So-------
Our last posting was a little over two weeks ago. That posting was the first in two and a half months. Looking at the recent posting, we realized we may have been in overkill mode. I counted 16 videos on that last posting. I don't see how any of you had time to look at all of them. Good news---only 3 videos this time and the blog is a little shorter. Always happy to have feedback.
We have had pictures of Sean(on the right)in the past at the Maine Marathon. This time Sean encouraged his brother, Scott(on the left)to participate. This was Sean's 12th marathon and Scott had a great showing on his first half marathon. More important-we think-they both had a great time. So did we-following the race and then heading into Old Port, Portland for a seafood lunch. Special time with Bailey and Ruby at the marathon and also at lunch with Joe and Meredith. The brothers actually ran the first 6 miles together.
Also, kudos out to Bailey(Sean's wife)for running in the Mount Desert Island Marathon on Sunday. A great run! Bailey had run in marathons before, including the Boston Marathon and is now getting back into running.
A number of campers at Walnut Grove were disappointed with the foliage colors going into October. Then the colors just seemed to bloom all at once.
This is an addition for the family history. Jan's folks stayed here at the Maine Idyll Motor Court in Freeport, Maine on their wedding night , January 1, 1941. They continued to come here for many years. The same family still runs the business and has updated the facilities.
Do not panic!!!
Lady Blue is safe!!
We came across this collection of Volkswagon Westfalias on Route one in Belfast, Maine.
As many of you know, Bailey is focused on old Westfalias. But we know others are interested or have friends who are interested as well.
A number of the relics should be probaby left where they stand. But some look in decent shape. And in the first picture above there is a neat green and white, old model(behind the telephone pole) with the split front window and a different looking roof popup.
These were some of the bright foliage colors in Maine. A cloudy day and still early in the foliage season.
The sign says Lebanon, Maine. Fun to see such a variety of colors in succession.
We are quite lucky to have family and friends who have introduced us to some great New England maple syrup. The syrup above is another great addition to the family of maple syrups. Alison introduced us to Thurston and Peters of Newfield , Maine last year. We were happy to have a chance to visit again this year. Also, quite surprised that Debi , one of the owners, was out raking and actually recognized us. "You are the RVers who travel all around the country!" This visit we also had a chance to chat with her husband Harry. They are both retired school teachers. Harry is a wealth of knowledge on the property that has been in the family since the 1700's. He can tell you about all of the family that are buried in the cemetery, dating back to the Civil War and more. He can also show you pictures and tell you about the lead mining and the family farm way back. Not to mention how the property was spared from a disastrous fire in 1947 that consumed much of the surrounding area in Maine.
The following video is about 9 minutes long, but it is a great video of the property and also of the process of sugar farming from the early days to their modern production facility. You can tell from the video that they are sticklers to making as perfect a product as possible. Talking to Harry, you know he is up to date on the best processes for modern maple syrup farming. But you also know that he is clear on preserving the history as well. On that note, please pay attention at the end of the video to their plan for the future preservation of the Thurston and Peters property.
On the video below. Once you cue up the video , click on the cross arrows to the left of the word "vimeo" to enlarge. Then hit the play arrow on the left. Enjoy!
One of our definite necessary stops was at Carlson Orchards in Harvard, Massachusetts. Harvard is an apple lovers paradise in the fall with a large number of orchards offering all kinds of apple products. This is Johnny Appleseed country! This year we noticed they not only had our Cortland apples and more, cider donuts, and cider; but they also had some apple hard ciders.
We left New England on the Mass. Turnpike. The colors were just as bright as the picture above. Good color into New York as well.
Leaving New England after Columbus Day is always challenging. Most campgrounds are closed and some that say they are open on their webpages are also closed. We had luck with Deer Haven Campground in Oneonta, New York. They were officially closed, but allowed us to come in for one evening. A great little campground on top of a hill overlooking the town.
Many seasonal spots, but also some nice, woodsy, temporary spots.
One campground that was still open, was Sampson State Park in Romulus, New York. We had not been to the Finger Lakes region of New York in a number of years. They also had some great foliage color---and rain.
Even in the rain , the vineyards have great views of their grapes---still on the vines here--and Lake Seneca. This picture is at Lamoreaux Vineyards. Our first visit was to Wagner Vineyards on a heavier rain day. Really enjoyed their Meritage--a nice blend of three kinds of Bordeaux grapes bottled in 2012. The vineyards in this area also have wonderful Riesling wines.
The Lamoreaux Landing Vineyards is very close to Wagner Vineyards on Route 414. The number of wineries in the Finger Lakes Region has multiplied since the 1970's. Wine tasting requires some planning even if you have more than a few days. We had a chance to visit a very nice winery with Gary and Linda, located in Foster, Rhode Island. Nickle Creek was a great visit as well.
We enjoyed their Pinot Noir wine . We also enjoyed the Pinot Noir wines here in New York. Again their boasts are about their Riesling wines and other whites.
Some of the fun here is to explore the websites.
From the Finger Lakes it was an easy trip down Route 414 to Route 88. A few miles brought us to Route 99 south to Tioga and Ives Run Corps of Engineer Campground. One of our favorites!!
We reserved a different site this year. Still out in Pine Camp which is the dry camping section. Very quiet, but with a wonderful view.
Enjoying Fall!
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