Secret Caverns and more: 10/21/13

I called Judy this morning to see if she was busy and she said she wasn't.  She asked me to pick up a couple of items at Price Chopper before driving out to Westford to meet up with her.  We decided to go to Ardy's for an early lunch, mostly because I had a gift certificate that I won a couple of days ago.  
     When we got to Ardy's at eleven a.m., we found out that it would not open until noon.  I suggested that we go to Cobleskill for lunch.  When I mentioned Rubbin' Buts BBQ, Judy was interested, since she had heard about it on the radio.
     We had lunch at Rubbin' Butts..........we both had the pulled pork sandwich for $5.00 (the lunch special) and a soda.  Then Judy asked if we could go see Ryder Elementary School where she did her student teaching.   I agreed and we found it.  
     I suggested a drive further east on Route 7, since it was such a nice day.  When I saw the colorful signs for SECRET CAVERNS, I suggested we find that place, since I had heard about how colorful the building was.  We followed the signs and drove through a small hamlet called Bramanville before we got to the caverns.
     I was surprised to see the caverns open.  This is the building where you pay to go in and it is also a gift shop.  Judy waited in the car while I went in and checked it out.  It is very interesting and colorful.

On the way back to Route 7, we went through Bramanville again, and I stopped to take a picture of the Caverns Mill Museum and Country Store, which, unfortunately, were closed.   I hope to return someday when it is open.  Bramanville is a sleepy hamlet. I noticed one storefront, but did not stop to take a picture.
     Once back on 7, we headed towards Schenevus.  We made one more stop: at a farm stand/store.  It was very nice.

 They sell a lot of items from other countries (I think Italy mostly) and offer sandwiches and other foods.

2013 New York State Right to Life Convention

This year the convention was held at the Holiday Inn in Oneonta, New York!  So, I had no reason to NOT attend.

The featured spearker was Courtney Elizabeth, a 17 year old abortion survivor.  She was very good! Karen Cross and her mother spoke about the impact Karen's two abortions had on the entire family.

I think that was prime rib on the buffet lunch!!!  There was a silent auction and I "won" a very colorful set of four handmade placemats and a gift certificate to Ardy's in Worcester.

Seven Geocache Adventure (New Berlin to Bridgewater to West Winfield and back)

Carol stopped by late yesterday afternoon and I suggested she and I do something today.  She said she did not have any money, so I suggested we do something free like go geocaching and have a picnic.  She agreed.

We got a bit of a late start because this morning because Carol had to get some hay first.  We met up a few minutes before 11 a.m. in New Berlin and headed north on Route 8.  We did not find the first geocache (Route 8 South Brookfield Road). Carol found the second one (Route 8 Snow Plow Turn Around).  I was looking in all the wrong places when she found it, and then she claimed that I "LET" her find it!!!   NOT!!!!!  I think the next find ws Route 8 Hoxie Road.  I found this one but I lost the log when the wind picked it up and took it away!!!!!  (I replaced it with a new log).  Then We found Route 8 Beaver Creek Road pretty easily.

By then we were getting hungry so I suggested we head to West Winfield where there is a cache hidden in a park where we might find a picnic table.  While going through Leonardsville, Carol suggested we stop at the place where she picked apples a few years ago.(Wratten's Apple Farm). They have a neat little shop in their barn. 

We checked out the types  they offer, but she decided to pass since they do not have any McIntosh apples. Then we headed to West Winfield and located the park. 

Then we headed to West Winfield via Route 20.  We had a great picnic lunch (egg salad sandwiches, potato chips and pumpkin cheesecake cupcakes) at a very nice park.  I think it is West Winfield Memorial Park.  There is a very beautiful grove of pine trees that we walked through in order to find a geocache.   

While looking for a geocache just north of Bridgewater, I noticed this garage!
Our last geocache find was in a wooded area off of a cemetery.  Then we headed for home.  I was pretty worn out!

RIVERSTONE Adventure

RIVERSTONE: West Oneonta, NY, : Connie with the chef
I met up with Connie at her place and after she walked her dog Daisy, we headed to West Oneonta for lunch at RIVERSTONE, which I think is Connie's favorite local restaurant. It closes for the winter at the end of this month, so we wanted to go one more time.

We ordered chicken wings as a "starter" I think they were garlic/parmesan flavored. They were very good. Then we split a grilled vegetable panini, which was also very good. We split a chocolate desert.  We visited with the chef, and I took his picture with Connie:

Then we took a walk around the area just outside of Crestview Heights Golf Course. The weather was perfect today and we thoroughly enjoyed being outdoors.

Solo Oneonta Adventure

When I stepped out of work at 12:30 today, I realized that it was a gorgeous, and even WARM fall day, and I decided I MUST not waste it.  Sooooooooo, I went to SUBWAY and purchased a six inch sub and went to the small park at the end of Maple Street and ate my sub while reading a book. Then I decided to go to Neahwa and walk around the lake a couple of times.  However, I decided to find a parking spot and walk around Main Street.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time on Main Street.  I checked out the back alleys and a new shop in the old Bresee's.  Also, I went to the Lady Ostapeck exhibit at the FOOTHILLS again, this time with my camera so I could take a few pictures.  Here is one.

Monday, October 14,2013

My friend Betty fell a couple of weeks ago and shattered her elbow.  After a week at Bassett and major surgery, she went to Chestnut Park for "rehab"  After a few days there, they decided to release her since there really was not anything they could do to rehabilitate her arm since it was in a huge cast/contraption.  She had an appointment with the surgeon today, so I picked her up at noon at Chestnut Park.  She was all packed up and ready to go!

We had lunch at Pondo's and then headed to Cooperstown.  She was x-rayed and then finally saw the surgeon  (he was running late, so this took a lot longer than we planned).  The surgeon took off the cast, which really was not a total plaster case, it was pretty soft and came off pretty easily.  A splint like thing was put on Betty's arm and locked into place.

I finally delivered Betty to her apartment around five fifteen p.m.  She and I were both exhausted, mostly from the waiting around.



I

Richfield Springs Geocaching Adventure

     I packed a picnic lunch and Leslie and I met up at my house and headed towards Richfield Springs for some geocaching.  Our first stop was at BAKER'S BEACH where we found our first geocache, one that Mr.Science hid.  Then we continued on towards Richfield Springs, stopping for a glass of cider at DYN'S CIDER MILL..............they were making cider today and it was very crowded.
     Once in Richfield Springs, we had a bit of trouble locating St. Joseph's Cemetery where a geocache is hidden.  I had found it previously.  Leslie found it within a couple of minutes.  After that we headed back to Main Street and the park where the next cache was hidden.  It was hidden on the fence around the area where there used to be a spring.  This picture shows one of the old hotels in the background.    I found that nano almost immediately and then we set up our picnic lunch (egg salad sandwich, potato chips, cherry tomatos, peach cobbler and Loganberry drink.  Then I checked out the small farmers market and purchased three green peppers.  I liked this display of gourds:

After that we headed out for more geocaching.  One of them was off of a "rail trail" and we enjoyed a short hike on a fairly well maintained trail.  

After finding the geocache and hiking back to Leslie's car, we drove down the road further (I think County Road 24) hoping to see some Amish farms, but I don't think we did.  We drove through the hamlet of Monticello, which does not have much, but I did notice at least one storefront and a cemetery, so I might return someday to take pictures.  We then drove around in a circle and approached another geocache which was at the opposite end of the same trail.  We were unsuccessful in finding this one, and we were surprised at the No Trespassing signs on the old bridge at that end.
     Then back through Richfield Springs for a couple more geocaches.   We stopped at Weaver's Lake and Leslie found that one (I found it a couple of years ago).  We one or two more but did not find one called "643", which seemed to be on, in, under or near someones mailbox.  Then we headed for home.  My full set of pictures for today is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/juneny/sets/72157636478158205