Day 8, Home, Oswego, NY

Day 8, Home, Oswego, NY - 133.2 miles, 795.9 for the trip.

The predicted rain didn't start until after breakfast, just in time to get me as I packed up the trailer. Actually, there wasn't much to packing up; just putting away the Anderson Levelers. I didn't even run down the stabilizers so it was only a 30 second job to get ready to go.

I pretty much followed NY 3 through the Adirondacks, argued with Matilda, my GPS as to whether staying on 3 or hopping on I 81 for 40 miles was the best route. I picked NY Rt 3. Lots of small towns, in including one larger one (Watertown, NY) but a pleasant drive even in the rain.

I arrived in Oswego around 1:00, parked the trailer for a couple of months, but am putting off unloading until tomorrow.

I decided I didn't want to cook, so since Rudy's is closed (only open Wednesday through Sunday until Memorial Day), I headed to Price Chopper for their popcorn shrimp dinner.

Until Next Time -

Day 7, Cranberry Lake State Park, NY

Site 50

Day 7, Cranberry Lake State Park, NY - 91.3 miles, 752.7 for the trip.

While I could have made it home in one shot, I decided that since I'm in the Adirondack park with my trailer, why not stay another night? It is funny, I have tent camped in the Adirondacks a bunch of times, many with my parents when I was living in Croton-on-Hudson, NY down in Westchester county. Since moving to upstate NY less than a couple of hours drive from the Adirondacks, I've made a number of Fall trips to photograph the colors, but since most of the campgrounds are closed, never taken the trailer, and, since the Fall nights generally get into the low 20's, stay in motels. Even many of the motels are closed for the season. One would thing they could make enough with the Leaf Peepers to stay open, but few do.

So, here I am in the Cranberry Lake State Park. This is the furthest west campground on NY 3, and is huge. 171 sites, all dry, and many only suitable for tents or a small Class C or B RV. They let you cruise the campground with a list of open sites, pick one out, then go back & pay. I'm in a pull through about 1/2 way to the end of the campground and not too far from the bathroom. Unfortunately, the showers are much further away. Good AT&T coverage, fair Verizon with an amp, but fading between no service & one bar on my phone without an amp. Neither are very fast, particularly uploading. The site price is $2.00 more than the DEC campground last night at $22.75.

The infamous Adirondack Black Flies are out, but not too bad, particularly after I fired up my Thermacell. It worked well combined with a light breeze. When the wind was blowing the bugs went away, and when it stopped, they moved on. I spent most of the day outside reading and enjoying the sun.

Dinner was a Quorn "Chicken" patty (tastes like chicken, but is a vegetarian product) my daughter recommended, along with fresh asparagus.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 6, Lincoln Pond DEC Campground, NY

The View From Site 8, Lincoln Pond DEC Campground

Day 6, Lincoln Pond DEC Campground, NY - 254.5 miles, 661.4 for the trip.

The rain eased off during our late dinner, although it never completely stopped until midnight or so (hard to tell with the trees dripping). We headed to the pavilion for another pancake breakfast, but I guess the campground decided there weren't enough of us left to make it worth it to do breakfast. There was a coffee pot, so all was not lost. Yesterday we walked to the office to make reservations for next year. They have a policy that if the people on a site want it for next year & reserve before the end of the rally, they have first dibs on the site. We wanted to switch to a couple of the lakeside sites & reserved 48 & 50, but discovered this morning that the couple on site 48 are coming back. Not sure of those on 50. So, we may be back on the same sites for next year.

I packed up the trailer and was on the road by 9:00. Lots of secondary roads with a few short drives on interstates to get to the Warrensburg Travel Park. A unique way to check in - there is a walkie talkie in a basket with instructions on how to use it to call the office staff. When they finally arrived, I discovered that a campground that was labeled mid priced by AllStays was $60.00 per night. Feeling cheap, I headed to the Lake George Battleground State Park. A great location, but the campground was closed.

During my search for campgrounds yesterday, I found a DEC campground that opened the day before near Elizabethtown, NY. A bit further north than I was planning to stop, but it gives me an excuse to drive through the Adirondack Park to get home tomorrow. Much more interesting than NY 5 or NY 20. I'm in site 8, a dry, almost level pull through site with a great view of the pond at $20.75 per night. I didn't need to unhook from the truck, although the tongue is about a 1/4 bubble high. There are hot showers, but they are at the swimming bath house a fair distance away. The nearby bathroom does not have showers. A site photo is on today's LakeshoreImages page.

Connectivity is good on both AT&T & Verizon, although the upload speed for AT&T choked when I accidentally attempted to upload full sized (12.5MB) versions of today's photos. I forgot to switch from the full sized jpg setting I used for the group photo yesterday. By the way, Verizon had no problem with the large files, but I reloaded my normal sized images. I spent what was left of the afternoon reading, then fired up the oven for a Boston Market Chicken Pot pie, my first.

Day 5, Chocorua KOA , Chocorua, NH

Day 5, Chocorua KOA , Chocorua, NH - 0 miles, 406.9 for the trip.

We spent the morning doing trailer tours. I didn't get to see too many since there was lots of interest in the Lagun table mount I added to the Escape & spent most of the time giving tours. After the tours we sat outside Anne & Guido's trailer until the rain started. Fairly light rain, but it started around 3:00 and continued well into the evening.

Around 6:30 there was a talk & listen session at the rec room. We talked about solar, trailers, and travel.

Dinner was Anne's Chicken Artichoke over pasta.

Until Tomorrow

Day 4, Chocorua KOA , Chocorua, NH & the Spring Fling

Jerry, The Rally Host Grilling Chicken

Day 4, Chocorua KOA , Chocorua, NH - 0 miles, 406.9 for the trip.

I slept in this morning, mostly because I didn't turn on the electric heater last night and it was down to 58°F in the trailer at 7:00AM. It was cool most of the day, although lots of sun. I did some reading, both on the computer & a book on the Kindle. I finished the current one (Red Hope by John Dreese) and started a real hardcover book (Bermuda Schwartz by Bob Morris). I've read a couple of Morris' books and enjoy them; found it at the campground library.

We all headed to the pavilion around 2:00 for the campground one pot cooking demonstration and recipe trading. A little later it was time for the pot luck dinner. Jerry (the rally host) grilled a pile of chicken thighs, and, with the usual sides to pass, there was plenty of great food for all. After the dinner there was a raffle. While I didn't win anything, Guido won a radio I tried to give him earlier. The donations from Escape Trailer Industries were appreciated by many.

Dinner was the pot luck. More photos at the update to the Spring Fling page.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 3, Chocorua KOA , Chocorua, NH

A Spiffed up U Haul towed by a Woodie

Day 3, Chocorua KOA , Chocorua, NH - 0 miles, 406.9 for the trip.

Since the pot luck is Friday, rather than Saturday, I decided to make the blueberry pies this morning. It was still cool (in the upper 50's), so I decided to bake them in the trailer oven. I used a new silicon pie edge protector and drip collector recommended by a fellow pie maker (thanks, Earline!) and both worked well. The pies were made with my own blueberries, but frozen, so the pies may be a bit juicy, but they taste better than the generic store bought frozen berries.

After the pies were out of the oven I made a round of the campground for some photos, then we made a run to the closest grocery store (about 7 miles away) for some celery & other supplies to make my Anasazi Beans, Rice & Chicken for dinner. It, like all the times I make it, was an experiment, but we all liked it. No matter how much I make, I always seem to have 2 one person batches left over. I froze them for next time.

At 6:00 there was a cheese social at the pavilion. Met some old friends and new ones, then headed back to the trailer for my 7:00 eye drops and to post today's pages. No pictures specific to this page, but a bunch at the Spring Fling page.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 2, Chocorua KOA , Chocorua, NH

Anne Using the Harbor Freight Bug Zapper

Day 2, Chocorua KOA , Chocorua, NH - 200.6 miles, 406.9 for the trip.

A pleasant drive along NY, VT & NH secondary roads to the Chocorua KOA. Like last year, we stopped at a  Hannaford grocery store along the way for some supplies. We are in sites 45 & 47, full hookup, pull through sites that are at a reduced price of $38.00 or so per night. I say "or so" because they gave Guido a different price even though I made the reservation. We set up, then sat around enjoying the nice weather. Site photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.

While they are not as bad as Adirondack black flies, there are some annoying ones here at the campground (along with the usual mosquito or two). I dug out the Harbor Freight bug swatter, an electronic bug zapper built into a tennis racket. Anne had a great time zapping the flies buzzing around Guido. It works surprising well, with the satisfaction of a loud "ZAP" as it fries a bug. A little later we got out my Thermacell, which, while not as satisfying, is a lot easier to use.

We met a couple across from us in a Trillium, and there is a Casita & Scamp 13 elsewhere in the campground. That was about it for the day.

Dinner was Shrimp Alfredo put together by Anne. I'm getting spoiled not making my own meals, even if most of mine come out of the freezer in a box.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 1, Broken Wheel Campground, Petersburg, NY

Site 28

Day 1, Broken Wheel Campground, Petersburg, NY - 206.3 miles, 206.3 for the trip.

I returned from a 270 day trip to pick up a new Escape 21 & spend the winter in Quartzsite, AZ about 2 weeks ago. While I enjoyed staying in a full sized house, it is time to hit the road again. This is a much shorter trip (about a week) to the Chocorua KOA in Chocorua, NH. Around 30 or so fiberglass RVs will rally the 17th - 19th at the campground.

Since I prefer to limit my traveling to around 200 miles per day (actually, I prefer 150), I looked for an open campground half way to Chocorua. Most are still closed - here in the northeast Memorial day is the usual opening day. The Broken Wheel Campground opened last week, so here I am. I'm is site 28 (I think - the signs are a bit confusing), a water & electric site on grass for $32.50 per night. Very clean bathrooms a bit of a walk from the trailer. They also have a large rec room, complete with a book trading library. A big difference from last year- today is is 72°F, last year it was in the low 50's.

I had washed & waxed the trailer yesterday (it needed it after the long trip ), so, of course, it rained much of the way here. Both the truck & trailer are covered with road mud. I can barely see out of the back windows (it doesn't help the back up camera on the trailer either!

The rain stopped as I arrived at the campground, so I got a photo without getting wet. Anne & Guido are on their way from Albany, and expect to arrive around 5:00, providing the rain doesn't get in the way. It is lightly raining here, but there are serious thunderstorms with tornado warnings to the south. They worst area is south of I 90, so I hope it won't be a problem for them. Still, looking at my weather radar app, it looks like it is going to rain for awhile, so we may be eating dinner in the 21. Good time to try out the new table, and Lagun support. Right now I have it folded to the 14" wide set up (still the full 39" width), and lowered to good typing height. I have discovered that with the laptop on the extreme end of the long direction, there is a little shaking when typing. Not as solid as the Springfield pedestal, but much more flexible.

I'll add more after Anne & Guido get here.

Later - They arrived in the rain and are in site 27.

Dinner was chili & applesauce (supplied from Anne & Guido's freezer).

Adding a Lagun Table Mount

The Lagun Table Mount & Sliding Teak Table

Not a travel journal, but I've been working on some additions & modifications to the trailer.  Most of today's is changing the Springfield table pedestal to a Lagun mount.  While I liked the Springfield better than the two post system Escape provides, the Lagun arm lets you move the table through a range of positions.  The teak table slides so that the two outside sections fold over the center section, making a 14" wide table, great for lounging around when you don't need a large taKD-AR959BSble.

Lots more photos of the table in different positions, open & closed, and the construction of the support for the Lagun arm at an update on my "Trailer Modifications, Escape 21" page (scroll down).

I have a bunch of additions, modifications, and minor repairs that I'll do over the next couple of days. I did install my 4th radio!  I found an Amazon Associate that still had the JVC KD-AR959BS receiver.  It is discontinued by JVC, but worked great in my Escape 17B.  I'm getting tired of changing over the 16 or so splices to install a new radio (even JVC uses a different connector on their different radios), but I hope I'm done.  While I haven't tested it at Quartzsite, it works great picking up a NPR station 70 miles from home, something the other radios would not have done.

Day 270, Tuesday, May 1, 2018, Oswego, NY

Home At Last!

Tuesday, May 1, 2018, Oswego, NY - 111.6 Miles, 7,974.3 Towing Miles For the Trip

All good things must sometimes end, and 270 days on the road is one of them. I had a great trip, but am also glad to be home. I didn't have a 3' high pile of mail; my son made 4 1' piles! Hard to believe how many letters from Good Sam, Companion Life Insurance, and from my medical plans. I spent most of the afternoon reducing it to a 3" thick stack.

The daffodils are out, and the tree that blew over a few weeks ago didn't right itself. Glad it landed in the neighbor's yard, her son the tree specialist can take care of it. Pictures at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Since I'm heading out to the Spring Fling Rally in New Hampshire, I didn't empty the trailer. It still took a couple of hours to get the things I need for daily life over the next two weeks, and to clean out the refrigerator. The tire monitor system I ordered from Amazon is a bust - it won't change from bars to PSI, or from °C to °F. Otherwise, it looks like a nice unit. I started the process of returning to Amazon, but when I tried to print the mailing label, my printer seems to have died. The LCD panel lights up, but no data, no noise, no nothing! I can't really complain - it is a Brother all in one laser printer that is over 17 years old. We will see if Amazon Prime gets me the replacement by Thursday.

I ordered a Lagun Table Mount & folding Teak table yesterday from Everythingboat LTD in England, and the 13KG package will be here tomorrow! Only $38.00 shipping; less expensive than it would be from almost anywhere in the US to Oswego. I don't know what kind of deal they have with FedEx, but 2 day shipping from Great Britain seems like a deal!

Some statistics for the trip:

Total Towing Miles: 7974.3
Towing MPG Average: 11.5

Total Driving miles: 17,403
Total MPG Average: 15.45

Total Gallons of Fuel: 1126.22
Total Cost of Fuel: $2934.66
Average Fuel cost: $2.63

Total Amount of Propane: 46.22 Gallons
Total Propane Cost: $119.47

Total Campground Cost: $4241.66
Average Campground Cost: $16.50
Total Number of Campgrounds: 52 (and one house)

The motels on the way to Chilliwack : 12 nights @ a total of $1162.86, for an average of $96.91 per night. (Note - I fixed a mistake on the total motel cost on 5/5/18.)

In a couple of days, I'll add some of my favorite photos from the trip.

Dinner was a frozen chicken patty & coleslaw.

Until the Next Trip, Leaving around the 15th!