Watkins Glen/Corning KOA

Watkins Glen, NY
Oct. 5th-Oct. 7th 2018

We left early Friday to meet my friends at the Watkins Glen/Corning KOA. I was excited to use the RV one more time for the season and so ready for some time away.

Minus a few slow crawls through Geneva and the actual town of Watkins Glen we made it just as the KOA was allowing guests to enter for the long weekend. We have not been to a KOA since we started using the RV, but the price is much cheaper then renting a cabin as we had in the past. The park was as expected beautiful. Identified as a RV resort, it lead true to the title. Once we settled, charged, opened and cracked a wine cooler, we were officially ready for the Halloween themed weekend. (I even brought Jack Skellington for some of the fun.)

 Soon after settling in, we of course took the long walk around the park to give Riley the first of many walks. I should have known then that I was not up to my "normal" self after all the huffing and puffing it took for me to make my way around the several sites, but I pushed it to the side thinking I was and am simply out of shape.

 The season for water boats, water slides, and the zip line apparently were closed, but there was still several things to do. There appears to be some demo going on as well. This was a nice picture of a small pond up by the water fun park, and the fungus among us...

 We did the full park noticing several campers preparing for the weekend festivities. Some of these campers go all out. There apparently is/was a decorations contest. I cannot imagine the degree of work that went into some of these.

 (I missed getting a picture of my absolute favorites. a skeleton in a raft and a tri-skeleton crew roasting marshmellows over a campfire, I also do not know who won. As the Friday evening progress so did the decorations.)
We made our way to the K-9 park, were Riley did some smelling before we headed back to our own home away from home to await the arrival of my friend Gina.

 Their arrival was much later as was what seemed like thousands. Note to future self, arriving early is a very good thing. I understand RVs were park on the road for miles as the evening progressed. I would not want to set up in the dark.
Mark and I decided that tonight would be the best time to get into the indoor pool/spa before everyone else thought this was a good idea too. I pack my bag took the long walk to the pool only to realize I had left my suit back at the RV. This was definitely the beginning of the end. I walked back got my suit, walked to the pool and was so exhausted I welcomed the pool and hot tub. I sat in both for quite some time, chilled with Gina and her family by the fire and we hit the bed pretty early.

Saturdays plans included Aimee's arrival and perhaps a trip into Corning....Where I usually have a plan and generally we stick to it, I was not at all interested and actually was simply rolling with things. We did decide that early Sunday we should hit Watkins Glen state park and see the Gorge before everyone else decided this may be a good idea too. Well....we did wait for Aimee's arrival. Below Gina, Aimee and I. Instead of heading into town we went to make Arts and Crafts.....

 Here is everything we made....

 I should have KNOWN for sure by now, I was not just feeling the lazy of the Autumn breeze....I was starting to get sick.

I certainly was not going to let that deter me from having a good time and when our new friend (Gina's old) Sue suggested a wine tour, I decided that must be my problem....I need some wine. 

There are SEVERAL to choose from, we dabbled in the idea of stopping at those Big Named places, saw the crowds and decided we would simply create our own stops.

 Badleys was stop #1. I actually was pushing through, convinced that I simply have fall allergies...

 Then we hit Penguin Bay.

 Still smiling......and proud to purchase a bottle that the proceeds would go to save endangered Penguins

 Once we got to Rista Ranch, which generally is up my alley with it's hippy 1960's style, but one smell of the incense burning inside and I was done...…

 Sue was hilarious however and her humor kept me going. We did commit to what happens on the wine tour stays on the wine tour, but I will mention pre-wine tour waterslides and a comment directed to one burley biker dude had us in laughter for hours.


We did see some nice views....thank you Aimee for the pictures.

 That overcast was a predictor of much of the trick or treating time....RAIN

One of my own.....

 We scanned Hazlets winery (One of my favorites, as well as thousands of others making it much to crowded.) and found this quaint quiet place along the lake. I had stopped all wineing at this point.

I even declined ice cream on the way back. Another CLUE.....sickness was happening. Once back at the camp, we cruised around and took in all of the ghostly sites.

 We missed pictures of some of the best ones and I had made a decision I was going to walk around later and take pictures once it got dark, but I never made it away from the site the rest of the trip.

These trick or treaters were darling...…..

Around 6pm the skies opened up and it started pouring rain. The trick or treaters came anyways. While I juggled what was by now clearly a sickness, dinner and handing out candy....the three campsites had fun attempting to keep dry.

The little cuties kept on coming......Finally trick or treating done we had time to sit and enjoy. I was not capable of enjoying much of the wine we had pick up earlier in the day, as Riley got tangled and knocked my bottle off the pick' nic table. I didn't even care. I was definitely SICK!!!! I still stuck out the evening enjoying the company of Sue and Rod, Gina and Rick , Aimee and my husband.

It did not take me long to fall asleep. I don't think I moved all night. Sunday morning I felt terrible. Mark decided that I should learn how to close the RV and watched Rod show were all of the liquids go. Then we packed her up for the winter and headed home. I was so sick that Mark dropped me off at home and I pretty much slept for the following three days. I don't think I have ever been so bad. By Thursday I was able to go back to work.....

Soooooo…...despite being so sick we did have an awesome time at the RV park. So much fun we booked it again for the same weekend next year. This time I plan to be physically well and stay for the whole time. Sue and Gina will be there as well.  I accepted a new position today, and we leave for LA on Wednesday...TTFN

September in a Nutshell

September 2018

Somehow I deleted my post again, and there really wasn't much going on trip wise for me in September. I will make this a re-cap and quick.  Mark and I discuss doing a seasonal next summer. We visited this beauty on Hinkley Revivor. I simply love it. Very rustic and great spaces between each site. Reminded me more of a "camp" atmosphere then the typical campground. It was very peaceful. Trails End campground. We are currently on a wait list. We also visited one further north with much more activity, kids everywhere, tight sights and very uneven roads. It would have been a great location if the kids were still little. Mark suggested that we still get on the wait list, I never bothered. Holding out for Trails End.

In between trip taking we have been busy addressing the house needs. Mark and I have discussed moving in about three years. My youngest will be done with High School and it makes the most sense to move towards where Mark works. (He works over an hour away from our current home.) The house needs a ton of work. I have lovingly called her our "crack" house for years. We have a pretty LONG to do list. We have decided to start by replacing all of the doors throughout the house. 

 New front doors will also mean a new light fixture. I have had birds nest in our current one every spring. Somehow we must be welcoming, at least to nature.

Apparently there is quite a bit of things to purchase when replacing door.....Nothing has moved on this project yet, but we do have everything picked out. 

I spent a few days at Sandy's for scrapbooking and even paid for a long weekend trip to White Eagle in November. This little break away from life is my  birthday present to myself. (see blog in November)

Work has been CRAZY!!!!!! NY State has "threatened" to penalize and or cite if we do not meet a required number of assessments by Oct. 5th 2018. This has made my not so busy position a MONSTER of extra work. We all have WORKED our ASS off to get these things done. (We are not sure if we have met the required number, but we will surly be closed to the States prime example).

Additional proposals have also surfaced. Apparently there is $$$$$$$ out there and we simply have to figure out how our task force can fit the requirements. These new trends in work flow have me question if quitting and completing school is the best choice for me right now. The reality is this position could lead to more professional directions. (Something to really consider...)

HOWEVER.....my contract did come in and if all goes as currently planned, I will be headed back to school in January. 

Despite all of the WORK there has been some down time. On one afternoon our agency participated in the United Way cook off. 

Although Aimee and I did not work the food station, we did partake in the yummies....

 There were definitely some good eating's. One of my favorite was the Chicken Riggies. We also ran into my gal pal Carol representing her own agency.....

Mark had a dinner at the Turning Stone resort and casino. We stayed at the Lodge for the evening and during the day I enjoyed time at the spa. Nice.

 Our meal was filet minion and a plate of tomatoes with cheese. (Yeah, I was not impressed with the tomatoes either. But I don't eat tomatoes.)

 Our Surf and Turf menu for the evening.

 A little entertainment was also offered.

But...Mark enjoyed this part of the weekend the most. Ahhhhhh

The weekend before Bonnie's actual Birthday, her beautiful and thoughtful daughters planned a 50th surprise Birthday Party. 

 Yep! She knew...… Below are those beautiful daughters of her's (Lea and Tiffany)

 Mark fell asleep....Busy Man I guess....

 Carmen shows what happens if you fall asleep around "the neighborhood"

 The last Tuesday in September our office held it's Staff Appreciation breakfast.

 The goodie table. We were showered with gifts. An umbrella, a pumped up cup, a bag, and later we got new logo jackets.

 The waffles were sure yummy. I did make a big flub by thinking the butter was whipped cream. Not good not good at all. The event took place at the Sky armory and it was very pretty.

My table of Loves.....

While I was off enjoying my work breakfast, hubby was off at his own employee convention in Albany....and look he came back with an award. He claims it is Dr. of the Year award. I'm super IMPRESSED and PROUD.

Besides working, getting things done with the house. (Pools finally closed) and enjoying the little things in life, I spent much of September playing games on my phone, eating out, bible study, bunco and catching up on the new TV series. Whoa!!!! My life is truly EXCITING....just kidding I can never complain. 

My last photo in September was of us at work saying goodbye to another co-worker...goodbye Tricia, good luck with all your future ventures. 

So that's a wrap!!!! September was here and gone. October will indeed be a month of INSANITY TWO trips this month, one starts in just 5 days. Our last RV trip of the season is this weekend and in 15 days.....Mark and I fly to Los Angeles  CA for three days then on to a week in Mexico!!! 

Cannot wait. TTFN