Apricity West

Preparation...

Packing for 4 months was daunting and I now have a better appreciation for what my friends have done over the years to spend the winter in Florida. Of course preparing for Christmas at the same time added to the pressure. But Rich and I make a good team, and methodically worked our way through everything - setting aside items to be loaded into the camper with an inventory list in case we needed something already packed away, deciding what clothes to bring according to the weather (ugh), lists of things to remember at the final moments before we left, putting away decorations on Christmas morning, stripping the cupboards and fridge of food stuffs. Oh and let’s not forget Lily and her needs!

 

Farewells...

It has been a tradition for me to have the four grandkids over for a gingerbread building day before Christmas. This year I changed it up as I wanted them to create something for Mimi to take on her trip. So I dug out all of the scrapbook materials, papers, stamps, punches, pens and pencils that I haven’t touched in years. It is amazing to me how individually creative they can be. 

 

 Lily cozied up under the tree while we crafted.

 

Jacob’s picture started out as a boy and evolved into a sad girl. 

 

Zach used a set of stamps to make this tulip

Lily used the stamps to make a beautiful sunset.

Leanna wrote a special note on paper origami. Lily and Zach put notes in envelopes. 

 

It seems that campers are in the habit of naming their vehicles so we have Road Runner (RV) and Gracie (VW bug). My grandkids made a hushed comment to each other, “Who names their car?” I point out to the boys that they have eBikes named Blue Jay and Yellow Jacket. Somehow that is different… 

 

Me driving Road Runner for the first time with nothing in tow. 

Finally got tow bar on and hooked up Gracie.

 

Glens Falls got 3 feet of snow and it wasn’t easy digging out.

 

Onward...

December 25 & 26, Friday & Saturday

Having said our goodbyes to my family on Christmas Eve, we hit the road. It feels like the moving buggy on The Lorax that was piled high to the clouds in the sky as we head over the back roads to Glens Falls to see Rich’s family. 

 

PJ and Ellie

 

December 27, Sunday  

Finally on the road with Lily kitty pacing and Gracie (VW) following us closely in the rear view camera, Sunday, December 27 at 5:30am as planned, it feels like we can breathe and just ride. 

 

The view from my new office...

 

Thankfully, Rich drove as far as I-81. Thankful because he wisely saved me from the death defying act of driving on the perilous, terrifying construction section of I-78. I know this because we (he) drove it on the way to Florida last month. Actually 81 was easy peasy accept for the tailgater in the rear view camera!! Oh wait, that’s Gracie. This was my first time driving with her in tow. 

 

In order to travel safely and efficiently, we each have our responsibilities. Basically, I take care of the inside organization, cleaning, snacks, provisions for Rich to cook. That’s right - he does it all except shopping. But I also help with hooking Gracie up to the Blue Ox tow kit, confirming that blinkers and brake lights are working and giving the thumbs up when the locks click in place as he starts rolling. Of course, I confirm that she is in neutral too. As far as setting up in an RV park, he takes care of the water, electric, sewer hook ups, leveling, while I go in and open the slide - basically push a button. Our first night out, we were very happy with the way the day went - smooth and seamless. In the morning, we stowed everything away, ran Gracie for a little while, started the camper to warm up the cab. The last thing to do was close the slide. Yikes - no response to pushing the button! Did I break something? Are we stuck here in Natural Bridge, VA? Do we have to call for RV repair? Then Rich remembered the slide won’t move while the engine is on!! Phew!

 

I have learned so many new terms in camper lingo - slide, hook up, rig, black water, grey water, dump, boon docking, mooch docking, full timing, Class A (diesel pusher), Class C, 5th wheel, travel trailer, toy hauler, pull through, dry camping, tow and toad, BLM, sticks and bricks, etc.  I know some of my readers know all about these words as they have been campers too, but for me it has been an education. My motto: if you’re not learning, you’re not living!

 

December 28, Monday

We arrived at Debby and Ted Dutton’s home mid-afternoon for a four night stay in their driveway (mooch docking). They have a beautiful home on top of Cockatiel Way looking out over Parrottsville and mountain ranges including the Smokey Mountains. 

They were very gracious hosts and we enjoyed playing Mexican Train in the evenings with them and Ted’s son, Randy, who is visiting from Massachusetts. We won’t talk about how many times Deb won - who’s counting?

 

After a few days, Rich mentioned that the back of his knee was swollen and sore. He has varicose veins as does sister Cindy the nurse. So I called her and she said if it was her she would go to urgent care to get an ultrasound, especially since he had a history of blood clots. So we dropped him off at Newport Hospital to check it out while Deb and I did grocery shopping for New Year’s Eve. Three and a half hours later, he came out with the diagnosis - acute superficial venous thrombosis of left lower extremity - not life threatening, but something to keep an eye on. They gave him a Motrin and sent him on his way. He has promised daughter Nora (military nurse) and sister Eileen (ER nurse, retired) that he would move his leg frequently while driving/riding and stop often to walk around. He also called his doctor to make him aware...

Stay tuned. Next stop - Tyler, TX

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Historic Whitehall, NY

Historic Whitehall, NY   December 10-12, 2020 

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A little bit about Rich's hometown, Whitehall, NY located at the end of Lake Champlain’s lock system - Lock 12. It is the birthplace of the United States Navy Benedict Arnold’s Valcour Fleet, built in summer of 1776 in Skenesborough, NY (now Whitehall). This is a village full of history, though it has certainly seen better times. Up until the  late 70’s it was a bustling, thriving town with 22 bars, a gas station on every corner, JJ Newberries, 2 pharmacies, 3 grocery stores, 2 hardware stores. A lot of businesses have closed over the years and more so since the pandemic. 

The impressive Skene Manor, listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Judge Joseph Potter’s House, is a historic home located high on the hillside of Whitehall in Washington County, New York. It was built in 1874 and is a handsome Victorian style mansion built of grey sandstone quarried from its own site with a mansard roof.

State Military Armory in Whitehall built in 1899, visible from Rich's home now. It is now privately owned and used for events.

Back in the day, around 1941 a great diner was born, the Silver Diner which his grandfather established and open 24 hours/day, 365 days. No need for a key! Remodeled in 1943, Rich’s father ran it and then Rich did with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Paul Smith’s College.

He then expanded it by adding a dining room and opening the Freight House Lounge as an add on decked with railroad motif. Rich would engrave the pewter beer mugs for the locals who frequented there. They were hung on hooks behind the bar ready for their next visit. It was 75 cents for Heinekens and 50 cents for Schlitz.

Every day glass with Freight House logo

Later, he opened another upscaled restaurant, J. R Egans, which didn’t make it in those economic times. 

Actual 7' x 4' sign now displayed in Rich's home office

Rich’s father’s (“Ekie” Frances Colomb) former home across the street from his.

Approaching From Rt 4

Potter Street front entrance 

But it is important to talk about Rich's deceased wife, Therese Egan Colomb, and her homestead which is still owned by the Colomb family. The house was built in 1865 and now stands with so many nostalgic memories blended with the newest upgrades - modern bathroom with gorgeous tile work, kitchen with more tiles, track lighting, Corian counter and soap stone as well. 

In the early years of this home, in an effort to give Tress's gramma Clute activities to keep her productive, the 3 generations of women opened a travelers lodge (Clute’s Guests) for salesmen who needed to lay their heads down for the night. There was a separate entrance to the second floor which they would enter. Doors were not locked back in those days, so it was open to those in need. Yet there was privacy and security in the layout of the rooms. The house has been added onto several times. Nooks and crannies abound throughout the house - 3 sets of stairs, pantries, laundry chutes with visions of sheets hanging on the clothes line outside waiting to be pressed with the heavy iron which rested on the hot Franklin stove.

Today, this versatile home has an apartment on the second floor now with 3 bedrooms, a kitchen area, and 2 baths. There have been interesting claims of supernatural activity in the house. Both of the Colomb children, Nora and Perry, have lived in the apartment at some point in their adult lives. So you can imagine the memories that come forth while there - certainly those of Tress fill the rooms. 

Old cherished items - a wooden telephone box, standing grandfather cuckoo clock bought at an antique store said to be from President VanBuren's family. The floors in the living room and office are the original wide plank flooring rich with old nail holes, traces of forest green paint, and markings of activities over the last 155 years. 

 

               

 

Rich’s paintings, pine needle baskets, sketches and bird houses adorn every room.  

                             

Amazing attention to details - all hand made and assembled. This is a replica of Walker’s Feed Store near by.

Do you see a common theme here? Southwestern? Thus our next journey travel camping right after Christmas - south to Tennessee, west to Texas, New Mexico, and on to Arizona to see my sister, Terri, and her husband, Jim. Hoping that when we return in Spring 2021, we will be able to see you in person…huge hugs and all. In the meantime, follow my "Apricity West" blog if you’re interested. I will continue to email you an updated link.