June 7

We finally got on the road after a week of 'taking care of business' which included going to the RV dealer to have a side curtain rehung and a leak in the bathroom skylight repaired. Since all it seems to do is rain, we thought that it would be prudent to have it fixed! Some times we feel it is a rain of 40 days and 40 nights!

Of course, it was raining when we left, and after a day of driving in the rain on hilly, curving roads, we called an early day when we reached Binghamton, NY, our first stop. James is feeling more and more like a trucker as we are pulling the trailer behind the VIEW.

In the morning, we ate, got some diesel fuel and headed to Bradford, PA and the Allegheny National Park. As we came to a stop, looking for our next turn we noticed the town of Painted Post--and there were lots of people lining the streets as though waiting for something. A parade? James loves a parade. So, we made a detour and asked a passerby what time the parade started. The reply, 10:30, so we had time to find, with luck, a place to park our RV and trailer and to find a place to sit.

We found a great spot, set up our chairs and in short order, there was a huge line of fire trucks. We were told that there would actually be two parades. First, a firemen's parade, then the 'Colonial Days' parade. While there were plenty of fire trucks, there were no marchers. We found this unususal, as in Connecticut, we always have marchers with each department. After a considerable wait, the next parade began, with lots of antique cars carrying Miss Colonial Day, Junior Miss Colonial Day, Mini Miss Colonial Day--well you get the idea! There were also several school bands, and of course floats. During one interval, we scooted across the street to get some hot dogs and soda. There is something obligatory about parades, hot dogs and soda don't you think?

The name "Painted Post" comes from a story about a Revelutionary War Indian chief. It seems that he was wounded and while being taken back to his tribe, died. He was burried there, and a post erected with carvings and paintings over his grave. As time went by, the post became a meeting place and travel marker. Another story is that instead of an Indian Chief, it was a soldier burried there. Either way, the post gave the town its name.

After the parade, we continued on to the Allegheny National Forest. In the town of Smethport we got a little lost, as their signage for the route we were looking for didn't exist until you get to the other side of town. It is interesting to note as we traverse our great country, states and communities do differnt things with their street signages. We are fortunate in our state and throughout all of Litchfield County, we do things just about right. James thinks it is a Yankee Doodle thing! Since it was Saturday, there were plenty of tag sales along the way. We saw the usual signs for 'tag sale', 'yard sale', 'garage sale', 'moving sale' and a new one, 'porch sale'!

We arrived at our planned campground, Red Bridge, and had the unfamiliar luxury of a complete hook-up. That is, water, electric, and sewer. The last time we were in the Allegheny's we camped at 'Morrison', That site was on the same resevoir, but we had to hike in two miles, carrying everything. We had a very private campsite that time, too, but no ammenities.

Since there are several types of camping, (which we have done all of) perhaps a little description would be helpful. There is:

Backpacking or trekking: you carry everything in and carry everything out (including trash). This is usually done in the backcountry, or wilderness. At night, if you are in an established campsite you might have a 'bear box' to put ALL of your food in and lock for the night. These are like a metal trunk or safe. They are generally found along the Appalachian Trail. If you don't have a 'bear box' handy, you have to hang your food in a tree a distance from your campsite where a bear cannot climb to get it. You don't even want to have chewing gum in your tent! All animals in the forest are not pets and need to be treated with respect and given a safe distance. In return, they all will give the gift of appreciation and wonder.

Camping or Car Camping: Generally what families do, particularly if they want to travel. They pack a tent, camp stove, table, chairs, cooler, etc. in the car and hit the road. Usually, they stop at private campgrounds like KOA or Jellystone Park, where there are lots of activities for the kids, showers, flush toilets, and often a swimming pool.

Seasonal Camping: Finding a campground you really like is often difficult. With a tent, trailer, or camper set up in one campground, there is no traveling involved, but returning to the same place makes it easy to develop friends, and not so hard on the packing and unpacking.

Traveling: What we do! Occasionally we stay in one place for a few days, but generally we stop at a Travel Center, Park and Ride, rest area, or Walmart. We don't set up camp. We go into Walmart to buy supplies and rest, read, watch a little TV or play cards and are on the road in the morning. (James uses his Sirius radio app on his smartphone to keep up with nationl news.) This is sometimes called 'Boondocking'-a mainstay of the American Vagabonds.

Well, we stayed in Red Bridge Campground in the Allegheny National Forest for two days. When we arrived, the campground Host warned us that there was a mother bear with three cubs in the area, and not to leave any food out. We should be so lucky!

Saturday afternoon we rode the scooter about 10 miles into the town of Kane for gas, and a little sightseeing. As we rode over the bridge south of the campground, we could see a high pole in the resevoir with a nest on it. In the water, an area around the pole was roped off to keep boaters away. It was either an Eagle or Osprey nest. We could see at least one bird, but from that distance counldn't tell what kind.

On Sunday, we planned a hike on the North Country Trail. The trail is over 86 miles long, but we only hiked on one small segment. We parked the scooter at the Longhouse trailhead and began our hike. The trail begins with two huge rocks that you have to squeeze between. Then it goes up, and up, and up! The ranger told us the highest elevation in that area is 2,300 feet above sea level, and we must have been been pretty close to that.

It was hot, sweaty climbing, and Joan's asthma was not helping. Along the trail, we noticed a pile of bear 'droppings' and we remembered the mother bear and her cubs. After that, we kept a watch out and made a little noise as we went so we wouldn't surprise her--but didn't see any bears. What we did see, was several old, rusting, oil rigs. We had mixed emotions seeing them. They don't belong in a natural area. If they are abandoned, they should be removed! These pumps have served their useful life!

In the morning, it was raining. James loaded the scooter and we left the Alleghenys, and headed north into New York, and then to Erie, PA. Traveling along Lake Erie on Route 5, we saw acres and acres of grape vines. According to the internet, there are fifteen companies growing, processing, and selling grapes/wine in the villages north of Erie. James often thought of the hard work of the workers in the field. We wonder how many who enjoy their glass of wine give a small thought to the workers who make this joy possible.

We stopped at Walmart. It would rain, clear, then rain again. It became very humid as we settled in for pork chops for dinner and a TV movie.

Traveling along Lake Erie, James noticed a peninsula on the map labeled Presque Isle State Park near Erie. It looked quite interesting, so we headed in that direction--and were rewarded by seeing a wonderful park with something for everyone.

At the entrance, there was an amusement park complete with water slides. There was also the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. It has 7,000 square feet of interactive exhibits.

The state park itself, is a 3,200 acre peninsula that includes 11 individual beaches with picnic tables, pavilions, restrooms and food concessions. There are boat launch areas, free lake excursions, a bike/running path the extends around the entire 11 miles of roads, and nature walks from 1/2 mile to 2 miles long.

At one end of Presque is a lighthouse that was built in 1872. The tower is 57 feet high and is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. The lighthouse still provides warning to ships, but it is a private residence. At one time it was maintained by a lighthouse keeper and his family, who were isolated for months at a time. The original keeper even wrote of the loneliness of his work. As the Americans Vagabonds find over and over is the common theme that all of America throughout its history is bonded together by the efforts and sacrifices of of the American worker.

While the park has a fragile ecosystem, there are many animals that live there along with migrating birds and Monarch butterflies. We saw deer hoof prints in the sand along the beach.

Presque Isle State Park, translated to "almost an island" is free to everyone and is a beautifully maintained area that is used by hundreds of people. Well worth a day's adventure if you are in the area.

Looking through items of interest in the town of Sandusky, we decided to take a ferry ride to see Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial, located on an island in Lake Erie. The memorial is a National Park to recognize Commodore Perry and the men who fought with him in the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812.

We checked the map, got directions, and hopped on the scooter. According to the internet, Adults pay $14.00 round trip on the ferry. Also, bicycles are $4.00 and cars are $30.00. We figured the scooter would be about $10.00. When we got there, and paid for our tickets, we were told that the scooter would be $30.00---the same as a car! Since you can park four scooters/motorcycles in the space of one car, that meant that the scooter would cost four times that of a car. We said "no way" and got a refund for out tickets!

We went back to town a bit unhappy with the greed of American business. James wonders if these guys know anything about "the elasticity of demand."

The next morning, Saturday, after going to the gym and doing laundry, we read through a local "Weekender" newspaper. There were a few dances listed and one sounded pretty good so James called the number listed. It sounded like the dance club we have gone to in Keene, NH, so we got directions and arrived with time to change into our dance clothes.

We were right! It was very much like the Keene, NH dance club. Older folks (well, relatively speaking), like us, who love to dance and have a great time. A band that loves to play music--and entertain. We were welcomed by everyone with great friendliness. Several people came over to speak to us and ask where in Connecticut we were from. As we were leaving, we spoke to a gentleman who said he was 92 years old. He was spry and well versed in crafts. He told us about all of his projects that he makes with shells, wire, safety pins and a few other objects. As the other dancers were leaving the hall, they gave us a warm 'good-bye' and a 'safe trip'. Some invited us back if our travels bring us to the area! These guys are true "young at heart" hoofers.

Our plan is now to head north, to the Upper Peninsula--but you never know. Our plans are often changed by the whims of the American Vagabonds!