We are here in NY on our fall vacation in the 1000 Islands Region. Our first stop is Jacques Cartier State Park. It is a beautiful park, sitting right on the St Lawrence River. The site is perfect, we can sit and watch the boats go down the seaway or let the kids play in the water right out the door of the camper. The weekend had the park about half filled, but now that it is mid week, there are very few of us here. It is lovely to not have to have the dogs on ropes. Today we played 9 holes of golf at one of the state parks that is a golf course a few miles from here. It was an easy course but lots of fun. We will plan to do it again before we leave this area. Expecting some rain tomorrow so will go out for a drive to see the area. The dogs are doing very well, we take them for a big run twice a day and they are loving all the chipmunks and squirrels. It is great to camp at this time of year when there are so few other people in the campgrounds. We can be comfortable letting the kids just run and run.
FALL 2011 Chapter 2
The Thousand Island Region is (obviously) named for the multitudes of small islands in the St Lawrence River mouth. Actually, there are 1864 islands--to be an island, the ground must be above water 365 days a year and there must be two living trees on that island. Many of the islands have wonderful "weekend cabins" that to you and me are castles. Nancy and I took a cruise to see many of these millionaire mansions. It was the first cruise for both of the dogs. I don't think they would tell you it was the finest part of their vacation, but they survived. We stopped at Hart Island to see Boldt Castle as well as a farmer's market and wine tasting festival. All was going well until we tried to walk Annie past the alpaca pen. She freaked out....... You would think a bear jumped out of the woods behind her. I don't think she ever saw it, but her nose sure knew something was different. Here are a few photos from the day, the glorious and the understated island homes.
FALL 2011 Chapter 3
We made the decision to drive south as we left the St Lawrence River to a park that was recommended by one of our fellow campers. We are now at Green Lakes State Park just outside of Syracuse NY. It is named for the two glacial lakes that are central to this beautiful park. The lakes are protected, surrounded by trees with no boating or fishing. They are the most wonderful turquoise green color when the light refracts through. It is a combination of the limestone, the depth of the lakes and the bacteria in the water that combine to make the result unusual but fantastic. The campground is nothing to write home about, but the park is very special. There is a Robert Trent Jones designed golf course here which is amazing. For $12 we played the most spectacular course we have ever played. Difficult? yes! The ball was always either above or below our feet.... but ... Wow! The weather has not been too good; nice yesterday as we played golf, rain last night and then again today till about two when the sun came back out and we played another nine holes.
FALL 2011 Chapter 4
Our final three days have been spent in a very familiar place that just feels like home. The Finger Lakes is one of our favorite vacation spots in the autumn, and it did not disappoint us again this year. The weather promised to be rainy all week, so we thought it would be a good place to go as there is always something to go and do. All and all, the weather was not too bad with rain on only the final day. It is a beautiful big campground with wonderful spacious sites, plenty of open space to walk the dogs, and green green grass everywhere. We went shopping at the outlets in Waterloo in Thursday, typical outlet mall; nothing exciting to report except that we each spent some money on things that seemed very reduced in price. (seemed being the important word here). Friday, the rainy day, was spent cruising around and wine tasting. I had fun, can't really say the same for Nancy as she was sitting in the car, in the rain most of the time with wet dogs....... Keuka Lake is really the most beautiful place with rolling hills and incredibly picturesque vineyards reaching down to the water's edge. I am sure we will come back to this spot many times in the years to come. The leaves were not very colorful this year, really just starting to turn, but the ride home produced some stunning color.
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