeans and other crops fill this part of New York. Signs of autumn are everywhere in the state though, with colorful foliage in both the mountains and flat areas.

Our campground in Akron, New York

In the afternoon we arrived at Sleepy Hollow Lake Campground in the small town of Akron, not too far from infamous Attica Prison, where riots occured in the 1960's.

Tuesday brought a much anticipated day trip; first to Lockport, NY where we saw locks in operation. We were fortunate to see a boat go through the locks while we were there.  I only captured one photograph and a movie clip.



Locks #34 and #35 at Lockport, NY


From Lockport we went to Niagara Falls. Wayne had been several times, but this was a "first" for me to see the falls. It was as spectacular as I had hoped. Niagara Falls State Park turned 125 years old this year (2010) and it is the first state park created in the US. The day was sunny, about 82 degrees.




Niagara Falls State Park

 


American Falls and the Rainbow Bridge



Cave of the Winds walkway.

After seeing the falls and riding around the park, we headed north to Youngstown where we visited Old Fort Niagara. The fort dates back some 300 years to a time when France and Britain controlled the area. In 1813 it was taken from the US by British troops. Obviously, somehow, we managed to get it back...


Fort Niagara is at Youngstown, New York



Fort Niagara is at the point where the Niagara River runs into Lake Ontario. 
The park looks across the 50 mile stretch of water to Toronto.
On a clear day you can see the buildings in downtown Toronto.



The Old Fort Niagara Lighthouse

Finally, we drove onto Grand Island to find where Wayne was stationed while he was in the military service. We looked for an office building he wanted to see, but were unable to locate it.

Lake Seneca and Glenora Wine Cellars

We enjoyed our Saturday day trip around Keuka Lake so much we decided to see another of the Finger Lakes on Sunday.

There are hundreds of vineyards in the Finger Lakes area and we drove along one of the many wine trails. It seems grapes grow well along the steep sloping regions and the climate is right for them. 


Vineyard along Seneca Lake



More area vineyards...



The southern shore of Seneca Lake

 As we traveled from our campground east to the southern tip of Lake Seneca, we came first to Watkins Glen. This town is known for hosting Formula Racing but there aren't alot of visible signs of that distinction.  Our route was again, up the west shore and down the east side.  Almost all of the vineyards have daily wine tastings so we stopped at Glenora, as we learned it was the oldest for the region.

 A lobster festival with live music was taking place that day but we didn't participate, opting instead to continue moving northward to Geneva, on the northern tip of the Lake. William and Smith and Hobart College is located in Geneva and it is a nice city.  Maybe we have some wealthy relatives?  Named for us, I'm sure.  Returning to the southern tip, we passed more "Smalley" signs. A garage and a street sign. Seems Smalley's are abundant in New York as this is the second and third sign by that name.  Wine taster  

Two Baths in Two Weeks

In New Hampshire two weeks ago, we stayed in Twin Rivers campground located in a town named BATH.  We came to New York and found ourselves in another town named BATH.  So that's two baths in two weeks.  One BATH per week -- that's plenty.

Day Trip: Keuka Lake, Amish Farm and Seaplanes

On Friday afternoon, September 17, we arrived at Camp Bell Campground in Campbell, NY, just off I-85 between Binghamton and Rochester, NY. We're making our way northwest to Niagra Falls and Buffalo before heading south. The nights are cool enough to use our electric blanket now and the days are getting a bit chilly when the sun doesn't shine.

Camp Bell Campground is nice and comfortable with back-to-back sites but lots of vacancies. Nearly deserted when we pulled in Friday afternoon, many locals did arrive that night and the place is humming with activities Saturday morning.



We're in site #84 that's grassy and gets full sun.  That's good in cool weather.

 We are both still quite impressed by the beauty of New York state which we never knew was so mountainous and heavily wooded. 



There are 21 north-south valleys that form the Finger Lakes (in case you can't read the sign above)

 Saturday morning brought a warm and sunny day. We took a day trip to the nearest of the Finger Lakes -- Keuka (prounounced "cuke-a").  Each community in the region feels it's particular lake is the best and the same is true here. Senaca is the largest of the Finger Lakes and it is to the east of Keuka, which is within 20 miles of Campbell.  Keuka Lake is "Y" shaped with an eastern and western upper lake portion.  We traveled north along the western edge of the lake from Hammondsport (south) to Penn Yan (north). The highway was good but narrow along a steep cliff with private property perched along narrow strips of land between the road and the lake. There is no beach area, the mountains reach right down to the water. 



One of the few places we could actually see the shoreline.

 Our trip down the eastern side of Keuka Lake took brought us to a stop at an Amish Farm where we picked blueberries. Unlike the blueberry fields in Maine, where berries grow low to the ground, these were on bushes -- 3-4 foot high.



Blueberry bushes

The Amish farmers (husband and wife) were nice but had lots of body odor. They explained the growing of blueberries and grapes.




We picked this quart of blueberries.  Imagine... Wayne on a farm.

 From the blueberry bushes, we walked over to the large vineyard and picked a quart of grapes.  This area is loaded with vineyards and wineries.



Wayne and Lyda, the Amish farmer's wife



We left the Amish farm with our blueberries, grapes, tomatoes and corn, making our way back to the southern tip of Keuka Lake.

The annual seaplane homecoming was being held in Hammondsport so we stopped in to take a look.

That evening, we watched on tv as Auburn hosted Clemson for an overtime game that finally resulted in an Auburn win.  War Eagle!

It's Getting Cold Up Here

A few weeks ago, while still in Maine, I pulled on a pair of long jeans one cool morning but changed back into capris in the afternoon as the temperatures warmed.  The following week, I got into jeans and stayed in them all day.  These days, I'm not even thinking about wearing capris and have rummaged around under the bed to find my favorite fleece and hoodie.  We're using the heater occasionally and haven't used the air conditioner in quite a while.  I guess that means, for sure, winter is on the way.  It also means we'll be headed south soon.

Meanwhile, we're traveling today into the New York Finger Lakes region and plan to see Niagra Falls before heading south.    Oh, and yes, we do have SEC football fever. We've been able to see the first two Auburn games on tv here, but we're getting itchy to go to the lovliest village.  War Eagle!

A Visit to Fly Creek Cider Mill

Along their way to meet us in Cooperstown, Tom and DJ stopped at a local cider mill they knew about and brought us a dozen apple cider donuts. Don't make that face -- they are SUPERB donuts. Moist and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Along with the donuts, she brought a brochure for me to see. I'd been thinking about the autumn apple season in New England and hoped we'd find a nice cider stand somewhere along our travel.

So we decided to make the short 10 minute ride back to Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard, located at Fly Creek, New York. What a delightful experience. Here are some of the photos we took....

That' me. I'm in heaven among the apple cider, cheeses, 16 fudge flavors, wines and other food goodies.



Look closely to see the names of all these goodies. Notice the "moon pies" -- they are "Whoopie Pies" in Maine.
Remember, I'm in love with Maine -- Moose or no moose. 



DJ and me in our Maine sweatshirts... after several apple wine samples. Oh joy.

After sampling everything in the store, we made our way outside to have warm apple dumplings on the patio. Later we walked around back to see the non-sensicle stuff...

I'll call these "fluffy" ducks

A duck having a bad hair day



A duck having a REALLY bad hair day -- with an attitude



That's all for now!

If you find yourself planning a visit to Cooperstown, you should include Fly Creek in your itinerary.