Sunset from our campsite at Adirondack Gateway Campground Enjoying more of our in-between time after seeing Jayden off, we stayed in the Central NY area while seeing some sites and taking it easy. Our stop at the Utica RR station had given us some ideas, and we were back to take an excursion train north to Tupper Lake. There are a lot of creeks and canals in this area, and we enjoyed one by boat and the other by tube. And the weather cooperated throughout all of them.
Firepit by pond on campground hiking trail Adirondack Gateway Campground
We found this campground to be one of our favorite stops on this trip. It was easy to get into, had a beautiful setting, and had more to do than we expected. We enjoyed their hiking trails and a swim in the pool each day. They even had an arcade with a few free games, such as hoops, which was a fun distraction. We didn’t choose to take advantage of the driving range, but it was huge.
We found this campground to be one of our favorite stops on this trip. It was easy to get into, had a beautiful setting, and had more to do than we expected. We enjoyed their hiking trails and a swim in the pool each day. They even had an arcade with a few free games, such as hoops, which was a fun distraction. We didn’t choose to take advantage of the driving range, but it was huge.
Lois, Cathy and Dave at Tupper Lake after riding the Adirondack Scenic Railroad Riding the Rails Again
Utica has a devoted group of railroad enthusiasts who have been organized and working for more than 30 years at restoring the rails and rail cars to take passengers from Utica up into the Adirondacks. This past February, the Adirondack Scenic RR opened its longest route to date, traveling round-trip to Tupper Lake. When we saw that our timing was right to take the trip, we jumped at it.
Utica has a devoted group of railroad enthusiasts who have been organized and working for more than 30 years at restoring the rails and rail cars to take passengers from Utica up into the Adirondacks. This past February, the Adirondack Scenic RR opened its longest route to date, traveling round-trip to Tupper Lake. When we saw that our timing was right to take the trip, we jumped at it.
By coincidence, Dave’s cousin Lois was at her place in Tupper Lake as well, so we got a chance to see her briefly on our midpoint stop. It was beautiful weather and we thoroughly enjoyed the trip and the hosting by the volunteers who made it happen. As we have done with all of our rail trips lately, we made a video of this excursion for you to enjoy.
Cathy on West Canada Creek Tubing on West Canada Creek
On a hot summer day, what better way to cool off than float down a lazy river? We found just the place at nearby West Canada Creek Campground. They run a tubing concession on the creek that borders the campground. We chose to join the “4-hour” float trip. Loading up with lots of water and sunscreen, we made our way to the shuttle at the campground. Driving a short distance upstream, the shuttle carried us and another group to the put-in point along the river. We each picked up a tube and gingerly climbed down a short, but steep path to the water.
On a hot summer day, what better way to cool off than float down a lazy river? We found just the place at nearby West Canada Creek Campground. They run a tubing concession on the creek that borders the campground. We chose to join the “4-hour” float trip. Loading up with lots of water and sunscreen, we made our way to the shuttle at the campground. Driving a short distance upstream, the shuttle carried us and another group to the put-in point along the river. We each picked up a tube and gingerly climbed down a short, but steep path to the water.
The river carried us past a fly fisherman, a few houses on either bank, around some islands until we approached the campground where we had started. The river flow was peaceful, but we had to be off the river by 4pm, when the flow would increase by 3 times its volume due to a release from the dam upstream. And at the end of day, we could walk to the Li’l Red Caboose ice cream store on the property for what locals described as the best ice cream in the area. Does it get any better than that? You can travel the river with us in this video.
Our Canal Cruising boat seemed to have traveled as far as we did. 10 Miles on the Erie Canal
While we have traveled the western part of the Erie Canal, we hadn’t been on the eastern portion at all, which is generally following the Mohawk River.. While waiting for our RR trip, we discovered literature on a canal cruise in nearby Herkimer that would take us through an historic lock over a 90 minute cruise. The route followed one of the land cuts along the Mohawk, in this case bypassing the rapids between Herkimer and Jacksonburg. We lucked into a gorgeous day for the trip, and really enjoyed the captain who was an entertaining and informative tour guide as well. Here’s a video of our trip.
While we have traveled the western part of the Erie Canal, we hadn’t been on the eastern portion at all, which is generally following the Mohawk River.. While waiting for our RR trip, we discovered literature on a canal cruise in nearby Herkimer that would take us through an historic lock over a 90 minute cruise. The route followed one of the land cuts along the Mohawk, in this case bypassing the rapids between Herkimer and Jacksonburg. We lucked into a gorgeous day for the trip, and really enjoyed the captain who was an entertaining and informative tour guide as well. Here’s a video of our trip.
Spruce Creek We ended the month at another private campground in the rural area north of Herkimer. From Spruce Creek, we visited a nearby covered bridge at Salisbury Center.
Then we picked a couple quarts of blueberries at a nearby Amish farm, shortly before heading to the Herkimer County Fairgrounds for the FMCA Rally.
Our replacement spare tire ready to be re-mounted. Truck Stuff
When we found our tires spinning in the grass at a campsite a couple of weeks ago, Dave started looking more closely at the truck tires. He finally concluded that he would upgrade the rear tires by buying a new tire and pairing it with our full-size spare. Since the tires being removed still had life in them, we had the best of them mounted as the replacement spare tire. Watching the service tech remove the spare tire was very enlightening, and made us hope we never have to repeat the process on the side of the road.
When we found our tires spinning in the grass at a campsite a couple of weeks ago, Dave started looking more closely at the truck tires. He finally concluded that he would upgrade the rear tires by buying a new tire and pairing it with our full-size spare. Since the tires being removed still had life in them, we had the best of them mounted as the replacement spare tire. Watching the service tech remove the spare tire was very enlightening, and made us hope we never have to repeat the process on the side of the road.
Service techs removing the truck's spare tire.
Lightning Strikes Twice
Just when we thought all was back in service for Faith’s internet, a violent storm took out the church’s power and created a number of failed devices in the church’s network. We first were alerted to the problem when Pastor Ricardo called with a problem one Sunday evening. But we didn’t fully understand the scope until the next day. Nelson was recruited to help us walk through the network and get it working again. But between the 2 outages this summer, we were running low on switches, so it was time to order more. Fingers crossed that we can survive the rest of the summer.
Just when we thought all was back in service for Faith’s internet, a violent storm took out the church’s power and created a number of failed devices in the church’s network. We first were alerted to the problem when Pastor Ricardo called with a problem one Sunday evening. But we didn’t fully understand the scope until the next day. Nelson was recruited to help us walk through the network and get it working again. But between the 2 outages this summer, we were running low on switches, so it was time to order more. Fingers crossed that we can survive the rest of the summer.
Taste of Lebanon sampler plate Parting Shots
Looking for a quick bite after our train trip, we lucked into a Lebanese food festival in Utica. We enjoyed a sampler plate of goodies while listening to a live band. Nice end to the day.
Looking for a quick bite after our train trip, we lucked into a Lebanese food festival in Utica. We enjoyed a sampler plate of goodies while listening to a live band. Nice end to the day.
