Tag Archives: DirecTV

North Conway, Eastern Slope Camping, Winegard Travler Antenna

Leave a reply

Lincoln/Woodstock KOA

DSC06822   DSC06823

At the KOA

Kancamagus Highway

We left the Lincoln/Woodstock KOA close to checkout time.  The crew was busy cleaning and closing the campground. Luckily, We have been able to find open campsites as we travel the White Mountains.  We drove north on I-93 for a few miles before turning east on SR 112,, the Kancamagus Highway. One of the most scenic highways in New Hampshire is the Kancamagus Highway, SR 112.  It rises over a high ridge in the White Mountains and drops back to follow the Swift River into Conway.  The Beast handled the climb to the ridge easily.   Air temperature was at freezing and dropped steadily as we climbed to the pass. There was frost and ice near the top along with wet patches from salt melted ice. Controlling speed on the down grade to the river was more problematic.  The grade descending was not so bad; a low gear kept The Beast’s speed slow for the most part. Just running in a low gear at 35 mph was not always sufficient.  I prefer to brake as little as possible on downgrades to avoid over heating and either warping or burning the brakes out.   The views from the ridge and at scenic overlooks are not to be missed.   We missed some of them, the turnouts were iced over.  The road had been salted, but not the turn-outs at elevation.  We chose not to risk it.  Back at lower elevation (and higher temperatures) we stopped at scenic pullouts.  The highway is not as winding as some of the other roads we’ve driven.  In fact it is pretty mellow with easy sweeping turns until it runs along the river and even then it’s a fun, non-taxing drive.

DSC06844

DSC06836

The drive along the Kancamagus Highway is a  beautiful as the guide books say.  We would have stopped frequently but for the cold weather and a desire to reach North Conway before the JETS football game at 1 pm EST.

DSC06827   DSC06838

DSC06831

We did stop at a scenic turnout close to Conway.

Conway NH

There are two covered bridges in Conway New Hampshire.  We thought we had passed the first one as we drove into Conway to take SR 16 north. Following the Rand McNally GPS a bit too closely, I turned early onto Washington street about 200 feet ahead of the SR16 turnoff.  No problem, I thought as I negotiated a right turn, I’ll just continue up this road, go over that covered bridge ahead with a load limit of OOPS.  The load limit was 3 tons.  The Beast weights almost 6 tons.  That’s not going to work.  I had to make a U-turn on Washington street ahead of the bridge.  Oncoming traffic was understanding and the U-turn was no big deal.  I turned into a parking lot across the street and behind me to get a closer look at the bridge.

After taking some photos we continued back and up SR 16 to North Conway.  Conway is a small sleepy town.  North Conway is closer to winter skiing and the Saco river for summer water sports.  It is a bustling town.  There’s also a Central Conway where you’ll find Camping World and  Hills RV, a Winnebago dealer.

IMG_7262  IMG_7264

The 1890 Saco River Bridge, Conway New Hampshire

Driving into N. Conway going north on SR 16 you find an increasing number of small business that give way to small and mid sized strip malls that mark the commercial heart of N. Conway.  Going further you approach the old city center with its small shops.  This is the touristy part of N. Conway.  We drove through town for a “look-see”, turned about, and headed out to a Walmart where we could watch a football match with a clear view to the south and no interruptions.  With the antenna deployed and the heater running, we watched the Jets beat the Red Skins.  They would have demolished the Red Skins but for a number of JETS turn-overs.

Eastern Slope Campground

During commercials Ellen called local campgrounds listed as open through October.  Most were closed but Eastern Slope Camping was open.  We made a reservation and drove over after the game.  It was 5 pm when we pulled up to the office.  We stayed at Eastern Slope Campground that night.  Mike at the desk and Paul the owner were extremely talkative and informative.  We were looking to have Li’l Beast serviced in the next few hundred miles.  They suggested Hills RV in North Conway.  They are very close by, but closed on Sunday.  We’d call the next day.

We asked for an open campsite for better satellite reception and they gave us site 95 right in the center of the three rows of full hookups in an open clearing.  The other sites, around the clearing are in the trees.  Beautiful, but with the temperature dipping below freezing, having sunlight in the morning is welcome in addition to good sat reception.

We talked about the local economy, running a campground, how their campground floods every spring, “Look around and you’ll see that one bathroom building was built on stilts, all the electric  is built at least four feet above the ground.”  The campground is build in a meander of the Saco River.  Fully two thirds of the campground floods in the spring.  Evidence abounds: the picnic tables are chained down, the electric service boxes are elevated, and the men’s and woman’s restroom building is built on stilts.
DSC06867

Parked at

We drove back to North Conway to get Diesel and a jacket for Ellen.  The zipper on the one she has is failing and the jacket is old.

DSC06870

Tivoli, Rhinebeck, Lake George

Leave a reply

   Tivoli, New  York

IMG_6505

The Beast, Tivoli New York

Tivoli is a small community on the Hudson River north of Rhinebeck.  Unlike many California, houses and house lots are large here.  It is not unusual to have a large house sitting on fifteen acres of land in a bucolic setting.  In the fall this part of New York is so appealing, it is difficult not to imagine settling here.  Then thoughts of winter snows, cold winds, and cabin fever banish the thought.  This would be an ideal setting for a three season “get away” home, as many New York City folks do.  Some preferred destinations are sleepy towns such as Tivoli, Hudson  Rhinecliff, and better known,  Rhinebeck with its storied past. Lots of history here along the Hudson River.  Amtrak and Metro North stations make it an easier commute to and from NYC.

We arrived at David and Christine’s home early Friday evening, October 2nd.  We did not want to be late.  We piled into David’s Prius and drove to Pine Plains, NY for DeDe’s early Thanksgiving Dinner for family.   Ellen and I only learned about the dinner a week before prior and made it a point to get to David & Chris’ house in time to make this event.  We had considered driving “the Beast” up the road and driveway to the house, but Ellen remembered that it was narrow, with some tight turns, and overhead branches.  Not wanting to arrive empty -handed, we took two Napa Valley wines along.

IMG_6518

David’s Barn needs some work

IMG_6520

Their back yard

IMG_6517

Canoeing anyone?

Pine Plains, New York

The house is spectacular, with one wall of floor to ceiling glass windows, a large fireplace, and a gourmet kitchen with a massive island.  DeDe’s dinner was also spectacular with a roast turkey, ham, and literally all the fixin’s.

Jessie, DeDe’s daughter,  had no idea Ellen and I might be there. When she arrived, she saw me and said, “That looks like Ron”, but she was not sure.  Don said, “there’s a surprise for you in the back room”, and Jessie hurried back to find that her surprise was Ellen.  Moments later she came up to me with a big hug and “I thought that was you”.  It was fun chatting with Jessie and Ryan about Hilton Head, fishing, and Ryan’s long term plans.

We all had a riotously good time.  Enjoying the feast were: DeDe and Don,  Jessie and Ryan, David and Christine, Rich and Cindy, Vinny and Shannon, Erica and Danny and the two of us, Ellen and Ron.  Don’s daughter dropped in for a while, too.

Tivoli

IMG_6508   IMG_6511

The House that David and Christine “Built”

We slept very well in “the Beast” that night.  The next morning we awoke very late, at 10:30. I had my first tour of David and Chris’ “new” home.  Fourteen years ago they bought a wreck of a fixer-upper in Tivoli.  It was once a magnificent old home fronted by a porch with columns, ornate plaster ceiling medallions, high twelve foot walls, large windows, and fireplaces.  When they bought the house, it’s bones were good, but the house was a mess.  The house is a historic home which means it must be restored to its original condition on the outside.  Inside they can do whatever.  Fourteen years later, bathrooms, the kitchen, the living room, a front room/office, and a downstairs powder room are finished and finished beautifully.  Work on the largest downstairs room (the “dance hall” as I call it) has not been started.  The sill between the two fireplaces in the “dance hall” had rotted out and the outside wall had dropped two inches. David had that wall jacked up and the sill replaced.  There are two large seams running down the side of each fireplace where the wall was moved.  This room will be spectacular when it is finished; the two fireplaces fronted by medallions surrounding the light fixtures in the ceiling and an arch midway down the room will be stunning.  We did not see the upstairs.  We assume there are four bedrooms.

David did most of the work himself.  I think it is safe to say that Christine did much of the design work.  Their accomplishment is miraculous.   David did say he thought it would be a six or seven year project when he started.

Rhinebeck, Wilderstein, Olana

That day, Saturday, David drove us around Rhinebeck and to the Wilderstein Historic Site.  In the afternoon Chris and David took us to Olana NY State Historic Site, where she works.  Olana was Fredric Church’s estate.  Church is an American Landscape painter and a central figure in the Hudson River school of American landscape painters.  A two part art exhibit was in progress which included some of Church’s paintings and contemporary art on display both at Olana house and at Thomas Cole’s site.  Thomas Cole is regarded as the founder of the Hudson River school of American Landscape Painting and was close with Church. Their two homes (mansions) faced each other across the Hudson.  You will find more information about the River Crossings exhibit here.  The restoration society that is restoring Olana to its glory is carefully removing certain trees that have grown to block the views of the Hudson River Valley, one area at a time.  In another few years or a decade, the views from Olana which today are of the Hudson River seen through or between tree tops, will again be awe inspiring as I’d guess Frederic found them these many years past.

Something’s up with the 2nd floor!  In all the homes we visited in and round Rhinebeck, we never saw the 2nd floor.  Chris said that the first floor of the old mansions was for show and that the second floor where people actually lived was plain.

We planned to meet DeDe and Dan at Baba Louie’s in Hudson for dinner and arrived “home” with time to spare.  David and Chris described some of the work they had done on their house. I’ve done my share of renovating distressed homes (nothing on this scale though) and enjoyed discussing what and how they changed the interior.

Baba Louie’s & Ca’ Mia

When the time came to leave for Baba’s,  David lent us his Prius.  DeDe and Don were already there at the bar when we arrived and we were seated quickly.  We had very thin crust fire roasted pizza, a huge salad, and an IPA (for me) and some very funny and memorable conversation.  Time flew.  About half way through dinner I noticed the line out the door.  Baba Louie’s is a very popular place.   So popular in fact that when we asked for dessert menus we were told that BaBa’s was out of deserts!  They had none.  Our waiter suggested two places that were a good alternative; one I’ve forgotten (flan dessert specialty) , the other had “the best Tiramisu you will ever have”. I love great Tiramisu, but the finger cookies have to be soaked through with “the good stuff”.  Skeptically, we went off in search of Ca’ Mia and desert.

We walked for more than a few blocks and had nearly given up on finding the place when we came to the last storefront on main street.  There it was.  We walked through general seating with each table occupied and found seating at the bar in back; first seating for two (the girls) then for all four of us as the bar thinned out.  Don and I had Tiramisu, the gals shared something that to me was not very special. The Tiramisu was as good as BaBa’s waiter had said it would be, perhaps better.  I was in heaven, though that was tempered by the single birthday candle glowing brightly in the dim lighting of the bar when it was served.   After a rousing chorus of “happy birthday”, I could lose myself in the coffee, rum, ladyfingers, and mascarpone cheese.   We had a very good time that evening too.

J E T S, jets jets jets

The next day was the JETS / Dolphins football game, played in London.   It was not broadcast on DirecTV, but we could pick up local HD broadcast channels and we watched New York take Miami apart in the first half of the game and watched Miami threaten to return the favor in the second half.  It was a good game.  Better still, the JETS won, Ellen was happy, and thus I was happy.  I had to run the generator to recharge the Beast’s batteries during half time and again after the game.  I’m coming to grips with the Beast’s strengths and limitations.  We lazed about after the game, took showers in the Beast, and headed off to meet a group of Ellen’s long time Rhinebeck friends for afternoon drinks. Dennis and Leslie McGuire, Brian and Gwenie McGuire, Glenn and Diana Hobson, and Donna Mahoney who had to leave early.  I had met Brian, Gwenie, Glenn, and Diana the last time I’d visited Rhinebeck, with Ellen.  It took some rehashing old times to conclude that it was 2002 when last I’d visited.  Dennis and I had a spirited back and forth (ball-busting both ways) once I “confessed” that I support Obama.  It was all in good fun, I think so at least!  The conversation turned on many topics, skirting politics most times.  Diana set out a choice selection of chips, dip, fruit, pretzels, and hummus.  Wine flowed freely; the bottle we brought came and went along with a few others.  This was Too Much Fun.  After dusk, Ellen mentioned the pick-up truck we admired when we arrived.  It’s one that Glenn restored from a rusted hulk.  I don’t remember the year but I’m thinking it was a late 50’s Chevy.   He had another rust bucket in another garage bay that he’s not started on.  It was a 30’s something-or-other pick-up truck.  I’ll post Ellen’s photos once they’re off her camera.

Santa Fe Restaurant, Tivoli

That evening we took David, Chris, and their daughter, Erica, out to dinner at Santa Fe, one of David’s favorite restaurant. Their son Danny had to work. Portions were large, Margaritas were served by the pitcher, and the chips and salsa kept coming.  Again we had a great time.

The next morning David, Chris, and Erica all went off to work early.  We dawdled around some then drove to Rhinebeck, and some of Ellen’s old haunts.  She enjoys finding places she lived and noticing what has changed.  She had hoped to chat with Bryn and Wes who own two restaurants in town, “the local” and “the Shelter”.  Unfortunately, we didn’t connect with Bryn.  We did have coffee at “Bread Alone Bakery and Cafe”, lunch at “Terrapin”, and looked to restock our wine supply.

IMG_2265

 

Oliver Kita Chocolates Rhinebeck

Oh yes, we stopped at one of the chocolate sweet shops for a taste of Dark Chocolate and Ancho Chili bonbons.  Don’t let the nasty spiders out front fool you, these chocolates are really good; we still have some in the ‘fridge.  Check them out here.

IMG_2270

Oliver Kita Chocolate Shop

Moose Hillock Camping Resort & Lake George

About mid-afternoon we set off on our “leaf peeper” expedition and headed north into the Adirondacks.  We noticed Lake George and Ticonderoga as we headed north and chose to stop nearby and explore them tomorrow.  Ellen found a few possible campsites and we settled on Moose Hillock Camping Resort near the lake.  We arrived late.  The office was closed, but the store was open and we registered there around 7:30 pm.  The gal checked us in while the guy answered our questions.  The campground has over 250 campsites, most are empty now.  Next weekend (Columbus holiday) they will be full and they’ll close the following week.  The swimming pool is closed.  The showers take quarters that are good for fifteen minutes (we’ll see about that).  I think we’ll find many campgrounds that are closing for the winter as we move through Vermont and New Hampshire.  We’re not sure we’ll get north into Maine, though I would like to visit Moosehead Lake.

IMG_6522

Moose Hillock has big campsites

We’ve eaten, we have a full tank of propane, and a full hookup.  We’ve had memorable visits with Rich, Jean, Shadrach, and friends in Colorado; Carol, Paul, Dylan, Heidi & Jameson in Syracuse;  David, Chris, Erica, Danny, DeDe, and Don, Jessie and the whole family in Hudson and Pine Plains; and we met with good friends in Rhinebeck.  We’ve had a rollicking good time!

What more could we ask for?