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.

1328 January 4 – July 16, 2026 Unexpected Turn of Events

We were not sure whether or not we would continue this blog.  We decided though that this was our story.  This had been a record of our travels.  The journey we have found ourselves on for the past 6 months was unexpected.  I had a follow-up mammogram in December and after that, a biopsy.  I was diagnosed on December 15^th with breast cancer.  We had planned to leave Atlanta and then we were going to spend the winter in Florida.  We cancelled those plans and after the New Year, we drove back to Maryland.

It was too cold to stay in our RV.  Kyle and Allison, knowing that we would be at home for a long time, cleared out the workout room and made a beautiful bedroom for us.  I had an MRI and saw the surgeon within days of our return.  Surgery was on January 30th. 

The next day, we had a big party for Wade’s second birthday.  That little boy has brought me so much joy.

We took a quick trip to Rock Hall, Maryland as I was recovering.  It was very cold and the ground was covered with ice.  We saw lots of wildlife at Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge.

Chemo started at the end of February.   4 cycles, one every three weeks…12 weeks altogether.  Between cycles we planned trips!

At the beginning of March, on my good week, we went to Solomon’s Island for several days.

At the end of the month when I was feeling well, we went to Ocean City.

One more quick trip to Colonial Beach.

One week after my last chemo session, we went to Atlanta.  We wanted to be there for Austin’s birthday. 

Before radiation began, we went to Cape Charles for my birthday.

These small trips did so much to lift our spirits and to get us ready for whatever was to follow.

We also had some good quality time with Tim’s family.

More fun!

20 sessions of radiation were complete on July 9^th.  The past six months have taught me a lot.  I value so much all of the neighbors, family, and friends who have been there to provide unwavering support and encouragement.   This support took the form of texts, calls, visits, cards, lotions, sourdough bread, potato pancakes, origami talismans, Jeni’s ice cream, lunches, dinners, flowers, and so much more.  I was continuously amazed by the outpouring of love and the generosity of my village.  Please know that I will pay it forward!

Most of all, Tim was my constant, my rock.  He was with me through it all.  He saw me on my hardest days and he was there with a strong and steady manner and a Body Armor.  We always promised that we would be there for one another…and the proof was in his actions.  I am truly loved and blessed.

Now that we have completed this portion of our journey, we are ready to look forward and get back on the road.  This last night we said goodbye to Kyle.  Kyle and Allison have done so much for us, there are no words of thanks that would be adequate.  We are so very grateful.  We are sad to leave but we are eager for some time to explore, some time to slow down and breathe and recover.

1327 December 14 – January 3, 2026 Atlanta Christmas 

We tried to stay at a Cracker Barrel on the way to Atlanta but it was just too cold.  We drove another hour before we found a campground where we could utilize the electric hookup to stay warm.

We celebrated Christmas with David and his family.  We had lots of fun with the big boys.  They decorated a gingerbread house and we made gingerbread cookies.  We had sleepovers and played lots of games.  We walked at Stone Mountain and we went bowling.  Oliver and Austin are all about baseball and they were thrilled to learn that they had spots on rosters for the spring.  Lots of time was spent in the backyard practicing skills…in the rain and the cold…they were eager to play!

We also watched football…lots and lots of football!

We celebrated the New Year by sitting under the table and eating 12 grapes!

We watched football. Lots and lots of football…

We celebrated New Year 2026 with delicious charcuterie and by eating 12 grapes under the table!

1326 November 26 – December 13, 2025 Holidays at Home

We had a wonderful warm welcome in Reisterstown.  We were invited to spend Thanksgiving with Allison’s family.  Too much delicious food and lots of conversation and love. 

Our time at home passed quickly with visiting and Christmas preparations.  We celebrated early with family. 

We had lots of fun with Wade.

Our last day at home we had double parties.  We started at the D’Amato Family Annual Tortellini Night. 

We ended the day at a party for our good friend Debbie who was turning 60! 

On December 14^th we woke up to several inches of snow.  Kyle plowed the driveway and Tim scooped the snow off of the RV slideouts and roof.  I went out to buy salt so that we could navigate through the icy spots.  Finally, we were on our way to Atlanta.

1325 November 25, 2025 Home Again

We were up and on the road before 6am. We watched the sky turn peach and lavender as we traveled north and east.

We were so fortunate to avoid traffic. We made is easily through Richmond and Washington DC…a Thanksgiving miracle! There was a terrible accident that had southbound traffic backed up for miles.

We got hooked up and settled at Kyle’s. I had to go and pick up pies and then I got groceries and gas. We are looking forward to seeing the family after work today!

We will be here until mid-December and we will post again then.