Geneva State Park (OH)

July 31-Aug 2, 2012
(Only stayed two nights but wished for longer.  Maybe next time!)

Geneva, OH
Geneva State Park (OH) site 56

We left Niagara and traveled with Dan and Tricia to Geneva State Park in Ohio.  Since we were all headed south in the coming weeks, we thought it would be nice to travel together.  We decided on this cg because it was on Lake Erie and within our driving range of close to 200 miles.  We had 50 amp and had to put water in our tank since there was no hookup at the sites.  The shade was very welcomed.

 

 

One of the delights of this cg was the paved bike path that goes along Lake Erie and into the quaint little resort town of Geneva-on-the-Lake.  We all pedaled in to town one afternoon and enjoyed some unhealthy eating.  Burger, fries and ice cream served up 50’s style.  We figured that we would have to pedal a lot to burn up some of those calories.

 

This is a nice state park with a resort lodge and marina on the grounds.  I’m glad that there are some states that think it’s worth saving and promoting their natural resources for everyone to enjoy.  Gin’s checking up on Neptune.

Thanks for dropping by and enjoy each day of your life’s journey by finding beauty in the ordinary.

More Niagara Falls

July 23-31, 2012
(Catching up is hard to do when you’re busy having fun!)

Youngstown, NY
Four Mile Creek State Park (NY) site 65

To take advantage of all of the touristy things offered at the Niagara Falls State Park, we had purchased a Discovery Pass which included tickets to five attractions.  We had already enjoyed the Maid of the Mist and the Cave of the Winds so today we were going to enjoy the other three; Niagara Gorge Discovery Center, Niagara Adventure Theater, and Aquarium of Niagara. 

The Discovery Center basically educated folks on how the Falls and Gorge developed into being after the Ice Age.  I find the geology to be both interesting and a little boring at the same time, if that makes sense.  The Adventure Theater delved into the history of the people at the Falls from the Native Indians up to the barrel plunging daredevils.  The Aquarium of course focused on what lives in the water.  It focused a lot on seals, which I thought was interesting since seals aren’t native to the Niagara area.  They were all rescued seals and there was a nice outdoor display.

 

 

There were several penguins and tanks of different fresh water fish displayed and this terrarium which had colorful poisonous Dart Frogs in it.

 

We didn’t go to the penguin feeding because it was too crowded, but we timed it right to get a good spot to watch the sea lion show.  They were also rescues and could jump through hoops and clap on command.  It was a real crowd pleaser.

After this enjoyable day, we made our way back to camp to relax and have a little fun for Gin’s birthday.  We played a friendly but competitive game of Spoons and Tricia had made a Nutty Buddy Pie since I couldn’t find an ice cream cake nearby.  It was way sweet but delish.

Just a little comment or two about this state park.  We had 50 amp but no water at the site.  We were close enough to a hookup so that we could fill up our tank without moving so that was nice.  Since it is right on Lake Ontario, it was a nice breeze most of the time.  It was so nice to have a relaxing place to retire to after being around the tourist crowds all day.

 

The End.

Stowaway and a Sylville Kinda Day

Jordan Lake State Park
Poplar Point CG (site E95)
Apex, NC

Meet our little stowaway, Roamin P. Duck (RPD).  We’re not sure what the P stands for, any suggestions?   He doesn’t require much upkeep and he really seems to like water.

 

We like the water too and spent most of the afternoon floating in the cove.  Roamin encouraged us to go for a paddle late in the afternoon since it wasn’t too hot so we obliged him.  The water was like glass.  Don’t let Gin get too far away.

 

Unfortunately, there are several dead fish washed up on the shore around here and it smells like Smudge’s breath.  I didn’t know that Ospreys would let Buzzards get this close to them, and this Heron screeched at us as he flew away.

 

We could get used to this kind of life.  We were so at ease and comfortable all day.  It’s what we like to call a Sylville kinda day.  Serenity personified.

Thanks for dropping by, and enjoy each day of your life’s journey by finding beauty in the ordinary.

The Three R’s

Jordan Lake State Park
Poplar Point CG site #E106
Apex, NC

We have finally made our escape, if only temporarily.  Everything is under control at the house so we decided to take Wanda for a ride to indulge in the three R’s.

Prior to January, I’ve worked a schedule that was basically 3 weeks on duty and 1 week off.  We enjoyed that week off in the MH.  This is the first time that we have been “weekend warriors”.  After working all night Thursday, we left the house about 8:00am and drove an hour to Jordan Lake.  We didn’t even bother to hook up the Suki, instead, we carried our two e-bikes.  There is one loop that doesn’t require reservations and all of the good waterfront sites were taken.  That’s ok because there is a nice swimming beach within the park.  The e-bikes sure came in handy for that.  Here’s our really nice shady site in the woods and some nearby Trumpet Vine.

 

Shortly after getting set up in our secluded site, we heard the deep throaty growl of a DP approach us.  We looked up and it was a Winnebago Tour with a four-door Jeep Wrangler in tow.  It may take 2-3 years of saving up, but we plan to get a Tour when we upgrade.  In the meantime, Wanda sure is nice to have.

We have enjoyed taking it easy this weekend.  We have slept late each morning, eaten an easy frozen meal and bag salad when we were hungry, and swam (floated) when we were hot.  We haven’t had internet so that feels a little strange.  We really needed this weekend here at the lake.  Oh, and the 3 R’s?   Rest, relax, and reconnect with each other and nature.  Mission accomplished!

Thanks for dropping by, and enjoy each day of your life’s journey by finding beauty in the ordinary.

Dragonflies are Free

Jordan Lake State Park
Poplar Point CG site #E95
Apex, NC

Tuesday was a recovery day devoted to relaxing.  We mainly hung around the campsite.  I like this site because it’s waterfront and has a nice gravel patio area.  All the sites here are wooded.  I wanted to take a few photos and try to get a shot of a deer.  They were still hiding.  I took Gin’s bike, the one with the electric motor(e-bike), for a ride to the campground’s swim beach.  Not a soul in sight.

If you notice another sandy beach on the other side of the lake, it’s a nice day use area called Seaforth Landing.  There is a nice boat launch there too.  Once again, no one there during the week.  As I rode around, I came upon a private pond within the campground.  There are a few sites that border the pond.  I noticed a fish splash near a fallen log.  There were water lilies all around the edge.  It’s a Sylville kind of place.

 

I noticed several dragonflies but could only get one good shot.  This is for Gypsy G-Mas and anyone else who enjoys them.

Today was "outside pack-up" day.  Of course we enjoyed a couple of hours on the water with the waverunners and pontoon boat.  I think this was our last ride and it was a beautiful day for it.  We got them out of the water before supper.  I plan to take a few photos while they are at the boat launch to put on craigslist in the Spring.  They have been a blast.  We’ll sleep in tomorrow and head back to the house around noon.  It’s getting a little busy here already.  I have to go back to work Friday night so reality will hit hard but I’ll have a nice week to reflect on.  Everyone stay safe and have a good Labor Day.

Getting Wet

Jordan Lake State Park
Poplar Point CG site #E95
Apex, NC

The week end was not that busy here.  I think next week end will be the last hoorah with Labor Day.  On Sunday, we all went on a pontoon boat ride.  We had to get Smudge cooled off before getting in the boat.  She is amazingly trusting.  She never paddled while in our arms.  We did let her swim a few inches between us.

 

Gin’s folks have enjoyed their boat but it is about time for them to let it go.  It can be a lot to take care of when you have so much other things going on in life.

It was an absolutely beautiful day to be on the water.

On Monday, Gin and I got out on the water with the waverunners.  We rode up to the dam and found a nice sandy beach to land and get out to float a while.  We rode some more and floated some more.  It was a great morning.

Her nephew Nick and his friend Chris joined us in the afternoon.  We took the boat and waverunners to the sandy beach near the swimming area and let them ride around a bit.  They enjoyed the speed on the lake.  Since it was Monday, there was almost no one else on the lake at all.  The water was like glass.  After an early supper of ribs and fixin’s, we all went on a boat ride to the dam.  Nick and Chris left before they locked the gate at 9:00.  It was another nice day in Sylville, but we are tired.

I did set up a hummingbird feeder on our first day here.  There are two females that perch in the pine tree and then feed from the feeder.  I did see one more deer today.  I went to the nearby convenience store to fill the gas cans and a deer was in the middle of the road just a few sites from our campsite.  She sauntered into the woods.  I just happened to have a camera and took a shot out the open window.  They hide on the week ends.

Lake Jordan

Jordan Lake State Park
Poplar Point CG site #E95
Apex, NC

We made it to the lake on Thursday.  After we dropped by the boat launch parking lot, I saw a doe and her two fawns.  Gin’s folks finally are taking a vacation and have brought their MH and pontoon boat with them.  We are very lucky to have neighboring waterfront sites since you can’t reserve in loop E this year.

 

I think it’s going to be a quiet week end since school has started.  The next week end is Labor Day and that will certainly be busy.  We brought our bicycles and waverunners.  We’ll get all the boats in the water this morning.

I took Smudge for a walk at dusk last night and got a couple of pictures.  This doe was 50 yards away and I didn’t have the zoom lens on (of course).  I saw the rest of the herd, all 5, as she scampered off.  That’s a total of 8 deer today.

The camp sites are in a cove but you can still look out onto the main lake to get a nice view.  This was at dusk.  We took it easy the rest of the day.  It’s good to be here.

Fourth with Folks

Sunday afternoon we drove to Roanoke Rapids to spend the Fourth with my family at my brother Doug’s home on the lake.  It was a warm but not so humid day so it was very nice by the water.  We paddled the kayaks around and floated in the water while others spent time chatting on the boat dock.  Here’s Gin, SiL Carla, Mom and BiL David.

Doug and Carla are fortunate enough to have their own small boat launch.  We all enjoyed a ride around the lake.  Even though I grew up here, I think this was the first time I did that.

My sister Virginia really knows how to relax in the water, and BIL Keith and sister Judy enjoyed the water too.

This is the nice view from the boat dock.  The dam is right across the way.  When the lights come on at night, it looks real pretty.

Since my birthday was just a couple days ago, I got some birthday cards.  I got a special one from Virginia.  It seems her math was a little off.  I got a “Happy 50th” a year early.  We all got a good laugh from it.  There are 3 holidays that have always meant good times with the family.  They are Thanksgiving, Christmas, and July 4th.  Unfortunately, my work schedule has made me miss a lot of those special events with the family.  I sure enjoyed this one.

We got back to Gin’s family and I have spent today giving moral support to those who know how to build things.  Here’s Gin, her father Odie, and brother Butch.

This is a rather full driveway.

And here’s the reason for all this hubbub.  I think they will call him Nicholas.  He’s been a good baby and has a head full of hair.

It’s been real dry here but there are still some pretty flowers to enjoy.

Hope everyone has had an enjoyable holiday.  Stay safe as you travel and I’ll see ya down the road.

Last Paddle

Cascade Lake CG site #P4
Pisgah Forest, NC

Yesterday morning we didn’t get out of the MH except to walk Smudge.  We enjoyed some relaxing time with the computers.  Gin has been working on our information cards and they are ready to be printed now.  In the afternoon, we put the kayaks in the lake for one more slow paddle up to Hooker Falls.  Gin took her fishing gear but didn’t have any luck.  As we were leaving the CG part of the lake, all the local geese were too.  Five adult geese have started hanging around the family with little ones.  That’s what the goslings will look like when they grow up.

We went up a cove that has had a beaver dam in it at one time.  It’s a little shallow and is full of fish beds.  All the geese followed us.

As we rounded the point, a Great Blue Heron flew away.  A pair of Belted Kingfishers also like that cove and flew by flirting with me to take a picture.  They wouldn’t stay still very long so this is the best shot I got.

Just before you leave the CG part of the lake, there is a nice little boat landing.  They allow small boats with a maximum of 12 hp in here.  Most people use canoes and kayaks.

The mountain laurel is starting to fade a little and the rhododendron is just getting started.  They should look real good in a week or so.

Here’s one more shot of the falls just to say that we made it.

I love the rock and plant life along the bank.  I don’t know how plants hang on so strong.  The moss and fern are so green and really help to take the stress away.

There were some fish in this oxbow so Gin cast her rod a few times but didn’t have any luck.  She saw a river otter on the bank, but he was way too fast to get a picture.  We also saw a lot of newts in the shallow area.  I don’t know what kind of bush this is but the fruit look like tiny cherries.  Maybe it’s a wild cherry tree, but I sure wouldn’t eat any.

As we were slowly paddling back to camp, this herd of noise came paddling by.  The boys looked to be 12-13 years old and three young adults were with them.  Too much energy for us.  I counted nine boats and most were tandem.

As I approached camp, our geese family greeted us.  I was hoping they weren’t so protective that I couldn’t get out.  They sure have grown a lot this week.

Today (Wednesday) is our last full day here. After seeing rain in the forecast, we packed up the outside stuff and relaxed inside for the afternoon.  The rain started about 3:00 and it was the gentle napping kind.  I’m glad we put away the stuff while it was dry.  We plan to leave fairly early tomorrow since it’s a long drive.  We like this CG and plan to be back next summer (after retirement).  We may even be full-timing by then.  It would also be a good place to be a volunteer host couple.  The manager couple is Jeff and Lisa Shepard.  We camped next to them last year.  He is a retired Transylvania County Deputy and his son Chris is a NC State Trooper.  The Cradle of Forestry in America is the concessionaire.  They also handle the Davidson River CG on Hwy 276 along with many other facilities in other states.