Winnie and Me 2016-2017: May 2017

Cross River, NY to Copake, NY

via Route 22

I am on site #104

Well, my stay-at-home week flew by and here I am once again in another KOA, this time for just 6 nights. I've taken advantage of the "local" campgrounds that are within a 100 mile radius or less than a two hour drive. My plan was to inaugurate my 2017 RV season by easing into it. I didn't want to go too far for too long in hopes that my 98 year old mother would become acclimated to my absence when I embark on the cross-country trip I have planned in July. That Big Trip will commence July 8th and take me across the US to visit my son, Chuck, and family in San Jose, CA. That will take 34 days out and back and will add 14 states to the map that I proudly display on my rear slide out. I can't wait to share the upcoming details in future blogs. The itinerary is available on the link above labeled "Summer 2017". Don't forget to click the back arrow in your browser to return to this blog.

I left Friday afternoon with the temperature hovering at 92° for the ninety minute trip to Columbia County and Copake, NY. Copake is derived from Cook-pake, a name given by the natives for a lake meaning "Snake Lake." My first impression of this KOA was, W-O-W. This is a big well organized operation. Click on this link to see the website. Looking at the campground map above you'll agree. At first glance, I observed six KOA staff all neat and tidy wearing their yellow KOA shirts; a good first impression. Usually at KOAs there's someone you follow to your site and they point out the location of services available. Four of the six fellas were chatting in their golf carts in the shade waiting to do just that. After I registered, one got the call and off I went following him to site #104. The drive provided another eye-opener. At 5 m.p.h. I knew it would take time but as I gazed left and right, the number of RVs already set up as well as the campground itself was H-U-G-E. All shapes, sizes, makes and models were occupying almost every site. You could easily spot the seasonal/long term folks. The propane tanks, furniture set up outside, sheds, gas grills, wooden decks and weather protecting covers on golf carts of those not yet arrived were evident everywhere.

With the temperature plummeting at sundown, (it was 65° at 9:00 pm) there was a lesson to be learned by yours truly. My RV season shall commence May 1st next year and not April 1st. As you've read in prior blogs, the wide variations in temperatures and weather as well as the non-existent crowds of campers in April takes away some of the charisma of camping. Most northern campgrounds begin their season April 1st but there's a sharp contrast to what I've experienced today. In April, campgrounds are barren and still chilly with mainly Canadians migrating back home from the warmth of winter in the south. It's now well into May and this place is "crowded", I've seen more humans in the area around me than I have in all three prior trips to the other KOAs. Kids on bikes, couples walking (yep, with their dogs), noise and competition screaming in the distance all give testimony to this. A separate sheet of weekend activities is provided and there's a live band each Saturday night through the season. Saturday:

Arts & Crafts
Cooking Scavenger Hunt
Tea Time Ceramics
Relay Races (adults & kids)
Super Chef Contest Elimination Round
Marshmallow Toss
Pots and Pans Wagon Ride
Super Chef Reveal and Results
Live Music: The Vibe

Golf carts seem to be a big thing; everyone seems to have one as evidenced by the traffic passing my site; their campsite identified on the side. Folks love glancing/staring at the RVs of others. By the number of monster RAM pickups going back and forth, I'd say the majority of rigs are fifth wheelers. With a 180° scan from my picnic table I count six. One day soon, I'll take a walk around and add some photos.

Saturday night was a busy one for the seasonal folks. It reminded me of CPP when everyone who knows everyone gathers at a neighbor's site carrying covered pans, dishes and coolers. The live band with their speaker system provides the background music beginning at 7 p.m. and ending at 10 p.m. It is camping as it should be. Well, enough for now. Temperature is 72°, cardinals are singing, two woodpeckers are a'peckin' and a chipmunk stares at me before disappearing in the blink of an eye. The sixth and final Earl Derr Biggers novel of Charlie Chan, Keeper of the Keys and my chilled Mark West Chardonnay await. There's a slight breeze and the lover of nature will declare this a most perfect day.

160 miles - 2 hrs 45 min

Before arriving at the KOA, I set my GPS for a detour to travel further north to 5560 State Highway 7, Oneonta, NY, home of the famous Brooks' BBQ restaurant. The SUNY campus is just 9 minutes away. I got a very late start (getting to bed around 2:30 am the morning before.) Friday morning, so I arrived for a late lunch at Brooks' House of BBQ. (If you follow this highlighted link, don't forget to use your browser's "back" arrow to return to the blog.) I wanted to satisfy my curiosity and follow up on the suggestion from long time friend, Barbara, now living in Hawaii. As an alumna of Oneonta some 40+ years prior, she says this was the place to go. Another friend, Kathy, living in Florida is from the area and worked in the SUNY system for over 20 years will be delighted I've visited her hometown. It was worth the trip for lunch and the take out that would be provide me meals for the next couple of days (BBQ ribs, pulled pork, baked potato, potato salad and the sauces to go with them). You don't leave this place hungry. If you check the menu items on their website, you'll see there was plenty to choose from. For a Friday afternoon, the place was not crowded at all. It was overcast and chilly and I'm sure early in the season but in the evenings during the weekend I'm sure they pack this place. I hope you caught the video clip in my last blog featuring Rachel Ray telling folks about this place.

Winnie and I had no problem finding a parking spot that allowed me easy in and easy out. And, by the way, don't think I didn't notice Tokyo Tavern Japanese Restaurant, Mt. Fuji Japanese Restaurant and the Asian Temptation Modern Asian Cuisine restaurants on the way.

More than half way along my trip to this KOA, I was hit with the realization that I did not pack the power supply I needed for my laptop. Again, as with the last trip, (remember the mouse?) the cursing should have reached your ears. This forced me, after lunch to make a detour to an Office Max in the Southside Mall on my return 40 mile detour trip back south toward KOA. They had what I needed and now, all is right with the world....lucky you, you get to read another blog.

Ouleout Creek looking south

Ouleout Creek looking north

Oneonta, "The City of Hills" is about 20 miles to the northeast of the campground and popularly believed to mean "place of open rocks" in the Mohawk language but its origin is "undetermined." This KOA is located in Franklin, NY. The 3 hour ride took me through the Catskill Park region and was beautiful although the low cloud cover and drizzle took away the vibrant greens of new spring. What made up for it were the picturesque postcard scenes of fly fisherman dotting the meandering creeks and rivers as I passed above on Route 7 or I-88. With the recent rains, these rivers and creeks were swiftly flowing creating rapids here and there. What I was viewing were both the Susquehanna and Unadilla Rivers that flow through the region and right here in the campground, is the Ouleout (Indian word for "rapid waters") Creek, one of the tributaries of the Susquehanna. It too lived up to its name as it rapidly flowed toward its junction.

Although this KOA opened the first of May, things are not hopping at all. The rigs on either side of me when I arrived were gone by morning and by late afternoon their spots have been taken up by a huge Class A Allegro on one side and a Coachman Class C (similar to my Class B but with a sleeping/storage area above the cab). Most rigs I've seen are set up and seem to be seasonal and so far unoccupied. There are no sewers on site but there is a dump station as well as a "honey wagon" service for a fee--which I'll take advantage of should the need arise. Below are some shots of the area.

Well, that's it from Unadilla/Franklin KOA. If any new arrivals make themselves known and are sociable AND the weather encourages outdoor activity so I can get to meet and greet them, you'll be the first to know about it with another blog. Below is the forecast out of Binghamton, NY. If you're concerned about such things, it'll be depressing for you. There is a patch of blue however Wednesday through Thursday. Anyone who knows me will tell you that as long as I'm around to witness weather of any kind, I'm a happy guy.

This Afternoon

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 62. South wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

Showers, mainly before midnight. Low around 40. Southwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Sunday

Showers likely, mainly after 9am. Cloudy, with a high near 45. West wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Sunday Night

A chance of rain showers before 10pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 10pm and 3am, then a chance of snow showers after 3am. Cloudy, with a low around 32. West wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Monday

A chance of snow showers before 8am, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 8am and 11am, then a chance of rain showers after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 41. West wind 9 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday Night

A chance of rain and snow showers before 11pm, then a chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday

A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Wednesday

Partly sunny, with a high near 57.

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Thursday

Partly sunny, with a high near 60.

Thursday Night

A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday

A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday Night

A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

And so, with the pitter patter of the light rain on my roof, a cocktail in hand before dinner, enter Charlie Chan. Author, Earl Derr Biggers, wrote only 6 novels featuring the famous Honolulu detective. When I read that tidbit and realized there were over four dozen movies made between 1926 and 1949 with nine actors playing the role, I decided to read the originals. Notable for me were Sidney Toler, who played in 22 and Warren Orland, who played in 16. With each novel averaging about 180 pages, I found the complete, unabridged work and will spend my rainy day reading the 6 adventures:

The House Without a Key

The Chinese Parrot
Behind That Curtain
The Black Camel
Charlie Chan Carries On
Keeper of the Keys