Winter Excursion 9, Day 2

We both had a great night's sleep after the past few days getting the camper ready, closing up the house, and just plain making sure everything was ready for us to be gone for 10 months! We didn't get up till after 0800!

We spent the day checking out and exploring the area. The local cider joint was nice. It reminded us of Burrville Cider Mill back home. We picked up some cider and some cider donuts!

Picked up a few "damn forgot those items" at the local Wally World.

The highlight of the day was spending the afternoon with our camping friends, Chris & Jean. They have a beautiful house at a great location out in the country. Jean made us some Homemade Lasagna and it was excellent. We will definitely be staying in this area (campground) in the future on our way south for the winter.

Chris and I did a little "drone flying" and I'll post some pics from that this weekend.

The sunset last night was good. Here's a pic.

But the sunset tonight rivaled it. Here's a few more pics.

This one is my favorite!

Had to include this one too!

We will be leaving tomorrow morning for our next few days stop at Pine Grove Furnace one of our go to CGs.
 
 

Winter Excursion 9, Day 1

Well here we go again! This one will be a BIG one. 30 Oct 24 to 18 Aug 25! This trip will include Hosting in Georgia, a Family Reunion in Oregon, and a Cruise to Alaska! 

We left home this morning at 1100 after putting on the finishing touches to close up the house. We took the backroads as the trip today was only 125 miles. It is a beautiful day with temps in the low 70s. 

We stopped at a fairly new campground just outside of Cortland, NY. Greek Peaks is a great CG for an overnight or two. While we were here the place was empty, we were the only campers! Full hookups are nice, pedestals are modern, and cell service is good. We are very happy with this CG and will stay again while traveling south for the winter in the future. 

The camper did well today with it's new roof and new "shoes" (Goodyear Endurance Tires). All systems are "go" except the heater. We fired it up a few weeks ago and it won't even click! We will have it looked at while in the Charleston area as it is under the oven and a bear to get to. I'll let a Mobile Tech have fun with it!

Here's a few pics of the campground. All is well in the Boss Camp.

FROG Rally, Chenango Valley SP, NY Day 8

Our friends all left this morning. We are staying one more night.

After all the goodbyes were said Cath and I headed to the grocery to score a few more packs of scrapple. They have our favorite brand.

Back at camp we hung out and slowly started packing up. In the afternoon when it got hot we cleaned out two of our closets in the camper. After eight years we found things we had forgotten we even had. Things we have not been using found their way to the dumpster!

We had our last campfire and then gave the rest of the wood to a family just down from us.

It's been a fun week, but it's time to go home.

Next Blog Post will be 30 Oct 24.

  

FROG Rally, Chenango Valley SP, NY Day 7

After the Farewell Potluck Breakfast everyone pitched in to tear down the canopies and clean up site #114 where all the potlucks and events were held. We had it all finished by 1000 and the Rally Hosts departed for home. After that probably 70% of the FROGS departed. Our friends are staying until tomorrow and Cath and I will leave on Tuesday.

For the most part we hung out at camp and just relaxed. It's been a few to many late nights in a row. 

We did go out to any early dinner with our friends at "Fat Cowboy BBQ". A good time was had by all.

So here's today's camper story. After we had been here for three days the fresh water tank was empty! We do not have water hookups. I could not fathom that we had used that much water so quick but I just filled the tank again! Today, later in the morning Cath called me into the camper and said the toilet was totally full. I looked and sure enough the water was right up to the flush valve! After a little investigation I noticed the toilet continued to run after a flush. The pedal valve was not totally closing therefore filling the black tank (that's where all our fresh water had been going). I got the "blue tote" out and dumped the black tank. We will just turn off the on board water pump for the next few days when we are not using water. We actually dodged a bullet, the toilet could have overflowed all over the bathroom and camper.YUK!!

FROG Rally, Chenango Valley SP, NY Day 6

There was no potluck breakfast this morning. We had scapple and scrambled eggs at our campsite with our friends Chris & Jean and Bob & Marie. Cath and I had found some Rappa Scrapple at the local food store. We also got some extra to take home.

I went for a really nice e-bike ride with one of the other FROGS. We found a lot of biking trails that I did not know existed even after all the times we've been to this State Park.

There was another potluck for dinner and a campfire at our site after that.

We did a group picture this year. Here's the gang.

Most folks left the campfire around 2200, but a few stayed to yak some more. I finally crawled into bed around midnight. When we get home we will have to catch up on our sleep!

 

FROG Rally, Chenango Valley SP, NY Day 5

The day started with a pancake breakfast at the Rally Host's campsite. After that everyone was on their own to explore the park or Binghamton. 

We spent the day around camp doing a few chores and talking to the other FROGS.

Here's a pic of our site and the new mylar cover for our screen tent. It reflects the sun and keeps the tent about 10 degrees cooler. Our friend Jean (also a FROG) made it for us. She is quite the seamstress!

Dinner today was a potluck at the Rally site. I think we all had a taste of everything. Here's a few pics.

After the potluck everyone was introduced and had to relate a short story about a camping experience. Some of the stories were not so short! Then we had a raffle. Cath and I scored a nice FROG golf umbrella and a cute stuffed frog.

We got back to our site around dusk and sat by the campfire with Chris and Jean until about 2200. Then it was off to bed. It's been a busy, fun day! 

FROG Rally, Chenango Valley SP, NY Day 4

Today was the actual first day of the Rally. We all did registration, picked up our T-shirts, and got our raffle tickets. The Rally traditionally has a "Get Together, Meet N' Greet Campfire" on the first night. The folks that normally host it are not here this year. Ron (the organizer) asked this morning if Cath and I could host it. Of course we said "Yes"! Here's a few pics.

Before the Campfire Jean and Chris, Bob and Marie, and Cath and I had an early dinner at our favorite local brewery. The food was good and the beer was even better. They had a great Hefe Weizen!

We didn't get to bed until almost mid-night. I can't remember the last time I was that late to bed!