Summary of time:
· Rolling farmland
· Mountains, Lakes, and Winter Olympics
Handy hints –
§ Get localised maps, hints of things to go and do or see.
§ Have your camera ready.
§ Be prepared for all types of weather.
§ Find space to relax and enjoy the views, space and peacefulness.
A chill out day was in order, catch some rays, swim in the pool, read a book, and do some cross stitch. Well the day definitely started as chill out time....having woke at 7am i turned over and then wasn’t really awake till after 10.45! Checked in on my emails, and then down into town for Brunch...well actually it was more like lunch. I also found a craft shop so was able to get the extra stuff i needed for my cross stitch. Relaxed affair over lunch, then a short drive around a few country roads, before heading back and a dip in the pool, enjoying the sunshine and reading a book. In this sun, even with protection i’m conscious of getting cooked, so back to the room, and chill out for the rest of the day, book, telly and cross stitch which seems to really be coming along.
It’s great to have relaxing days...isn’t that what holidays are for? Why am i trying to make sure i’m doing stuff every day because i’m away from home, and then feel guilty about wanting to just relax. That’s what i’ve felt the other days...that i should be doing stuff, but not today. I’ve turned a corner on my journey of life...sometimes the thing for the day is just to relax and chill out, you need to find the enjoyment in each day, gain pleasure and in joy in whatever it is you are doing (or is it being!). That has definitely been today’s philosophy and actually what happened. Part of me taking the time out is to find that joy in each day, and what is done in the day. I can say that i have enjoyed all the things i have been doing, and although felt guilty about days of nothing, learning about not always knowing (having planned) what you are to be doing or where you should be, is making live a real adventure. Being someone who always seemed to have the next 10 weeks planned, i don’t have the next 10 days planned, and sometimes when i wake up i don’t have the next 10 hours planned, there is a liberation, although there is a fear of the unknown....this is easing with time, also not knowing where bed will be is part of the adventure. Sometimes it is great having some things planned in.....like knowing that in a couple of week’s i’m going to see my parents (over on the west coast of USA) is great.
I’m glad that i’m doing this now and not 15 years ago when i was leaving uni, i’m definitely appreciating more the things i’m seeing, learning, now is my time for this......doubts, hesitations, fears of unknown...these still exist but then i just focus back on now. I have really had moments of going back to the UK, but then apart from really wanting to see family and friends, the rest (house, work etc) didn’t feel it was right to be doing! Sometimes i miss having a “permanent” place – being able to have everything not in a suitcase or back of the car, being able to cook meals, spending time with family/friends.....there’s plenty of time for that, just not now.
Getting up i wasn’t too sure of the plan of action, but after homemade blueberry muffins and coffee, and checking my emails, i got out the maps of Vermont and New York State to see what the options were. I decided on a plan which would mean i could back to Brandon. Having loaded the car, i checked if there was space and there was for Sun and Mon, so i booked back into my room. Brandon definitely had a home feel to it.
The plan was to travel across the border into New York and doing a drive in a sort of 8 shape through the Adirondack Mountains getting back to Brandon on Sunday eve.
Heading into Brandon, to fill up the tank, it was off onto a smaller road, heading west. After the road had gone through a covered bridge it turned into a dirt track, no worries – some of the smaller roads are like that, it means there is less disruption to tarmac in the winter, and there are roads that probably would not get dealt with by the councils anyway. The road eventually turned back to tarmac before meeting up with the next major road. This journey was all about mountains, lakes, and towns. Just a real nice drive, seeing some of the area, passing through. That’s what i got.
Passing through some smaller villages, with a few homes, general store, gas station, etc. Also bigger villages – with more shops, places for visitors, places to launch boats if by a lake, restaurants/cafes/diners. There were even some towns. The “main” town of any note that i passed through was Lake Placid – recognise the name, think Winter Olympics – It was up in the mountains, with a great lake, and various skiing places, as well as a Olympic Centre (with real snow) for those winter opportunities in summer! It is a big tourist place. Great to pass through, but not somewhere to stop...too many people. This drive time is about appreciating the scenery, being where not many people were. I certainly got that, i found places to stop to admire the views, and sometimes pulling in meant that other traffic could pass (but i was sticking to the speed limits (!)). At one point i saw a deer enjoying the grass on the side, not bothered by the passing traffic (no space to stop, especially with cars behind, to take a picture). Great day.
From my vague map plan i had decided to stop at Lowville...i always hesitate am i right to stop here... but on entering there was Wal-Mart, in town there was a HSBC(!), and on taking route 12 out there was a Church of the Nazarene opposite a Motel..at which i got the last room. They gave me the directions to a great place to eat Jeb’s Place... I had a lovely Queen size Prime Rib Steak with fries and slaw, and was so full i almost didn’t finish my Guinness.....but couldn’t waste a beer.
It was an early start (well early for me!); the weather was cloudy so it probably wasn’t going to be a good day for seeing some of the best views – at a long distance anyway. So leaving Lowville, it was north and then east. The routes through the Mountains that i was taking were “Designated Scenic Byways”, and they were. There were several rivers, lakes, mountain passes and there were places to stop and take pictures. It was great, don’t know the mileage covered, but i love to drive. Stopping a few times to admire views, but never for long, especially when the weather was starting to drizzle, broke up the journey. Along the routes you could see all the options for all year recreation, ski, off road vehicles, boating, water recreations, and there was also some typical family resort type options.
I could see loads of great places for groups of people to stop, spend time, enjoy the countryside, and various recreational options, but being on your own doesn’t always make these places easy to stop in.
The latter part of the journey back to Brandon, even i was just wanting the journey to end. Having turned south in the middle of the mountains it was time to head back east and then North. Heading east, i got onto a road that wasn’t on my map, i thought i was on the right road, but following signs for a small town, didn’t always mean that you are on the right road! At least i was heading in the right direction, when i eventually found the road i was on meant i was taking a more meandering route east, but actually it made it a really nice scenic route along another lake. It’s quite liberating doing the turn left, right or whatever. It does mean that you probably see different things. When i was eventually back on Route 4 north, there are several towns that give a bit of a military feel to them (might be the fact that part of the name were Fort...), but also there were several military promotion boards.
When you travelling on your own in an area you don’t know, you look at the signs to make sure your going the right way. As i was driving through Hudson Falls there was a sign saying “Jail Inmates Recycling”, it made me laugh, and wondered what it really meant, but gave me some interesting thoughts. It was great going back to Brandon, especially as i was back in the same room; it felt like i was back home.
It was to be a catch up day on the blog, relaxing around the motel, emails etc. Well it was certainly a relaxing day and an opportunity to speak to family; i also managed to catch up with photos. A great time to just relax.
Having decided to stay another night, it was definitely a time to catch up with my blog. Its 4 weeks behind and i need to catch up, but also a great day for relaxing in the sun.
· Rolling farmland
· Mountains, Lakes, and Winter Olympics
Handy hints –
§ Get localised maps, hints of things to go and do or see.
§ Have your camera ready.
§ Be prepared for all types of weather.
§ Find space to relax and enjoy the views, space and peacefulness.
A chill out day was in order, catch some rays, swim in the pool, read a book, and do some cross stitch. Well the day definitely started as chill out time....having woke at 7am i turned over and then wasn’t really awake till after 10.45! Checked in on my emails, and then down into town for Brunch...well actually it was more like lunch. I also found a craft shop so was able to get the extra stuff i needed for my cross stitch. Relaxed affair over lunch, then a short drive around a few country roads, before heading back and a dip in the pool, enjoying the sunshine and reading a book. In this sun, even with protection i’m conscious of getting cooked, so back to the room, and chill out for the rest of the day, book, telly and cross stitch which seems to really be coming along.
It’s great to have relaxing days...isn’t that what holidays are for? Why am i trying to make sure i’m doing stuff every day because i’m away from home, and then feel guilty about wanting to just relax. That’s what i’ve felt the other days...that i should be doing stuff, but not today. I’ve turned a corner on my journey of life...sometimes the thing for the day is just to relax and chill out, you need to find the enjoyment in each day, gain pleasure and in joy in whatever it is you are doing (or is it being!). That has definitely been today’s philosophy and actually what happened. Part of me taking the time out is to find that joy in each day, and what is done in the day. I can say that i have enjoyed all the things i have been doing, and although felt guilty about days of nothing, learning about not always knowing (having planned) what you are to be doing or where you should be, is making live a real adventure. Being someone who always seemed to have the next 10 weeks planned, i don’t have the next 10 days planned, and sometimes when i wake up i don’t have the next 10 hours planned, there is a liberation, although there is a fear of the unknown....this is easing with time, also not knowing where bed will be is part of the adventure. Sometimes it is great having some things planned in.....like knowing that in a couple of week’s i’m going to see my parents (over on the west coast of USA) is great.
I’m glad that i’m doing this now and not 15 years ago when i was leaving uni, i’m definitely appreciating more the things i’m seeing, learning, now is my time for this......doubts, hesitations, fears of unknown...these still exist but then i just focus back on now. I have really had moments of going back to the UK, but then apart from really wanting to see family and friends, the rest (house, work etc) didn’t feel it was right to be doing! Sometimes i miss having a “permanent” place – being able to have everything not in a suitcase or back of the car, being able to cook meals, spending time with family/friends.....there’s plenty of time for that, just not now.
Getting up i wasn’t too sure of the plan of action, but after homemade blueberry muffins and coffee, and checking my emails, i got out the maps of Vermont and New York State to see what the options were. I decided on a plan which would mean i could back to Brandon. Having loaded the car, i checked if there was space and there was for Sun and Mon, so i booked back into my room. Brandon definitely had a home feel to it.
The plan was to travel across the border into New York and doing a drive in a sort of 8 shape through the Adirondack Mountains getting back to Brandon on Sunday eve.
Heading into Brandon, to fill up the tank, it was off onto a smaller road, heading west. After the road had gone through a covered bridge it turned into a dirt track, no worries – some of the smaller roads are like that, it means there is less disruption to tarmac in the winter, and there are roads that probably would not get dealt with by the councils anyway. The road eventually turned back to tarmac before meeting up with the next major road. This journey was all about mountains, lakes, and towns. Just a real nice drive, seeing some of the area, passing through. That’s what i got.
Passing through some smaller villages, with a few homes, general store, gas station, etc. Also bigger villages – with more shops, places for visitors, places to launch boats if by a lake, restaurants/cafes/diners. There were even some towns. The “main” town of any note that i passed through was Lake Placid – recognise the name, think Winter Olympics – It was up in the mountains, with a great lake, and various skiing places, as well as a Olympic Centre (with real snow) for those winter opportunities in summer! It is a big tourist place. Great to pass through, but not somewhere to stop...too many people. This drive time is about appreciating the scenery, being where not many people were. I certainly got that, i found places to stop to admire the views, and sometimes pulling in meant that other traffic could pass (but i was sticking to the speed limits (!)). At one point i saw a deer enjoying the grass on the side, not bothered by the passing traffic (no space to stop, especially with cars behind, to take a picture). Great day.
From my vague map plan i had decided to stop at Lowville...i always hesitate am i right to stop here... but on entering there was Wal-Mart, in town there was a HSBC(!), and on taking route 12 out there was a Church of the Nazarene opposite a Motel..at which i got the last room. They gave me the directions to a great place to eat Jeb’s Place... I had a lovely Queen size Prime Rib Steak with fries and slaw, and was so full i almost didn’t finish my Guinness.....but couldn’t waste a beer.
It was an early start (well early for me!); the weather was cloudy so it probably wasn’t going to be a good day for seeing some of the best views – at a long distance anyway. So leaving Lowville, it was north and then east. The routes through the Mountains that i was taking were “Designated Scenic Byways”, and they were. There were several rivers, lakes, mountain passes and there were places to stop and take pictures. It was great, don’t know the mileage covered, but i love to drive. Stopping a few times to admire views, but never for long, especially when the weather was starting to drizzle, broke up the journey. Along the routes you could see all the options for all year recreation, ski, off road vehicles, boating, water recreations, and there was also some typical family resort type options.
I could see loads of great places for groups of people to stop, spend time, enjoy the countryside, and various recreational options, but being on your own doesn’t always make these places easy to stop in.
The latter part of the journey back to Brandon, even i was just wanting the journey to end. Having turned south in the middle of the mountains it was time to head back east and then North. Heading east, i got onto a road that wasn’t on my map, i thought i was on the right road, but following signs for a small town, didn’t always mean that you are on the right road! At least i was heading in the right direction, when i eventually found the road i was on meant i was taking a more meandering route east, but actually it made it a really nice scenic route along another lake. It’s quite liberating doing the turn left, right or whatever. It does mean that you probably see different things. When i was eventually back on Route 4 north, there are several towns that give a bit of a military feel to them (might be the fact that part of the name were Fort...), but also there were several military promotion boards.
When you travelling on your own in an area you don’t know, you look at the signs to make sure your going the right way. As i was driving through Hudson Falls there was a sign saying “Jail Inmates Recycling”, it made me laugh, and wondered what it really meant, but gave me some interesting thoughts. It was great going back to Brandon, especially as i was back in the same room; it felt like i was back home.
It was to be a catch up day on the blog, relaxing around the motel, emails etc. Well it was certainly a relaxing day and an opportunity to speak to family; i also managed to catch up with photos. A great time to just relax.
Having decided to stay another night, it was definitely a time to catch up with my blog. Its 4 weeks behind and i need to catch up, but also a great day for relaxing in the sun.
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