10/08 - 10/12 Black Bear Campground

 

Those of you who are mathematically inclined may be asking why
I didn't take the route along the hypotenuse rather than the two sides of the right triangle.
Answer below

Well, it's almost a week since I've returned from my last RV adventure in Florida, NY, and am now ready to compose a blog to capture those memories before they fade away. Fortunately, photos in abundance will trigger content.  I'm thinking the bittersweet thought of my sixth season coming to an end is the cause of my hesitation to get started. The route I took was about 20 minutes longer than necessary but I chose to avoid the shorter route because I travel in an RV and restrictions from the Bear Mt. Bridge to Rte 17 in Woodbury were not worth it. I also wanted to take advantage of "cheap" diesel in Cold Spring. The relaxing drive on a sunny, pleasant day along the familiar route was just as enjoyable. Traffic was light.

Roberta

Josephine

Wanting to eke out yet another RV trip with friends from the Hudson Islanders, I asked those who remained on the last day of camping at the Jellystone campground who'd be interested. When five responded, I chose a destination that would be within an hour's drive from each of us and Black Bear Campground fit the requirement and it was one of the few that would be open year round. This would be my second stay at this campground. Back in 9/10/2015, I was there alone for a few days and as was my routine back then, I'd do my hour walk around the campground. The campground was full and I was struck by the number of states that were represented. I've created a page for you to click on to view 35 License Plates. I found it amazing.

This year, things were much different. With travel and campground restrictions in effect, I was the first to arrive to an empty row of campsites. The few that were parked there belonged to seasonal weekend families who came and went. In our mini-group beside myself were Dawn/John, Doreen/Tony, Johnny, Jr. and Larry. Due to Covid-19, there were a few hoops to jump through to satisfy owner, Rita. All amenities and buildings including store, restrooms/laundry/showers were closed. Deposits and final payments were transacted by phone and credit card...there was no human contact, no paperwork or receipts. Our reserved campsites were every other site (as though our RVs would contract the virus) and we were directed to wear masks. Inconvenient but it was something that we all had been doing since we began the season in July at Lake George. Tony's sister, Josephine stopped by with homemade pizzellas and after her hip surgery in September, Roberta ventured out and joined us for a visit or two during the day. With that as background and the fact that there weren't any local attractions that would draw us away from the campground, I'll be the first to say those campfires were the key to enjoying the entire experience. 

But before I flood the blog with my favorite photos and captions, I want to call your attention to friend Vicki's latest blog. It's terrific and will bring those of my readers who know her up to date with her two new "babies", Stella and Big Bertha. Read about it and subscribe if you wish HERE.

The slight breeze and warmth of the autumn sun were
reasons I chose not to extend the awning.

Like all sites, 141 was level and spacious. Lined up evenly with the sewer,
notice the distance from the rear of the RV to the power source.  I'm
thankful for my 50' power cord. The little black gizmo is a surge protector.

A 180° view of what greeted me upon arrival. Nobody home.

  

That distant Class A was not part of our group but shows how
far I had to walk to be part of the group gathered around the campfire.
Yup, 10,000 steps just coming and going for each trip.

And speaking of campfires, we were prepared. Temps went down into the 40's but mostly hovered around the high 50's. 

But first things first. Once all set up and settled, I provided
nourishment for the break.

Larry's homemade wine. The grappa and 
limoncello were reserved for the nighttime
campfire so that both inside and outside 
could be bathed in the warmth.
Thank you, Larry.

Doreen provided a cannoli dip and crushed sugar wafer cones
made by daughter-in-law, Niki. Thank you Niki.

A TIP for the DIP. That was a good find.
(and lots of cones went into the making)

Or...take a homemade pizzella by Josephine and
use it for dipping. Better yet, break one
in half and layer it with a thin (ha) smear of cannoli cream
and make a Pizzella/Cannoli sandwich. Thank you, Jo

Johnny provided a delicious tray of ziti from mother, Carol.
Thank you, Carol

Even from across the road one night we got a call from one of the group who was grilling to see if we wanted some Philly Cheesesteaks. Three 5th wheelers, a site apart, all friends, had six adults and knew how to party.

That glaring light near the rear of the RV is a yellow palm tree with green palms. It
didn't show up very well with the iPhone but gave a hint of Floridian warmth...just a hint.

The best part of the day...

When its 47°, a fire + limoncello + grappa
warms inside and out.

Dawn & John

Tony

Johnny & Doreen

Larry

One activity I supervised was erecting John's "Instant Octagonal Screenhouse." It was instantly erected in about an hour or so.

No need to thank me. I was glad to help out.
Good job

John, Dawn & family relaxing

During the course of our 4 day stay, reality kept me focused on the season. On a nearby site as well as in the sky, the reminders of Fall were present.

Every day at different intervals, their sound was heard
before they were seen.

Canada geese (unless they originate in Canada, then they're Canadian Geese) can and do fly at night. The cooler night air requires less energy for their 1,500 mile/day migration. They can reach altitudes of 3,000 feet and some have been seen at 29,000. The V-shaped formation, if you were to be at their level and view them from the side would show you the first in flight is the lowest and with each flap of its wing, the turbulence causes the next in line to use less energy as it flies higher in the formation and so on to the rear. There is a 71% distance benefit by flying in groups vs. flying alone.

I'm sure at some point this will turn into a V-shape flight pattern.

When the leader tires, it drops back to let another lead the way. Another good reason to fly at night is to avoid eagles, hawks and falcons who do their hunting during the day. The geese's memory imprint is guided by the moon and stars, their nighttime GPS. 

Their flight paths were directly over our campsites.
And not all of the travelers we've seen prefer the V-shaped formation.

On a campsite down the road from me I saw Thanksgiving....opps, turkeys; the biggest I've ever seen in the wild. 

Very calm, nonchalant...

It was obvious they knew this area to be "safe."

So much for long distance photos with an iPhone. I quickly
ran into my RV to get my Canon and zoom in.

Male turkeys have brightly colored heads with no feathers, while females have a few feathers and are dully colored and better camouflaged in the wild. All turkeys have a fleshy appendage called a snood or dew bill which hangs from the beak. A male's snood is much larger and plumper in appearance than a female's. (from animals.mom.com)

Huge!!

And then they moseyed off into the brush. Saw them only once.

Because of the nasty, rainy day forecast for Monday, I decided to winterize Winnie and return home a day early, Sunday. I'm glad I did. For those of you who are interested, here's what's involved in winterizing my RV. Each RV make and model is different but the end result is the prevention of freezing pipes. Part I:

WINTERIZING RV 

£     Turn off water heater early prior to winterizing.

£     Drain fresh water tank; open outdoor hose faucet.

£     Drain black water tank; rinse three times using outside hose; close valves.

£     Inside, add Aqua-Chem and packet into toilet and then add water and antifreeze to the black water tank, sinks/traps.

£     Drain gray water tank completely; Add a gallon of antifreeze down galley sink for the gray water tank.

£     Turn off water supply.

£    With hot water tap open in galley, drain hot water heater after opening pressure relief valve.

£   Access the Water Heater Bypass Valve and Winterization/Antifreeze valve. Turn to bypass until conclusion of winterizing. Leave in this position until next season when fresh water will flush antifreeze through system.

£   In water compartment, turn valve to "Winterize" and place siphon tube into container of RV antifreeze. About 2 gallons required.

£     Turn water pump on.

£     Inside, turn on hot/cold faucets in galley and in bathroom and run until water flows pink.

£     Repeat with shower and toilet; outside, open hot/cold faucets to allow antifreeze to flow.

£     When completed, turn off water pump. Remember to turn bypass valves (3) back to normal operations in rear access compartment and in water compartment next RV season.

£     Add any left over antifreeze in sink traps and in toilet

Part II occurs at home. Everything in the RV is gathered, put into the trunk of my Caddy and brought up to my apartment from the lower parking lot. Winnie is then driven to Cross River, NY, coach batteries turned off, main chassis terminal cable removed and that's it.

Do hope y'all enjoyed by last hurrah. My future travels at this point are uncertain. Till next blog, take good care of yourselves, stay safe, enjoy the holidays, if we're allowed to have them and keep smiling.