Sagamore Lake–Adirondack Road Scholar Program

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Hurricane Irene hit the East coast today. We were all packed for our trip to Raquette Lake in the Adirondacks. We had put all the porch furniture away and prepared for the big storm yesterday. This morning we took our showers and went to the Blue Ribbon restaurant for breakfast. We both had Western egg sandwiches, which were pretty good – not great.

It was raining pretty hard and the wind blew 18 mph with gusts to 40mph. There was one tree down on Pearse Road. Back home, I made the bed and was looking out the bedroom window - - and right before my eyes – our beautiful Blue Spruce tree came crashing down. It landed softly on our white picket fence. It took down our power line and phone lines.

Hurricane Irene claims our 60 year old Blue Spruce. VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Sagamore Great Camp of the Vanderbuilts

We checked in – got our name tags and program and have a very convenient room on the first floor of the main lodge. We have a nice view of the lake from our room. We have twin beds, a large stone (non-working) fireplace; one dresser, one small chair and a closet. The heat is on so we are not cold. The beds have real, homemade quilts and one wool blanket. I had to make the bed up with the sheets. It looks like we won’t have to share the bathroom as stated in the brochure, but I’m shocked that there’s no shower – only a tub. A step back in time.

Exterior VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Interior VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

At 9am, Dr. Jeff Flagg gave us a guided tour of the upper camp, which was the buildings of the workers – the barn, blacksmith, carriage house, school house, etc.

Dr. Flagg is assistant director here at Sagamore and in the winter he’s a Professor at Siena College in Loudonville. After an excellent lunch, we had an in-depth tour of the Main Lodge (where we’re staying) and of the dining hall, play house and the amazing bowling alley.

Tueday -

After a good night’s sleep and a pancake breakfast in the dining room, we packed up our “picnic lunches” and drove 2 miles on a dirt road to JP Morgan’s Great Camp Uncas.  Dr. Michael Wilson gave us the lecture and tour which focused on architecture, history and preservation of the Adirondacks.  We’ve had lovely weather which made the tour very enjoyable.  We ate our picnic lunch sitting in the Adirondack chairs at the lake side beach.  Photos of the day:

		JP Morgan’s Camp “Uncas” VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

First signs of Spring in our Hometown

We arrived home on April 10th and there wasn’t any sign of spring.  It looked like winter without the snow – the earth was asleep.  And then we had nothing but rain, rain, rain.  So much that the rivers up north of us – already full of snow-melt have overflowed and severe flooding has caused serious damage.

BUT – finally the sun came out during the last week of April and BAM!  Spring Exploded !!  It only took 2 days of warmth and these are the photos of our area. Daffodils are always first.  Forsythia bushes are everywhere – a very early bloomer.

Tulips are always welcome  and heralds the huge “Tulip Festival” in Albany.

Phlox always shows us a beautiful display.  An ornamental flowering cherry is an eye-catcher in our neighborhood.   And wild violets are already in our yard.

But the “It’s Spring Prize” goes to the dandelion – It’s EVERYWHERE!!

Next week, we’ll have a whole new crop of Spring Flowers – hope you enjoyed this.

Prattville, Alabama–with the Taltons

Sweet Home Alabama and pure Southern Hospitality from Mary Patt & Joe Talton.This property has been in her family since the 1830’s and has extensive land that is timbered and used for hunting.   Here we are in our RV following them down their driveway.

We had a covered shelter, plus electric and water AND use of their Guest house. 

Mary Patt & Joe in their dining room. Next are photos of the exterior of their home.

The sun room was my favorite spot and it overlooks the lake. The amaryllis was in full bloom!Time to head home to NY.

Rockport, Texas–lots to do & see

Sunrise is at 7:30am and just a few steps from our door is this incredible view and a new day.

The Bluebonnets are in bloom.  This photo was taken in the local cemetery – next to our RV park.  Even Burger King has a nautical theme and you have a view of Aransas Bay as you eat your filet of fish.

The local supermarket, HEB, has a great selection of fishing gear.  Here’s Don in the nature park that’s across the street from the Super Wal-Mart.  Note the little green lizard that’s “all puffed up” trying to attract a mate.  It’s Oyster season and we watched them unload the 100+ pound bags.  One man said that “this is like Florida in the 70’s”.  Undeveloped – and we hope it stays this way!

2011-3 Rockport, TX

The Rockport/Fulton Coastal Bend is just 30 minutes north of Corpus Christi, TX.  It’s “off the beaten path” – is an “artist colony” and a big fishing and tourist area.  The weather in March is in the 70’s – and not as windy as in the Rio Grande valley. 

Here’s the view of our WatersEdge RV park from their pier. 

And the view of the water & pier from out our front window

This weekend was the annual “Oysterfest” which is a fundraiser for the local Fulton fire department.  Don is in Oyster Heaven! To top it off, the Carnival Lady guessed Don’s age to be 71 ! 

Winter in Alamo Palms–2010-2011

 

 

The Navel oranges on our tree were plentiful and delicious.  The Rio Grande Valley also grows the sweetest carrots and the famous 1015 onions – we bought a 50 pound bag of each to bring home.

 

Christmas Eve in our motorhome was memorable with our good friends, whom we will dearly miss. L to R: Carol, Mary Patt, Joe, Jim & Don.

Don gave me a new Panasonic Lumix 8X 14 mp camera for Christmas.  It fits in my purse and takes a nice, wide photo.

 

Don celebrated his 82nd Birthday at the Outback Steakhouse!

  I can’t resist wild flowers.  These were growing in a ditch at the Convention Center in McAllen.

Our newly remodeled Wal-Mart Superstore in Alamo, has a great bakery and a huge tortilla making machine.

 

I learned about quilting 9 years ago at Alamo Palms.  This is the “Bow Tie” quilt top that I’m making for grandson Trevor Gibson. 

This cat is one of my favorites.  It was on display at the Rio Grande Valley Quilt show in McAllen.  I don’t think this cat likes that bird on his back.

Our local HEB supermarket did  great decorating for Valentine’s Day.  Very festive!

Our good friends Mary Patt and Joe Talton from Alabama are square dancers.  They toured India last fall and Mary Patt made this dress from fabric that she bought in India.

Alamo Palms Fashion Show and Luncheon is one of the year’s highlights featuring upscale fashions.  Charlene Peterson is modeling this beautiful outfit.

We left Alamo Palms on Feb. 28th with a wonderful send-off from our friends & neighbors.  I’m sad to leave and will remember my friends there forever.