Trip to Bolerama & Takoma Park, Day 17

Thursday, July 23, 2026, Day 16,Home, Oswego, NY - 120.3 Miles, 1,113 Miles For The Trip

After coffee & breakfast i headed out to Oswego. Stopped for gas at $3.99, cheaper than any of the Oswego stations. There was a slow/stopped section of I 481 where it was down to one lane because of the work on moving I 81 out of the city of Syracuse. Quite a project.

I got home around 1:00 and unloaded the refrigerator plus a couple of things that I'll need overnight. I'll finish unpacking the trailer in the morning. Interesting distortion using the wide angle setting on the iPhone 17. Both solar panels are the same size but not it this photo. If you look closely, you might notice that the black tank vent cover is missing (just in front of the front solar panel). A casualty of a low tree at Bill & Deidre's. I have not found a source for the cover or that version of a vent housing, so I'll need to replace the whole thing. Another project!

Home

I picked a few cups of blueberries. The most productive bushes finished while I was on the road. Kyle told me the mower blade wouldn't spin. I looked at it and there is something wrong with the belt but not something I can fix. Brooks Trailer will pick it up in the morning.

That's about it for the day & trip. The next scheduled trip will be in September, the Algonac Rally & the Niagara Wine rally.

Until Then -

Trip to Bolerama & Takoma Park, Day 16

Wednesday, July 22, 2026, Day 16, The Guido's, Binghamton, NY - 108.1 Miles, 992.7 Miles For The Trip

We stopped at the dump station on the way out of Hickory Run State Park, and were underway by noonish.

Another trip that spent most of the time on interstates. We arrived at the Guido's around 2:00. 

Both of us at the Guido's

I packed up a bag for one night - the Guidos started unpacking their Scamp. Cooler than yesterday; in the 70's during the day and a predicted 52°F overnight.

We headed to an Italian restaurant/pizza place for dinner, but they were closed for vacation. So, we headed to Applebee's. I had a Southwestern Chicken Bowl.

Until Tomorrow -

Trip to Bolerama & Takoma Park, Day 15

Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Day 15, Hickory Run State Park, White Haven, PA, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 884.6 Miles For The Trip

Lots of rain overnight. It did stop long enough for me to get a morning walk in. I went over to the Guido's awning for a bit around noon, but heavy rain chased me back inside the trailer for lunch.

Around 3:00 I headed for a shower. Very humid - I already felt like I had one. Anyhow, three stalls in the Men's bathroom, one set up as disabled. I used one of the standard showers. Large drying area with a bench & 2 double hooks. The shower was large, standard shower head, a soap dish & a single knob that adjusted the flow, not temperature - only one pipe coming into the shower. The water was hot enough to be comfortable. Overall, an A. On the way back to my trailer from the bathroom I watched a small black bear walk down the road in front of me.

After my shower I still felt sticky (the humidity is at least 86%) but clean. I headed back to the Guido awning for more reading. A little before 4:00 the rain got serious & I headed to the trailer getting it ready for dinner guests. Anne is making a shrimp & sausage dish that we all like, and hopefully the rain will stop when it is ready so they can bring it over.

So, dinner was shrimp & sausage & broccoli with ice cream for dessert.

Until Tomorrow -

Trip to Bolerama & Takoma Park, Day 14

Monday, July 20, 2026, Day 14, Hickory Run State Park, White Haven, PA - 219.3 Miles, 884.6 Miles For The Trip

It actually got down to the mid 60's last night. I still ran the AC because when I shut it off the shell of the trailer was still warm enough to bring the inside over 80°F. I could have shut it off around 3:00AM, but I was asleep!

We drove most of the way on interstates. I 95 wasn't bad, but there was a 1/2 hour slow/stopped on I83. We arrived at Hickory Run State Park around 3:00. I'm in site 240, and the Guidos are in 238. Both are electric only on asphalt. A short walk to the bathrooms. The 30 amp breaker at my site was bad so I ended up using my 50 to 30 adapter. A picnic table & fire ring at each site. We are here for two nights for #30.75 per night with a $9.00 senior discount.

Me in Site 240

Anne in Site 238

After we set up we sat around until 6:00 then made dinner which was chicken Bubba burgers & a salad with Blueberry crumb cake and an ice cream cone for dessert.

Until Tomorrow -

Trip to Bolerama & Takoma Park, Day 13

Sunday, July 19, 2026, Day 13, Cherry Hill Park, College Park, MD, Day 4 - 0 Miles, 665.3 Miles For The Trip

While it still made it up to 90°F today, as long as you were in the shade it was comfortable. A good breeze. We sat around under the Guido's awning for most of the morning. Karin & Noah stopped by for a game of miniature golf. Noah mad 2 holes in one! After that it was back to the trailer & Karin, Noah & I played an interesting game called Panda Royale that I lost.

We had lunch at the cafe, then sat around for a bit before Karin & Noah headed home.

We went to Pandora for dinner - I had a 1/2 Caesar salad with chicken.

Until Tomorrow -

Trip to Bolerama & Takoma Park, Day 12

Saturday, July 18, 2026, Day 12, Cherry Hill Park, College Park, MD, Day 3 - 0 Miles, 665.3 Miles For The Trip

Still hazy, but it is suppose to clear this afternoon. It does look a bit brighter than last night. I took a couple of photos of the crescent moon over the trailer: A bit red, although you may not see it in the thumbnails. Both cameras work fairly well in low light conditions. It was what anyone would call nighttime at 9:00PM.

The Nikon Z8

The iPhone 17

I woke up around 4:00AM with an upset stomach. It didn't improve, so I'm spending the day close to a bathroom. I sat outside with Guido for awhile, than headed inside the trailer for a nap, something I only do every couple of years. Still hot; it is 93°F at 1:45. The sky has cleared to the point where you can see clouds & blue. 

And, as usual, I couldn't nap, and headed back outside to sit with Guido under his awning. Around 4:00 a storm came through. The Guido awning got put away, and I headed to my trailer. Lots of thunder & lightning, with light rain starting 5 minutes later. The storm did cool things down a bit. It is down to 88°F and dropping. The AC in the trailer is still running. It has been on non stop for 3 days. Even on the hottest days the compressor does cycle, so a 9500 BTU air conditioner works well for the trailer.

My stomach is still upset so I have skipped my morning & afternoon exercises, and will have something light for dinner.

Well, a piece of bread was pretty light!

Until Tomorrow -

Trip to Bolerama & Takoma Park, Day 11

Friday, July 17, 2026, Day 11, Cherry Hill Park, College Park, MD, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 665.3 Miles For The Trip

Not quite as hot today; 87°F at 11:30AM. Lots of haze in the air but still not enough smoke to smell it. There are hazard conditions warning - the pool is closed. After a morning walk I sat in the trailer reading. 

Around 11:00 I headed for a shower. The showers here at Cherry Hill (there are three bathroom buildings, all the same plus a set in the Clubhouse) appear to be designed & built by someone that expects to use them. While a bit tight for large folks, they are practical. 5 in Bathhouse #1, one flat floor & large for disabled. The other four have a bench & 4 hooks in the drying area, a shelf that is high & easily accessed from the shower, and a soap dish in the shower. Standard shower head and adjustable water temperature. Overall, I rate it an A.

After that is was sitting around in the trailer reading. The smoke is worse today than it was yesterday so sitting outside even in the shade was uncomfortable.

Around 2:00 we headed to Karin's. Since I have trouble backing the truck onto Carroll street from her driveway, I usually park in an abandoned parking lot down the street. Today they appear to be repaving it so it was out. I found a parking place nearby.

We sat around with Karin, Noah and Brian for the rest of the afternoon. 

Anne, Noah, Guido & Karin

We went to a Thai restaurant the Kin Da. I had garlic broccoli with shrimp. Very good and a lot of it. All the meals were enough for two, although, of course, I ate all of mine.

We were back at the trailers by 7:30 or so, sat out for a bit then came in to post today's page.

Until Tomorrow - 

Trip to Bolerama & Takoma Park, Day 10

Thursday, July 16, 2026,Day 10, Cherry Hill Park, College Park, MD - 0 16.2 Miles, 665.3 Miles For The Trip

Another hot day. We headed to Dempsey's of Ashton for breakfast, then finished packing up the trailers and headed out. A short drive to Cherry Hill. We even managed to ignore the GPS that insisted on hopping on I 95.

We are set up in sites 330 & 332, full hookup "Deluxe" sites (that means you get a table with 4 chairs) on fine gravel for $115.00 per night. The site needed 1 1/2" side to side & lowering the tongue by 2". 

Me in Site 332

The Guidos in Site 330

There is just a bit of shade at site 332; more at 330 but still hot at 92°F. The AC is working hard to cool down the trailer.

After setting up I sat in the trailer and read. A friend and former Technical Director at SUNY Oswego is planning to stop by for a visit. 

We walked over to the Club House to sit around and talk for the afternoon. Ken & Lorna left around 3:30, and Karin arrived a little after 5:00. This time we sat in the shade, although it was still pretty hot at 96°F. Anne headed to the Scamp with breathing problems. While you can't see the smoke or smell it, it is giving me a sore throat. Tomorrow is suppose to be worse. If it is we may spend the day in the trailers.

Karin headed out when I had to do my 7:00 eye drops. 

Dinner was an Amy's Enchilada with Spanish rice & beans, while the Guidos finished off yesterday's sandwiches.

Until Next Time - 

Trip to Bolerama & Takoma Park, Day 9

Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Day 9, Bill & Deidre's, Highland, MD, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 649.1 Miles For The Trip

We hung around the house after breakfast, then headed to the Full On Sandwich shop in Rockville, MD for lunch. I had a very good turkey avocado sandwich with home made potato chips and we shared a batch of excellent onion rings. Lots of tree damage on the drive from the storm that went through on July 5th. None at Bill & Deidre's, but some of the near by streets were tree covered enough that they had to take lots of detours to get around. They were without power for 2 days.

Back at the house we watched some TV and relaxed. Very hot outside, but the AC at the house kept it comfortable. Inside the trailer it is 95°F with the Maxx fan running at full speed. The refrigerator is doing OK with that much heat: 42°F & 7°F.

We watched some more TV and kept putting off dinner until it was bedtime. I really didn't need or want any - Lunch was much bigger than usual and I'm still full.

Until Next Time - 

Trip to Bolerama & Takoma Park, Day 8

Tuesday, July 14, 2026,Day 8,Bill & Deidre's, Highland, MD - 227.5649.1 Miles, 421.6 Miles For The Trip

A much better drive than yesterday. Most was on major roads including interstates I 99 & I 70 with a short bit on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

We arrived at Anne's cousins around 3:30. We parked the trailers in the street and will be staying in the house. It is hot, and with no power (just the Maxx fan in the trailer) sleeping in it would be tough.

Me

The Scamp

We sat around and talked until we managed to decide on dinner - two pizzas, a Hawaiian & a white pizza with mushrooms and black olives.

Until Next Time - 

Trip to Bolerama & Takoma Park, Day 7

Monday, July 13, 2026,Day 7, Lauder Family Campground, Frenchville, PA - 207.3 Miles, 421.6 Miles For The Trip

Not as cool as last night, but nice enough for sleeping. We got a late start, and an even later arrival at the campground. Our Garmins (a combined 4 of them) all gave different routes. I think we picked the wrong one which, while mostly roads with dividing lines, took us all over the place. We arrived around 6:00. The sites are on coarse gravel, full hook up for $41.60. Individual bathrooms are next to the site. I did have to drop the trailer to get the tongue down 2", and add 3/4" side to side. Although far apart in the alphabet, the sites are next to each other.

Site G

Site A

Made a quick dinner of Bubba chicken burgers, beans & ttortoni salad. 

Until Next Time - 

Trip to Bolerama & Takoma Park, Day 6

Sunday, July 12, 2026 - Long Beach Conservation Area & Bolerama,Wellfleet, Ontario, Canada, Day 5 - 0 Miles, 214.3 Miles For The Trip

It cooled off nicely last night, going down to 57°F by morning & 62°F in the trailer. 

During my morning walk there were very few trailers packing up to leave. Still, some have left and more left throughout the day.

I spent the morning & early afternoon sitting under the Guido's awning and reading. Finished the 1619 Project & started Crook Manifesto: A Novel (The Harlem Trilogy Book 2) by Colson Whitehead. I'm listening to the second book in a series - The Butcher Game by Alaina Urquhart.

Around 12:30 I headed to the bathroom (washroom since I'm in Canada) for a shower. They have 3 showers that open to the outside & 2 inside the men's bathroom. I used one of the inside ones since they have standard showerheads rather than the high pressure low volume ones on the outside ones. The bad - the showerhead aims at the shower curtain and wets most of the drying area. Two hooks and a bench in the drying area. A push button for water. It was hot enough when I started, but someone was in the other inside shower and by the time I finished it was down to lukewarm water. The pushbutton lasted for at least a minute. Overall, a B-.

I took a few photos of folks leaving:

There was a pot luck with left overs from yesterday & lots of new stuff:

Until Next Time - 

Trip to Bolerama & Takoma Park, Day 5

Saturday, July 11, 2026 - Long Beach Conservation Area & Bolerama,Wellfleet, Ontario, Canada, Day 4 - 0 Miles, 214.3 Miles For The Trip

During my morning walk I took the camera and took a bunch of pictures. A few here, but many more on the Bolarama 26 page.

It was another quiet day. No rain and in the 80's. We sat outside and read, showed the trailers to a couple of folks. Around 4:30 I packed up the pies, the truck & the Guidos and drove over to the pavilion for the group dinner. Lots of food for all, and drawings for prizes afterwards.

Again, many more photos at the Bolarama page.

Until Next Time - 

Trip to Bolerama & Takoma Park, Day 4

Friday, July 10, 2026 - Long Beach Conservation Area & Bolerama,Wellfleet, Ontario, Canada, Day 3 - 0 Miles, 214.3 Miles For The Trip

A little cooler last night going down to 61°F. Lots of trailers arrived today including an Escape 13 from the Escape factory. Boy is it small, but light enough to be pulled by almost anything.

After my walk & breakfast I made two blueberry pies. Not the prettiest I've ever made, but they should taste OK.

The Pies

We sat around reading most of the day. During the afternoon we walked over to the rally host trailer and signed in for the dinner tomorrow and pick up a sign for the trailer, a button, a tick remover, and tags for your shampoo & conditioner, A "S" & a "C" made on a on a 3D printer with a rubber band to attach them to your shampoo & conditioner so you can tell which is which in the dark. Since I only use shampoo they won't do much for me but the tick remover might come in handy.

Since my grill is up the creek, we cooked chicken Bubba burgers on Guido's pristine grill. Hated to get it dirty but we did want to eat.

Dinner was Chicken Bubba burgers & tortoni salad.

Until Tomorrow - 

Until Next Time - 

Trip to Bolerama & Takoma Park, Day 3

Thursday, July 9, 2026 - Long Beach Conservation Area & Bolerama,Wellfleet, Ontario, Canada, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 214.3 Miles For The Trip

A warm night. I shut of the AC and with the MAXX fan running and an outside temperature of 73°F down to 69°F by morning, the inside of the trailer stayed around 74°F. 

After my morning walk I had breakfast & read both on the internet & my Kindle. Current book is The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones. While it was still in the high 70's sitting outside, I turned on the AC around noon because the inside temperature was hitting 80°F, too warm for my meds.

I started a rack of baby back ribs around 1:30 and sat out in the shade of the Guido's awning for the afternoon.

The grill started acting weird - the flame adjustment wasn't working right. I thought the small tank might have been empty although it felt at least 1/2 full. I unhooked it to change to me spare 20 pounder & a gush of oil and propane spewed out. The 20 pound tank also didn't work right so I think the hose and maybe the grill is filled with oil. I didn't get much further since the food was done. We ate at 5:00 and by 5:30 it started to rain. As I was unhooking the 20 pound tank from the grill hose a cloud of propane spewed from the hose.  It is probably clogged with oil.  I hope the grill isn't. 

Dinner was ribs, a salad, applesauce and an ice cream cone.

Until Next Time - 

Trip to Bolerama & Takoma Park, Day 2

Wednesday, July 8, 2026 - Long Beach Conservation Area & Bolerama,Wellfleet, Ontario, Canada - 214.3 Miles, 214.3 Miles For The Trip

We had an interesting drive to the park. I suggested we take rt 38 to I 90, and a little before we got there a sign sent us on a detour. The detour eventually ended up at a closed bridge on rt 34. Eventually we wandered across the middle of the state until we found Rt 414 which actually made it far enough south to reach I90. After that the traffic wasn't too bad and we arrived at the campground around 2:00. So, over 200 miles driven for a 180 mile trip.

No problems crossing the border. A bit of a problem with the sites but is worked out & the Guidos are in 71 & I'm in 93. They are next to each other. The sites are 15 amp electric & water on grass. Mine was level, Guido's needed a bit of site to side leveling. $45.00 per night Canadian which works out to $31.80 US. No picnic table at either site, but Anne asked and within 20 minutes one arrived. Since we cook & eat together, only one was necessary. A little beat, but the seat didn't break when I sat down.

My Site (93)

The Guidos (Site 71)

Both Sites

Very hot. Although my app says it is only 78°F, the sensor in my ladder storage fence post says it hit 97°F. A light breeze off the lake that felt nice as long as you were in the shade. Unfortunately, neither of our sites have much shade but we sat under Guido's awning. 

Dinner was left over pizza, and fruit as well as cheese brats & Bush beans.

Until Next Time - 

Trip to Bolerama & Takoma Park, Day 1

Tuesday, July 7, 2026 - Still Home, 0 Miles, 0 Miles For The Trip

I guess the heat last week spurred on the blueberries. Still lots of green berries, but the two earliest bushes are producing. I vacuum packed and froze 2 pie bags (5 1/2 cups) and will take one of them with me for the pies at Bolerama. I also picked a quart of Cascadia Sugar Snap peas and will take them on the trip for salads. Unfortunately, I suspect they will be done in by the time I get back. Kyle will water them, but 2 weeks in this weather is asking for a miracle. I hope the flowers in the front flower box hold up. Not all that much work to plant, but I've been doing them for years.

The Front Flower Box

he weather is a bit cooler, but is is still summery. It has been hitting the 80's during the day and only going down to the 70's at night. Since I have trouble sleeping with temperatures above 68°F (I prefer 63°F) I have the bedroom AC set at 68°F overnight. Can't wait to see National Grid's bill this month.

I have finished packing everything but the last minute items in the truck & trailer. I use a 4 page check list that goes by the cabinets, drawers & shelves in the trailer with a check box to mark when it is packed. I have found this useful to make sure I have everything I plan to take. I still usually discover something that I missed!

The truck is parked on the lawn so the Guidos can back their trailer into the driveway. It makes starting out a bit slow because they have to pull out to the road so I can get to my trailer to hook up. Luckily, we have little traffic on our road after a morning rush to deliver kids to Camp Hollis down the road.

Guidos arrived around 5:00.

The Vermilye Campground

We went to Rudy's, a local fish & Texas Hot stand on the lake around 2 miles from the house. I had their fried shrimp dinner.

Until Next Time - 

Trip to Bolerama & Takoma Park, MD

Saturday, July 4, 2026 - Home, 0 Miles, 0 Miles For The Trip

Happy 4th of July & 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Time to start getting ready for an annual trip to Bolerama in Ontario, Canada, and then on to Takoma Park, MD to see my daughter's family. As usual, the Guidos will travel with me. 

It has been hot! Oswego hit 99°F last week and has been in the 90's for a couple of days. While other parts of upstate NY do often hit the 90's, Oswego has Lake Ontario next door (across the street from me) and the lake has been a modifier of temperatures; warmer Falls and cooler Springs & Summers. 90's are (or used to be) rare. I didn't need air conditioning until a couple of years ago. Now I have a mini split in the living room and in the bedroom. It has finally cooled off, only 73°F at 2:00 today. 

I started packing the trailer in a light rain. I don't know if I'll get a chance to wash it before I leave on Wednesday, but it isn't too bad. I do have a small boo boo in the truck. I backed into a stake bed truck and put a dent/hole in the tailgate. Evidently it can't be repaired, but replaced. Over $2K.

While it was hot last week, the blueberries are running behind. By this time I would usually have done a first picking but the earliest bush is just starting to show some blue color. I'm afraid that they will all come in over the next 2 weeks that I'm gone. At least the birds will have a treat. I also had to pull the garlic a bit early.

I've finished of the radishes & asparagus and started on the snap peas. This is the second year I planted Sugar Snap peas that have inedible pods. Luckily, I also planted Cascadia Sugar Snap peas and they are great. So far one small tomato on the tomato plant. 

New Bathroom Light

Garlic

Blueberries

More photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.

As to trailer projects, not many. I did add a light to the top of the medicine cabinet. I was always unhappy with the standard bathroom light behind me when I was looking in the mirror. I found an LED strip with a switch that just fit above the cabinet. Now I have light on my face rather than a shadow.

That's about it for the day. I'll probably do another post when the Guidos get here on Tuesday.

Until Next Time -