CT/RI/MA-Family & Friends

May 13-22, 2019

May 13-16, 2019

Catskills of Connecticut

Up and early for our trip to CT, we had lunch plans with family that day. The 108-mile ride on I84 had some exciting times, like when we had to stop short and ended up with the truck off the road and in the grass, thankfully the trailer stayed on the road. We arrived at Grandview CampResort and Cottages in Moodus CT with a bunch more gray hairs than when we started the morning. After getting the RV off the truck we headed to Rocky Hill CT to meet Dave’s Uncle Ken & Aunt Joan, it’s been at least 7 years since we’ve seen them. They leave tomorrow on a trip overseas so this was the only time to catch up with them. Great lunch, thanks Ken & Joan, great to see you. Hope you have a great trip.

Since our friends who also live in the area were unfortunately not home so we spent the next few days exploring the area which is locally known as the Catskills of Connecticut. Very reminiscent of the 50’s Catskills. The campground property used to be home to the Grandview Manor with lodging and the property had lots of bungalows and cabins scattered around it. The Manor house is long gone but there are a few cabins and bungalows that have been preserved and rented out, the old LODGE is still an activity room. The campground sites are scattered around the property, many of the sites are side by side so on your off door side you are very close and you share a yard with neighbors on the door side. Since we were there during the week in early May it wasn’t a big deal. The park caters more to adults as they don’t do planned kids activities, kids are welcome just don’t expect them to be entertained by the park. Grandview is one of the nicer private campgrounds we’ve been too and would stay again if we ever find ourselves in the area. Not a lot of services in the local town, but there is good ice cream, but in 30 minutes you can get to all the services you might need.

Where the entrance to the old manor house was-now you can get married here. 

Our first excursion took us to Gillette Castle State Park, William Hooker Gillette, a noted actor, built Gillette Castle in 1914-1919. It was purchased by the state in 1943 from Gillette’s estate. The castle wasn’t open yet, but the grounds provided some nice walking trails, some over the old narrow gauge railroad that once ran here. Unfortunately, the castle was closed still while we were there, would have been cool to tour it. 

Narrow gauge train station

Score!!-geocache

Bridge for narrow gauge railroad

Another day we visited Devil’s Hopyard State Park, another beautiful local CT state park. There’s even a small campground with no services, not suitable for big RVs. The 800+ acre state park, a river with falls, great trails with geocaches and nobody else on the trails. It's advertised as a fisherman and birders favorite area. 

geocache!!

Our 4-day visit to CT gave us a new appreciation for the state, previous visits were in the crazy parts of the state or in our younger years for concerts. What a beautiful rolling hill area this area is. 

May 17-21, 2019

Our drive to Fisherman’s Memorial State Park in Narraganset RI was only 77 miles, down to the coast and head east along US 1. Before too long we were pulling into our site, which just happened to be next to friends we had yet to meet in person. This meetup has been over a year in the making. After a wonderful welcome from MaryLou, Sophia and Radar, love them little girl hugs,  we got set up quickly so we could start getting to know our no longer virtual only friends. Soon Lee was home and off for the next 5 days. Let the fun begin!!

Site 71

Overlooking Bluff Cove which leads you into Block Island Sound

Our welcome sign that was waiting on the picnic table when we arrived 

The North family site directly behind us

Fishermen's Memorial State Park Campground

 Remnants of 1940's war years bunkers and encampments at Fishermen's Memorial SP.

Talks around the campfire, shared meals, an adult lunch and so much laughter. What a great 5 days getting to know one another, solving the world’s problems, talks about full timing and so much more. Now not only friends but like family, thanks Lee, MaryLou, Sophia and Radar for a wonderful time, see you down the road. 

All about the food. 

Really!! Nope we went to the other guy

A bit of beach time!! Brrrr...

Forging friendships...

Some adult time at a brewery/vineyard...

There's always a geocache to find...

Some amazing sunsets...

May 22, 2019

130 miles found us parking in our friend Brad’s drive in Granby MA. We know Brad from his days of working at IBM in Essex Jct VT, they moved to MA a few years ago. A while back Brad heard we were going to be coming through the area and asked us to overnight in his driveway instead of at a campground 40 miles north. After doing our due diligence in checking out his proposed spot we canceled our reservation and arrived in his drive about 1:30. We a break in the traffic on Rt 16 and we got the RV backed in the first shot, a little repositioning, an extension cord ran for just a bit of electric and we were tucked in for the night. Brad and his wife Meg are expecting their first child in a month, they had a 3:30 appointment with their midwives so we knew we wouldn’t see them till after 5. A quick ride for fuel and to find a quick geocache, I got my MA souvenir.

MA geocache

We had a great visit with Brad, Meg and Brad’s folks, thanks all for a great vegan dinner. Afterward a tour of our home, a tour of Brad & Meg’s Bigfoot Class C and a visit to the home of Squirrel Stash Nuts, their nut roasting business. They’ve been in business for many years but just recently moved into their home and they are able to have their roasting take place on site above their separate garage-no pictures allowed. Thanks, Brad, Meg, Kerri & Tom for a great evening, we'll be looking for all you on the road somewhere. 

The next morning we were up and on the road early, 199 miles and we arrived safely in VT for our month-long visit. But more on that next time.

Until next time…

Reunion and Reminiscing

May 9-12, 2019

Traveling from NJ to southern NY is something we’ve done many times, it was almost like coming home. Dave was born and grew up in Beacon NY, I moved to Wappingers Falls NY in 1971. We called this area home for a long time, until 1993 when we moved to VT. Our 197-mile ride was through familiar areas though it gets crazier every time we drive it, last time was in the fall of 2012. I knew we were getting close when we crossed the Beacon Newburg Bridge, I sent my BFF this picture and she knew we were almost there.

There’s not much in this area in the way of campgrounds so we chose Sylvan Lake Park. We both have memories of going there as kids and teenagers, Dave used to get swimming lessons as a kid and I used to go as a teenager to swim and hang out with friends. The campground is made up of mostly seasonals but they do have a few transient spots. While not our typical kind of park it served us well for our stay and the bonus was we were only 5 miles from my BFF, Rene.

After getting set up we headed over to see Rene and her husband Ed, a long-awaited and highly anticipated visit. Being on the road has meant leaving behind those we love dearly, here in NY and in VT. I first met Rene in 9^th grade and a friendship was forged that has survived the test of time, we graduated from high school 41 years ago. After moving to VT every trip to NY included a visit with her, in later years she and her family made visits to VT at least annually. The last time we saw them was in VT when they brought their new RV to Maplewoods Campground.

That evening we had a small reunion with our group of friends from our NY days. We’ve lost one friend already, one was sick, some have moved too far away to make attending feasible and some couples have divorced. It was so great to see this group of friends that for years was so tight-knit. Unfortunately over the years with some of us moving away or divorcing the group doesn’t get together like they used to. But this evening was all about celebrating and reconnecting. 

Larry & Rene toast to our friends Mark & Nancy in IL

Jackie is one of our most ardent followers

Dave and Larry

Faye & Larry

Rene, Faye, Larry & Barb

Barb & Peter

Rene & Ed

2019 The Bowling Team (minus Beth-she was sick)

1991 The Bowling Team

Rene had suggested Sloop Brewery @ the Factory. The factory is one of the buildings in the old IBM complex where Dave used to work. The building is actually one he worked in, under the glass top of the bar were computer parts from the days when IBM used the building.  The beer was good, per Dave, and they had a small menu with some interesting choices which were good, too busy talking to get any pictures of the beer or food. 

The next day was all about the girls. Rene & I used to meet up in Lake George NY for a girls weekend or when she came to visit in VT we’d get a girls day, this one was long overdue. She showed up with fresh NY bagels, heavenly we do miss a good bagel. Afterward, we headed out with a few quests in mind. The first one, a visit to the local park that was named after her father, Father Ferrara. Over the years he’s been very active in his local town, so much so he now has his own park.

The next quest was to find a screen saver and cover for my new Kindle, the battery decided to die in my old one, picked up my new one at Rene’s house. Though we searched high and low, we only halfway succeeded in our quest, a cover was to be found but know screen saver, that’ll have to wait till we get to VT.

By this time we knew it was safe to embark on our next quest, a visit to the high school we graduated from. School was done for the day so we were able to wander the halls for a walk down memory lane and to see the additions to the old place. So many changes but yet enough of the old to still provoke memories walking the halls for years.

We ended our day with dinner, at a local Italian place, with our husbands. Anthony’s\Pizza Village in Hopewell still has some great food. It’s a NY thing, they know their pizza, and their cannoli filling is heavenly. Too busy enjoying to get any pictures. 

The next day, Saturday, Rene and Ed were busy attending a wedding so we entertained ourselves. We took a walk around the campground;

Did some site seeing, checked out our old houses;

The house I grew up in, we had our wedding reception there

Our first apartment, top floor left

Our first house

Our last NY house, up the steep drive

Wasn't paved when we owned it

Drove the main street of Dave’s hometown, Beacon NY;

And paid our respects to Dave’s parents.

Finished our day with another visit to Anthony’s\Pizza Village where a veal parmigiana dinner was in order, my favorite meal.

Sunday, Mother’s Day, started with phone calls, to my mom and from our sons. Off to lunch with Rene and Ed, then a visit with Rene’s parents. I’ve known them since I was a teenager, so nice to see them again.

A nice visit with Rene & Ed’s son Tyler who now towers over us all.

Off to Sloops Brewery @ The Factory for one last taste and meal. Then it was time for the last tearful goodbye, tomorrow we head to CT.  

Until next time…