Home again, home again, jiggety jig

 

Camping was a blast!  We arrived about 1:30 Saturday afternoon and quickly unloaded the car.   I am not sure what I expected from a 'hunting camp', but it looked like it would do :)  The camp was actually set back in a clearing and down a bit of a hill.  The porch faced an open area and then deep woods.  Stepping up on the small porch and entering the main door you arrived into a huge open room.  There sat a huge table that could seat 15 easily.  Surrounding the table were a couple couches and chairs.  Off the back was a small enclosed porch that the hunters used mostly for storage.  This trip it was used as a bedroom with a cot set up.  On either side of the large room were little bedrooms.  I mean little!  But deceiving, one had 10 bunks and the other 5.  Then the kitchen area.  A huge industrial old fashion stove.  No wonder 'back in the day' kitchens looked so small, the stove took up half the room.  The outside wall had the sink, or should I say sinks.  It was a huge restaurant type stainless steel sink with 3 tubs.  More then enough room to wash dishes for an army.  Then one whole wall of cupboards.  It was perfect!  A small restroom with a shower.  Pretty much all the comforts of home.  The electric ran off a generator, so we had power at times or when we needed it. 

 

Once we picked our bunks and made our beds it was time to relax.  Sitting outside in the fresh air with great people was a wonderful way to relax.  The sky was bright blue with very few clouds.  The sun was overhead and very warm.  The temps were in the high 70's low 80's.  Most of the trees were full of bright green leaves that would occasionally dance in the light breeze.  You could hear the birds sing and the butterflies would make a visit here and there.  We had grilled chicken, several salads, and salt potatoes for dinner.   Once we cleaned up from our meal it was around the campfire.  The sky was clear with a million stars.  We chatted, had a few adult beverages and listened to my nephew play his guitar before we settled in for the night. 

 

Sunday was an early morning and we had huge breakfast to start our day.  Eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, home fries and the much needed coffee.  It was close to 80 degrees by 10 in the morning.  The kids, or young adults showered and got out by 11, and we did the same.  We took a ride to Casadaga Lake and stopped in Lily Dale.  Lily Dale is pretty famous, but for those of you that don't know, it is a small quaint town that has mediums, tarot card readings, etc.  Most of the homes are absolutely beautiful.  Wrap around porches with fans, some painted bright colors, and the detail in the wood is wonderful.  We didn't get our fortune read or talk to those that passed over this trip, it was too nice a day to spend behind closed doors.  Instead we walked and looked around at the sites.  We stopped at the dock and watched a few fishermen and boaters.  The picture above is looking out across the lake.  The view was magnificent and the quiet  surroundings did wonders for stress.  Maybe it was the town, maybe it was the view, either way you could actually feel the tension leave your body.

 

Sunday night after a pulled pork dinner with all the fixings, we set up shop to watch the boys play game 5.  My heart is heavy and I'm really not much in the mood to talk about the game, but we did end up losing in OT.  The series now stands at 3-2 in favor of Carolina.  Game 6 is here in Buffalo on Tues and is a do or die game for the boys.  Win and they go to game 7 lose and they are done. 

 

This is a huge entry for me and it's time to call it quits.  I will talk more about the camp in another entry.  It's time for me to get to bed, I'm exhausted!  I do hope everyone had a great weekend.