New Years Eve DAY Adventure (12/31/13)

Leslie and I met up in Oneonta for a New Years Eve Day Trip and Geocaching Adventure.  We took some back roads to get to the area we were planning to go to, which took us a lot longer, but we enjoyed some great winter scenery along the way.  I think we got to Andes around eleven or eleven fifteen a.m.  We quickly found three geocaches.  One of them was among some very interesting stone ruins  and another one was very closeby.  Then we went to the Andes Hotel for lunch.  I had the bbq pulled pork and Leslie had the Hotel BLT, which had chicken in it.  We spent about twenty minutes checking out a few shops nearby.  Then we looked for another Andes geocache in a large cemetery, but we were unsuccessful.  

     It started to snow and it appeared that it was sticking, so we decided to head towards home on Route 28.  We stopped for one more geocache at a very old cemetery.  

 It appears that this cemetery has not had any real maintenance in a very long time, but someone has recently placed a flag on a former soldiers gravesite.  

    Completing our drive back to Oneonta was a bit treacherous, but we made it just fine and then the snow stopped.  I decided to go over to DragonScape and Lazer Tag because Kim's father died a few days ago, and family and friends were invited there at five p.m.  Lots of food was offered and I had some, before heading home.  .  

Christmas Day 2013

This is the first Christmas that I have been able to spend the day with my grandkids, because they first lived in Connecticut, then in Oregon, and now they live in the Caribbean. It looks like they are going to move to Michigan soon, and this year they are here in NY for close to month.  

They chose and cut down a Christmas tree and put it up, and decorated it. (Mostly with ornaments they purchased at the Salvation Army). They have done a lot of shopping. The kids and I made gingerbread houses, Christmas cut-out cookies, and we went to a local geocachers Christmas party. Its been a lot of fun. My sister visited for a few days the weekend before Christmas. We have played a lot of games and done some craft project, put a couple of puzzles together and gone to the movies THREE times!

But, best of all this morning I got to be with the kids when they opened their Christmas gifts.  First I prepared breakfast (baked french toast and sausage and strawberries).  Then it was time to pass out gifts.   Cassy received a special camera that takes fast pictures and can go underwater, and several accessories to go with it.  She was delighted.

Tyler seemed to like the books I gave him  (he picked them out himself at the Green Toad Bookstore in Oneonta a couple of weeks ago.

Megan and family gave me a LED flat screen TV and a cast iron skillet!   I love them both.  I decided to try out the skillet right away, while Chris got the new TV set up.  I cooked up a lb. of bacon.

Chris finished up
making pies for Christmas dinner and we all headed to his brothers house for Christmas Dinner.
Mike had cooked a ham (Appleton ham from Aldi's) and Chris made some delicious ham gravy.  Also on the menu were mashed potatoes, green salad, coleslaw, banana bread and cranberry bread.

After dinner, they exchanged gifts.  Mike and Tina gave me a box of Russell Stover chocolates!
After watching the kids play (Mike's son Jason came with his girlfriend and his two kids Lexy and Cody), we had several deserts to choose from.  I tried the peach cobbler I made, as well as the red velvet cheesecake and the lemon meringue pie that Chris baked.

Megan, Chris and the kids stayed, while I left early in order to be home to receive Christa's phone call from Oregon.  We talked for about twenty minutes, and then she had to go and get ready for work.

It was a very special Christmas.  Hopefully, by next Christmas they will be living in Michigan and I will visit them there OR they will visit me in Lockport (hopefully I will be there by next Christmas).

Ho! Ho! Ho! A Season ofGeocaching Event 12/21/2013

Today was the annual local geocacher's party at the HOLIDAY INN...............Ho! Ho! Ho! Another Season of Caching!!!

Peggy, Cassandra and Tyler accompanied me, and we met up with Leslie (Luckless).  The breakfast was very good (it always is).  Tyler won the UGLY SWEATER CONTEST.  We all enjoyed the ornament exchange.  
    After the event, we did some geocaching even though it was damp and occasionally rainy.  We found LITTLE CHICKEN CACHE(Cachysandra found it)

and ONEONTA'S ELLIS ISLAND (Awesome Tyler found this one)  but were unable to find SATISFACTION and ANOTHER FISHING ACCESS SITE.
     Then we went to the Calvary Retreat Center to see the nativities on display.  Here is one:  We were given a tour of the old building which was originally the CHESTNUT STREET SCHOOL.

 It was very interesting.  Peg and I offered to take the kids out for a light lunch, but they seemed to want to go home, so we went home instead.  It was a good day.

Cassy and I go to St. James

I read in the paper about how the Christmas window figurines from the former Bresee's Department Store are at St. James Manor (a retirement home just outside of Oneonta).  My friend Connie and I agreed to meet for lunch and then go to St. James, but she woke up feeling ill and cancelled.  I was going to go by myself, but I ran into my granddaughter (with her family) at WalMart and she decided to hang out with me, so after we completed our grocery shopping, we went to St. James.

here are a couple of the animated figures.  

They also have quite extensive "Christmas Villages" set up. 

as well as some really nice Christmas trees. 

We headed for home after our time at St. James,

and we all decided to prepare LUPPER.    (combination lunch and supper)   I prepared mac and cheese and green salad, Megan and the kids made Ghiardelli's brownies, which will be served with berries and whipped cream and Chris made Reuben sandwiches.  

Another DAY OUT with Tyler and Cassy (12/13/2013)

We decided to do some shopping and go to see THE HOBBITT today.  First we went to the library where I picked up a few more Christmas DVD's.  Then we went to THE DOLLAR TREE, where the kids bought Christmas cards for their parents and Aunt Tina and Uncle Mike.  We also purchased a few other items.  Then we went to WalMart to get some groceries............heavy snow is expected and I wanted to stock up.

When we started talking about lunch, Tyler really wanted a double cheeseburger from McD's so we picked that up at the McD's in WalMart and then headed to the mall so Cassy and I could get sandwiches from SUBWAY.  We ran into my friend Vera, collecting money for the Salvation Army, and we all had lunch together at Subway.  While waiting for our subs to be made, Tyler wrote a letter to Santa, which he then deposited in Santa's mailbox. 

Then it was time for the movie:  THE HOBBIT.  It was very good, great visuals.  Cassy has read the books, so she was able to tell us what was going on.  After the movie, we noticed a new and interesting candy store across from the theatre.  We bought some chocolate dipped and decorated pretzels.

We stopped at Daddy Al's Bread Store on the way home.     It was a good day!

Staff Fun Day: December 11, 2013

061, a photo by JuneNY on Flickr.

We had our last STAFF FUN DAY of the year (perhaps forever) today. We started out by going to SULLIVAN'S TREE FARM (I think its in Otego). Mary always cuts down her own tree here, and the rest of us wanted to experience it with her and her dog Leah. It was Mary, myself, Geneen, Eileen, Kim and Mark.

Since we were enjoying it so much, Geneen and Eileen both decided to cut down a tree to take home, also.

We went back to Family Services where I led the group in a craft project, one I saw on facebook, where you put some decorations and lights into a mason jar or another glass container, and decorate it.  We weren't quite finished with it when it was time to go to ALFRESCO'S for Mary's farewell luncheon  (she is retiring at the end of the year).  We all enjoyed the meal as well as the Christmas decorations.  Then we went back to FSA where we finished up the craft project.  It was a fun day!!!

My complete set of pictures taken today can be seen here:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/juneny/sets/72157638605693795/

Day in Oneonta with Cassandra and Tyler

My grandkids are staying with me for several days while their parents go on a job interview in Michigan. We decided to use our first day together to go into "town" and do a few things.

Our first stop was on Main Street, where we wanted to see the GINGERBREAD displays in the store windows. While doing that, we made several stops. We stopped at the new candy store and had some "peppermint bark", browsed in two bookstores and stopped at the sporting goods store which is selling out its merchandise before closing down for good.  The highlight of the shopping for me was my purchase of an ELMER FUDD vest at the sporting goods store on Main Street that is selling all of its inventory due to closing soon.  I think the correct name is "fishermans vest", but the label says "OUTBACK VEST" It is a lightweight vest that has a whole lot of pockets.  I got it for half price!

Tyler was disappointed that Santa was not in his house today.  I suggested he write a letter to Santa in a day or two, just in case he and Santa miss each other.

After "doing" Main Street, we went to the library to see what Christmas DVD's are available. And then we decided to have lunch at Denny's.

I purchased DUCK DYNASTY T-shirts for all four of them for Christmas presents at DICK'S SPORTING GOODS at the mall.

Then we went to see the movie FROZEN, which we all enjoyed.

We made a couple more short stops to shop before heading home. It was a great day.

States I have GEOCACHED in (updated)

Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com

TROMPTOWN ADVENTURE and more

Not too long while driving between Lockport and West Laurens, I went through an interesting village: DeRuyter, New York.  I took a few pictures and then located some information about the historical society.  A few emails and phone calls connected me with Tim Etter, who agreed to open the museum up for Peggy and I today.

We packed lunch and headed out this morning.  We located the hamlet of Plymouth first and while there we drove by a craft sale.  We stopped and both Peggy and I purchased a few items.  Then we headed towards DeRuyter.  My navigation system seemed to be taking us in the wrong direction so we ignored it and followed signs to DeRuyter (which turned out to be insufficient), so we were somewhat late for appointed time.  I think it was Tim's wife who met us there at 11:30.

The museum is in old building which was originally a tannery and then a bank, and then used for various purposes over the following years until it became the museum.  They have a LOT of artifacts including lots of "ghost signs".  Originally, DeRuyter was known as TROMPTOWN!!!!

After we left the museum, we decided to do some geocaching.  We tried to find the DeRuyter Double Dinger, without any success and then went on to find Santa's Backup and Wooley Booley.

Santa's Backup was at an Elk Farm!!!!!

Then we headed to Cazenovia to go to THE MUSEUM OF ODDITIES at the Cazenovia Public Library.  The museum has a mummy and a lot of other items, none of which seemed to be very odd to me.  We looked for another geocache in Cazenovia, without success.  

After that, we headed back towards my house.  It was a great day!

Lunch at THE OTESAGA 11/26/13

Gingerbread Village at THE OTESAGA in Cooperstown, NY, a photo by JuneNY on Flickr.

The FSA staff reserved a table for luncheon at THE OTESAGA today. Mary, Kim, Geneen, Mark and myself carpooled and met up there at 12:15 for the buffet lunch. It was really good. The entrees were chicken and pork lion (both with gravy), roasted sweet potatoes and green beans (I skipped thsoe). The deserts were spectacular.....I tried four or five of them. After lunch we went to the gift shop and wandered around a bit. Seeing the gingerbread village made by the bakers of THE OTESAGA was a highlight!

Geneen kept saying "redrum, redrum" as we walked into the hotel!!!!

Marathon Geocaching in Delhi and Hamden, New York

Leslie and I met up at her house at 9:30 this morning and headed out to Delhi.  It was not a very nice day, kind of damp and chilly.  We started out by finding one of the turf war geocaches in a fishing access and then found one on a trail in a park in Delhi, and then we went to Woodland Cemetery.  We only found one of the two we looked for there.  Then we went to the OLD DELHI CEMETERY and found a geocache hidden by el fartero.  By then it was 12:30 or so so we had lunch at the DELHI DINER.  I had a grilled cheese sandwich and a cup of potato soup and a piece of cherry pie.  After lunch we headed on to Hamden.
     In Hamden, we found the geocache hidden at the old baseball field,

which just happened to be right next to a very small cemetery THE OLD HAMDEN CEMETERY.

 Then we headed down the road to the trailhead for the West Branch Trail.  We found the micro geocache hidden in the kiosk.
This is a view of the trail between the kiosk and the parking area.

Then we backtracked to the covered bridge and found the geocache there.  We crossed the bridge and drove around a bit, since we thought the next geocache was in that direction.  We were wrong about that, and turned around and went back after exploring the Village of Delancey a bit.  We found a couple more geocaches then headed back to Delhi. We were both getting tired, but we decided to try to find MEMORIAL PARK geocache again.  This time we were successful.
     We took a different route home, going through Treadwell.  

TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE

I met up with Leslie at SUBWAY at Southside Mall and we had lunch before going to see the movie TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE.  It was very good, but has a lot of violence and is quite intense.  But, it does have a happy ending!

Long Weekend in Lockport: November 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11th

DAY ONE: driving to Lockport

I left my house at 8:15 or so and headed west.  My plans were to stop in Lyons, New York to go to the Wayne County Museum, so I used my GPS Navigation System to get me there.  It is a great museum, in the old jail. T cell blocks are still there, including some "prisoner art", along with the wardens office and some very interesting historical exhibits.  Then I explored the downtown area before driving north towards 104.  104 took me almost all the way to Lockport, and I arrived around 4:20.  We met up with Mike, Janie and the boys and Becky Austin for supper at THE CUP AND SAUCER (which I think is in Barker).

I took this picture of Janie's sons Dillon and Dominic before we left.

DAY TWO:  I put a chuck roast with carrots, onions and mushrooms in the crockpot.  We spent the bulk of the day working on the downstairs apartment, doing some deep cleaning.  I went to MEL'S to have the brake fluid in the Pacifica checked in the early afternoon.  Betty joined us for supper.  Later that evening, Peggy and I put together a list of things to do the next day.  I didn't think we would be able to fit all of them in..............

DAY THREE:  Play Day!!!!  I packed a lunch and we headed to Medina to go to the Railroad Museum, which was great!  We also shopped at Miller's Bulk Food (an Amish store)then we looked for a few geocaches, finding two of them. There is a geocache hidden near the CULVERT ROAD (the only road that goes underneath the Erie Canal) but we failed to find it because we chose the trail on the wrong side ofthe canal.  We stopped at a farm stand. Then we headed to Buffalo to drop off some books that Peggy saved for a friend who sells them on Ebay to help support some missionaries.  We went to a Super WalMart to try to find PB2 (a low calorie peanut butter product that Peggy had heard about), but it was not available.  We went to TRADER JOE'S where I hoped to be able to purchase some of their corn bread mix, but it was not available.

(it was my first time and I love this place) and then had supper at HOMESTYLE BUFFET (I think thats the name of it).

DAY FOUR:  I met up with Peggy and David at church and after church we went to Cammarato's for lunch.  I had chicken and biscuits.  I rested in the afternoon and early evening we went to visit Audrey.  I picked up half of a pepperoni/onion pizza at PIZZA OVEN.

DAY FIVE:  I headed for home.  I drove out 104 stopping to take pictures of cobblestone houses, an old cemetery, a huge antique shop and more. I saw this HUGE old cobblestone building, and later on I found out that it used to be an inn!

Too bad this huge antique store was closed because I would have LOVED to go inside and browse around.  

 While driving through Rochester on 104 I decided to get off and find the house I lived in in 67-68 and part of 69.  Then I looked for DON and BOB'S a place I used to eat at.  It has moved to a new location close to the old one and is now called DON'S ORIGINAL.  I had lunch there............the ground round was just as I remembered it being.........and so was the chocolate almond custard (absolutely delicious).  I drove out of Rochester on Route 31.

In Clyde, New York I stopped to take pictures of the ERIE MANSION

This old car was sitting behind the mansion, which is now a B and B.  Tours are offered and I kept the phone number, and I hope to take a tour someday.  

That may have been my last stop to take pictures.  I got on the thruway and headed east, getting off at the Canastota exit, and then driving to Morrisville and on home, arriving around 4:15 p.m.

New Island Adventure aka Return to New Island

I met up with Leslie this morning and drove to the Super 8 where I parked the car and then we walked to the start of the NEW ISLAND TRAIL, in order to find TINA'S TEASE, a geocache hidden by el fartero.  It was a LOT of walking and it was chilly and sometimes windy, but we perservered.  By the time we got back to the Super 8 we both felt and probably looked like scarecrows!  We had lunch at Denny' before heading to Laruens to find the LAURENS CEMETERY CACHE, which was quick and easy.  On the way back to Leslie's house, we stopped for desert at THE UNDERCOVER EGGLANT.  The coconut mound cake was delicous.  It was a great day!

Ham Supper

Christ Church in Gilbertsville offered a free community dinner tonight.  Carol and I went........ham, scalloped potatoes, carrots and apple crisp with ice cream for desert!

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