Back in PA.

Hershey Preserve Thousand Trails
Lebanon,  PA

We left the Casowasco camp and retreat on October 15.   As we had reservations starting October 16 we needed a spot to overnight.   This is just a short 17 miles from here.

There is a section of the parking lot that is wide open.  We saw three others RVs parked there.  So, we found a nice spot where we would be able to open the slides and pulled in.  We went to in check with security.  We asked the gentleman at the desk if we could overnight.  He said sure.  We told him we were told to check with security.  He took out a piece of paper and made a check mark on it and said "done".   He also told us each to get a Players Card and we would get a prime rib and seafood buffet for free.  Alrighty then.

We set up the rig for the night, went back in and got our cards.  Then we kindly lost $5.00 at the slots to offset the free parking and two free meals.  Seemed the least we could do.  The absolute least.

The next morning we returned to Hershey Preserve.  We find it best to go to a TT park either Sunday mornings or Tuesday or Wednesday.  Otherwise it could be a challenge to find a suitable site.  On this Sunday we really hit pay dirt.   A wide open site, lots of room.  By Thursday night the campground was packed.

The granddaughters visited for the weekend.   What a weekend it was.  Having school off on Friday, we got them on Thursday night.   Friday we went to one of their favorite places.  CABELAS.  On Saturday we went to Hershey Chocolate World.   This is a free venue.....you hop on a moving car that takes you on a ride through the process of making chocolate.  At that end of the ride, everyone gets a free sample.  Being close to Halloween the kids also were given a bag and told to walk around the gift shop and more candy would be given out.  Nice.

Back at the campground, last weekend and this coming weekend is their Halloween event, including Trick or Treating.   We were not prepared for this so we took a quick run to Walmart for candy and outfitted the girls as best we could:

Len walked campground with them.  I handed out candy.  Having just about 110 pieces, I was left with an empty bowl fast.

After church yesterday we took the girls home.

Today we drove about 30 miles over to Intercourse, PA to one of our favorite places.  Kitchen Kettle Village.  Got a lot of Christmas shopping done.

This is Mennonite and Amish country.   This is why Len is not Amish, dusty plowing using old fashioned horse power.

And this is why I'm not Amish.......

After three weeks of fun work

Moravia,  NY

Yes, we survived one more NOMADS project.  Sore bodies, tired minds, new friends, grateful hearts.

Sunrise over Owasco Lake

Sheryl and Brenda tediously painting of a door to a storage area.  Four heavy wooden doors to the common area were also sanded, stained and polyed.  They did a beautiful job on those wooden doors.  All were impressed.

Mike power washing a bridge.  Every deck of at least five buildings (some had more than one deck), every picnic table and every bench throughout the campground were power washed and stained.

Wayne, Brenda and Leonard staining one of two docks that were power washed.

Sheryl carpet cleaning in the dining hall.

And a large dining hall is it.   Every one of the 200+ chairs were cleaned.

The camp provided us with lunch each work day.  Greatly appreciated.

About that door to the storage area that Sheryl and Brenda worked on.  It was donated to the campground.  Like a lot of things in North Central New York, the previous metal door was affected by use of road salt on the parking lot.  The donated door was primed and painted by Sheryl and Brenda.  However, the paint did not adhere to the door.  They had to carefully remove it.  Then a sanding and suitable base coat applied, more sanding and another coat of the correct paint.  The process took days to complete.   FINALLY time to hang that problem door...but...nobody measured the door and door opening.   The door was a standard 8 foot door. The opening for a taller industrial door.  OOPS!

The folks at Camp Casowasco appreciated the work we have accomplished.  They gave us a list of tasks and fully did not expect it all to be accomplished.   We completed that list plus so much more. Us older folks know how to work.

This picture of Harold says it all.

Until next time.

A few sites/sights at Finger Lakes area

Moravia,  NY

A great thing about volunteering with NOMADS is that we go to places we might not have visited except a project is in the area.   Another great thing is we work just 4 days a week so have 3 days to get a feel of the area.

Some highlights

Montezuma NWR

 This NWR is 9,000 acres of protected wetlands and uplands.  It is located at the north end of Cayuga Lake near the town of Auburn.

What fun it is to spot a bird that I could add to my book and list of bird sightings that I keep in the truck just for such a occasion.  ......A greater Yellowleg

  These are some familiar fellows.

A Blue-winged Teal

An American Coot

And watching some Canada Geese settle in

Chimney Bluff State Park

This State Park sits on the shore of Lake Ontario.

It was an easy walk from the parking lot through a picnic area then a thickly wooded area to the bluffs

This part of New York state is famous for their apple orchards.  And there were plenty.

Cornell University in Ithaca

Seeking to add more to my bird list we visited 

No luck but we did see:

This Blue Heron

And turtles, lot of turtles

Watkins Glen State Park

If you want a real challenge.....this is the place.   Over centuries and centuries nature has carved this beautiful gorge though thick rock.

800 steps.  From the Main entrance all up. The elevation goes from 490 feet to 1010 feet.  Yea, 800 steps.  Up.  We did 250.  Coming down was easier.

Our drive back to Casowasco took us on RT 14 from Watkins Glen to Geneva NY.  There were no less than 3 dozen wineries just along this road than runs on the west side of Seneca Lake

So, we have toured around Owasco Lake, Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake.   So much to see, so little time.

Loving Fall in upstate New York.

Until Next Time....