Locust lake State Park, PA

A short catch up....I spent a night and some hours with our friends Joven and Sally who live near Montpelier, VT. A very nice quiet visit and dinner and a chance to see Joven's latest house renovation on a house they bought in Montpelier...they will sell it when done. They actually make their living as landlords of a few buildings there and in Mexico.

Then off down Vermont Rt.100, a local two lane that runs through my old town of Weston. I spent the day reminiscing and sort of bumming on the effects of "progress" and getting very philosophical about the demise of culture brought about by widening and building roads. I ended up in East Dorset, VT at the Wilson House, a now-restored hotel once lived in by Bill Wilson (one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous) as a child. It is now a not for profit foundation and run as a bed and breakfast with groups bringing AA meetings there every day. What a joy to attend AA and Alanon meetings there that night and meet a fella that was a couple of years behind me at Burr and Burton Seminary in Manchester Center.

I camped out at the Emerald Lake State campground and the next day drove around Manchester and visited my old high school. I went in and looked through the class of '62 yearbook and thought some about old schoolmates...I did not graduate there and only attended for half my sophomore and my junior years so did not have a long history with it. It is huge now with several large stone buildings built since I went there. It is also Bill Wilson's alma mater. Apparently a very highly ranked semi-private school with 84%+ graduates attending college. I was not one of their golden boys...that's for sure...

I then drove down the Hudson River in NY for a while, marveling at all the closed and abandoned mills and factories. Pretty much a marathon drive from there on as camping has gotten way out of hand price-wise...$23 + for state parks and as high as $33 for a space in a private campground. For me that takes away any thoughts of camping for a few days in one spot and enjoying the woods...I am actually very much missing the west at this point and am having a hard time staying in the present and enjoying where I am....No wonder there are so few campgrounds out here...who can support those costs? I can say for sure that I have no plans for any more camping trips out east.

Soon to be visiting a sidecar shop in Middlebury and then a visit with twokniveskate at the Muddy Run Rondy she goes to and then south again...

Until later,
Many Wheels

Northeast section...

So, after Canada I was able to spend several days with Jon and Vicki, my friends in Ithaca and stayed out in Jon's camp in the hills. I had a great time and that included a day at the Sunday Farmer's market with Jon as he sold wrought iron things he makes in his blacksmith shop. Then Vicki and I spent a half day wandering around PorchFest where folks in a little part of residential Ithaca played music on various porches...all kinds and remarkably good! Ithaca wears it's status as a nerve center of progressiveness well. I also was able to eat dinner with them and another friend at the old Moosewood restaurant. I have owned Molly Katzen's original Moosewood cookbook forever it seems...well, the restaurant is a bit slicker than in the seventies, Molly is long gone and it is in a new location but the vegetarian food is excellent!

I took a couple of days to wind my way through the Adirondacks and decompress from the city life. I visited an ultralite canoe maker and fell in lust with a 12' solo canoe that only weighs 16 pounds...and is not horribly expensive....and even more with the 12' carbon fiber canoe that weighs in at 11 pounds and is twice the cost. $400 carbon fiber fiber paddles rounded out the selection..whew....amazing.

I also enjoyed miles of antique yard sale booths and all the vintage Adirondack camp gear they sold.

I stopped at the Tinckner's Canoe and Kayak tours to look at the 35+ used canoes and kayaks they had for sale. The funny thing is that it is on the Moose River...we lived near the Moose River in AK. I got a shirt....

Now at my brother Mike and family's farm house near Milton, Vermont. Friday I was able to visit my 93 year old step-mommy and she was great...still somewhat lucid and she knew me. Very sweet visit and goodbye, as I don't suppose I will see her again.

We spent yesterday at the Tunbridge World's Fair....a county fair that has been in continuous existence for 138 years! Got to enjoyed the pig races, the oxen pulls and lots of historical stuff , not to mention the ton of junk fair food....awesome.

Tomorrow off to see some friends from Mexico. They live north of here a bit and after that I will head south.

Be well...
ManyWheels

Out of Canada and none too soon....

Dang! I guess I had forgotten how expensive things are for our northern neighbors. Gas was anywhere from 95.9 cents to $1.04 a liter. Ice was up to $2.80 for a five pound bag and I don't think it is because of the money difference. There is only about .07 difference these days.

Anyway, I am camping in Letchfield State Park in upper eastern New York state and the place is just gorgeous. I drove here through very gently rolling land, farms and fields interspersed with trees of all kinds, some even starting to turn colors...very much like New England.

Tomorrow I will meet up with Jon B. and camp with him at his camp for a few days near Ithaca....

I am feeling a bit disjointed as I dashed through Ontario way too fast and did not enjoy it like I have other places...my bad....but will slow down now.

I am thinking today, just how much I love this country we live in and how much I value the freedom of movement. We are so blessed to be able to move when and where we want and so many in the world cannot, whether it is a political or financial barrier. I am very happy to be an American today and so often I take it for granted.....I have posted this sentiment before but it is so true for me...
Peace,
ManyWheels

Hobbit....

I met this fella when I stopped to photograph his camper that was for sale along side the highway near Washburn, WI. What a very cool guy! He is a highly skilled and creative woodcarver that has built a village of hobbit house studios and a garden of fantasy on his property....I spent an hour with him but could have stayed all day...
He also built several electric motorcycles and many wagons and campers, etc....
ManyWheels

An explanation....

It is about time I explain the name: ManyWheels Brian.

When we travel, it helps to remember the license plate on your vehicle as you are always being asked in campgrounds, etc. The NM plate on our Mazda truck/camper was 729 MWK. Kit used Many Wheels Kemsley as a way to remember it and anyone who knows me, knows of my addiction to wheeled and motorized stuff and my wanderlust.

We have also found that anyone with more than a 64th Amerind in their genes, has an "Indian Name". No Amerind in my background but there very well could be some Romany or English Gypsy on my mother's side of the family. So my "Gypsy name" is ManyWheels Brian.

Hey, it works for me, so hope it works for you...

Peace,
ManyWheels