09/15 - 09/28 Croton Point Park

09/15 - 09/21 Croton Point RV Park

There are two parts to this blog. It includes some observations of my overnight stay at Coldbrook RV Resort and my two week stay in Croton's RV Park.  The 5 hour, 245 mile trip from Belfast, Maine to Barre, MA, was long but Saturday proved to be a light, less crazy driving day. BUT once off the Interstate, to find and drive to the campground put both GPSs to work. Taking the "back roads," or the scenic routes made this driver sit up and pay attention. Narrow country roads and slow speed limits added to time traveling. The houses along the way, however, were the big distraction for me. At every curve in the road, the homes were magnificent. They were already decorated with the colorful fall colors of leaves, squash, pumpkins and corn stalks and emphasized that "colonial feel" so characteristic of New England. 

The roadway entrance provided scenic views
to the left and right while approaching the
camp store and registration office.

My site down among the Pines toward the left of this photo taken from their web page

421 campsites situated on 156 acres of beautiful countryside overlooking the Ware River Valley.
 The campground also features a 9-Hole Executive Par Three golf course,
a 100' wading pool, an Olympic size swimming pool, tavern and game room.

My site was level...with a little help you can see
under my driver's side wheel. I just needed electricity.

The campground is huge and loaded with kids. The usual crowd
of old timers and their 2-3 dogs were also in abundance.

There are 8 sites in the Pines that make up a semi-circle.

That wonderful sound of pitter pattering rain on my roof came
in the middle of the night and by daybreak, the sun was shining
with the hint that the drive would be beautiful.

There was one incident that brought back some unpleasant memories. While setting up, a police car drove past my site at a slow speed with no lights flashing followed shortly by a second. One police vehicle driving through a campground and the security thoughts that goes with that was satisfying but the second vehicle caused an "Uh, oh." A domestic incident? Unruly campers? These thoughts changed when the ambulance arrived within minutes, again with no lights or siren. I found out from one of the staff of the campground that, with the light drizzle beginning, a lady had slipped and fell on a plywood ramp from her rig and broke her leg. I asked where she would be taken and they said to a hospital 40 minutes away. 

Although taken through my front windshield, I tried to capture
the first depressing fact of life; that with the leaves changing
colors, summer is over and fall then winter will be upon us. 

Left Barre, MA around 10:15 am and got settled in here at CPP by 1:40 pm. I gathered all I had to bring to my apartment and Vicki was kind enough to taxi me home. Meanwhile, during my absence, neighbor, Diane W. brought in my mail and watered the "monster plant" in my absence. I showered, did two loads of  laundry, read mail, watered plants and gathered recyclables for return someday soon. I have four doctor appointments to deal with this week and a couple days visiting my mother in Fishkill. Lots to squeeze in but that's the way I like it.
Croton Point Park has a fascinating history. Oyster shell middens show Native Americans inhabited here 7,000 years ago. A midden is an archaeological term for a pile of trash left by humans long gone and oyster middens are some of the oldest and largest piles of intact garbage dating from after the late ice age. From the website, Croton Point Park History, I added some history to what I already knew of this area. "Croton is, in fact, named for the Indian sachem (a chief especially of the Algonquian Confederation), Kenoten, which means "wild wind.” In the 17th century, Indians of the Kitchawank tribe on the Wappinger Confederacy occupied a large fortified village on the high flat at the neck of Croton Point, which they called Navish. This was one of the most ancient and formidable Indian fortresses south of the Hudson Highlands. A marsh known by the Indians as “Senasqua” separates the Point from Croton Neck, and a plaque marks the spot where a peace treaty was signed with the Kitchawank tribe."  The acquisition from Indians in the 1600's, the families that owned the property as well as the products that originated on this site like wine and brick are all part of the interesting story.

Plaque is found at the entrance to the RV portion of the park.

Treaty Oak Site
At this site stood a magnificent oak tree under which according to tradition in A.D. 1645, Aepgen Chief sachem of the Mohicans signed a treaty of peace with the Dutch in behalf of the  Kitchawanghs.

The monument was erected in 1960

Upon my arrival, a quick glance showed most sites in my area
were unoccupied. This view faces southeast.

Facing northeast

Across from my site; I thought I'd have a quiet, solitary
experience. Arriving on a Sunday, I knew better; that's when
everyone leaves.

My cozy, comfortable home away from home...

...with its purposely tilted awning for rain to run off the far end

Most likely a dead branch; but it was a reminder of what was to come.

Although the true color doesn't show up, this Sycamore shows
how the lack of rain will influence the coming Fall foliage;
Seems a lot of trees are going from green to brown.  Not nice. 

Thank you, Sgt. Andrew Smith,
former US Army paratrooper from the 82nd
Airborne Division.  Lives in Tennessee.

Check out his website at Riser Burn Woodcrafts

I can't help but think of all the sites I visited that remained
on Winnie I when I left it in Georgia.

A tree rat has learned to take advantage
of a leaky faucet connection.

The magnificent architecture of spiders. This area is loaded with
the invisible work of these creatures. Walking between sites and through
gossamer threads will give you an idea how busy these creatures are.

Watch a short time lapse video clip of a spider building a web HERE. Judy, do not click on this link...You're welcome.

This one found on the edge of my awning. 

As expected the sites filled in drips and drabs each occupied by predominantly Class C's like mine.  One couple set up after dark around 9:30. Another couple next door towed their RV was from Nassau County here for the weekend...with Coco, a rescue. Jim is an EMT. The fella across the way from MA, was with either his wife or daughter. She signed. They have a boxer. Behind me, a couple in a conversion van was from Jersey. By Sunday, poof!, all RVs were gone.

Diane & Stella

My week has been busy. Visits to Fishkill Thursdays and Sundays to visit my mother, dinners at Sakura Monday with VC and on a Wednesday with neighbor, Jack. Thursday night, a dinner with daughter, MB & Carlo at Cosimo's in Poughkeepsie. Another evening was spent with neighbors, Stella and Diane W, here at CPP and later on to Sakura. Four doctor appointments scheduled and completed. One of them was to make a date with my orthopedic surgeon for the end of October to give my right hip done three years ago its mate on the left. I got to witness both the Yankees becoming the AL Division Champs (the last time in 2012) and the autumnal equinox. Weather has provided us with with outstanding days and evenings. Temps have been in the high 70's, low 80's. This, of course, rubs salt into the wound of an ending RV season. There is one more trip with my RV group, the Hudson Islanders, from October 9th to the 14th, Wednesday through Monday at The 55th National Apple Harvest Festival in Biglersville, PA. It'll be my last blog of the season and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you. Till next time, stay well, stay safe and stay happy.