Finally a moment to write. We are in a Harvest Host farm in Fort Plain NY somewhere near Utica and close to the Thruway. Out the window there are Alpaca, Sheep and, with a bit of a walk, rabbits and chickens. But this is the last night of the trip. 

We took two nights to drive to Malena and Dan’s place just north of Charlottesville. We set up the coach next to the garage as usual and began 5 nights of feasting. Between caring for the horses, managing the finances of their company she manages to prepare substantial delicious meals. The first full day there we drove out to their new land in the Shenandoah Valley (sort of) to tour the 240 acres of gorgeous  hills and vales and forests and plains they own. Four of us rode in their 2 seat 4×4 Kubota, 3 in front and Malena in the truck bed with cushions. We can’t wait to see how they develop the land as a farm and homestead. 

We spent time with their horses and with them and eventually moved on toward my sister’s home in Vermont. My first route had us passing though DC, Baltimore, and NYC. This was a NO. We routed back up I81 to I84 and stops in Harrisburg PA and the Catskills. The routes in the Catskills were fun to drive if you like rollercoaster travel. 

We had four days with my sister Sandy and her husband David. David was a wonderful tour guide and driver. We toured some special exhibits at the Shelburne Museum where my sister is a board member. Then we drove to Middlebury where there is a synagogue in a house that had been converted by David’s grandparents.  I had to deal with a Jojoba Hills SKP Resort board meeting while we were there. They lent me a room so I could set up my computer for the zoom. Fortunately the meeting  was adjourned in 45 minutes with the work completed. 

We capped off the touring with a stop at the local Conservative synagogue which has a wonderful restored mural that had been “lost” for many years. Then we stopped at Shelbourne Farms for a driving tour of the farm.  After lunch we returned to the coach for some R&R and to begin preparation for the trip home. Dinner that night included Sandys son Steven .

I had let our fuel level get a bit to low for my comfort and I needed a route that would get us to a truck stop that offered our discount program. I found one in Glens Falls NY. On a purchase of 78 gallons the discount was $62. Definitely worth planning a route to make that stop. 

As the sun is starting to set and the breeze is getting cooler we are preparing to eat and get back on the road tomorrow. Although we are within a few miles of the NY Thruway, we are just a few miles further to US 20. It will take an hour longer but there is no hurry so as those of you who have been following us know, we will be running 20 , slower and no tolls, and much prettier than yet another interstate that we know all too well.