October 23, 2014 Journey to New Hampshire

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Everyone was up before 5 am and we were out of the campground headed to NH.  We will be driving across NY and MA.  This is a 7 hour ride.

Well the rain finally showed it's ugly head as we travel through the mountains.  Most of the color is gone and the trees are almost bare.  I am glad that we did get to see some color on this trip.

I am looking forward to seeing my side (Pat's side) of the family.  I have a big family.  My mother Louise is 87. I have 3 sisters Irene, Debra and Dawn, 2 brothers Carlo and Paul.  I am the oldest of 7. We lost our brother David to cancer 7 years ago.  When everyone is together there is a total of 34 but only 20 will be coming to this wedding.  It has been 14 years since we have had a wedding.  I think everyone is looking forward to having some fun.

We arrived in Londonderry, NH about 1 pm.  We parked our camper and RV in the rain.  No fun.
Dawn, Jen and I went on a quest to find a six pence for Ashley (niece that is getting married).  The shop was closed so we will have to try again tomorrow.

When we got back to the house Michelle, Scott and the girls were there.  Shortly after we arrived our brother Carlo and his wife Beth arrived.  He had a surprise for us.  He finally got hearing aids.  He now realizes how much he was missing.  They even have a remote to adjust them, go figure.  We all have gotten used to him not hearing us that we now will have to lower our voices because he can really hear us.  Riley and Jared (Dawn and Carl's kids) came in after school.  The only person that was missing was our nephew John and he was on his way and would meet us at the restaurant.  Lucky for all of us Dawn and Carl have a big house because everyone was staying there 13 in all.  It was nice to catch up on what everyone was doing.  While we had everyone in one place  Carl had setup the BIG TV to show some home movies that Dawn had someone make into a more usable format. Some could not be done very well but we all had our laughs at what we looked like some 40 years ago.  Pictures were priceless.

We had a wonderful dinner. We laughed and joked. Aubrey the youngest of the group decided that she was the photographer and nobody was safe from getting their picture taken. She had taken some very nice shots.  She does have an eye for photography.  Maybe she will be a professional photographer one day or at least do it as a hobby

After dinner Mike and I went to Debra's house just to visit for a little while as there wasn't much time as she was the bride's mother and we all know how that goes wanting to be sure that everything was perfect for this wedding.

SO until the next time remember:
        "LIFE IS SHORT SO DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO NOW NOT TOMORROW"

Carl & Dawn's  travel trailer

Carlo & Beth ( Pat's brother & sister in law)

their son John (Pat's nephew)

Haven & Aubrey imitating their Paw Paw (Mike)

Scott (our son in law)

Michelle (our daughter) & Dawn (Pat's sister)

Jennifer ( Pat's niece)

Niece Riley, Grandaughters Haven & Aubrey and nephew Jared

Love this shot Haven and Riley posing




Fuel 51.294 @ 3.899 = $200.00  Nice & Easy Gas Station, Seneca Falls, NY

October 22, 2014 West side of Cayuga Lake & East side of Seneca Lake

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Waffles were on the menu for this morning.  After cleanup we decided that we were going to venture out.

We decided to go up the west side of Cayuga Lake and return home via the east side of Seneca Lake. We are going to see what the other wineries have to offer.  Our first stop was Sheldrake Point Winery.  The staff was very knowledgable and seeing that  this was Jennifer's first time at a wine tasting our waiter was even more patient and helped make her understand the type of wines.  Next stop Toro Run Winery, beautiful scenery of the lake below and the wines were very good.  We continued on to Knapp Winery & Restaurant.  Besides wine tasting we also had lunch.  The soups here were phenomenal.  Pat thought that the mushroom merlot soup was the best.  Last stop at the top of the lake was Montezuma Winery.  We all agreed that this was going to be the last stop and we were heading home.

In our travels we came across a couple of bulls (don't know what kind), geese resting on the lake, some neat sculptures and wood carvings, unique houses and beautiful scenery.

When we got home we decided that we were going to hookup our vehicles and start packing up to leave at 5am for Londonderry, NH seeing that we had a 7 hour drive ahead of us and other family members to see.  We also were meeting family at dinner tomorrow night.  Big day.

Pat and Dawn's niece Jennifer at Sheldrake Point

Look who we found looks like Ebenezer Scooge doesn't he?

Toro Run Winery

Knapp Winery & Restaurant

Montezuma Winery

Couple of bulls

Geese on Cayuga Lake

SO until the next time remember:
        "LIFE IS SHORT SO DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO NOW NOT TOMORROW"

October 21, 2014 Toad Hall

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

So far no rain good news.  It still was cold but that was all.  Breakfast consisted of homemade zucchini bread.  Everyone did some of their chores whether it was inside or outside.

Girls rode to see Toad Falls which is a waterfall in someones backyard under railroad tracks.  Absolutely breathtaking.

We had lunch and the girls were off to Rochester to pick up their niece Jennifer.  It was a 1.5 hr drive one way.  Got to the airport just in time and headed back home for another 1.5 hr drive.

Upon arrival Carl had put together dinner.  Before we left Dawn had made the salad, prepared the sauce and all Carl had left to do was cooked the homemade  lobster ravoli (which Dawn had made) and get the bread together.  Dinner was better than most Italian restaurants.  Again we had stuffed ourselves.  We caught up to what was going on with Jennifer's family and everyone decided to call it a  night.

SO until the next time remember:
        "LIFE IS SHORT SO DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO NOW NOT TOMORROW"

October 20, 2014 Day at campground

Monday, October 20, 2014


Today everyone seemed to sleep in till 8 or so.  Breakfast was at 9am.  Mike cooked everyone omelets to order and Dawn cooked some bacon.  Breakfast always seems to taste better in the open outdoors.

After cleaning up Mike and Carl decided that they needed to get a few more bottles of Port so they went back to Miles Wine Cellars.

Dawn and Pat stated that they were going to see if the lady just down the road in the yellow and purple house was at home so they could buy some of her delicious cheese.  Yes she was home and we came away with two pounds of her sharp cheese and some homemade jelly.  Mission accomplished.

We started a fire but the rain had other ideas so we decided to come inside and play a game of Mexican train which lasted most of the afternoon.  Dawn heated up some shrimp and chicken dumplings that would carry us over until dinner.  Dinner consisted of steak, stuffed banana peppers and rice pilaf.  Again we stuffed ourselves and we couldn't even go for a walk as the rain had increased so we called it a night.

Tomorrows forecast states 90% chance of rain.  Dawn and Pat are going to drive to Rochester to pick up their niece, Jennifer who was coming in  from Texas to attend the wedding on Friday in New Hampshire.  Don't know what the boys have on their agenda but we are sure that they will find something to keep them busy.



SO until the next time remember:
        "LIFE IS SHORT SO DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO NOW NOT TOMORROW"

October 19, 2014 Boldt Castle

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Well no rain or snow.   Maybe the weather will cooperate for us.  It was cold and we had some winds but we could deal with that.  We left at 8 for our 3 hour car trip to Boldt Castle, Alexandria Bay, NY.

For those that haven't heard of Boldt Castle here is a quick summary of the history of this magnificent castle. Boldt Castle on Heart Island was built by George C. Boldt for his wife, Louise.  It has 6 floors, an elevator and 127 rooms.  Two years after the beginning of this castle Louise died and all work on this island stopped..  From 1907 until 1977 the castle was left unattended and deteriorated terribly. The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority assumed ownership and began restoring the Castle.  We took our time and spent 2 hour going through this castle and grounds.  What a great insight this man had.

Supper tonight was lasagna and garlic bread.  We stuffed our faces and turned in early as that 6 hours of being in a car really did us in.

Tomorrow is really going to be a rest day with nothing on the books.  Breakfast is at 9 and Mike is going to make omelets to order.

Boldt Castle from boat

Power House

The castle 

Yacht House across the way

Michael helping bringing in wood

Grand Staircase

Copolla

Gazebo

Entrance to the swan pond

Playhouse or Alster Tower

Guard House

Mike and Pat in the Gazebo

Pat's sister Dawn and her husband Carl

Boat Ride $17.00
Admission $17.00

SO until the next time remember:
        "LIFE IS SHORT SO DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO NOW NOT TOMORROW".