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Salmon River Falls Unique Area, Altmar, NY

10/28/2014

When we took a spontaneous trip to Salmon River Falls in October 2014, we were shocked to see a completely full parking lot and people parked along the side of the road. I had no idea that this "unique area" which can't even be found on google maps, attracted so much attention.

Admission is free and pets are welcomed, although when we were there, some families prefer not to follow the "keep dogs on a leash rule" which really pissed me off. Not everyone wants their ass sniffed while trying to climb a cliff. But I certainly wasn't going to call out that family for not following the rules just incase they were locals. On the drive to the falls, we passed several locals and every last one of them was dressed in full camo, many carrying shotguns and wearing hunting badges. If you've ever seen the movie "The Hills Have Eyes", it was kinda creepy like that.

Needless to say, Lucia, Marshmellow and I toured the falls and hiked down to the gorge below, which is an easy hike down but getting back up was a bit more challenging for my weak muscles, especially in the rain.

The waterfall offers a 100 ft plunge, in three parallel sections becoming a single raging torrent during spring thaw. NYFalls.com says that the best time to visit is: "Year round, but the best water flow will be after rain and in the spring and fall. Winter will give you the opportunity to see the falls frozen over and people ice climbing on the cliffs below."

http://nyfalls.com/waterfalls/salmon-river-falls/

Adams Eden Camp in LaFayette, NY

10/24/2014

We stumbled across Adams Eden Camp in LaFayette, NY from a friend of a friend of a friend... It is a privately owned mountain retreat that offers hiking, canoeing, ziplining, a ropes course, a picnic area, waterfalls, and a maze. All this for only $8 per family or $4 per person per day.

Excerpt from the website:
"Adams Eden Camp is a year-round retreat and recreational facility in LaFayette, NY. Located in the heart of apple country, AEC has two truly unique landmarks: Bare Mountain and Rattlesnake Gulf. The summit of Bare Mountain, otherwise known as the “Overlook”, is perhaps the most scenic overlook point in all of Onondaga County. Rattlesnake Gulf borders on the south edge of the property and features two awe-inspiring waterfalls: Wedding Falls and Great Falls. The 328 acre camp is open to day hikers on a walk-in basis and overnighters by reservation."

We hiked on a beautiful blue sky day in July for about 4 hours and then had a picnic by the pond. Having only completed chemo 2 months prior, the 4 hours of hiking up and down the mountain was all I could handle. I was disappointed that we weren't able to make it to see the waterfalls so we will have to take another trip up there next year!

Check them out --> http://adamsedencamp.com/

Restaurant Round-Up in Gettysburg, PA

10/18/2014

Avenue Restaurant
21 Steinwehr Avenue
Gettyrburg, PA 17325

WEBSITE

CLICK HERE to read our review of the Avenue Restaurant from Day 2 of our Gettysburg trip.

Dinner for 2, including tip - $33.15

The Lincoln Diner
32 Carlisle St
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325

CLICK HERE to read our review of the Lincoln Diner from Day 3 of our camping trip to Gettysburg.

Breakfast for 2 including tip at 20% - $17.50, plus a Birch Beer to go for $2.50 - total $20.00

Cafe Saint-Amand
48 Baltimore Street
Gettysburg, PA

WEBSITE

Click here to read the review of Cafe Saint-Amand from Day 4 of our adventures in Gettysburg. (Of all the restaurants, this one was my favorite!)

Breakfast for 2 including tip at 20% - $26.04

Branding Iron BBQ
1863 Gettysburg Village Drive
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Inside the food court at the Outlet Mall

This is a local establishment and when we are on vacation, we always prefer to try local restaurants, unless we're on the road and need a quick bite. This was a good choice. The burger was a huge chunk of meat with a fresh bun, and the loaded baked potato was even bigger! We added shredded beef brisket to the potato but had it on the side.

Lunch for 1 1/2 because we shared it, along with a piece of pizza from next door. - $17.67

The Dobbin House Tavern
89 Steinwehr Avenue (Business Route 15 South)
Gettysburg, PA 17325

WEBSITE

Click here to read our review of The Dobbin House Tavern from day 5 of our Gettysburg adventures.

Lunch for 2 including 20% tip - $41.69

2014 Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Vacation Expenses

10/17/2014

All in all, we saved money because there is no line item for 'accommodations', which used to be our most expensive cost, prior to getting our camper. We would spend at least $150 a night for hotel stays. So we saved money here but increased the gas line item due to the camper in tow.

Our most expensive meal was just over $40.00 so I would say we budgeted pretty well and stayed within our means for food, not to mention that our refrigerator at home is now filled with all the groceries we returned with. Marshmellow also got himself a new leash and collar!

The parking ticket we got in town could have been avoided... if we both weren't still suffering from a bit of the #chemobrain. Lucia caught several cancer symptoms from being attached to my hip for the past year.

Our total trip costs ended up being $836.71 for 2 people and a puppy. The trip started in Syracuse, NY and our destination was Gettysburg, PA for a total of 4 night and 5 days.

CLICK HERE to read our Gettysburg adventures from Day 1.

The Cyclorama & Dobbin House Tavern on our Last Day in Gettysburg

10/17/2014

I took this photo inside the cyclorama

On our first day here, one of the other tourists at the National Military Park had commented to us that we should not leave without seeing the cyclorama. So, on day 5 of our Gettysburg camping adventure, we decided to leave Marshmellow in the camp home for a couple hours so we could find out what this cyclorama was all about.

This exhibit is so much more than just a painting, it is an interactive work of art. Putting aside the fact that this was a 360 degree canvas oil painting, the stunning visual effects of using artifacts as props to bring you into the scene of the battle was stunning.

I took this photo during the film

Included in the cyclorama ticket price is a walk through the museum and 20-minute short film narrated by Morgan Freeman, who I love! The film was very moving and the producers did a great job of helping me to understand what actually happened here in Gettysburg… and why. I learned that Gettysburg is one battle that is considered a turning point in the civil war. And from what I understand, the civil war had a whole lot to do with the start of the end of slavery.

This photo is from inside the museum

On that note, I am intrigued by something. In the 5 days that we have been here in Gettysburg, PA, we have seen a total of 2 black people. Now please people let’s not get into a debate about political correctness. Don’t tell me I am supposed to say “African American” because not all black people are from Africa. I won’t get offended if someone calls me white… I will get offended if you are thinking to yourself right now – “dumb blonde” because I no longer have blonde hair. Thanks to cancer, I have a full head of short ugly gray hair. But that’s not my point here, so let’s move on…

When Abraham Lincoln signed the emancipation proclomation, tens of thousands of blacks picked up the battle cry and fought side by side with Union soldiers to change the course of our Nation’s future to ensure that slavery would come to an end. If the Civil War and the battle at Gettysburg played such a crucial role in opening the floodgates to this movement, why aren’t there more black people here? This isn’t meant to be funny, it’s a serious question.

Springhouse Tavern inside the Dobbin House

Anyway, moving on to a lighter topic – lunch! We went to the famous Dobbin House Tavern and what a treat it was! The casual dining Springhouse Tavern is in the basement and everything about the colonial experience is right out of the 1800’s. Being the oldest building built here in 1776, it is worth a trip inside, if even for just a tour. Although a drink and some great grub are highly recommended. Lucia’s favorite menu item was the French onion soup, which is served with stew meat inside. My favorite was the raspberry champagne shrub, which was fruity with sweet carbonation. I am really glad we didn’t miss this stop.

After lunch, we decided to take a quick nap and then pack up and head home a day early. Not because we don’t love camp, or our camper, or getting away from home, or the great outdoors, or exploring Gettysburg, but just because we are ready to go. It’s a long drive and we don’t want to spend the whole day Friday doing it.

Things to be grateful for today: The preservation of art.

Today’s tally: $179.46

$3.00 coffee at visitors center
$12.50 Tickets into cyclorama, film & museum
$41.69 Lunch at Dobbin House Tavern
$53.00 Gas on way home
$7.00 drinks on way home
$51.50 Gas on way home
$10.77 McDonalds

See the final trip tally here.

CLICK HERE to read our Gettysburg adventures from Day 1.

When It Rains At Camp - Day 4 in Gettysburg, PA

10/16/2014

Cafe Saint-Amand

Day 4 of our Gettysburg camping adventure was full of rain but not a complete wash-out. We spent the day at the Gettysburg Outlet Mall. We walked through almost every one of the 70 stores and headed straight to the clearance section. The way I see it is that the prices at outlets malls are crap – I can get a better deal with an online coupon, but if you have time to search the clearance section, this is where you can find gold!

This mall was dog friendly so Marshmellow rode in the backpack and trekked store to store with us. We had lunch at a decent local BBQ joint inside the food court of the mall, but the highlight of today was our breakfast at Café Saint-Amand. Five stars without question! Amazing fruit filled crepes and fantastic French toast, along with freshly made croissants in a warm welcoming atmosphere straight out of Paris.

Things to be grateful for today: Umbrellas.

Today’s tally: $164.43

$26.04 breakfast
$23.97 lunch
$114.42 Christmas gifts

CLICK HERE to read our Gettysburg adventures from Day 1.

Shopping & Dining but No Hiking - Day 3 in Gettysburg

10/15/2014

Today is our 3rd day of vacation in Gettysburg. The weather app says it is going to be the closest to a rain-free day as we will get during our whole trip, so we plan a day of outdoor walking and hiking.

Our morning starts with breakfast at the Lincoln Diner in town. I ordered my typical breakfast sandwich and Lucia opted for the variety plate – egg, bacon, homefries and toast. We also ordered one French toast and it turned out to be the best decision of the morning! It was crispy on the outside and flavored with a hint of cinnamon and powdered sugar on top.

After breakfast, we ventured through the tourist section of town, stopping into several little shops, along with a pit-stop at the municipal building to pay the parking ticket we got while eating breakfast… oops. Both of us were surprised at how many stores welcomed Marshmellow inside!

With my hot flashes at their peak of the day, I stripped down to only my tank top, not caring in the least bit when others gave me the “why is she almost naked” look. The temperature was about 62 degrees, but thanks to #chemopause it felt like 102!

With an overcast sky, comfortable temperatures and no rain in sight, we head to the nearest mountain for hiking, which happens to be in Maryland about 30 minutes away from camp. Unfortunately, after arriving at the park visitors center, we learn that dogs are not allowed on any developed state park land in Maryland, including all waterfall trails. Because this is the dumbest law that I have ever heard, we leave Maryland as quick as we drove in!

Though a hike would have been nice, neither Lucia nor I did much complaining because we were still a bit tired from last weekend’s “5k Run of the Dead” and the early week traveling, so we grabbed some goodies at the local market and headed back to fire up our grill at camp.

Burgers and steak along with a good Netflix movie that we brought, made for a very relaxing evening! Marshmellow was thrilled to hang with us in the camper… he told me that constantly being on the go gives him a touch of anxiety.

Things to be grateful for today: Gettysburg being so pet friendly!

Today’s tally: $169.46

$20.00 breakfast at Lincoln Diner
$5.00 laundry
$5.00 ornament
$39.00 Christmas gifts
$2.00 coffee
$28.25 liquor store
$9.80 candy
$5.18 pizza for lunch
$28.87 groceries
$11.36 propane and koolaid container
$15.00 parking ticket

Continue to Day 4 of our Gettysburg adventures - CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE to read our Gettysburg adventures from Day 1.

Our Favorite Stops on the Gettysburg National Military Park Tour - Gettysburg Day 2

10/15/2014

GOODMORNING GETTYSBURG!

After a night of no sleep – because Lucia is still on night schedule and Marshmellow takes up the whole bed – we get up, have coffee, take our showers and head into town.

Knowing the first thing we want to see is the battlefields, we head straight to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitors Center. After parking and snuggling Marshmellow into the backpack, we learned that pets are not allowed, so I went into the visitors building alone to see what was available for us.

I walked out with lunch and an audio tour CD. There is a cyclorama that we heard is a MUST-SEE but we will have to come back and do that later in the week, on a day when we leave Marshmellow in the camper. We devoured the burgers and then headed out in our truck for the 90 minute self guided tour.

There are 16 stops on the tour and if I had to pick only one favorite, it would be the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. The way I see it, if you take the time to visit this historic park, it would be senseless not to stop and pay respect to the fallen soldiers – they are the whole reason you are visiting.

Devil’s Den is part of the tour, but not one of the stops and that was our ultimate favorite part of the whole 90-minute ride. We climbed the boulders and took some fun photos of each other.

After the tour, we stopped in town for dinner at The Avenue Restaurant. The diner atmosphere offered a quick meal with friendly service. The homestyle cooking was a warm welcome after our day of rainy drizzle. Marshmellow was exhausted and didn’t mind waiting in his comfy bed in the truck.

One last stop before returning to the camper was to see a famously haunted covered bridge – Sachs Covered Bridge on Waterworks Road. The 100’ truss covered pedestrian only bridge was built in 1854 and was designated as Pennsylvania’s “most historic bridge” in 1938. And no, we didn’t see any ghosts or find any strange white blurs on our photos.

Things to be grateful for today: Lucia says “Having the opportunity to stand on hollowed ground in a place where history was made.”

Today’s tally: $99.39

$12.72 Burgers at National Park for lunch
$6.21 Water and drinks at National Park
$23.00 gas
$24.31 CD audio tour
$33.15 Dinner at The Avenue Restaurant

CONTINUE TO DAY 3 - CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE to read our Gettysburg adventures from Day 1.

Our First Day At Camp in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

10/14/2014

October 12, 2014
For our last vacation of the year, Lucia and I decided to take one final camping adventure. Our destination this time is to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Neither of us had been there before and we enjoy interactively learning about American history. We left Syracuse with the camper in tow, around 11:30 am on Sunday. More than 75% of the drive was on 81 South, so it was terribly boring and long, but since Lucia and I made a vow to remain positive no matter the situation, we didn’t do much complaining during the 6 hours stuck in the truck.

We arrived at Gettysburg Battlefield Resort with enough daylight to unhitch the camper, hook up to the water and electric on our site, and arrange our living quarters for the next 5 days.

Sadly, after we were fully unpacked, we realized Marshmellow’s leash and harness had been left at home. So, with the camper no longer in tow, the three of us headed back out of the campground to find an open store in town. We landed at Walmart and took our pup inside with us, quickly grabbed what we needed and headed back to camp.

Not wanting to leave Marshmellow alone in the camper on our first night, we stayed in for dinner and ate bologna sandwiches, along with the pasta salad and green beans, bacon & onions that I pre-cooked before we left.

Things to be grateful for today: Beautiful driving conditions with blue skies and perfect fall temperatures.

Today’s tally: $223.97

-       $73.01 gas
-       $40.00 gas
-       $46.92 gas
-       $47.29 Walmat – groceries/dog leash and collar
-       $4.50 gas station drinks/chips
-       $12.25 Wendy’s fast food on the road for lunch in Cortland
-       $0.00 Campground fee (Free for Coast to Coast members – email me if you want to know more)

CONTINUE TO DAY 2 - CLICK HERE

Lake George Battleground Campground

9/9/2014

Lake George Battleground Campground
Lake George in Upstate New York isn't necessarily a place many would consider for vacation when on a tight budget. But there are ways to enjoy a great camping weekend - just hitch a ride in your parents RV! That's what I did.

My better half and I spent the weekend in Lake George during the Elvis Festival in May of 2014, with my mom and step dad. The annual Elvis festival is meant to bring the music of the King to the Queen of America's Lakes. The festival's founders worked with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. to create a world class event respectful to everything Elvis® stood for. Since the festival's inception, it has continued to grow, and is now the second-largest Elvis® Tribute Artist Competition in the world.

Although this campground offers no hookups for trailers or RV's and very compact sites, it is conveniently located within walking distance from town. The bathrooms were clean and early morning showers were luke warm, which was fine for me since I have no hair to wash.

Most notables:
Adirondack Pub Brewery & Restaurant
Shopping
Scenic boat tour of millionaire's row on Lake George

#CampingwithCancer Cancer won't stop me from enjoying nature! It is 3 weeks past my final chemo treatment and next week I will undergo surgery #2 so I am making the most of this camping weekend! I am also being careful not to get bit by any mosquitoes so am fully sprayed and covered.

#ScenicBoatTour There are several choices but we chose the 2 1/2 hour tour on the Mohican because it was the boat that offered the best view of most of the islands. All tours are narrated with history and unique information about the islands, bodies of water and of course, millionaire's row along the water on the west side.

$23 pp regular price. They offer military discounts!

http://lakegeorgesteamboat.com/