Hanging out at the Shawangunks with John

the Gunks
John,my ex husband lives in NY in a small town called Wallkill which is in the area of the Shawangunk Mountains, which are south of the Catskills. they are a favorite rock climbing destination.

the area is entirely lovely. A lake was a mile away for fabulous swimming and the bike riding was so fine. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

John is having house concerts in his home for folk musicians. They are top notch, fine performers. I had the pleasure of helping him and attending a concert for Magpie. John also provides dinner for his paying guests. It is a labor of love on his part as he looses money but he gets to do something really important like supporting the arts and contributing to his community.

good to see John again. He continues to be an inventor, his latest being converting a small trailer to a bike/ocean Kayak carrier.

It feels good to be friends with my wastband John, I am back again for a visit prior to returning to Atlanta. It is fall, the skies are blue, blue and it is knocked me over beautiful. I went for a swim again yesterday at Lake Tilson and looked up at the gunks and sky and marveled.

I also attended a song circle sponsored by Folk Project. It was held in Patti's home, Johns neighbor who lives in a barn converted into a house with silos and everything. talk about space, how about 1500 feet. But I got to sing my songs with and too other folks, play my guitar and it felt great to do that cause I have never really done it before. So I feel encouraged to keep learning songs and improving my guitar skills. I have done instrumental jamming but this is different as you initiate song.
I also found a welder who fabricated in steel what I needed and could not buy. It allows me to pull a trailer and carry a bike rack simultaneously.

I am leaving soon for atlanta, pulling the Apache behind me. My destination today is Shenandoah National Park where I will camp the night and hike tomorrow, perhaps even camp another day.
love
susan

the last day of a great vacation- to be continued next year

the last day of my 24 day camping experience

I have tried to reenact the month long camping experiences of my youth, when my Mom would camp at Nickerson and my Dad would come on the weekend.  this is my  last day and I thought to write whatever came to mind before returning to my Mom's house in Worcester.  My son, Matt, is there until the 17th so most of the time I will be hanging out there, swimming and boating at the green mountain club pond, cooking and helping out my mom with what needs to be done. 

This morning I spoke with my neighbor, Olga.  She and I have a great deal in common.  We both feel very much at home camping and living outdoors.  We both have well equipped camping kitchens and stay a long time.  she is russian with extended  family and friends and comes on the weekends, although her site is set up all week.  She has just offered me 5 days of camping on site 11 from august 15th to the 20th.  I will decide whether to come back or explore something new.  Let me say that his place is heaven.  on a dead end with a canopy of pine trees,  the most beautiful of lakes and the cleanest air .  It is so nice it is impossible to get a site unless one books 6 months ahead.  that is why I may take Olga up on her offer. 

Here, I go barefoot.  I don't wear glasses unless to read and don't know the time.  I am the healthiest and most physically fit that I have been for a very long time, maybe for 15 years.  I brought lots of materials to play guitar, learn spanish, and have done some of that.  Mostly, I am active biking (Nickerson has 8 miles of bike trails and connects to the Cape rail trail which has 26 miles) swimming.  I also boat a lot.  before I leave today, I will boat and swim.  I do yoga as well, especially when Ame was here to guide  me.  I think I have had the funnest and cheapest vacation.  Nickerson costs just $15.00 per night so it is very affordable and possible.  Add a few friends to split the cost and is super cheap. 

about cooking.  I cook simple stuff and eat well.  our neighbor gave s a cooler of bluefish and we ate that for several meals.  Restaurants are expensive and you have to wait for your food.  and if you are here for a long time, you just do as you do at home.   cooking is liberating.  true, you can't be too fussy. 

The National Seashore is nearby.  If you look at a map of the cape, It makes up most of the cape.  We have been several times to different beaches.  We went to Provincetown at the tip of the Cape and went to the Race Point beach.  the water is cold, but not too cold so you can't take a dip.  And the dunes have such great beauty.  and P town is an experience in itself.  we tried to ride bikes down the main street and that was a trip.

I had originally thought of this trip as mainly being alone.  my family was here for 10 days and friends for another 7 so I have only had about a week of lone time.  I like it both ways.  It is too wonderful not to share and it is also nice to have lone time as I am right now. 

I plan on driving home in late August, towing CliffIda, my Apache tent trailer.  I  decided this recently so she will have a new resting place in my basement.  but hopefully she will not rest for long.  I will outfit her and she will be ready to go.  just add food and clothing, scuba gear, climbing shoes, and away we go. 
hugs to all
Susan