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Finger Lake Region – NY
Sned-Family Acres Campground – Ovid, NY
This campground is nestled in the beautiful Finger Lake Region of New York. Wide open spaces and all the amenities a family can look for. It was our home base while we visited several other places close by. This campground evoked a pleasant childhood memory. At night, the fireflies twinkled like lights on a Christmas tree. Living in Florida, this is a special treat.
We made a memorable trip to the east side of Canandaigua Lake to see one of our groomsmen. We hadn’t seen him since our wedding almost 40 years ago. His lakehouse was right on the water, and the urge to live on a lake intensified.
Taughannock Falls State Park
Not far from the campground was Taughannock Falls state park. It has 750 acres, and its picnic area is right on Cayuga Lake. (Mitchell’s old stomping ground) The falls can boast it is the highest waterfall in the Northeast, even higher than Niagara Falls. Unfortunately, due to the dry climate, the waterfall was not as robust as it cascaded down the cliff. Afterward, we had dinner at O’Malley’s. Mitch said it was the best ahi tuna wrap he ever had.
Watkin Glenn State Park
This is an absolute must-see in this area. There are over 800 steps weaving around the chasm created by glaciers eons ago. The waterfalls are plentiful, reminding us of how wonderful nature is.
The last weekend we were there, we visited the west side of Seneca Lake to visit with Mitch’s brother and sister who live in Rochester. We met at the visitors center, and lucky us, they had a farmers market going on that Saturday. We unanimously decided to visit two of the many wineries dotted along the east and west sides of Seneca lake. An excellent lunch with wine was had, along with laughs and reminiscing about their childhood growing up in this area. Mitch and I decided this area is one to return to and spend some time in – that’s how much we enjoyed the Finger Lakes.
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Sabba Estate Winery – Old Chatham, NY
Sabba Winery was an excellent Harvest Host stopover. It had it all! Music, art, a food truck, beautiful scenery, and a wonderful host to top it all off. The wide-open field welcomed our 5th wheel and four other Harvest Host members.
You find a fire pit, swing set, and various games on the kid and dog-friendly premise. Live music plays every weekend. If this isn’t a warm welcome and makes you want to stay for a while, I don’t know what is.
Our host was an engineer in NYC but dreamed of owning a winery. Dreams do come true! All the wines are produced on-site. As an avid metal sculptor, his works are scattered around the vineyard and are the designs for the wine labels.
Our wine tasting was delightful, and we purchased a bottle of red. I quickly put together a charcuterie board and returned to enjoy the music, food, and drink. We spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the cool NY weather and relaxing.
Mitch was enjoying himself so much he didn’t take any video but below is a slideshow of some of the features of the winery.
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Mystic, CT
Yes, this is the place where Mystic Pizza was filmed starring Cher. The shop owner probably thanks the movie creator since a line was outside the door the day we visited. Who doesn’t want to see a movie icon? It is a cute little town on the seaside with shops, restaurants, and many boats. We decided to eat at one of the many restaurants and had a wonderful evening meal, sharing a bottle of wine and enjoying each other’s company.
The primary purpose of this visit was to see my sister and her family on Long Island. Many seasoned RV travelers advised us not to navigate the bridges and roads one has to take to get onto the Island. The bridges are narrow (not our idea of fun), and the highways need repair. After traveling on bumpy roads, we never know how we will find the interior of our 5th wheel and if items fall out of the cabinets when opened.
We arrived with our 350 dually truck in tow to get on the ferry and take an hour and a half trip to get to Orient Point on the North Shore of Long Island. A pleasant day to take a boat ride, and the route is dubbed “Lighthouse tour,” as there are about six different ones along the way. We didn’t include any pictures because, at this point, everyone must be over my lighthouse addiction.
The weekend was comprised of visits to family and friends. It was a time to catch up and enjoy the laughs getting together brings. Time flew by too quickly, and it was time to say goodbye and catch the ferry back to Connecticut.
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Sturbridge,Massachusetts
This campground had a small lake on its grounds. The kids swam, floated, dove into the lake, and had a blast. Not being a water person, I just admired it from a distance. There was even a coordinated golf cart parade for the Fourth of July.
Martha’s Vineyard, about two hours away, was a must on our list. A ferry ride is required to get to the island. We took our bikes to see as much of the island in a day. The ferry docks in Oak Bluff, the island’s most visited part and where the Gingerbread houses reside. Of course, stopping at East Chop Lighthouse is a must. I think my poor husband is exhausted from the many lighthouses I have dragged him to. Oak Bluff is also the home to the Flying Horses Carousel. It is the oldest operating one in America and was moved here in 1880 from NYC. We rode our bikes to the town of Edgartown. We were glad we brought our bikes as we zoomed past the cars at a standstill, trying to get around the island. It was a fun-filled day, and we enjoyed the ferry ride back.
Stockbridge is home to the Norman Rockwell Museum. This stop was not on our radar, but my brother-in-law encouraged us to visit if we had the opportunity. Glad we did. It was informative, and no one can deny the artistic genius of Norman Rockwell. My favorite was Thanksgiving, where family and a home-cooked meal were at the center of this portrait. Norman illustrated 363 covers of the Saturday Evening Post. The methodology he used to produce these drawings was enlightening. If you are ever in the vicinity, this is a must. On the way out, I spotted a sign for a nearby art show. The places that pop up are surprising when you don’t have a plan. The Butternut Ski Resort was a great venue to have an art show.
We ended the week by kayaking the Quinebaug River Water Trail. It was the first time this trip we could use the kayak. So glad the weather was beautiful.
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Working our way back to Florida- Camden, ME and Surrounding Areas
Camden State Park was nestled in the woods and offered many hiking trails. The spectacular view of the summit of Battie Mountain is stunning as it overlooks Camden Harbor and Penobscot Bay. The stone tower is a memorial for all those serving in WWI. The hike up Megunticook Mt. was arduous but worth it. It is the second-highest mountain on the east coast, with Cadillac Mountain in Maine coming in first.
The quaint town of Camden did not disappoint. It has it all! Shops, restaurants, a beautiful harbor, and a library where most of the facility is underground. From Camden State Park, one has to go through Camden’s Historic District. The homes are outstanding. Typical of summer homes in the New England area. We would have set sail on one of the majestic schooners if it was warmer.
We searched out Curtis Lighthouse Overlook on our way to Wiscasset and almost missed it. A tiny sign perched on a tree only indicated we were there. A short walk ends, and across the bay is the Curtis Lighthouse. Glad I have a zoom lens on my phone to capture this wonderful lighthouse.
Wiscasset, ME
Mitch kept saying he had to go to Red Eats the entire trip. The tiny shack boasts of having the best lobster roll in Maine. Many famous people have gone there to try its delicacy, and this establishment has been in various notable publications as the best. People told us that the line is about 2 hours long in summer. It did not disappoint. The much sought-after lobster meat was piled high on the roll. A thumbs up from Mitch. As a side note, they only take cash!
Boothbay, ME
We enjoyed this town. Lots of little shops to meander in. Places to grab a bite and an ice cream shop where everything was handmade. Delicious! The Boothbay Footbridge is a 1000 ft wooden pedestrian bridge connecting both sides of the harbor. There is also a place to put your love locks on the fence for all to see. It offers a fantastic view of the harbor and the boats moored on the docks. The sight is tranquil and takes you away from busy life. We took time to relax and enjoy ourselves.
Rockland, ME
Rockland is a short ride from Camden and worth the trip to see the Breakwater Lighthouse. A lighthouse! I’m there. One must go one mile over the uneven sea wall to get to this lighthouse. We did this late in the afternoon, and the wind was nasty, but we trudged forward. Along the way, we spotted a baby seal on the side of the seawall. Someone explained mothers often leave their young on a ledge because they don’t have the strength to handle the rough waters. The moms search for food, return to their pups with food at high tide and take them to calmer waters.
We covered a lot of ground on our stay at Camden and loved every minute of it. Wonderful memories were created, and we hope a visit will be in your future.
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Acadia National Park (Part 4) Schoodic Peninsula, Maine
On recommendations of a local, it was suggested we visit the third part of Acadia National Park. It is the only part of the park on the mainland. The other two areas are on Mount Desert Island. As you can surmise, it’s a pretty big park. It was a fifty-minute ride from our campground.
Thankfully, we enjoy car rides, and the roads were planked by beautiful trees, including Birch. (I love these trees) When we arrived, we were greeted by huge boulders and the roaring sound of the Atlantic Ocean. It was mesmerizing to watch the waves crash against the rocks, exploding into a magnificent spray of water, and then cascade back to the ocean. We wandered along the rocks with the camera in tow, hoping to capture the sensation of the moment to share with you.
As usual, on the way back, we went exploring, and lo and behold – I spotted another lighthouse. Stop the car, let me out and snap away. (Like I don’t already have enough pictures of lighthouses). If my husband tires of my affinity for lighthouses and the need to stop to capture their beauty, he never lets on. He is most accommodating. However, marriage is a give and take. I take him to lighthouses, and he takes me on scary hikes up the mountain. Hmm – is that a win-win scenario?
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Acadia National Park (Part 3)– Bar Harbor, Maine
If you don’t have much time to see the park, the way to do it is to take Loop Road. This paved road has many turn-offs and leads up to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Along the way, there are many scenic overlooks for one to visit. Our first stop was the sandy beach. At 47’, it wasn’t tempting to venture in, but it was low tide, and roaming among the enormous rocks was the highlight.
Next was the visit to Thunder Hole. One to two hours before the high tide is the best time for viewing. The water crashes into the rock formation, and of course, it sounds like thunder hence its moniker. Luckily, we arrived at the park before the Memorial Day crowds arrived and could enjoy nature’s show without feeling rushed.
The winding trek up to the summit of Cadillac Mountain was beautiful. From there, one can see the Atlantic Ocean’s vastness and the town of Bar Harbor. The sea vessels looked minuscule from this vantage point. Mitch and I decided we would wake up at 4:00 am and venture to watch the sunrise at 4:50 am. From here, one can be the first in the US to see the sunrise. The next morning, the friendly alarm goes off, and in the next few minutes, Mitch says, “Go back to bed. It’s overcast. We won’t see anything.” That scenario played over the next few days. We never did get to see the sunrise.
Maine is as I pictured it would be. I was enamored with the old lighthouses whose job was to warn the sailors from crashing into the rocks. Each is unique. I admire they still stand after centuries of violent storms, and angry waves pounding at its doors.
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Taste of Maine (Part 2) Acadia National Park Hikes
This park is rich in its history. The park was established in 1916, but uniquely it was the first whose land was donated entirely by private citizens. It has more than 47,000 acres. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. not only donated 10,000 acres of land but was responsible for 45 miles of carriage roads that wind through the park. As bikers, we appreciate roads where you don’t have to worry about cars coming too close or streets not having a bike path. These carriage trails are limited to hikers, bicyclists, and horses. Carriage rides are available. An enjoyable respite was a stop at the Jordon Pond House, known for its popovers.
Like most national parks, it beckons its visitors to enjoy its many hiking trails. The first was the Great Head Trail. This trail starts at the only sandy beach in the park. The water temperature rarely goes above 55 degrees, yet, believe it or not, there were people in the water. This hike was 1.4 miles with views overlooking Frenchman Bay and Gorham Mountain.
Our second hike was the Gorham Mountain trail. It’s a two-mile hike that boasts some spectacular views. The wind was pretty fierce but well worth the scenic view at the summit.
Our last hike was the one I feared the most. Mitchell was itching to go on the Beehive Trail. In our discussion with the park ranger, he felt this was the scariest trail in the park because it’s very steep and goes along the cliff edge. Dread filled my body, but no way was I going to let him do it alone. We arrived at the park by 7:30, and hikers were beginning to start this epic journey. It was a gorgeous morning. The sun was up, the skies were clear, and the wind was a non-issue. We began to hike up the rocks when we came upon a sign forewarning the danger of this hike. Mitch looked at me and asked, “What do you think?” My response was, “Let’s go for it. If I can’t do it, we can just stop and go back down.”. Well, there was NO turning back! I am not afraid of heights, but my more significant concern was climbing rocks, with me being 5 feet tall and not being in my 20s anymore.
This trail indeed was like rock climbing. Some spots had rails to grab to get up. Even with the rails, there were a few times Mitch had to give me a push-up. We made it to the top, and the view was undeniably magnificent. The panoramic view was well worth the harrowing experience, but I felt I had earned my badge of accomplishment. Would I have done this on my own? Absolutely not, but the love of my life pushes me beyond my comfort zone, and we get to reap the reward together.
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Taste Of Maine (Part 1) Bar Harbor, ME
Maine was our “Big Rock,” as Mitch affectionately refers to those places #1 to visit on our journey. We arrived on the “Off Shoulder Season.” Translation – before Memorial Day and the summer crowds arrive. We spent two weeks in Bar Harbor, Maine, and crammed as much as we could in that period. There will be multiple videos to share our experiences.
Mt. Dessert Narrows Campground was our home for those two weeks. It had a beautiful water view and was a short distance from Acadia National Park and the town of Bar Harbor. It was interesting to see the drastic difference between high and low tides. The birch trees were refreshing as I hadn’t seen them since leaving New York.
The quaint town of Bar Harbor met our expectations. The sea town is brimming with restaurants, shops, and gorgeous views of the harbor. It fascinates me to see the buildings still standing since the 1700s. On the day we visited the town, the skies were clear, and the cruise ships had not yet arrived. We could enjoy a leisurely day shopping without the crowds and relax with a glass of wine (OK – plastic cup) and just people watch. There were a few good weather days when we were there and grateful today was one of them.
Mitch had his first lobster roll at the Chart Room. The restaurant was on the waterfront, the atmosphere delightful, and the company was excellent. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the day.
Our visit to the local farmers market Sunday morning was intriguing as Martha Stewart was strolling and visiting many of the booths. There are many beautiful and over-the-top summer “cottages” as many of the prominent families such as the Morgans, Fords, Astors, and more spent their summers in Bar Harbor.
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What a View! Over the Moon Farmstead – Pittsfield, NH
Over the Moon Farmstead is a wine/craft beer establishment. It is situated on top of a hill, and the view is spectacular. The view overlooks the rolling hillside, and it takes your breath away. Mike, the owner, said the view sold him on buying the property. It was a horse stable a mere fourteen months ago. The transformation in such a short time is astonishing. The stable is now a tasting room with huge glass windows, which brings the outside in. Plans to establish a stone pizza restaurant were in the works. There have been a few Harvest Hosts where properties were purchased and then transformed. Creativity and entrepreneurship are commendable, and glad to see folks pursuing their dreams. The outside grounds have tables with covered umbrellas. We were fortunate to be there on a night when they had a solo guitarist. Listening to music, enjoying charcuterie, and spending time with my honey. A girl can’t ask for anything more. Actually, she can.
Across the road from the farmstead, there was an apple orchard. The trees were blooming with beautiful white flowers. Harvesting would happen around the August-September time frame. Bummer we won’t be around to enjoy fresh-picked apples. On the bright side, they sold ice cream! We chose our flavor and then sat outside on Adirondack rocking chairs overlooking the orchard—a great way to end the evening.
We wanted to find out what time the sun rose so we could set our alarm clocks. We knew it would be amazing and didn’t want to miss it. Alarms were set for 5:00 am. Sunrise 5:20. We were up before the alarm, dressed, and walked outside to see God’s glory. Below is welcoming the day.
Not what we were expecting, but, on the bright side, we got an early start on our five-hour trip to Maine.
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