Sylvia's RV Journey

Anticipation levels were high as Wendy and Ron prepared for their birthday party picnic. We could not have ordered better weather. It was absolutely wonderful in the 70's, with a light breeze, and partly sunny. After a quick errand to pick up ice, and helium balloons, Marina and I picked some wildflowers that were growing along the roadside. Queen Anne's Lace and chicory as a centerpiece for the gift table. My Aunt Angela and Uncle Marv coincidentally were here in town for a wedding. They are from Rochester but now live in Minneapolis, and they joined us for the party. Wendy and Ron did a great job preparing ribs, chicken, pasta salad, and fruit. I made a ziti dish with mozzarella. Most of Ron's family is from Buffalo, and there were about 23 of us. It was fun watching them unwrap gifts. I got Ron some Lavazza coffee, and gave Marina purple flip-flops, a backpack, and an almost exact replica, stuffed doggie, of Jo Jo. Hopefully that will ease the separation, as I head out o...

You know timing is everything when you get it together and you're in the right place at the right time. My mother's, brother's, daughter is cousin, Michelle who happened to be in town visiting her daughter, Jessica. Michelle lives in Connecticut. So how lucky are we that she had a moment to visit here at my other cousin Wendy's house, aka: base camp. We enjoyed wonderful homemade waffles by Ron with freshly whipped cream and blueberries. And we were able to reminisce about the good old days in our childhood. I told them both that I have olive trees in Arizona. And I would love to learn how to cure these olives. I remember these two, who are several years younger than me, place olives on their fingertips, before devouring them. We all love olives and consider it a major vegetable food group. Our holidays and gatherings are not the same without black olives. In any event, Michelle spent a few hours with us and it was such fun. We don't know when we'll ever be able...

I found another treasure here in Corbett's Glen Nature Park, in Penfield. Marina and I did a loop hike from the base of a few smaller waterfalls. It took us through meadows and forests, with a soft rain. Its deja vu, now with the other gorge trails that I have had the special opportunity to see, and hike. There are more gorges than I have imagined in this area. Somehow flowing and falling waters never grows tiring. Marina got to witness my step, slip, and slide technique while I managed to stay on my feet. I am glad to have caught myself, and didn't fall. It's pretty muddy, as we have had several days of rain. We stopped for a quick afternoon ice cream treat. Don't tell her parents, as I did not get permission. But, that was part of the surprise and adventure, and I don't plan on doing this daily. What little girl or grown-up doesn't love ice cream, right? I had the deer tracks with expresso chips... to die for. On our drive back we went through a neighborhood,...

What would summer be without a Sunday summer picnic? I joined my cousins for  chicken, potato salad, mac and cheese, donuts, and nice people at their annual church summer picnic. I met several folks, including two women in their 70's who absolutely loved Jo Jo. They asked where I was from, and we got into a discussion regarding my road trip. One of the women refused to believe that I was just traveling alone with Jo Jo. After doing my best to convince her, I finally offered to give them a tour of the RV. Marina is the official tour guide, and showed them everything. These ladies were really sweet, and wished me safe travels. One of them got on her phone to a friend to find my blog, and tell her about me, and the Sylver Gypsy, lol. It was humerous. We celebrated cousin Ron's birthday with a mini road trip to Grimes Glen. A relatively new state park in Naples, NY. It was a stunning walk through a flowing gorge with steep cliffs on either side leading to two beautiful waterfalls...

I spent a day at "Cookie's Pottery at the Train Station" in Martville, New York. Mary is a very proficient potter who has been at her craft for roughly 40+ years. We relived high school days, and modern hot topics. We talked about the challenges of running an art business. I had the privilege of touring her property in this wooded area with various buildings that represented her studio and showroom creations. She recently moved into her property after many years of building. Mary uses the name/logo "Cookie" to promote her pottery. She opens up her property to dedicated collectors who not only have the opportunity to purchase her pottery, but enjoy an afternoon in this fun garden setting. I boondocked overnight, next to her barn, in pristine peace. I headed to Fair Haven State Park. I had never been to this park in all the years that I had lived near here. I found a beautiful spot near a large pond and had breakfast. I did some walking today and wound up on the ...