Old Forge

An eventful non-stop day. After a quick overnighter at a forgettable campground on a green,
algae filled pond in Vermont, we were up and on the road into New York. The GPS, I guess,
was setting itself up to take me on the “fastest route”. Soon, the RV was squeezing itself
between over reaching trees on narrow winding back roads, often turning to dirt for intervals. I
knew it’d get interesting when the road sign warned that no trucks, buses or trailers allowed.
We were too far in to turn back now, so Wilson (our RV) put on his game face and grunted it out
in low gear up some treacherous grades and snaky ess turns. Startled a few cars full of hikers
coming down from the popular trailhead at the top. Beautiful Vermont back country with tons
of people out hiking and biking. A few of the latter having to get off and walk for the final part of
the climb.

We crossed into New York at the bridge over Lake Champlain. There was a state park at the
old ruins of His Majesty’s Fort on Crown Point and I had planned a quick rest stop and picnic
for the ride. As we pulled in, the guard shack was closed but cones were set up and guys in
lime green T-shirts stopped to ask us we were there for the reenactment. Uh, sure, I guess.

We had stumbled upon a staged battle between French and English forces vying for control of
the Champlain Valley along with their native allies. We wandered around the ruins of the fort
stopping for a picnic lunch until the action started on a grassy plain fronting the lake. Once the
guns started blazing, PJ noticed a terrified dog bolting from its owner and heading for the
forested area on the other side of the fort. Realizing that portly woman whose dog is was
would be physically incapable of initiating a proper pursuit, PJ went sprinting up the hill in an
effort to corral the fleeing pooch. I snapped a few more pictures of the battle then went in
search of the missing pair. Unfortunately, the pup was long gone and we’d have to leave the
family to find the frightened canine.

We drove on for Old Forge. Miles of winding roads and ever heavier eyelids. We finally rolled up
in the late afternoon to the Old Forge RV “resort”. Actually, our spot was pretty nice. Tucked
away in some trees with a gully separating us from our nearest neighbors. We got leveled and
set up, then hoofed it into the town center to check things out. Braved a long line of tourists
and ordered up dinner at the Pied Piper which was offering lakeside fast food to the masses for
it’s 70th year.

After our meal, we walked off the excess calories wandering around the downtown area
window shopping and checking out the quaint shops that line the boulevard. Roamed around
until darkness set in then trudged on home to get some rest. Some rowdy teenagers had other
plans, driving their golf carts up and down the lanes screaming and tossing beer cans. Things
finally settled down and we got a bit of sleep. Beautiful setting