From NY to Quebec

I've managed to transport myself from New York to Quebec without even starting my engine or burning an ounce of gas.  Pretty amazing if l do say so myself.

Are you curious at all how l did this feat?  It really is quite simple.  Quebec did all the heavy lifting for me.  They all came down to New York to the KOA Campground. The campground is only a couple of hours from Montreal, and it is the Canadian Long Weekend, so they headed to this beautiful spot.

When l went to Wal-Mart in Plattsburgh, l was amazed at how many Quebec plates were there.  I think Plattsburgh is the equivalent to Buffalo for us Ontarians.

The park filled up quickly for a Friday afternoon, and fifth wheels seem to be the trailer of choice.

Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA

[caption id="attachment_965" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Our home for the next two weeks"][/caption]

This is the troupes' home for the next couple of weeks.  Not too shabby if l do say so myself.  I finally have arrived at a campground that IS a campground.  There are no seasonal sites here or any long termers, it's rustic and very naturally beautiful.

To get here l had a really tough time putting up with the scenery.

[caption id="attachment_966" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="New York State ....of mind"][/caption]

The roads were quiet, and every once in a while l would get a good view of the moutains up ahead.

 

[caption id="attachment_967" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Peace and Quiet"][/caption]

This is the view that l have from my van....l wonder what it will look like on the weekend?  There might be a trailer or two blocking my view :-(

I had been up since 5am, and was starting to fade really quick around 6pm tonight, so l threw on my running shoes and went out exploring the park.  It's pretty empty right now.  It is the Canadian long weekend this weekend so they expect it to be very busy.  They are only 2 1/2 hours from Montreal and Ottawa.  And us Canadians LOVE our May 24 (pronounced Two-Four - like a case of beer) weekend.   It is the official kick off of our summer....and we LOVE summer!!

 

[caption id="attachment_968" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Len-to"][/caption]

On the site map l had seen an area that said Lento, and this my friends is a lento.  The sign you can see inside says that it is against the NY law to pitch your tent inside the Lento.....so are you just supposed to be in your sleeping bag in this thing?  With the side open to bugs, and BEARS?????  I will have to do some fact finding this weekend.

 

[caption id="attachment_969" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Au Sable River"][/caption]

Past the Lento's l could hear these rapids calling to me.  We has just had a short thunderstorm, but l am sure these bad boys run this fast all the time.  Very pretty!!!

 

[caption id="attachment_970" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Very Cool Staircase"][/caption]

This cool staircase is part of  the lodge at the campground.  Very unique.  It is made out of trees harvested right here from the campground.  Too bad pictures never do anything justice!

 

 

 

Nothing Like.....

 

A nice hot shower with endless running water after 6 days of Sponge Baths.

I always remember when l would go camping ....in a tent.....one of the best things was coming home and having the first hot shower in days.  It seems like such luxury, and so many of us are so use to it, we take it for granted.

I guess l am just like our ancestors having sponge baths, when it was only a Sunday event to have baths.  Actually l remember my Dad would have a sponge bath every other day when l was a kid, at least in the beginning.  He grew up in Holland, and when l visited there when l was 15 (Yoowzers - 30 years ago), l remember how much of a chore it was to have a shower.  It was in the back porch, which was very cool in the winter time, and they would have to fire up the water heater, then wait.

Kind of like what l have to do now.....lol

Evening Swim

The Geese were across the pond, minding their own business, foraging for dinner when two kids on bikes started harasses them.  Of course it's the weekend so the kids are coming to the park.  The geese were having nothing of it.  So they guided their young into the pond and got away from the peace disturbers.

 



So they swam across to my side.  Then a pair of them with their 3 babies were harassed by a red wing black bird.  In the picture above he is sweeping down on them, fire bombing them.  My guess is red wing blackbird has a nest nearby, so he/she is just protecting his young.



There are 8 pairs of geese in this pond.  Most have 3 or 4 babies, one pair has 12 and one pair has none.  The pair with the twelve, pictured above, are like a machine.  All foraging at the same time, either the mother or the father utter commands and they all turn on a dime and head a different direction.

All day long when l see them they are either swimming or foraging, or dodging kids.  :-)