Two Small RoadAbode Projects - Getting Ready for First trip of 2017

As a rule, we don't utilize RoadAbode for trips in December, January, or February. These months are usually too busy, or too cold to be travelling. Some of our favorite campgrounds and resorts are not even open during these months. Our first trip is usually planned for March, still too cold for some in our "neck or the woods." For those of us "Up North" it's a time to plan our summer trips, or look at some pictures of some of the fun we had in years past.

Winter months are also a great time to get some repair or upgrade projects done. This year, we treated ourselves to a new queen mattress at Christmas. Our old mattress was a spring mattress that needed to be replaced. Springs were starting t wear through!  What still made our bed comfortable was our great RV quilted mattress topper. Since last year we had purchased a twin size foam mattress for when we turn the dinette into a bunk, we decided to get the same style IKEA mattress for our rear bed. As usual, RVs are just a little different than home. Queen Beds. A standard queen bed in your home measures 60 by 80 inches. Though newer RVs now have standard queen size, (even king size) older RVs have either three-quarter queen, which is 48 by 75 inches, or a queen short, measuring 60 by 75 inches. RoadAbode has a queen short. IKEA does not carry RV mattresses, but we "customized" one of their queens for our bed. The model we purchased, the MINNESUND, is a firm foam mattress with a zippered cotton cover. We were able to unzip, and slice down the end of the foam with scissors to size, We just folded over the extra material at our feet. We could of left the length, except it would have made walking around the bed difficult.

New Mattress!

We also noticed at end of last camping season the ceiling material was starting to sag over top of the front bedroom. It looked that the moulding piece that held the poly resin sheet material just warped from the weight over the years, allowing a gap to appear. Three short sheet metal screws and a partial tube of adhesive latex caulk helped get it back in place.

One of the screws to hold it in place.

RoadAbode's "Finishing Specialist" taking care of the bead of caulk along the moulding

 A small project we did a few years ago which as proven to be very handy is a shelf above the microwave. I beleive we picked up at IKEA, a great place to pickup items for RV living. Their furniture and accessories are sturdy, and many built for small spaces. The shelf is just two simple brackets with a wide shelf. Great for holding some baked goods or other foodstuffs while camping. We usually don't use the shelf while travelling, but probably could with the addition of a non-skid mat and short bungee cord. Quick and easy to install, One thing you always need when RVing - more storage!

Our Above the Microwave IKEA Shelf

Looking forward to our next trip out!

What Type of RVing Lifestyle Fits YOU?

As head of the RoadAbode Crew, sometimes I'll refer to myself as an "RV LifeStyle Advocate." The kids will usually roll their eyes. But all that means is - I enjoy traveling with friends and family in our motorhome RoadAbode, and love to relate our experiences to others. Ask questions on how we spend time together, or the different places we travel in RoadAbode, or how things work on an RV and my passion for RVing get's revealed. My hope is to help people understand the value and fun of traveling and staying in an RV. It's something we really love doing as a family, and we get excited when people discover the pluses (and take on some of the challenges) of owning and traveling in an RV.
The RV Lifestyle actually includes a variety of  ways of utilizing an RV. There are plenty of crossovers between the various ways to live in or use an RV too! Let's examine some possible lifestyle types.

Weekenders

Weekenders make up the majority population of the RV community. They usually use their RV to get away with family and friends to a favorite campground, or state park. Some will go to the same park, or hit a "circuit" of parks where they've built friendships with some other weekenders. Other Weekenders travel to a different destination each weekend they can make it out. Weekenders tend to use their RV as their mobile cabin for the hobbies and activities they enjoy. Whether snowboarding, rock climbing, fishing, hiking or just getting away to relax outdoors, their RV get's them there and keeps them comfortable as home base.

Tailgaters

Tailgaters love to support their local team. Whether their kids soccer team, College sports, Nascar or the favorite Big Leagues team, RVs are perfect for tailgating! Most RVs have a full kitchen, television, and bathroom to support the tailgaters and guests Some RVs are even built or custom modified to be the ultimate tailgating machines, with outside kitchens, big screen outdoor televisions - with satellite hookup - and WiFi, and even rooftop viewing stands. The community is friendly, but can be competitive. Cookoffs and informal pickup games with good food and adult beverages are the norm for these gatherings.Be prepared to know your stats and discuss the pros and cons of the home or opposing teams! Here are some great tips for an awesome tailgate

Summertime Adventurers

This group are fortunate enough to have two, three or more weeks to travel in their RV. School teachers, Seasonal workers, entrepreneurs  or mobile workers can make up this group. They RV for the love of travel - sometime adventurous, sometimes to relax and just explore a new place or an old favorite. With trips planned for the summer, they travel from one location to the next. Sometimes they have a certain criteria for their tour - "All the major league baseball parks", "Top wineries" or "All the National Parks in the Southwest" Sometimes it's just to visit friends and family- and an RV becomes their home away from home. Maybe the theme is hiking, rock climbing or kayaking. Whatever their passion, Summertimes Adventurers have a set time to spend on their hands, and a specific idea of how to spend it.

Snowbirders

Snowbirders are usually defined as retirees that follow the sun. Right before the cold winter months, they travel from as far north as Canada and drive toward the warmer climes of Southwestern States, along the Gulf of Mexico, and the state of Florida. Some have vacation homes in the warmer climates, but we are focusing on the RVing set. The demographic is starting to change though, as more people can work remotely, they can pack up from their "stix and brix" home, and go on the road for extended period of time, taking their work with them. At the end of the work day, rather than fight traffic on snow covered roads, or start shoveling when they get home - they can throw on a swimsuit and lounge by the pool, or do a bit of fishing on the coast.

Full Timers

Full Timers seem to get the most press. Maybe they write more blogs, have more YouTube channels or podcasts than the other lifestyles of RVing combined. Maybe the public is most curious and wonder how possible it could be to really downsize your life and live travelling on the road. Full timers are perceived as mostly vagabond retired couples, but recently many blogs are done by a younger generation of RVer, who can use their tech savvy to work remotely, or have careers that entail travelling. Some are even fulltiming families, homeschooling on the Road like a real life version of the Gornicke family from the movie "RV". Full timing is truly a way of life, not just a style of life. They "give up" traditional lifestyles to be able to live on the road, and travel when they want, or hang out and linger to explore a place. Maybe - it's not what they give up, but what they gain. Living more simply, economically. Having an ever-changing view out the window. An ability to feed their craving of wanderlust. Being able to take time to hike and investigate some remote wilderness and even cities that would be expensive to live in full time. We follow the blogs of a few full timers, and each has a unique way of living their lives with no permanent anchor. Here are a few of our favorites to follow and learn from:
Technomadia | Gone with the Wynns | Roadtirement | Snowmads | Drive.Dive.Devour | Chris Travels

WorkCampers

Workcampers can be a sub genre of any lifestyle mentioned above. Ten years ago when we started RVing, workcampers were defined as workers at commercial campgrounds, or volunteers working for a campsite at local, state or national parks. They clean, work in the office, take care of landscaping - using whatever skills they have learned through previous work experience.
Workcampers today still do that, but now includes people who will camp near tourist areas; and work as support for amusement parks or other entertainment venues. They may work as interpretive guides, or period actors for historical attractions. Work Campers can work in oilfields and call their trailer or fifth-wheel home. They may follow certain crops to work at harvest time. Amazon even has it's own "camperforce" that help at strategically placed warehouses throughout the country during the holiday rush. Fulltimers that use technology to work remotely are even considered by some "workcampers" (their at a campsite...working). Traveling nurses, technology, and construction workers are all needed sometimes for their mobility, and use that to workcamp their way across the country. There are hundreds of jobs where you don't need to be tied down to a specific space or place to complete your work.

What's the RoadAbode Crew?

How does the RoadAbode Crew RV? We are basically weekenders, and do some tailgating support for some church outings. We love taking longer weekends, and try to get out with "Guys Weekends" or Girls Weekends"  every year. The dream as our kids grow into adulthood is to start snowbirding and work toward some fulltiming workamping adventures. 

So those are the basic types of RVing Lifestyles. There are plenty that cross over into the others, and ways to use your RV that we didn't even mention. How do you RV? If you think we missed or should add something - let us know in the comments below! Peace! Safe Travels on down the road!

Battling the One Thing that Creeps us out when Hiking

Wherever we go RVing, the RoadAbode Crew love to hike in woodlands, grasslands and forests. Some of our favorite hiking spots are right here in our home state of Pennsylvania. Great marked trails, interesting geological features, and many not too far from the comforts of civilization.
 But one thing will get the whole RoadAbode Crew creeped out. They are quiet, determined and literally will suck the blood out of you. It is waiting in the woods for the right host to saunter by. the hideous appearance is like some thing out of a ghoulish movie, and it can infest even the most proper of lawns. It's not just the vampire-like qualities, but the debilitating diseases they share with you that should really scare you.
This parasite is non discriminatory, attacking your pets and children. It seeks out all types of animals for one thing. Blood. It's offspring start with smaller animals and as they grow, work their way to bigger prey.
I remember as a child one attacked me, attaching itself to my underarm. My father came to the rescue, as he skillfully removed the blood-filled beastie (my blood!) and threw it into the campfire with a victory cry...

Ticks.

NOT "The TICK" ~ that Cute Cartoon Bug of Justice.

Where ticks are found

Ticks live in humid and somewhat damp environments. They hide out in or near woods, underbrush or grassy areas. You may come into contact with ticks during outdoor activities around your home or when walking through leaf litter and near shrubs. Thier life cycle actually leads them to start with smaller animals and work their way up through each change they go thru.

Blacklegged Tick ~ US federal government Center for Disease Control (CDC) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Why ticks are dangerous

Besides the obvious "ick" factor of having something in the same family group as a scorpion or spider feeding off you, there's a high risk of disease. Diseases that you can get from a tick bite include (listed alphabetically):

Anaplasmosis ~ causes fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches.

Babesiosis ~  infects red blood cells, can cause hemolytic anemia

Ehrlichiosis ~ causes Fever, Headache, Chills, Malaise, Muscle pain, Nausea / Vomiting / Diarrhea, Confusion, Conjunctival injection (red eyes), Rash

Lyme disease ~ causes Erythema migrans (EM) or "bull's-eye" rash, Facial or Bell's palsy, Severe headaches and neck stiffness due to meningitis, Pain and swelling in the large joints, Heart palpitations and dizziness and other lingering symptoms even after treatment

Rocky Mountain spotted fever ~ causes Fever, Rash, Headache, Nausea, Vomiting. Abdominal pain, Muscle pain, Lack of appetite, Conjunctival injection (red eyes)

Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI) ~ red, expanding “bull's-eye” lesion 

These are no joke - I have seen first hand what an undetected or untreated tick bite can do to some of my friends. If not cared for right away, the process to get better can be a long one, and draining both physically and mentally.

Attempting to be a less desirable tick target

When the RoadAbode Crew is hiking, we always try to remember to walk in the center of trails in order to avoid contact with ticks. Keep your kids out of the underbrush or piles of leaves, and teach them why it's important. Ticks are on the ground, starting low and crawling up. Ticks can't jump, fly or ninja drop from trees. They are down on the ground and keep crawling up until they find a good spot to hide out and attach. If you are going into a heavily wooded area and into underbrush, wear long pants, and tuck your pant legs into your socks (even though it looks pretty dorky).  Long pants and long sleeves when working or hiking in close underbrush or tall grass is a good way to keep ticks on the outside where they can be seen or get brushed off.
Use a repellent with DEET on skin. Repellents containing 20% or more DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) can protect up to several hours. Always follow the product instructions. Parents should apply this product to their children, but be sure to avoid the hands, eyes, and mouth. For detailed information about using DEET on children, see recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
There are products to use for dogs as well. Most work for fleas too. Be careful to read the instructions. Some products can be used on dogs, but not other animals. Some doses are by dog size or weight.
There are hikers or workers that are constantly in the woods, or more at risk. These folks use products containing permethrin - which kill ticks - on their clothes. We need to caution we don't use this toxic insecticide ourselves. Though commonly used to treat head lice, it is a strong inorganic chemical, and can induce burning, itching, numbness, rash, redness, stinging, swelling, or tingling if not used properly.  Permethrin sprays should only be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear. The plus - after treatment your gear will remain protected through several washings.

What to do if you find a tick on you

First off, don't panic, but be aware. If the tick is crawling on you, grab the intruder and burn it, douse it rubbing alcohol or cover it completely with a piece of tape. If a tick does latch on, some people have success with putting a just extinguished match on the ticks rear. We have had 100% success on both ourselves and Molly our pup using a special tool - TickEase Tick Remover. It's special design gently (to you) prys the little bugger off so the tick cannot hold on, and pulls it away from your skin. Once off, dispose of the tick as above. Wash the area thoroughly with peroxide,rubbing alcohol or if that is not available at least soap and water. Watch the area for the next few days to week for any signs of rash. Some small redness after extraction is common, but watch for it to grow or not go away.

TickEase, A prybar specially made to get a tick to let go.

If you follow the above recommendations and tips, we can't guarantee a tick-free hiking or camping trip. But being knowledgeable and understanding what to do will improve your chances of beating these pests.

Do you have a tick horror story, or how you have vanquished ticks from your camping trips? We'd love to read your stories or solutions in the comments below!

For more information on ticks, check the CDC's Tick Portal

It's an RVing Thing: Campsite Signs

While travelling around to different resorts and campgrounds, we enjoy checking out the "neighborhood" as we take Molly on her walks. That's the excuse anyway. We really just enjoy being out, and seeing how other RVers decorate or do things. There are some great ideas how to setup camp out there! Some people gather all the chairs around the fire ring, while others open up a storage bay and gather round a big screen TV tucked inside. Some parents setup a screened in gazebo to eat under, while others pull the picnic table close to the RV to take advantage of the awning. Sometimes on our walks we see elaborate setups, and some people just put out a folding chair or two. It's great how we all can camp and enjoy the outdoors differently.
For the RoadAbode Crew, how we setup depends on how long we are staying. Less than three days, and we'll put out our camp chairs as we need them. For longer stays, we'll setup our ez-up shade room,  our boot-brush stand, a few of our interlocking floor foam pads as a patio mat, and our chairs, with one or two at the ready for guests. We cover the the top and benches of the picnic table with nice matching red plaid covers. We hang up some nice lights under the canopy - not too bright, but good for sitting and playing cards or board games. The last thing I like to put out in a prominent spot on our campsite is our Camp Sign.

We've seen some great signs over the years. It gives you a sense of the family or couple that are staying there. Some speak to "who's the boss" (Mom). Others about how blessed they feel to be out together. What teams they root for, or a little of their wit. Sometimes it's letting you know all about the owner's kids, grand-kids or "furbabies." As we walk with Molly past our camping neighbors, I wonder what are the stories and adventures that are behind the signs we run across.

Our Campsite Sign at the Canadian KOA, Niagara Falls 2006

Our RV campsite sign is pretty simple. Just a slice of a log with a burned-in image of RoadAbode, our name, RoadAbode logo and this blog's address. The story how we got our sign is maybe a little different though.
My parents both passed away in 2005. My Mother in the spring, and my father followed along in the fall. While doing the arduous task of cleaning out their home  with my wife and brother, I found on my father's basement workbench a wood-burning kit I had gotten him a few years back. "Opa" when he was well was a great whittler and woodcarver, making figurines, animals and other decorative objects. His art was crafted from small blocks of cherry, walnut, cedar and other woods he would procure through various methods. As he got older, he carved less. I thought the wood-burning starter kit, with instructions and "hot-knife" might give him a creative outlet.
When I found the wood burning kit in his workbench, I was at first a bit perturbed. "He didn't even open it!" But I realized I had given it to him before his world had changed drastically; my mother passed, and his health declined.
I decided the wood burning kit was one of the things I would use to remember him by - to remember when he could be artistic, and proud of what he could accomplish. That winter I set to work on the large and small slabs of wood that came with the kit. I'm not particularly artistic, but I can use computer software to manipulate images pretty well! So I created an image in black and white, an outline of a Class C RV. I made sure to draw in where RoadAbode's door and windows are. Then I flipped the image backward in the software, and printed it from our inkjet printer in "Best" mode - using the most ink. I used this mirrored image, and placed it on the wood face down, and using a tablespoon, rubbed the inked side onto the wood surface. It worked! The ink transferred and gave me a good template to follow for wood-burning. The wood-burning was an interesting process, and I had to be careful - that "hot-knife" could burn skin just as quickly as wood! I also transferred our family name to the smaller wood cut using the same process. After completing the burning to what I thought looked presentable, a few spray coats of polyurethane sealed the piece, and a few eye hooks and length of chain pulled RoadAbode's camp sign together. A shepherd's crook hanger lets us put it on whatever spot has some soft earth so we can put it on our campsite.
Our Camp sign may not be the funniest, or most inventive we've seen, but it does hold a special place in our heart when we display it. Our camp sign lets other RVers and campers know - "RoadAbode is Here!"

RoadAbode Camp Sign

Do you have a camp sign? does it hold an interesting story? We'd love to hear about what kind and why you have the sign that you do. Happy RVing!

RoadAbode ~ RV RoadTripping & Exploring Watkins Glen, New York

Rainbow Falls, Watkins Glen Gorge

During the winter months, the RoadAbode Crew dream about where we want to go for our spring, summer and autumn outings.  Sometimes we'll remember and discuss the awesome places we've been. The RoadAbode Crew love to explore new places, but sometimes it's fun to revisit a place we had a blast at before. The Watkins Glen area in the Finger lakes region of New York is one that we really enjoy and can place in both categories. We've been back to the area multiple times, and each time we discover new things to do, along with revisiting the places we've enjoyed before.
Below, the RoadAbode Crew want to help you explore some of Watkins Glen's surrounding natural beauty, it's racing history, a little of the Wine Country of Seneca Lake and options to tempt your taste buds. The Corning Museum one town over and the campgrounds the RoadAbode Crew have personally enjoyed are also below to check out. If you have not visited Watkins Glen New York yet - put it on your "gotta visit" list!

The area now known as the Village of Watkins Glen was originally named in 1842 as Jefferson, but was renamed after Dr. Samuel Watkins. Doctor Watkins helped to create and build the community. After his death, the area was renamed to Watkins. The current name Watkins Glen was adopted in 1926, after the area became a popular tourist spot because of the beautiful cascading waters of the Gorge of Watkins Glen. The Village of Watkins Glen is nestled at the foot of Seneca Lake in Schuyler County in the Finger Lakes region It's also not far from Ithaca New York ~ home to Cornell University.

Exploring Watkins Glen's Natural Beauty

Waterfalls at Watkins Glen Gorge

The Watkins Glen Gorge is a wonderful hike that will definitely make memories. Past nineteen waterfalls, the trail follows the water carved gorge, allowing hikers to see the power of water against stone and step back in time.  The Gorge is not flat hiking terrain. There are many steps and even tunneled stairways through the rock as you make your way along the trail. Understand that and be ready to be awed on your journey. The trail passes above, beneath, and even behind some of the waterfalls. The creation of the trail itself, is amazing early 1900's engineering. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's replaced dangerous wooded plank paths with the beautifully crafted stonework still standing today. Just think how workers created the trail as you travel along the constant incline,
 If leaving from a campsite at the State Park itself, the feeder trail from the campground will drop you to the South Rim trail, and from there the Mile Point Bridge will bring you just above the wonder of Spiral Gorge. Just remember as you hike past the beauty of stone carved out by water "What goes down must go up" and at some part of your journey you'll have to hike back to the top of the rim. Make sure to have a water bottle and stay hydrated. You can refill at the gift shop at the main entrance, or the snack shop at the upper entrance. And just a warning ~ the "Couch Stairs" trail back to the South Rim is steeper and longer than it looks! There's a reason you need a "couch" at the top! The RoadAbode Crew recommends starting at the Main Entrance, taking the shuttle to the top and enjoying the hike down. Even so, be mindful there are plenty of steps. Here is a NY State Parks map including descriptive highlights of Watkins Glen Gorge.
The Gorge and State Park are not the only place to enjoy natural beauty in the area. Take a stroll along Seneca Lake at Lakeside Park, or explore the Queen Catherine Marsh area and hike to the birding observation platform on Rock Cabin Road. On our guys trip we drove Rock Cabin Road - a small dirt road - be careful not to drift to close to it's edge) and sat at the bird observation platform for about 40 minutes. It overlooks the marsh, and was beautifully peaceful in it's solitude.

For more water-based fun, take a fishing charter out onto Seneca Lake. Trout, Bass, Perch, Pike and even Atlantic Salmon are found in the deep waters of Seneca Lake. More information on fishing can be found here.
Sightseeing excursions and dinner cruises  are a great way to get on the water and just relax. For more adventure try renting a boat to explore the lake; or kayak, and canoe the lake and inlet to the marsh. The Glen Harbor marina is located right next to Clute Park and Campground.
 Fun Fact: Because of it's depth and length, Seneca Lake is home to a sonar and submarine equipment testing facility run by the U.S. Navy. There have been sightings of submarines in the lake, though unconfirmed by the Navy.

Exploring Racing at Watkins Glen

"The Guys" at "The Glen"

We love to watch NASCAR, and other road events, but have not attended one at Watkins Glen International ourselves. Watkins Glen has a rich history of racing, and on race weekends it does keep the town hopping! "The Glen" as it's called by racing enthusiasts annually hosts one of the nation's premier vintage events, the Zippo U.S. Vintage Grand Prix The featured highlight of the Festival is a tribute to the original Grand Prix races using the original 6.6 mile road course. The Watkins Glen Grand Prix Tribute is designed to recreate the ambiance of the 1948-52 Watkins Glen street races.  Initially, public roads in the village were used for the race course. In 1956 a permanent circuit for racing was built.
On our Guys Weekend, we happened to to go on the weekend of the NASCAR Sprint Series at the Racetrack. (as of 2013 named "Cheez-It 355 at The Glen")  Even though the town was full of race fans, we still had no problem getting around. We even took a ride up to the track and walked around. (the outside perimeter, tickets just to walk inside were $100!) We even saw a time trial accident on one of the Jumbo screens surrounding the track. In town, there were plenty of memorabilia vendors to check out, along with a few cars and parts on display. It seemed the diffrent race teams were "crusing" the main drag with tricked out semis the eveing before the race. A real party atmosphere. If you are into Motorsports, "The Glen" should be on your list to check out.

Exploring a Small Taste of Seneca Lake Wine Country

Seneca Lake has a perfect location for growing grapes and making wine. The hills slope and almost seem cradle the deep cold lake. The lake itself does not freeze - this is because of springs that feed it, and the circular current that is created deep within the lake. The unique macroclimate of the lake and the depth of soil together with how the soil percolates make the area excellent for grape production. There are over fifty wineries surrounding Seneca Lake, and at least thirty are on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. We can only speak to a few we've visited near Watkins Glen, at the Southern end of the lake. But what we have sampled we have thoroughly enjoyed! We are relative "newbies" to wine tasting, and if you have not tried it - the Seneca Lake area would be the place to truly learn and experience good wine. The vintners we met were more than happy to help us understand the ins and outs of tasting and developing a "nose" for a good vintage. Really, it comes down to what you sense of smell and taste tell you! It's fun to pick out the unique "notes" that remind of other flavors that come out of the fermented grapes.  Here are the Wineries we visited on our "Guys Weekend":
Lakewood - The tasting room was close to Watkins Glen, and near the lake. Our tasting was fun and laid back, Our server was both knowledgable about the wines, and the local area - and had a great wit to boot. I really enjoyed their Riesling, but I do tend to like toward the sweet white side.
Castel Grisch - Both a restaurant and winery, I was disappointed that the long gravel road didn't lead to an actual castle, but my disappointment was quickly diminished by the informative and talkative ladies that help us sample not just wines, but cheese pairings as well! (There is a whole Artisan Cheese-making trail in the area that we have not tried yet!) At Castel Grisch we enjoyed the Taminette and Cayuga White wines. I wish I remember the cheese we purchased, but it was  creamy, herbed, and we  thoroughly enjoyed with more wine relaxing back at RoadAbode that the evening. We did not dine at the restaurant, but the German-Hungarian menu items looked tempting. Definitely want to return and do some more in-depth "sampling".
Red Newt Winery & Bistro is on the western side of Seneca Lake, We had wanted to stop by earlier for a special "Summer of Swine" Roasted Pig. The festivities were over by the time we got there. However our server was able to talk to the chef and procured pork sandwiches for us, and suggested a superb  red wine to pair with, making for a great dinner. Thanks to Bonnie our server for going the extra mile!

Finger Lakes Distilling

Surrounding the Southern portion of Seneca Lake we have visited are not just wineries, but great brew pubs and from our Guys RoadTrip - the favorite stop - Finger Lakes Distilling, also on the western side of Seneca Lake. Finger Lakes Distilling is the region's largest craft distillery. They use locally grown fruit and grains to produce their high quality, handmade spirits.
Ed, one of the guys along for the weekend is a real connoisseur of spirits, especially whiskies and gins. The woman who helped with our tasting was a fount of knowledge and actually owned a small bed and breakfast in the area. She and Ed had fun comparing notes while tasting and because of the rapport and her kindness, took us on an "unscheduled" tour for a behind the scenes look of the distilling process. Ed was impressed enough to buy a few bottles, and I as usual led with my sweet tooth and purchased their MapleJack liquer. It starts as an apple brandy, aged in oak barrels and then sweetened with local maple syrup. It's really good over ice cream. Yummy!

Exploring Watkins Glen with your taste buds

Cool Little BrewPub

When we go RVing, one of the ways we enjoy relaxing is to go out for a meal. Watkins Glen area has plenty of opportunities to enjoy a breakfast, lunch or dinner out. Jerlando's Ristorante & Pizza Co offers Italian Specialties in a family friendly atmosphere. Next to Lafayette Park, Tobes is a great place to stop for breakfast and since you are on vacation, grab a freshly baked doughnut too! This place doubles as an ice-cream parlor after breakfast. If you like pancakes, omelets, and hash browns, this places serves them up with a  small town diner feel. If you are on the main drag and in the mood for craft beer, try The Wildflower Cafe, which is also home to the Roosterfish Brewpub. Their fare features local and fresh ingredients.
If you are in the mood for a margarita with your meal, head over to  Garcia's Mexican Restaurant. And for something a little more fancy, Seneca Harbor Station, a converted railway station, has beautiful views of Seneca Lake from either the restaurant, deck, or beach-side tables. a fancier dining experience, with pricing to match.
For dessert, stop by Great Escape, Colonial Creamery or Glen Dairy Bar for ice cream and yogurt based treats. Some cool, unique flavors!

Explore Corning

Only 30 minutes from Watkins Glen Village is the town of Corning. The big draw for us is the Corning Glass Museum, The museum is a Science, History and Art Museum all rolled into one. There are live demonstrations of creating glass objects, and the science of how glass helps us in everyday life, from fiber optic cables, windshields on cars, to the "Gorilla Glass" used in smartphones and tablets .The town offers many more reasons to visit. In 2013 Corning was chosen by Rand McNally as "The Most Fun Small Town in America"  From the Rockwell Western Art Museum to the various festivals that happen, We haven't discovered all this town has to offer yet. We do love the brick oven pizza at Apollo Pizzeria on East Market Street!

Exploring Three Campgrounds ~ All Great Choices

Watkins Glen State Park Campsite

When RVing, a campground can make or break your impression of an area. The Three campgrounds we've enjoyed are all different, and we like them for different reasons. The Watkins Glen/Corning KOA is great for young families. This campground between Watkins Glen and Corning New York features a heated indoor pool, a pirate ship, lazertag, zipline and more activities going on to keep the kids and active parents happy. Meetup with non-RVing friends who can stay in the on-site cabins. The campground features over 100 RV sites, including premium sites with a concrete patio and full hookups. Our girls really enjoyed the indoor pool and strolling along the hiking trail and over to the fishing pond to see what was being caught.
If you're looking for more of a wilderness experience for friends and family, Watkins Glen State Park Campground is located within a short hike to the Gorge There are over 300 campsites with centralized  restrooms, hot showers, and a dump station. Many sites have electric, with water fill stations located at locations on each camping loop. There are no full hookup sites. The park has its own Olympic-sized pool (used by campers and other visitors) and overlooks Seneca Lake.The woods provide plenty of shade in the summer months, and spectacular colors in the fall.
The third campground we have used for a guys weekend, and a year later a girls weekend away. both "adults getaway" weekends. Clute Memorial Park and Campground is run by the parks and recreation department of Watkins Glen Village. It is alongside the city boat launch and within walking distance of a Super Walmart and downtown Watkins Glen. This campground has amenities for kids, but no pool and the one shower house seemed a little more worn, but very nice. The Girls from their weekend stated that the showerhouse by the office was great. There are limited shaded spots to setup at this campground, but it's the location that is the draw for us. There is a swimming beach across the road in Seneca Lake. For our adult getaways, we liked the location because of the easy access to Watkins Glen downtown, the Gorge. and it is a great starting point for our Finger Lakes Wine Tour. We also like having full hookups with less cost than the KOA. For our guys weekend, we just drove five minutes up the road to take a swim in the State Park pool.  Being able to walk along Seneca Lake, or to go shopping  or dining in town was a big plus for us.
All three campgrounds are great - each a unique experience. Which to choose all depends on who is along on your trip, and what they enjoy and feel are necessities when RVing.

Hope the info above helps convince you that Watkins Glen NY  and the surrounding area is worth checking out. We truly love what the area has to offer for those RVing in the mid-Atlantic states.. I'm sure the RoadAbode Crew and friends will be back - there's still tons to discover, and plenty we want to re-visit. From festivals, to wine tasting, to great eats, Watkins Glen is on our short list of "Hey - let's do that again!"
If you have other tips about what to do and see in the area, we'd love for you to share! Please comment below if you have tips - or questions we could answer for you. Enjoy life ~ Go RVing!

For the "On the Spot" posts from our Watkins Glen and Corning Adventures check these links:
Synopsis of Guys Trip 2012
Our Girls at Corning Glass 2011
Watkins Glen SP Campground