Outer Banks October 2007

It was strange not to be packing the camper. I'd forgotten how to get everything in the Miata. It was a crowded trip down. The trip tik from AAA was a different route. I only made 1 small mistake with the directions (and Bob was still calm).
The whole trip has been great so far. I didn't even complain about getting up while it was still dark Monday morning. The stars at home were beautiful Monday morning. The sunrise was pretty. The ride was long but uneventful.
We have a great view from the condo of the beach. The bedroom has a small deck and we can see the Wright Brother's Memorial from there. The weather has been in the low 80's. We've been walking on the beach, reading, sitting on the deck and watching the ocean or riding around with the top down. Life is good. (There's a store here by that name- we haven't been there yet but I saw ads) We did do a little shopping and got a great Christmas present for Anna and Dave. Mostly we're just relaxing and enjoying the beach.

Day 3 with Anna and Lucy

I think we need to name this trip Kathy’s mistake(s).

I messed up directions everyday including today. We got to Seneca Falls from the campground but…. We got in (again) a turn only lane and had to turn a block to soon.
I figured we’d just run into 5 & 20 in a block or so. DIDN’T HAPPEN! So we did another up over and down and ended up in Waterloo like we were supposed to.

Until now all my mistakes had been directional, this time we drove (And Anna and Lucy from the other direction) all the way to south of Penn Yan to the Windmill Farm Market and Craft Fair – it’s only open Saturdays. Anna and Lucy met us there and we then went back up the road to the tourist’s information. I explained what I did and asked for alternatives- he gave us several. (Now we need to go back so we can do all the things he mentioned) We went to lunch and then did an hour and a half boat ride on the ‘Esperanza Rose’ around Keuka Lake. As we stood in line for tickets we noticed that Bob and I were going to skew the age range (we ran into the tour from the Seneca County Office of the Aging), not to mention what Anna and Lucy would do to it. It was very relaxing and it was Lucy’s first boat ride. She, of course, charmed everyone. Hopefully she napped all the way home because she entertained everyone from lunch to the cruise (I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a happy baby).

We made it back to the campground with no problems. Kathy didn’t really have to go into the trunk>

Day 2 Seneca Lake Wineries and the Finger Lakes National Forest

Today (Tuesday, Oct.2) we went to some Seneca Lake Wineries. Some were wineries we’d been to before, some were new, all were good.

The ride back to the campground was a little longer than planned. I only brought the little wineries map (big mistake). The map showed county route 2 going into the Finger Lakes National Forest and meeting route 4 which would take us back north. Well….
County route 2 turned into a gravel road and we never came to a road labeled county route 4 but we came to the end of route 2 and had to go somewhere. We turned left and continued driving in the National Forest on gravel roads. It was pretty and we went by 2 campgrounds and several trailheads. Eventually we ran into construction and so turned around and found a sign for County Route 4. We went south on it (because of the major construction) and eventually ended up on a road that was on the little winery map! So it took us about 45 minutes longer but we saw all kinds of farm animals (cows, dairy and beef, horses, donkeys, ponies, pigs, sheep, goats and alpacas) and some deer on the edge of the woods. All of this was in the small area between Cayuga and Seneca Lakes all south of Route 96A.

Kathy didn’t tell you but I threatened to put her in the trunk if she got us lost again!!

Finger Lakes Day 1

10-1-07

All our obligations were met with emails, phone calls and a half hour visit to Bob's old school.

So, we decided to go to the Finger Lakes. First try was a call to Sampson State Park- no sites until Tuesday (the website said a dog show- woof- woof) so we checked Cayuga State Park- first come first serve but lots of sites.

I missed a sign and we ended up in Seneca Falls. (Bob is retired! – very calm) Half an hour later (woops-5 ton limit-can't go that way so we must go other, longer way) we ended up at the campground. (Now we know where to go for the wineries tomorrow).

We quickly were set up (No problems!!). so we went down route 89 to a couple of wineries & and to Bellwether Hard Cider (BOTH of us liked the cider! We have to find an Oswego source.) Nice ride in the Miata and good wine- retirement is wonderful!!

Kathy is the official taster, I am the designated driver!!