Lone Pine Campsites 8/31 --> 9/6/2016

101 miles 3 hours

A glimpse of the cloud covered Taconic range to my left.

It was a great day for driving. When I left the RV park at Lake George, it began to drizzle and I thought I was going to be in for some rainy, sloppy driving. Wrong. It was overcast the entire trip with the temperature remaining at 71° Very good for driving. What made it even nicer was the scenery. Magnificent views. As I traveled route 7 into Vermont and northward to Colchester, I was constantly saying, "Wow." In the distance to my left were the Taconic Mountains or Taconic Range in New York State and in the distance to my right were the Green Mountains of Vermont. All mountains in Vermont are referred to as the Green Mountains, so what I saw were the Northeastern Highlands. Both run like spines north and south and parallel to each other. They're part of the Appalachian Mountains. In between were miles and miles of farmland. Most notable crop was corn. Corn as far as the eye could see. With rolling hills it wasn't really that far. If farms weren't producing corn, they had cows and more cows from Black Angus to what were probably Holsteins. Large tracts of land and very few houses. With 40,000 more people than Wyoming, Vermont is the second least populated state. I'm sure the residents would like to keep it that way too. Did you know it's the only state that does not have a building taller than 124 feet? And barns! I am fascinated with barns; old barns. I've seen barns in all my travels down south and now here into the Northeast. They're all the same. Why? They all share the characteristic dilapidated, poorly maintained, collapsing, sunken sides or roofs. 

Once again, Winnie, right at home with
no neighbors anywhere around.

The all have broken windows or no windows at all, hanging doors, and overgrown plant life that will, in time, consume their very existence. They will rot, decompose and be taken back by the land upon which they stand. In addition to the classic, very picturesque structures are the contents within; old, rusted, classic farm implements and machinery that are no longer of any use to their owners. After all, what can they do with them once they've become fixtures. I remember writing in one of my earlier blogs traveling back to New York from the south how much I wished I was the passenger and would be able to photograph the barns I have seen. I know there are "coffee table" editions of Barn books. From regional field guides to books on their evolution, these books usually depict barns still standing and kept in great shape, working order and, of course, picture perfect.

In front and to the right of us, down the street, lots
of vacancies. Lady at registration desk indicated she'll
be packed this Labor Day weekend.

Back up up the street toward the entrance, the line
of campsites in my row are all vacant.

 

Everything in all sites, nicely line up
and ready for the crowds. We shall see.

Across the road, campers are settled in.

A plumbing faux pas, I'm sure. This one water source is
to service two sites; only my water connection is on the other
side of the RV. I just about made it.

And the picnic table (with a fire grill underneath it)
lies just beyond where I would want it. Without that able-
bodied other person, that baby wasn't going anywhere.

Lone Pine Campground has a well stocked camp store including perishables AND soft ice cream. Not to worry, it's a hike but I will give it a try. Disappointingly, WiFi is available only with a "subscription." As I am completely opposed to paying for WiFi, I'll once again, rely on my own "hot spot" with AT&T. I didn't even pursue the directions of my iPhone to see how much it would be but the way I use data....well, let's not go there. I'm here until Tuesday so I'll take advantage of the level walkways, Sunday Farmer's Market, shower, and the beginnings of my Robert Greer novels. Until next time, take care and good night.