chapter 480

8/20/2017

Dream Summer Camp

if you can dream it, you can do it

This is the end result of the last 2 weeks search for the perfect summer camp. A rustic woodsy cabin is a concept we both have an interest in. It has been a rocky road and a struggle attempting to put roots down under one. The pinnacle of the search here is Panther Mt, Echo Cliffs in the Adirondacks. When we reached the top at the end of the journey we realized it was all just a dream.

In our struggle we had to overcome many obstacles. This beaver dam was on Fall Stream on Piseco Lake. It was a pretty good hydraulic jump going against the current but we made it without exiting our kayaks via single mindedness, determination, and sense of purpose.

Seek and ye shall find. Hidden beneath the surface are many trophies and rare finds that just might reveal themselves to you if you are persistent. But without search there is no reward. Found one unattainable gem and a few clinkers.

Along the way, I ventured out during what I thought was the eclipse (a few days early, alas). But I did come to learn that I get in free to State Parks and DEC campsites during mid weeks. A fact that seems to be under publicized.

This Thompsons Lake has many nice summer and year round dwellings.

This is Lake Desolation. Intriguing name, but only 20 minutes outside Saratoga Springs and where I found a beautiful eutopic post and beam residence . Just happened to paddle into it. The lake is small and quiet with clean water. The house was so attractive but after weighing the pros and cons, I told the Manhattan owners it just wouldn't really be what I want. Really, I'm already living my dream.

This is where my quest began; by happenstance I'd paddled Lake Desolation in the morning of our DEC reunion luncheon just a few miles from Jim's home. We are all dreamers.

Left to right: Jim and Meg have created their own Hostas Heaven here in Middle Grove. It has become almost like an obsession but it's what they enjoy. She also creates these cute stitched quilts that are marketable. 

Bill is living the dream of beating cancer twice. Karen has dreams of retirement dancing in her head. Angus recently outward bound has begun some high peaks hiking adventures. Mike also recently out fishing for his dreams. Jeff bought into a new RV motorhome for a new lifestyle. Chuck has been traveling the world after escaping state government. Dick with T-shirt of crossing New York on a bicycle [ we built his post and beam house in the 70's]. Hank, just glad to be anywhere after recent bout with heart surgery. Erica forever happy after  escaping East Prussia via the Dresden bombings during WW2.

My two week journey considered motorhomes, tents, camping, tow travel trailers, selling my house, buying a second property, time share condos in Florida, Cape Cod, the Adirondacks, etc. Simply occasional renting seems to be the best alternative for my lifestyle since I really don't want to be tied to one specific mode or place of living. I like a base of operations from which to venture off on local small day trips. Something I've always done and probably will simply continue to do, with a few wrinkles thrown in. It never hurts to look or just consider options. It was a fun mini journey even though I really didn't go anywhere and ended up right where I'd started.

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