Family Road Trip to Watkins Glen NY - June 2017

As I sit chowing down on a brie-on-ciabatta sandwich here in Watkins Glen, I realize how RVing has changed in the over decade now we have been blessed to have travelled in RoadAbode. We still all enjoy exploring places, but actual "downtime" seems to be more of a priority. Reading,  coloring (yes adult coloring books are a thing) or playing card games - and NOT being weighed by responsibility I've been discovering are just as much fun as developing "the plan" of how we are to spend every waking moment of our vacation. Just feeling blessed to spend time together as we all get older.
That's not to say we still don't have to deal with work issues. We spend at least a few minutes a day answering questions, even signing in to resolve an issue or two. But only when needed, and not the constant worry of years past.

Childhood pastimes are still fun

So for this trip, I had an inkling of where and what to do, but left plenty of time to either discover some new things, or just some down time. We had plans that would work in case of rainy days, and sunny days. That was about the extent of planning.

Things not to miss in Watkins Glen 

The Gorge is beautiful. Even though the entrance in under a reconstruction, it's still a great hike. We like to find some free street parking down on tenth street, (near the Police station) then walk up to just outside the gift shop and catch the shuttle to the top entrance of the gorge. The shuttle is $5 each, but worth it to do the walk only one way - downhill. Just remember to turn around to see some of the incredible swirling waters in the gorge.

Yours truly, hamming it up on the start of our hike

One of many beautiful waterfalls on the Watkins Glen Gorge Trail

In the Village of Watkins Glen check out the eateries and shops. I was able to pickup a lightweight raincoat at a  keen price. Take a stroll all the way to Seneca Harbor Station - and enjoy a dinner view of the lake - or better yet - ON the lake with a   dinner cruise.

Take a boat ride on Seneca Lake

Seneca  Lake at Dusk

Taking in Lancaster

In Lancaster at one of our favorites, Country Acres in Gordonville. This time we have along Brenda, Amy's cousin from Kentucky. We decided to try the tour offered by the campground. The Tour leaves from the Bird-in-Hand Restaurant and Inn, and takes about two hours.

When Amy first reserved, we tried to get the 11am Tour, but the 25 passenger tour bus was already full. We opted to go to the earlier 8:45am tour. We were all glad we decided to go!

Chris Lapp, our tour guide was a young man who is a Mennonite. He brought along his young daughter who was an angel, and very well behaved ( a good singer too!). When not giving tours of the Lancaster area, he is a teacher at a Mennonite school. He taught us a lot about the area, and history of the Amish, along with a lot of antidotes from his own family background growing up in the area. Chris showed and explained some of the differences of the Amish lifestyle, and how to tell an Amish farm from an "English" farm. Things we learned we did not know before included that the farm wagons cannot have rubber tires (must be steel) that diesel or air driven machinery can be used, and that the Amish can have cell phones for business use. These rules are set by the particular bishops for their area. On the back roads and routes that Chris chose, we were able to see many examples of the beautiful and simple lives of these faithful people. We also stopped at a few farm and family run stores, including the Quilt shop owned by Chris' mother. He explained the intricate details of these works of art. One one or two quilts are created by a woman in a year.

Dolls on the shelves at the Quilt Shop

We also stopped at a candle shop and petting zoo, and a farm bakery, where we had fresh-made pretzels and homemade root beer! Was a great treat! We had fun talking with Chris, the other passengers, and seeing the beautiful Lancaster Countryside!

After our tour, we had lunch at Bird-in-Hand, a great buffet including some local specialties. Then we walked around the Farmers Market - which was very crowded, and checked out their wares. Then a quick trip to the Quilt Museum by the Kitchen Kettle complex. Finally around 1pm we headed back toward home base.

Right now resting up to go eat later at Stoltzfus Farm Restaurant for dinner. A busy but great day!

On a Amish tour today

Fun With Family

Spent the evening with Aunt Sis' family. Had pizza @ Karen's house in Ohio, just over the Indiana border. Been raining all day, into the nite. Flood warnings all over the area.

Visiting Aunt Sis

Visiting with Granny's sister Hennie at Cottingham

Rainy Day

Rainy day fun - playing with golf cart under da pavillon. Playing frisbee too

Camped Out in Indiana

Made it to Rising Sun Indiana, and staying at Little Farm on the River RV Resort, after a few wrong turns. settled in, took a walk to see the Ohio River (pretty high). Amy got laundry going, and we took a ride into town to find a local place to eat. Problem was, places close at 7pm, so we ended up at a Subway. Still good, but would have been good to catch some local fare.

Now back in RoadAbode, checked in at work, and now relaxing, while others are straightening up, or doing homework or reading.

Tomorrow, we will go visit "Aunt Sis", who's in a care facility. Then perhaps dinner with her family in a town or two up from here - Lawrenceburg.

Cincinati lunch

Enjoyed a regional favorite - 5 way @ Gold Star Chili

Kentucky Morning

Sun risining on another beautiful day in Kentucky. Will be getting moving toward Indiana soon.

This Moring and Em Visits Up the Road

The day has basically been lazy for all of us, with only a few family stopping by today.
Amy and I Woke around 6:30a, and just lounged a bit before taking showers, and dressing. We enjoyed some time with Aunt Doris and Uncle John, had coffee, then roused the girls and got ready to meet Susan for Church. Service was good, with (from what I'm told) a pretty new Pastor)

Once Services were over, we scooted back to the Carr homestead for some great leftovers from last night. I sat and just enjoyed listening to the conversations roll along. Kimberly went to RoadAbode and worked on homework, Emily played some games, and I ended up checking in here and the servers at work - checked email, then signed on here. The previous posts from today and yesterday I did via mobile, hence the lack of a lot of description
Amy and Em went visiting up Turner Ridge Road to Susan's home, and visited her barn ...and Goats. Think Em felt like she was at her own private petting zoo!

Good Day, and still a bit to go. Tomorrow we'll be on the road to Indiana.

Dinner Sat nite

This is Amy, Susan, and Chelsie at dinner Sat nite.

Reporting from Kentucky

Morning at Uncle John's

In Falmouth

Enjoying family

Made it to Kentucky

Made it to Turner Ridge!

Em Birthday

Just a pic of some of the girls having fun.

Test

Kyla Visits

No matter how bah-humbug you may feel, for whatever reason, a small child can bring Christmas into your heart.
So glad Kev, Leann and Kyla could come

Before Dinner

Chinese Checkers

Crabbing in MD

Went crabbing with our friends this morn. Now time 4 some icecream @ the city marina!

Beautiful & quiet here - but buggy. Our friends Joe & Pat put together an amazing dinner last night! Their place is beautiful. It was a joy
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VA/MD Adventure - Bethpage Camp Resort

Had a downpour as we connected RoadToad to the towbar. Was "fun" getting everything together in Kohl's parkinglot, not far from home. adding air, connecting the chains and cables (also have the bikes in tow) and getting the brake system ready is just not as easy in a pouring rain. Also seems to take longer. Once connected - got moving by about 9:45am. ride down was easy, didn't stop until Virginia for gas, then stopped at a subway for lunch.

Got to Bethpage about 5:30pm, filled up on propane, and was escorted to our site. Amy made quite an impression on our guide. we saw him later after dinner - and he told us of all the places he's workcamped, he's never seen someone so excited, and happy to be at a campground!

We can seee why this campground has been named one of the best in the country, and the best in

Virginia. Everything is manicured, clean and very well kept/maintained.

Set up camp and the girls went for a swim, with Granny and Amy in tow. I had to move a few things when we got new "neighbors" (just so they could 'pull thru') and then moved them right back. Turns out they are from Allentown - also their first time here. Emily is looking forward to a swim in the Lake - to try the big trampoline. This looks like a fun place!

Tiny RoadTrip

While Amy and Kimberly are away, Emily and I had fun of our own. We took a ride out to Valley Forge, saw the RC airplane 'runway' there, and stopped to look at the log cabins used by the revolutionary war troops of George Washington. Afterward, we headed to see the move "Open Season" - in 3-D no less. It was a great father-daughter day!