June 13, 14, 15, 16: Lake Placid/Whiteface Mtn. KOA, Wilmington, NY
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| Our favorite site: D-04 |
We're going to spend 4 days here. This campground is our favorite "local" campground. Full hookups and heavily wooded, with many places to walk the dogs, and lots to do nearby. Our traditional camping buddies Sue and Al decided to sell their camper last Fall, so they rented one of the KOA cabins for the 4 days. We went to their cabin for burgers on the grill for dinner.
Tuesday, June 14
We spent the morning relaxing. I took the dogs for several walks. I have never seen as much pollen on the ground as I have this year. It's the same case back home. Everything develops a yellow green cast from the pollen dust. I have absolutely no idea why it is so heavy this year.
Judy's daughter Christl arrived about 6:30 this evening to visit for a couple of days. We grilled sausage patties, peppers and onions for dinner, and Sue and Al joined us. Then we sat around a campfire and chatted, and chatted, and then chatted some more.
Wednesday, June 15
The 5 of us went to the Adirondack Coffee Company in Upper Jay for brunch this morning. It was a beautiful morning, so we sat on the outside deck. All the the breakfast selections were outstanding. I had a Key West omelette, which was phenomenal. It is an open face omelette topped with salmon, candied onions, cream cheese and capers.
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| Key West Omelette |
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| Sue, Judy and Christl. |
After the long and leisurely brunch we were stuffed! It was back to the camper for naps.
Dinner was at the nearby Hungry Trout Restaurant. Actually, we chose to eat downstairs at McDougall's Pub, where they have a more informal menu. Usually we like to sit on the deck overlooking the Ausable River, but light showers changed our minds. We have eaten here many times, and 9 times out of 10 the food is excellent. This time is was so-so. They were having an off day I guess. We ended the day with a brief campfire.
Thursday, June 16
Sue and Al left for home about 9:30 this morning. Judy, Christl and I decided to take a hike along the Ausable River that is adjacent to the campground.
Later, after our the afternoon siestas, we took a quick drive into Lake Placid for some shopping. There is a lot of street construction happening on Main Street, but it will be beautiful when done. Of course, we had to stop at Starbucks for a break. 😀
It was a long day, and Christl had to leave early Friday morning to go back to work, so we called it an early evening.
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| Pull thru site A-18 |
We were up at 5:00 this morning to see Christl off as she had to go back to work. We puttered around and got on the road about 10:00 for Vermont.
The Lake Champagne Campground is a beautiful, rural, and small campground located in the rolling hills of south-central Vermont. It appears that many of the campers are seasonal, but the sites were kept immaculate. The family that owns and runs this campground since 2016 lives on site and takes great pride and care. In fact, they have over 20 acres of lawn to mow weekly!! Being located in rural Vermont, there was a whiff of liquid manure in the air today. However, I grew up on a dairy farm, and it didn't bother me a bit. We will definitely stay here again!
June 18, 19, 20, 21: Sun Outdoors Saco/Old Orchard Beach Resort, Saco, Maine
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| Site 155, located in the newer section. |
The drive to Saco took us a little over 3 hours. Most of the trip was on either Interstate or divided highways. We were parked and all set up at the campsite by 2:00. This is a new campground for us. Normally when in this area, we stay at Bayley's RV Resort, but they have become prohibitively expensive, AND they charge for guests to just visit for a short time. The Sun Outdoors Campground was formerly a KOA, now under Sun Outdoors Management is very nice, less expensive, and guests, unlike Bayley's, are admitted free.
About 4:30 we went to our friends Chris and Nava's house in South Portland, about 25 minutes away. They were both students at Gouverneur High School when Judy and I were there. That's over 50 years ago!! We usually get to see each other about once a year, and we have stayed in touch for over 50 years now! Chris welcomed us with a surprise lobster dinner. What a treat!!!! It was great fun catching up.
Sunday, June 19: Father's Day, Juneteenth.
Chris and Nava came to the camper about 10:00, and we made waffles for a Father's Day brunch. Since rain was in the forecast for most of the day, we all decided that it would be a good down day to catch up. Judy and I took a long nap, washed a couple loads of laundry, and did some reading. A nice and relaxing day!!
Monday, June 20:
Today the 4 of us went to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. It was about a 2 hour drive from South Portland, and it was worth it!! The gardens are AMAZING! Chris was worried that we might be past the spring colors, but that turned out not to be so. Yes, the tulips and daffodils were gone, but there were plenty of other brilliant colors.
We had a delicious late lunch at Robinson's Wharf in Boothbay. We were able to be seated outside on the deck with a view of the water. Again, when in Maine order seafood and I tried the clam chowder and fish and chips. Excellent!!
Taking a break from seafood, for dinner Judy and I grilled filet mignon steaks at the campsite for Chris and Nava. A long and busy day, but what fun!!
Tuesday, June 21:
Chris and Nava drove us down US Route 1 to Perkins Cove today. We passed through the villages and towns with names like Saco, Biddeford, Wells, Arundal, Kennebunk, and ended up in Ogonquit, where Perkins Cove is located. Trivia note: Did you know that US Route 1 is the longest north-south highway in the United States. It originates in Fort Kent, Maine and ends in Key West, Florida. That's 2,370 miles from one end to the other!
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| I first heard of Arundal from the historical fiction series by Kenneth Roberts about the march to Quebec by the Revolutionary Army in 1775. |
Perkins Cove as described by the Ogonquit Chamber of Commerce: "Originally a small fishing community and artists’ colony, the Cove is a charming area that consists of local independent shops, restaurants and scenic outlooks." And indeed, we saw working lobster boats as well local artisans and upscale shopping. The cove was crowded with tourists, but we did meet a lady who lives about 50 miles from us back in New York State. Another case of "It's a small world". We had a amazing crab cake lunch at the Oarweed Restaurant overlooking the ocean.
Back at the campground, Chris dropped us off at the campsite and we rested a bit. Later, after we walked the dogs, we drove to Chris and Nava's house for dinner. Chris makes a wonderful seafood chowder, which she served for dinner. We hugged and said our good byes, and were back to the camper by 9:00. It was another long, but very fun day. We always have a great time with Chris and Nava. Tomorrow we start the 2 day journey back home and to the real world of household and yard chores.
Wednesday, June 22: Quechee KOA, Quechee, Vermont
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| Site 17 |
Thursday, June 23: HOME
After abut a 6 hour drive on Interstate 89 and US Route 1l, most of which was in the rain, we arrived home. It was an absolutely wonderful trip, but we are exhausted. But it's a pleasant tired. Back to homestead chores tomorrow. 😀
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