Heading from our overnight stop at a KOA just south of Rome
New York, we went by the Griffith Tech Park, which used to be the Griffith Air
Base. During our time in the New York Army National Guard, we spent many a
night there. It was a great place to spend the night, especially while I was
the company commander of a unit in Utica. The BOQ (Bachelor Officer Quarters)
was always cheaper than a hotel. When the base was completely fenced there was
a large herd of albino deer. I wonder if they are still around.
We passed the Mohawk River Trail several times on this leg
of the journey. It is a development of a multi-use waterfront trail along the
Mohawk River from Bellamy Harbor Park on the Erie Canal in Rome to Delta Lake
State Park. The goal of this project was to develop a waterfront trail that
connects the downtown business district, historic sites, city parks, schools
and neighborhoods along the Mohawk River. The trail also links the Erie
Canalway to the New York State Parks System.
Every time we are in New York, we try and stop in to see
some friends, Claude and Shirley. This trip was no exception! We spent an
overnight at the N Wilson Rd Family Campground in Taberg, NY. Don’t look it up,
because it is not a real campground … it is where we found our friends! For the
past two years running, when our schedule allowed us to pay them a visit, they
were having a party! Being the welcoming friends they are … come on and enjoy
the party with us! Last year it was their 50th wedding anniversary party and
this year it was their grandson’s high school graduation party. Last year, we
got to see another set of friends from Florida, Gary and Marilyn. This year, we
camped at their son’s house and we got to see four sets of friends from Florida
… Claude and Shirley, Gary and Marilyn and Walter and Betty! We also got to
enjoy time with their kids, that we only see when they visit their folks in
Florida, the great food and all the fun, that is always part of the party. Any
party they hold is a great time and we are so blessed to be able to spend this
time with all of them!
It has been a long time since we have taken Route 26 and
Route 12 toward Watertown! We passed through Lowville and saw hundreds of
windmills! We learned that the Maple Ridge Wind Farm, which achieved full
operation in 2006, has over 190 wind mills. They are a Danish model turbine and
were shipped in parts by sea to the United States via the St. Lawrence Seaway
to Lake Ontario. They were transported by trucks to the farm near Lowville, New
York. Each turbine tower is 250 feet tall. Each turbine has three blades that are
each 130 feet long. The site was chosen because it lies at an elevation of
1,600 feet; strong winds are part of the area's lake-effect weather patterns
generated by nearby Lake Ontario. Maple Ridge Wind Farm was named in honor of
Lewis County's maple syrup production, for which it ranks as the top county in
New York.
Ok, if you follow this blog, you know we are really into the
crossing signs you see along the road … well, you know you are too far north,
when you see all-terrain vehicle and snowmobile crossing signs! There were also
many Amish buggy road side signs. They are creating a larger presence in the
“North Country” of New York State.
We traveled through the Thousand Islands and crossed the
Thousand Islands Bridge. It is an international bridge system over the Saint
Lawrence River connecting northern New York with southeastern Ontario in
Canada. Constructed in 1937, with additions in 1959, the bridges span the
United States-Canada border in the middle of the Thousand Islands region, from
which it derives its name. The actual international border bridge crossing is a
set of two parallel 90 feet long bridges between Wellesley Island and Hill
Island in Canada. The bridge is actually a series of five bridges that span
parts of the St. Lawrence River. We entered Canada on this bridge using the
Thousand Island Border Crossing.
It seems that wherever we go, we see Sky Diving places.
Entering Canada was no exception! We found the Gananoque (Gan-an-OCK-way) Sky
Diving center. This center was founded in 1971 and they are the oldest
skydiving school in Canada under the same management. Since their inception,
they have been proudly teaching people how to skydive. Plus, they are a
family-run business, which means that when you jump there, you get personal
service, and you will feel like just like family.
We also found several Wetlands Conservation Projects - Ducks
Unlimited Canada (DUC). They manage habitat conservation programs across
Ontario. They have completed more than 2,700 conservation projects, and have conserved
almost one million acres of wetland and associated habitat. They build the
habitats to enhance breeding and staging of the waterfowl habitat, which also
improves the quality of life for all Ontarians.
In Ontario, the IBEW local plays an important role in the
development and implementation of alternative energy facilities. IBEW members
are educated in specialized solar power electrical training to meet the growing
demand of the solar power construction industry. We saw the Loyalist Solar
Project, which IBEW members have taken part in the construction of a new solar
power facility on 200 acres of farmland outside of Loyalist, Ontario. The solar
power farm incorporates state-of-the-art solar power technology, and sets the
standard for solar power plants in Canada. At peak capacity, this solar farm of
312,000 solar panels will power up to 7,000 homes in the area. The Solar
Project is one of five solar power projects in Eastern Ontario.
Prince Edward County is home to several Trails … The “Taste
Trail” is a unique trail to follow and experience some of the county’s
fantastic flavors! On the “Taste Trail” you will visit local artisan shops and
farmers markets to discover handcrafted preserves and locally grown goodies of
the area. You can stop at a cidery, brewery, or an ice-creamery. You can
discover pretty Pinots or cool Chardonnays, visiting the wineries. Enjoy a meal
at any of the Taste Trail restaurants and see why The County was coined as
Ontario’s “gastronomic capital!”
The “Arts Trail” is a way to tour the spectacular
countryside and meet the talented artists and gallery owners who make Price
Edward County a beautiful place to explore, tour and unwind. With modern
galleries, rustic barn studios and everything in between, the places you visit
will be as diverse as the artists themselves. Explore their artistic journeys
and gain insight into their original creations. Purchase a unique work of art
as a keepsake of your time in the county.
We traveled through Cherry Valley and turned onto East Lake Road and followed that along the shoreline of East Lake and arrived at Lake Avenue Carefree RV Resort. Just around the corner from Lake Avenue Carefree RV Resort is Sandbanks Provincial Park.
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