The Herkimer Report (From Monday 10/11/10)

Today was like many other days camping…awakened too early by the sound of semi-trucks whizzing passed on a much-to-close freeway.  I found myself in Westfield, NY at a KOA just across the street from a state park that overlooked Lake Erie.  I got up, roused Max, and packed a moist tent away.  Yes, my first rain of the trip…I made it two weeks.  After breakfast and “walkies,” we departed for Niagara Falls.

My, what a sight!  The falls are breath-taking.  Water boils over the edge at an incredible rate.  I took the “Maid of the Mist” tour where a boat sailed out next to Niagara, Bridal Veil, and Horseshoe Falls.  I was surprised that the power of the crashing water created such a gale that my souvenir poncho was both plastered against my front and setting sail in the back.

Max couldn’t go on this voyage, so I took him for a walk of the grounds and showed him the falls.  He was impressed…and thirsty…and had to pee suddenly.  Oh, those falls are mighty.

Beyond the falls was Canada…yes, I’ve glimpsed the great, white north several times over the course of the two weeks.  Our neighbors—so kind, so mellow, so happy—were always waiving and singing “Oh, Canada,” I felt this odd so I simply waived back and kept on walking.  By the way, Alan Thicke says, “Hello eh!”

This evening Max and I found another KOA after having such a nice stay last night (with the exception of freeway noise).  We are in Middleville, NY near the Herkimer diamond mine.  I’ll get back to you as to whether or not I wield a pick-axe and go Zoolander.  Though, it would be interesting to see Max wearing a hard hat with a little hammer in his mouth. 

Max:  the steadfast companion.  He is by my side every moment he can be.  He loves our walks through the little hamlets where we take our pit stops.  As do I.  Tonight we arrived around 5:30, and after renting a KOA Kabin and setting up our gear, we took a walk around the grounds.  The “kampground” is set in the nook of a river.  As the sun was setting we found ourselves perched on a tree stump a few feet above the rolling water.  It smelled like damp earth.  Above us was a canopy of pumpkin-orange mixed with bright yellow.  The broken-vessel boughs were inky outlines against the autumn leaves.

The colors have been muted until now.  Maroons, olives, and sepias were the main colors.  The Adirondacks offer the first of the fall colors really brought to life.  Tomorrow, I drive north to the Stillwater Reservoir, hopefully to hear the song of the common loon, and through the Adirondack Mountains.