Family, food and fun!

Heather, Mark and Ian

We were so lucky today to have Ian's son and his wife, Heather drive down from Canada today.  They are about 3 hours away and they made the trek to visit us.  They live in a beautiful area of Canada called Merrickville.  They built their house on their own, and have solar power.  They are "off the grid".  We are so impressed with what they have done and very grateful that they took the time to spend the day with us!

Tuning Stone

Turning Stone

Turning Stone

We went to the Turning Stone Casino and hotel for lunch, Ian brought his phone so we were able to get a few pictures. 

Turning Stone

Glass Tree of Life

Glass Tree of Life

We had a lovely day of visiting and eating at Turning Stone, and of course, Nicky Doodles ice cream for dessert!

Grumpy is a happy camper!

 Ian is under the awning of our RV.  As you can see, my wine glass is empty, so I'm a happy camper too!  It's Friday evening, pork roast, potatoes and corn will be done soon (love my instant pot pressure cooker).

53 degrees

This may seem like a strange picture, but it is 53 degrees this morning as I am driving to work.  It is, beautiful.

I am in Syracuse now, working across the street from Crouse Hospital.  I am working at Syracuse Gastroenterology Associates Center.  We are busy, doing on average of 18 cases per room, there are only 2 rooms.  Two CRNA's and one MDA.  They have been very short staffed so it makes for busy days.  Lots of different GI docs and many personalities!  They are putting up with me!

We have not had time to explore very much, but we had some very nice Pizza last night!  Dunkin Donuts is a big thing here.  Not my thing.

I think the leaves are going to start changing soon, and the Syracuse fair starts tomorrow.  Humm, we may have to go!

Today is my brother's birthday today!  He made it another year!  Keep it up Ken! Love you!

Martini's, fuses and unhappy campers!

We have been having adventures with Evinrude.  She is one of our "tripod" rescue cats and her stump has been damaged.  She had surgery 10 days ago, sutures removed yesterday and of course, the incision opened, after the vet was closed, on friday night.  We found an emergency vet, and drove back to Syracuse to see them.  We hope that her revised stump will heal, but more pain meds and antibiotics for the weekend and back to the vet, that did her surgery, on Monday.  She looks like a martini in her collar!

This is one of the fuse panels in the motor home.  We were supposed to move to a different site last Sunday.  Much to our dismay, our slide out rooms wouldn't retract.  We were unable to find a repair service to help us until Monday.  So we were stuck.  The folks that wanted our site, were not pleased.  But there was nothing we could do.  It ended up being a blown fuse, not in the area pictured above, but in the engine compartment.  So much to learn about our RV!  We are now moving to our new site tomorrow.  The RV park has an interesting way of booking sites.  We are in site 210, someone else wanted this exact site last Sunday (the day we couldn't move).  They were offered the site we were to move to, or one of the many other available sites.   NO WAY, they wanted 210 and only 210.  Since we all couldn't fit on the same pad, they finally chose a different site.  They are not happy campers!

Happy Camper

 We have not been doing much.  Evinrude, one of tripod cats had a problem with her stump, it has been bleeding and continued to look bad.  We took her to a vet while we were in Tampa, they gave her antibiotics and pain meds.  As we headed to New York, it continued to look worse.  We decided to take her to the "Happy Valley Animal Hospital" in this area.  (Very busy, great vet, in the middle of the corn fields).  She ended up having surgery to remove more of her stump and bone.  Poor thing, she hurts, so I drugged the crap out of her, and we went out for a few hours.

Lake Oneida is about 12 miles from where we are staying.  It is a cloudy day, but the water was warm and the sandy area was soft and clean.  Many people were boating and enjoying the day.  There are houses all along the beach.  We ate lunch at a local restaurant,  Ian had something called "the original hot ham" sandwich, something that is popular around here.  I'm holding out for the "beef on weck" tomorrow!

This is the Bicycle shop!

We stopped by one of the many fresh vegetable stands on the way home.  We picked up some tomatoes, corn, blueberries and broccoli!  Best $3 I ever spent! 

Evinrude survived our disappearance without any problems. Her dressing is still intact and she seems to be doing well.

 It started raining when we returned to our snug, tiny home.  I am a Happy Camper!

First 3 days

I completed my first 3 days at Mohawk.  Computerized charting turned out to be no problem, I was up and running on my own after the first morning.

See, there really is a cafe!

The center is well thought out and the physicians are all very gracious to me.  Busy days, I did 16 cases today.

I have no idea where I will be working next week!  I was just credentialed at Syracuse Gastroenterology, and may be credentialed at Crouse Hospital.  So the adventure continues.

I have a huge list of places to see while we are here, finger lakes, wineries, antique shows, produce markets, 5 star restaurants, Ithaca,  Hamilton College, the list goes on!  Everyone has so many favorite places.  So much to see, so little time till the snow comes!

My loaner bike!

Ok, I thought I mentioned my bike.  People here are incredible.  I wanted a bike to ride around to the pool and other areas of the campground.  There was a used bike shop we passed on the first day we came here.  Earlier this week I asked Ian to stop there for me.  We met some really nice guys that repair used bikes and they donate bikes to kids in need and sell others for $30 -$60.  When they heard we were only staying until October, they said, take a bike, return it when you leave!  Isn't that amazing!  So if you are ever in Verona, NY on route 356, there is a lawn with a bunch of bikes on it.  Stop by and say hi, and pick up a great deal on a bike!

Lost in the woods, but finally working!

This is one of the many trails around the campground we are in.  The first time I walked it, I didn't know anything about it.  Two and a half miles later, I made it out of the woods!  I was actually kind of nervous, it was getting dark, I didn't bring my phone, I couldn't see or hear anything but the forest! But there were little metal pathway plaques on the trees, and nice wooden benches.  OK, only one wooden bench.  So, long walks and I mentioned the bicycle....  My butt still hurts!

I am working in Utica, NY.  I am at a freestanding GI center.  We are running up to 4 rooms.  Everything is computerised and up to date.  There is an RN and an LPN in every room.  They are amazing folks and have been extremely kind to me and my fumbling around the computer charting.  This view is from one of the the GI rooms. 

  This is one of the windows in the large breakroom.  We also have a small restaurant in the facility that has soups, salads and sandwiches for sale.  There is a minimum of a half hour for lunch for everyone here.  Including anesthesia!

Friday in Verona

Yesterday afternoon, I went for a walk and facetimed my mom so she could see the campground we are in.  This pond has ducks and geese in it that that promptly swim up to you.  I guess bread will come with me on the next walk!

We made an (unfortunate) discovery of a fantastic ice cream and food place called Nicky Doodles.  Amazing sundaes, and great outdoor places to sit.  I managed to not waste a single bit of my #5 sundae!

Wednesday's journey

It was a beautiful day, 79 degrees and low humidity.  After serving us a bountiful breakfast, John and Karen took us on a tour of Deposit and the surrounding area.

This is the Cannonsville Reservoir, it provides water for New York City through an aqueduct system.  This drains into the Delaware Aqueduct, completed in 1945.  It taps the tributaries of the Delaware River in the western Catskill Mountains and provides approximately half of New York City's water supply.

We said goodby to our lovely hosts, (Thanks Karen and John) and moved on to The Villages RV Park, in Verona, NY

This is our spot for the next few weeks.  We had a reservation for Sunday, but we arrived early.  At first they did not have anything available due to the weekend being completely booked.  They worked hard and rearranged things, and were able to give us a place.  We had assistance parking from a very nice neighbor in the park, that has driven a bus for over 30 years.  (RV people are very helpful).  Backing up a 45 foot bus can be intimidating!

Deposit, New York

We spent the night in a church parking lot in Deposit, New York.  We are just around the corner from our Florida neighbors and friends, John and Karen.  The weather is beautiful, it was 61 degrees this morning.  Flowers are everywhere and it is lush and green.  Karen treated us to a wonderful dinner last night and we are on our way over for breakfast!  We are so lucky to have such great friends!

This is John and Karen's back yard

More yard

Yep, I'm still alive!

Beer Camping

So we made it to Virginia.  We are staying at Aquia Pines Camp Resort in Stafford,VA

They brew beer, none of it is bottles, you can only get it on tap, or put in a "growler", or a pitcher to take to your RV.  I'm not a beer drinker, but I may be converted here!  Everet, one of the beer creators, kindly let me sample at least 7 types of beer they produce.  They were fantastic!  Of course, everyone has their own preferences, but boy, were all of these good!  I'm going back after I write this, they are only open until 7pm tonight, and I must try more!

This is a very wooded area with beautiful trees, and wonderful owners.