KOAs have become our staple in the "Closed for the Season" Northeast. EVERY state park and EVERY private campground has turned off its electricity and shut off the water until May 2010. We thought about camping in the car on the side of the road, but fear the policeman tapping on our window at 2am and ticketing us for trespassing.
So, we spent the night at a KOA in Herkimer, New York, across the street from Herkimer Diamond Mounds. The KOA was housing 50+ Girl Scouts for the weekend. Apparently they were there to earn a rock badge. All "kabins" were booked and the group campsite across from us was loaded with tents. We were grateful for our relaxing location near the creek and for the quiet evening, but we were especially grateful that we weren't going to be here next weekend when they are expecting 500 Boy Scouts!
Our drive through the Adirondack Mountains was filled with cute little mountain towns - just like you see in travel books and the movies. We learned that we just missed the "fall colors," but we were still astounded by the season's leftovers. We spent the evening near Lake Placid, where the annual Ironman Competition is held, as well as the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. You can take tours of the Olympic facilities and buy Team USA paraphenalia (ironically made in China).
We started down Highway 22 towards Vermont, only to discover the bridge crossing Lake Champlain to Vermont was closed. So we headed back north and took a delightful ferry ride from Essex, across Lake Champlain, and arrived quickly in Vermont. We breezed through Burlington - a college town with stately homes and exquisite buildings with fall leaves in every yard.
Montpelier was next - to view the state capitol building and grab a bite to eat. It is a tiny town, but quite charming - we poked through shops and galleries, and ate up some yummy crepes. Unfortunately we were there on a weekend and the capital building was closed. There were some really cool bicycle-themed sculptures on the grounds that kept us amused. Not to mention a family from Nebraska was there playing in the leaves and apologized to onlookers for their excitement over the fallen foliage. We admit to kicking the leaves around, too!
Our impression of Vermont - Very Exclusive.
The hills of Vermont and New Hampshire are overwhelming and full of color. While driving, we questioned why Vermont and New Hampshire haven't combined to one state. It might make things a lot easier. They could call it New Vermpshire.
We called the New Hampshire KOA while we were in Burlington, Vermont. The guy on the other end of the phone said just to come in without reservations, he's got plenty of space available.
When we arrived at the KOA, we pushed the little button on the radio, just as the sign said. A voice on the other end said "Be right down." A bald teddy bear-of-a-man greeted us at the door. He asked how he could help us, and we told him we were the couple that called earlier today looking for a tent site. He looked at Richie, then looked at me, then looked at Richie again, then back at me, then said "Would you two like a cabin with a heater and a bed for the same price?" "Really?" we said. He responded, "Yeah, I hate to see people suffer - especially in this cold." Of course, we obliged. Here we are - arriving at his KOA when he is technically closed for the season - and we interrupt his Patriots game (which he didn't mind, they were killing the Tenneessee Titans, anyway) - and he not only opens his campground, but gives us a cabin for the night for $23. You just can't beat that! He is our first impression of New Hampshirites - and we are pleased.
This place is glowing, and not because of the gaudy yellow KOA signs everywhere. The sunsets in New Hampshire in the fall glow, and the golden leaves on the ground brighten the path as night approaches. It is the prettiest thing I've ever seen.
We woke up the next morning to ice on Sally and a crunchy ground. But we were nice and toasty in the "kabin." Mt. Washington... here we come! By the way, Sally the Subaru has hit 51,000 miles - - Whew!
1 comment:
Was that really a "Yield to Pedestrians with Lollipops" sign? Perhaps they were getting ready for Halloween. ;-)
Warm cabin in the KOA closed for the season? Whatever good vibes juice you two have you better think about packaging and marketing it after your Peace Corp stint. I want some!!!!
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