1338 July 27, 2026 Home Again Home Again Jiggety Jig

We left Sodus Point at 7:15 and we headed south, back the way we had come, rewinding our trip.  Lake Ontario was in our rearview mirror.  We passed through countryside sweet with the fragrance of apples.  Past red barns and silver silos gleaming in the early morning light.  We drove over the Eerie Canal.  We stopped for fuel before Geneva.  Deisel fuel was 5.39 a gallon; a real bargain in the state of New York.  After Geneva, we traveled along Seneca Lake, through wine country to Watkins Glen.  We were hoping to stop for coffee but there was nowhere to park our big self.  We found a large empty parking lot and made our own coffee.

We traveled through Pennsylvania.  There were lots of trucks.  We crossed the Susquehanna River many times on our way to Williamsport.  We continued south and as we got closer to Harrisburg, traffic was worse, the roads were worse, and we had to weave through the city to get to I83.

Once we were on 83, I knew that we would make it home today!  We pulled into the driveway at 2:30. 

This was not our most adventurous journey but we had incredible weather and lots of good days.  This trip has been good for reflection and healing and gratitude.  I am so thankful that we were able to spend time together creating more memories and remembering all the people and things that are important to us.

We had the most wonderful welcome!!

We will be home for a couple of days and then we will head to Atlanta for Oliver’s 10th birthday. We will post again in mid August.

1337 July 26, 2026 We Always Come Back to the Water

Happy Birthday, Allison!!!

Tim started his day with a bike ride and I started with a walk to the beach.  I sat on a bench watching the boats traveling in and out of the bay. 

Tim took the Jeep to the beach as a surprise and we sat together in our chairs beneath a tree.

We had lunch and spent a very lazy afternoon.

We ventured out to Tick-Toc Crocs for dinner.

Afterward, we went back to the beach.  We walked the pier and sat awhile.

“Don’t call it a dream; call it a plan.”

1336 July 25, 2026 Sodus Point

We began the day by taking a trip to Geneva.  We wanted to catch the Farmers Market at the Finger Lakes Welcome Center. 

After purchasing some local produce, we walked along the water.

We walked on the long pier.

We walked through the Geneva tunnel that runs beneath the highway.

On our way back to the KOA, we stopped at Bad Burro for some “kick ass coffee.”

We prepped the RV and prepared to travel.  Our journey today took us through more farmland; mostly corn fields and apple orchards.

We arrived at the Sodus Point RV Park.  We began to setup on our assigned site and Tim found a nest of yellow jackets in the ground near the hookups.

He went to the office and the woman working there decided that we should move and since she had an open site; she gave us a waterfront site with a view of Sodus Bay and the marina.  Tim took this video.

We had lunch and rested and then went out for a ride.  We passed dozens of boats anchored together and folks were having a big party!

We drove down to the beach.  Both the parking lot and the beach area were packed.  We drove out and went for a ride along Lake Ontario.  Most of the property here is privately owned and it was hard to get even a glimpse of the water.  We got out and walked to a fishing access area.

There was an orchard and farmstand that had a sign for live music and that is where we went this evening.  We listened to a young guy who sang his heart out.  He had incredible range and had a large repertoire of music from many genres and eras.  We had fun listening.  I enjoyed a delicious plum cider and Tim had a summer ale.  There was pulled pork for dinner.

We took another trip to the beach and while it was still crowded, there were at least parking spots.  We walked the pier to the lighthouse.

It was another good day and I feel relaxed and well.

“Every new place is a chance to fall in love with life again.”

1335 July 24, 2026 Seneca Lake State Park

I started the day by walking laps in the campground.  I got 2 miles done.  Then I went back to the blue chair on the dock.  Tim had been sitting out earlier and saw two minks.  We are quite certain that is what they are. 

The minks did not show themselves while I was out there.  Though I did see movement in this area…those little critters are elusive!

I did see this huge spider, a fishing or dock spider.  It was about 2 inches from tip to tip.

The lily pads are beginning to bloom.

After lunch, we drove to Seneca Lake State Park.  We cycled to the end at the marina.

We found signs that led us to the canal trail.  This was a gravel path and after ½ mile, we elected to turn back.

The bike path continued along the lake.  At the end, we sat in the shade to rest and hydrate.  An older couple approached and asked to join us.  Leonard and Sue were from western New York near Rochester.  They live in a place that gets more than 5 feet of snow each winter.  Leonard told the story of a particularly bad storm that produced 7 feet of snow.  The couple used to ride bikes and they used to camp in an RV.  Those years are past for them.  They were on their way to their house near the Catskills.  It was a pleasure to meet such nice people and to share stories. 

We biked back to the Jeep and returned to the KOA for rest time.

This evening, we packed a cooler and went to Oak Island Park in Waterloo.  We sat in a pavilion along the canal.

After dinner, we walked a gravel path through the woods.

1334 July 23, 2026 Waterloo and Seneca Falls

Today was moving day and we had a very short distance to travel.  Tim had the idea that he could take the RV to Planet Fitness and park in the large lot there and he could get his workout done.  He suggested that I take the Jeep to the Geneva waterfront and take my walk along the lake.

I walked a mile beneath wonderful willow trees.  The willows were originally planted here in 1890 and have been an icon for the park. 

Did you know that you can travel anywhere in the world from Seneca Lake???

The first woman to graduate from medical school did so here at Geneva College.  Elizabeth Blackwell is honored here with a plaque in the park and a street named after her.

I walked a mile before turning back.  I stopped at the Finger Lakes Welcome Center and bought a cup of coffee.  The weather was perfect.  I sat in an Adirondack chair and enjoyed people watching.

I started to walk back to the car and saw Tim walking toward me.  He found a lot to park the RV and had decided to meet me. 

We found a bench and sat awhile. I love the quote inscribed here.

We got to Waterloo KOA before noon. 

We spent a quiet afternoon.  Tim did go for a bike ride into Waterloo while I rested.  I still do not have the stamina or energy I had before my treatments.

Tim found a great place to sit.  There is a dock very near our campsite.  He sat in a chair there and watched a “wet squirrel” we think maybe a mink, sitting on a rock and swimming in the river.  He recommended that I go and sit.  It was a peaceful spot.  There were people in canoes and kayaks paddling by.  I didn’t see any swimming mammals but I did watch these blue eastern lilysquatters flit about on the lily pads.

We went into the town of Seneca Falls for dinner.  This place was the inspiration for the town depicted in “It’s a Wonderful Life.”  This is also the home of the Women’s Rights National Historic Park. 

We ate at Parker’s on Fall and had good pub food.  After dinner, we walked to the People’s Park to listen to live music.

We walked the promenade along the Seneca-Cayuga Canal.

1333 July 22, 2026 Sweet Acres Creamery

We had no hookups here at Prejean Winery so we ran the generator for awhile this morning.  We took turns walking on the gravel roads on the property.  It was chilly this morning and I actually needed a sweatshirt!

Tim brought me a small bouquet of wildflowers.

We took the long and slow route to our next destination.  First, we followed cyclists who were following a farm tractor.

Next, we followed a horse and buggy.

The countryside was so picturesque.

We arrived at Sweet Acres Creamery in Geneva in late morning.  This is another Harvest Host site.  We parked our rig and went inside the store and café.  We purchased a few small things and ordered breakfast sandwiches.

We drove a short distance and did some shopping at Wegman’s.  There is a Planet Fitness here and Tim’s membership allows him to use gyms across the country.  He went to workout while I sat in the car listening to an audiobook.

After dinner, we drove into historic Geneva.  This a a bright and vibrant city. The architecture of the buildings is interesting. This is the home of Hobart and William Smith Colleges. There are lots of shops and restaurants. There is art and music and there are sculptures. Watkins Glen is small and quaint in comparison. We walked along Exchange Drive and then along Castle Street.

1332 July 21, 2026 Prejean Winery

I got up early and we started laundry right away.  We had trouble with the drain pump in the washer but while we were home, Tim took the washer out and repaired the part.  This was no easy feat.  First in order to get the washer out of the laundry closet, he had to remove the wooden valance for the bathroom window.  Then, he had to remove the barn door.  The railings had to be removed in order to get the machines out.  The dryer sits on top of the washer so Tim and Kyle hauled the dryer outside.  Then, at last, the washer could be removed.  It was heavier and more of a beast but the men got it outside.  Once it was out, Tim was able to replace the pump.  He was not going to put everything back until we had confirmation that it was fixed.  Tim hooked the washer up to water and he rigged a drainpipe at the correct height.  Next, we ran the washer empty with good success.  I sat in the driveway on a lawn chair, wearing a straw hat and I watched the washer through the whole cycle.  This was not enough of a test.  We put some towels in and ran another cycle and again I watched the washer spin and it worked.  It took lots of time but Tim was able to reassemble the laundry closet with Kyle helping to get the machines back in.  I have never been so happy to have it all working!

I went for a good walk in town while the washer churned.  There are a lot of pretty churches in Watkins Glen. 

I went to the store for fresh water while Tim went to the gym. 

With the clothes clean and put away, we prepped to leave.  We had a short ride to Prejean Winery.  We passed wineries and weineries and creameries and breweries and distilleries and cideries…lots of places to indulge…

We stopped on the way at a roadside rest area.  I had my breakfast while looking at this herd of dairy cows.

We arrived at Prejean Winery in late morning…much too early for wine tasting!  This is a Harvest Host site.  We parked the RV in the middle of the vineyard and we are nestled among the rows and rows of grapes.

We had lunch in the RV and went in to meet Tom and Amy at 2.  We had fun tasting different wines and choosing some to purchase.  After tasting and shopping, it was time for napping!

We went for an early dinner st Smokin’ Pete’s BBQ…we heard there was usually a long line if you went later.  We found a table under an old cedar tree.  We ate amazing brisket and fixings.

After dinner, we travelled a few miles further north to the town of Geneva.  This looks like a beautiful city!  We found a waterfront park with a bike path and we cycled around the top of Seneca Lake.  It was a lovely evening.

We took a country road on the way back.  Lots of Mennonite farms.  Crops of hay and corn and potatoes.  Simply beautiful!

1331 July 20, 2026 Lodi Point

It was 52 degrees overnight.  We slept with the windows open, cozy in blankets.  It is so nice to be cool!

I walked along Seneca Lake in Cluth Memorial Park this morning. 

Tim walked to the gym, did his arm workout and then walked back to the campground.

We went the Village of Watkins Glen for lunch.  We had great sandwiches at Holy Cow.

After eating, we walked through town. We did lots of window shopping but we didn’t need a thing.

We sat on a bench for a while watching the world go by.

This evening we took a drive to Lodi Point State Park.  We sat in a pavilion and enjoyed a picnic dinner.

There were gulls begging for food.  There was a family on the beach tossing treats to the large flock of screeching birds.  They came to sit near us as we finished our meal.

Tim drove on Lower Lake Road, past many beautiful lake houses.

The weather has been outstanding and I feel more relaxed than I have been in a very long time. Travel is a salve!

1330 July 19, 2026 Watkins Glen

I took a good walk in the Ives Run campground and the we prepared the RV to move.

We traveled on back roads, in no hurry since our destination today was only about an hour away.  We found a gas station and stopped for coffee.

We entered New York and passed though lots of small town and farmland.

We arrived in Watkins Glen at the Clute Memorial Campground just before noon.

Tim found a gym nearby and went to work out.

I went to gather a few groceries.

This evening, we went to the Lucky Hare for dinner.  We sat on the back deck right on Seneca Lake.  There was a wonderful breeze off the water.  I ordered a cinnamon cider that was delicious.  Tim found an oatmeal stout.  We shared crab dip and ordered salads.

After eating, we walked along the water and out on the pier at the marina.

We took a drive along the eastern side of the lake.  There were waterfalls and a burbling stream. 

The grape vines are green and lush.

Tomorrow we will explore some more!

1329 July 17-18, 2026 Ives Run

We prepped the RV to travel and said a tearful goodbye to Wade and Allison.  We were both quiet as we left Reisterstown and our friends and family behind.

140 to 795 to 695 to 83N and then lots of wiggle waggle through Harrisburg and north through central Pennsylvania.  The air was hazy with wildfire smoke that was blown in all the way from Ontario.  As we travelled the smoke thickened, the acrid scent burning our throats.  I was worried that it would be even worse as we went on but eventually the skies were bluer and the air quality improved.  We read that unhealthy air is at 189.  Baltimore was 260 and York was 411. 

We stopped for a snack and to stretch our legs at a rest stop along the Susquehanna River.

We arrived at Ives Run in Tioga, Pennsylvania in late afternoon.  This is an Army Corps of Engineers Campground.  It sits on Hammond Lake.  We found our site and after setting up, we napped.

We took a drive on the roads in the park and found a gravel road along the Tioga River. 

For dinner, we packed a picnic of smoked salmon and raw veggies and berries and we found a pavilion by the water.  The temperatures here are mild and there was a nice breeze.  This is a refreshing change from the 90 and hotter temperatures that we have had at home.

On Saturday, we tried to take walks in the campground.  Tim took the umbrella which turned out to be a wise decision.  I made it past the marina and then the rain began.  I hurried back to get dry!  It was a stormy morning with lots of thunder.

In the afternoon, we took the Jeep to the small town of Tioga.  There is a Dollar General and a post office and a bar but not much more.  We drove to the Hammond-Tioga Lakes Dam.  This is an earthen dam and the view from the top was gorgeous.

The Army Corps of Engineers created a channel connecting Hammond and Tioga Lakes.  Hammond Lake had good quality water. The neighboring Tioga Lake had acidic water due to local coal mining. the engineers built a weir that allows the cleaner water to filter into Tioga Lake. The water in the lower lake is now healthier and is able to sustain aquatic plants and fish. This benefit is realized as the water flows into the Tioga River where fish are now plentiful again.

We drove another seven miles to Lawrenceville. This town had two dollar stores and two gas stations. We found the Cowanesque Lake and we got out to enjoy the view.

This evening, we took our dinner to another park pavilion. It rained but we were dry, There was a squirrel who came to visit. It was obvious that he was accustomed to being fed.

Tomorrow we will move on to Watkins Glen.