Friday, February 25, 2011
Snowmoble Season Officially Open
Snowmobile season officially begins Wednesday, December 22 in Upstate New York! And guess what-- we actually HAVE SNOW this time. Hunting season is over, and now the snowmobiles will be roaring everywhere. I have gathered some good resources for you if you are on the EGDE of your seat waiting for tear off on your snowmobile!
Here's a link to Upstate New York Snowmobile clubs. Many have websites, or at least a contact number you can call. The list also includes clubs in Canada and Pennsylvania. Snowmobile clubs are great ways to meet new folks, get access to great trails and special discounts.
Some websites that offer maps and other information are:
Adirondack Trail Maps, a new website that looks very promising. The latest post was about the Old Forge Snodeo (rats, we missed it). The site is building more resources- it's one to watch.
This website has a nice laminated map of current snowmobile trails this year. The map is a little pricey-- $20 -- but it's a great resource. A map also makes a great Christmas gift for the snowmobile nut in the family.
Here's a great site to get holiday and some of the best dad bday gifts. Many are travel-related- I love the car charger/coffee warmer gadget! They also have nice leather and cashmere gloves, and a very classy pocket compass. Good gifts.
Of course, there's the DEC's snowmobile page with lots of links to peruse, including a list of forest preserve lands for snowmobiling, and some very good tips on snowmobile safety. REMEMBER to never drink and drive!!! Every year, we have numerous snowmobile fatalities because folks are driving impaired or carelessly. Stay safe.
Finally, if you are a snowmobile fanatic, and can't get enough about the season, see the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, & Historic Preservation's Snowmobile Unit (opens in PDF file). Everything you wanted to know about snowmobiling and then some.
Here's a link to Upstate New York Snowmobile clubs. Many have websites, or at least a contact number you can call. The list also includes clubs in Canada and Pennsylvania. Snowmobile clubs are great ways to meet new folks, get access to great trails and special discounts.
Some websites that offer maps and other information are:
Adirondack Trail Maps, a new website that looks very promising. The latest post was about the Old Forge Snodeo (rats, we missed it). The site is building more resources- it's one to watch.
This website has a nice laminated map of current snowmobile trails this year. The map is a little pricey-- $20 -- but it's a great resource. A map also makes a great Christmas gift for the snowmobile nut in the family.
Here's a great site to get holiday and some of the best dad bday gifts. Many are travel-related- I love the car charger/coffee warmer gadget! They also have nice leather and cashmere gloves, and a very classy pocket compass. Good gifts.
Of course, there's the DEC's snowmobile page with lots of links to peruse, including a list of forest preserve lands for snowmobiling, and some very good tips on snowmobile safety. REMEMBER to never drink and drive!!! Every year, we have numerous snowmobile fatalities because folks are driving impaired or carelessly. Stay safe.
Finally, if you are a snowmobile fanatic, and can't get enough about the season, see the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, & Historic Preservation's Snowmobile Unit (opens in PDF file). Everything you wanted to know about snowmobiling and then some.
Not Ready To Emerge From the Wintry Cocoon...
I have never had such an extended absence from blogging. I can't really call it a vacation, I did not "vacate" and I certainly did not I relax much. The kids were very sick all during their winter break, so I spent my time nursing their ailments. It's tough for a kid to be sick, even worse when it's during a break from school. They were so disappointed, and so was I, for them. :(
I had promised them we'd go on a trip. Scratch that. Sickness and car trouble put an end to that. Oh well, maybe it's for the best. Of course, we are disappointed-- we really haven't gone anywhere since January 2010-- but we did get a large section of the house renovated this past year. IT's much much solace to younger folks who want to go hiking and exploring. I tell ya-- have just GOT to get them a vacation sometime.
So anyway, I've spent some of my holiday break tinkering with computers, writing tech articles, lounging in the rocking chair by the heater. I've really, really tried to slow down my activities, as I just may burn out if I keep pushing myself like I have. That's been the extent of my break--- puttering around.
I created a small work station in my bedroom. It's not the most beautiful of spaces-- no Egyptian cotton Duvet cover on the bed, no nearby mahogany business desk (how I wish!). I just have my laptop on a small cart by the side of the bed. There, I can put up my foot (to relieve the sciatica) and be in a quiet place to write. The cat often joins me, nestling under the covers and snoring in her quiet kitty way. It's peaceful (when the dogs aren't yapping). And some days I even do get articles written!
We're about 1/3 of the way through winter.... I'm not yet ready to emerge from my wintry cocoon. I want it to snow more, I want it to be quiet and cozy for a little while before spring pops up and outdoor activities beckon me. I want to relish the quiet before the frantic gardening and renovating season begins again. Here's hoping for some lake effect soon!
How was your holiday break?
I had promised them we'd go on a trip. Scratch that. Sickness and car trouble put an end to that. Oh well, maybe it's for the best. Of course, we are disappointed-- we really haven't gone anywhere since January 2010-- but we did get a large section of the house renovated this past year. IT's much much solace to younger folks who want to go hiking and exploring. I tell ya-- have just GOT to get them a vacation sometime.
So anyway, I've spent some of my holiday break tinkering with computers, writing tech articles, lounging in the rocking chair by the heater. I've really, really tried to slow down my activities, as I just may burn out if I keep pushing myself like I have. That's been the extent of my break--- puttering around.
I created a small work station in my bedroom. It's not the most beautiful of spaces-- no Egyptian cotton Duvet cover on the bed, no nearby mahogany business desk (how I wish!). I just have my laptop on a small cart by the side of the bed. There, I can put up my foot (to relieve the sciatica) and be in a quiet place to write. The cat often joins me, nestling under the covers and snoring in her quiet kitty way. It's peaceful (when the dogs aren't yapping). And some days I even do get articles written!
We're about 1/3 of the way through winter.... I'm not yet ready to emerge from my wintry cocoon. I want it to snow more, I want it to be quiet and cozy for a little while before spring pops up and outdoor activities beckon me. I want to relish the quiet before the frantic gardening and renovating season begins again. Here's hoping for some lake effect soon!
How was your holiday break?
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About WinterCampers in 6 Minutes
I am so envious of this group! It's WinterCampers.com. Winter is the BEST time to go camping-- no bugs, no crowds, no litter, no boom boxes--- it's a time when people who REALLY love camping go camping.
Jim Muller of WinterCampers.com sent me a video, "WinterCampers Celebrate Winter Camping." It's a collection of their 35 camping trip photos ever since the group began in January 1997, set to a rousing rendition of jazz music.
Boy, they look like they have had SUCH fun!!!!
Congratulations, WinterCamping Dudes!
Check out their website for more stories, photos, and some very good camping articles (such as, how to build a fire in the winter). They just may come in handy someday.
Jim Muller of WinterCampers.com sent me a video, "WinterCampers Celebrate Winter Camping." It's a collection of their 35 camping trip photos ever since the group began in January 1997, set to a rousing rendition of jazz music.
Boy, they look like they have had SUCH fun!!!!
Congratulations, WinterCamping Dudes!
Check out their website for more stories, photos, and some very good camping articles (such as, how to build a fire in the winter). They just may come in handy someday.
Snowmobiling in Oneida County
The great benefit about snowmobiling in Oneida County is the vast number of trails available. There's the Adirondacks to the north, and the Catskills to the south. With lots of wide-open space in the Mohawk Valley.
Stick to the trails, drive sober, always ride with a buddy, and PLEASE do not drive on private property without permission. I have a nice back yard, and snowmobilers love to roar up and down my yard (in town, even!) tearing out my flower beds and shrubs. Some idiots had the gall to roar right up to my windows and race around the house. Believe me, I was ready to throw the plantation shutter at them. So please don't aggravate the property owners!
Also, please do not drink and drive. Every year, especially in the Old Forge area, we hear news stories of snowmobilers who are killed. It is devastating to read about all the young people's lives wasted. It is a tragedy that can be completely averted. Yeah, I'm preaching but it's important to know this stuff. PLEASE do not drink alcohol and then drive the snowmobile.
The Oneida County Area Snowmobile Association has some great trail maps, although you can also get them at Thruway Exit 31 welcome center booth.
Looks like we're going to get some more snow, it's a great time to brush up on the trails and the safety laws!
Stay safe!
photo courtesy of Northfield.org
Stick to the trails, drive sober, always ride with a buddy, and PLEASE do not drive on private property without permission. I have a nice back yard, and snowmobilers love to roar up and down my yard (in town, even!) tearing out my flower beds and shrubs. Some idiots had the gall to roar right up to my windows and race around the house. Believe me, I was ready to throw the plantation shutter at them. So please don't aggravate the property owners!
Also, please do not drink and drive. Every year, especially in the Old Forge area, we hear news stories of snowmobilers who are killed. It is devastating to read about all the young people's lives wasted. It is a tragedy that can be completely averted. Yeah, I'm preaching but it's important to know this stuff. PLEASE do not drink alcohol and then drive the snowmobile.
The Oneida County Area Snowmobile Association has some great trail maps, although you can also get them at Thruway Exit 31 welcome center booth.
Looks like we're going to get some more snow, it's a great time to brush up on the trails and the safety laws!
Stay safe!
photo courtesy of Northfield.org
Got Any Car Recommendations?
My eyes are swimming. :-p I need a new car, and I really don't know what to get. For the first time in 17 years, I'm NOT getting another Dodge Caravan! No! I'm tired of them! And I'm tired of replacing the transmissions. Yikes.
I'm in the market for a nice, mid-sized (used) sedan. Something that the kids and I can travel comfortably in. Oh I'd just LOVE to get an RV, you know-- my dad had one. He loaded the thing with the best RV accessories (even a plasma TV!). They were nice, very nice. But it's a teeny-tiny bit beyond my budget. I think they run for, what, $150,000. All I could afford would be the caravan water tank. Plus, I don't think I could drive the monster-- the Hubs would have to take on that task.
So I'm into cars right now. We looked at a '07 Chevy Malibu, but I read that they have power steering problems. I know that every car has SOMETHING, some kind of problem... but I don't want to deal with steering problems.
Hey you car guys-- got any suggestions?? I've heard good things about the Hyundai Sonata... and the Toyota Prius.... but I don't know what else. I'm willing to go with a compact SUV if I have to. But I have four tall teens who need their leg room. So as much as I would love to get a zippy compact car again, I don't think they would tolerate it.
Here's what I'm looking for:
1. Roomy interior
2. Pretty good gas mileage (I only got 19mpg with the minivan on good days, so anything better than that is good!)
3. I don't care about resale value
4. I don't care about amenities like fins or radios or a valet that pops out of the glove box and serves me coffee (that's what I have kids for, lol)
5. No older than 2006.
Got any ideas, recommendations, cars to avoid? I'm all ears!!!! Thanks!
I'm in the market for a nice, mid-sized (used) sedan. Something that the kids and I can travel comfortably in. Oh I'd just LOVE to get an RV, you know-- my dad had one. He loaded the thing with the best RV accessories (even a plasma TV!). They were nice, very nice. But it's a teeny-tiny bit beyond my budget. I think they run for, what, $150,000. All I could afford would be the caravan water tank. Plus, I don't think I could drive the monster-- the Hubs would have to take on that task.
So I'm into cars right now. We looked at a '07 Chevy Malibu, but I read that they have power steering problems. I know that every car has SOMETHING, some kind of problem... but I don't want to deal with steering problems.
Hey you car guys-- got any suggestions?? I've heard good things about the Hyundai Sonata... and the Toyota Prius.... but I don't know what else. I'm willing to go with a compact SUV if I have to. But I have four tall teens who need their leg room. So as much as I would love to get a zippy compact car again, I don't think they would tolerate it.
Here's what I'm looking for:
1. Roomy interior
2. Pretty good gas mileage (I only got 19mpg with the minivan on good days, so anything better than that is good!)
3. I don't care about resale value
4. I don't care about amenities like fins or radios or a valet that pops out of the glove box and serves me coffee (that's what I have kids for, lol)
5. No older than 2006.
Got any ideas, recommendations, cars to avoid? I'm all ears!!!! Thanks!
Montezuma Winery and Plans to Travel
I made some fabulous new connections with New York State travelers and tourist vendors on Twitter. There is an entire community of Twitterers from the Finger Lakes (I am actually from Cayuga County), and it was great finding out wonderful new places to visit and things to do. I'm planning on visiting a posh bed and breakfast in Geneva, NY, in a few weeks, I can't wait for that! I'll have more details and a review soon.
I also discovered the website for my favorite winery, Montezuma Winery. Yay! I am really really hoping we can see the place. I did a review of their unique Cranberry Bog wine.
One of my ancestors helped form Howland's Island and the beginnings of the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, way back in the mid 1800s. I have been past the place many times, but have never visited.
The Montezuma Winery is so named because it is right in the same area (Seneca Falls area). The owner, George Martin, used to be a beekeeper of all things, but diversified into wine-making. The wines are unique because they are fruit wines, taking advantage of the abundance of delicious fruits that grow in New York State. I love the Cranberry Bog. I have not tried the others yet. I hope to do so when we visit the winery.
I'm pretty excited! I'm starting off 2011 with a TRIP! Woo hoom what could be next, custom laptops?! On the road again, at last! Stay tuned.
I also discovered the website for my favorite winery, Montezuma Winery. Yay! I am really really hoping we can see the place. I did a review of their unique Cranberry Bog wine.
One of my ancestors helped form Howland's Island and the beginnings of the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, way back in the mid 1800s. I have been past the place many times, but have never visited.
The Montezuma Winery is so named because it is right in the same area (Seneca Falls area). The owner, George Martin, used to be a beekeeper of all things, but diversified into wine-making. The wines are unique because they are fruit wines, taking advantage of the abundance of delicious fruits that grow in New York State. I love the Cranberry Bog. I have not tried the others yet. I hope to do so when we visit the winery.
I'm pretty excited! I'm starting off 2011 with a TRIP! Woo hoom what could be next, custom laptops?! On the road again, at last! Stay tuned.
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