And Then Some News

Thursday’s essay, “Secure your foundation: Forget resolutions,” is a New Year’s Day essay, and it doesn’t stop with trashing resolutions as a method for change. It offers ten specific methods for securing your foundation..

Share your link. Have you written anything on Christmas? How about material on Santa Claus, families at Christmastime, gift-giving, or the holidays? Share your link with us. We’ll post it and move traffic in your direction. And, a big “thank you,” in advance, from AndThenSomeWorks.com, for sharing your link.

Click here to LINK your And Then Some story

Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview
Secure your foundation: Forget resolutions
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
Resolutions don’t work! There are many reasons. They’re made to stop or lose something; they reflect a lack of planning; they describe a result without referencing behavior; there is no date for completion; there is no consequence for failure; they are made at the last minute; they are vague and too big; they have little support to carry them out; they are not written down; there is no commitment behind them; they offer no flexibility; they push toward perfection; and they often require miracles. Because resolutions don’t work, all they are are empty promises to yourself. So, what’s the answer: no resolutions, then what?

---

And Then Some Works - see you THURSDAY!!

Christmas is about people

by Richard L. Weaver II

Arranging schedules regarding when Christmas will be celebrated with the families of our grown children is difficult when each family has at least three celebrations. Our celebration never falls on Christmas morning anymore, but when we open presents at least 18 people are here and often a few more than that. With nine grandchildren, all counting how many presents they receive when compared with their cousins, we have made certain the count is exact, and considering how long the whole process takes, we have tried to limit the number of presents under the tree.

No matter how Christmas is celebrated or when, there are a number of things families can do to reduce the emphasis on gifts. It is difficult, of course, for young children can see little else, and their vision is blurred not just by the sheer number of gifts under the tree but, too, when they celebrate it three times and in each case the number increases. The problem is exacerbated when you have grandparents competing to give the greatest number, the biggest, or the most expensive.

One thing is for certain, the example adults set for children is important. This is one suggestion made by Dr. David Lowenstein, in his essay, “Teaching your kids about the real meaning of the holidays.” Lowenstein suggests setting an example by instilling the importance of the holidays in your own family. When you place emphasis on the religious significance of the holiday, he says, spend time together, or give to charity, your children will take clues from you. After setting an example, Lowenstein suggests promoting family togetherness, spending time together, performing acts of charity, encouraging giving, and managing gift expectations.

With respect to Santa Claus, Lowenstein suggests emphasizing that “Santa Claus is an icon of goodness.” Lowenstein says that if you emphasize this, “the gift-giving aspect of Santa [won’t] completely overshadow what’s really magical” — that Christmas is about people.

The real key, according to Lowenstein, is “to consider what the holidays mean to you and what you want them to mean to your children.” You do this so that you can “emphasize these things during the season and for the entire year. You’ll be happy to find,” he concludes, “that your family agrees that religion, charity, good will, family togetherness and love for each other creates more lasting memories than elaborate feasts, expensive decorations, and breakable toys.”

At “Great gift ideas," Patricia Sheehy, in her essay “Secrets to Meaningful Gift Giving,” suggests that you can take the anxiety out of gift giving (“Did I choose appropriately?” “Will it convey my feelings and intentions?”) if you keep a list of things your friends and family members talk about throughout the year (e.g., colors, hobbies, etc.), buy a gift connected to something bigger such as a piece of folklore, or a family story and, finally, she suggests adding a personal note to your gift to explain why you purchased it and to make the gift meaningful and personal. It focuses attention on the person giving the gift and the reason for it, not just on the gift alone.

Debra Lynn Dadd, in an essay entitled, “Holiday Gift-Giving,” tells us that, “Our modern bringer of gifts, Santa Claus, evolved from St. Nicholas, an actual person who distributed his wealth to the needy through the giving of secret gifts,” and, she adds, that, “Throughout most of history, gifts exchanged were small tokens of affection.” That offers a contrast to what takes place in many living rooms each year.

“The essence of gift giving,” says Dadd, “is generosity — the readiness and willingness to give of one’s self and one’s resources to benefit others, and to give liberally, freely, abundantly, plentifully, and joyfully.”

Given any gift-giving history and the traditions that take place during the holidays, it is unlikely there will be any major changes that take place. Even if that remains true, however, it is possible to reconsider your core values for the holidays. In her essay, Dadd lists five, important, core values:

* Being generous with people who can truly benefit from our gifts
* Expressing love in ways other than material goods
* Celebrating the spiritual and social meanings of the holiday
* Promoting peace
* Spending time with loved ones

Gift giving can take place within the context of these values and, also, other activities and events can be added to the gift-giving experience to reinforce the values, take the emphasis off the gift-giving portion, and add deeper meaning to the holidays.

Dadd offers a wide array of suggestions, and I recommend her website for a discussion and examples of each. She lists giving of yourself like gifts of time, gifts of help, gifts of skill, gifts of experience, gifts of family, gifts of community, and gifts with a personal touch. Also she suggests giving gifts with the environment in mind (that use fewer resources and are eco-friendly) such as a donation to an environmental group, organically grown plants, or gifts that are recycled or reusable.

Despite the gifts, the values you support, and the reasons you do or do not celebrate Christmas, if you do things during the holidays with the intention of expressing your love then gift giving can be just one of the ways. But when you focus on the people, not the gifts, then it is relationships that count. People, and your relationship with them, become more important than anything material.


When Christmas is about people, significant memories are established — memories that people will remember and that become important to the way they lead and conduct their lives. Memories are made from such simple things as turning off the television and the video games and playing games together, creating a new recipe together, playing some music and dancing together, cooking together, cleaning up the kitchen together, reading a book together, singing carols together, or just cuddling together and enjoying — celebrating — people at Christmastime.

---

At adoption.com, Donna Sanchez has written an essay entitled, “A meaningful Christmas,” in which she discusses a number of great ideas and examples of giving and sharing.

Patty Getz, at the website peopleoffaith.com, offers a list of “81 ideas to spend time with your family at Christmas,” to prove that Christmas can be so much more than presents and parties. The ideas are fun and interesting and will, undoubtedly, spark your imagination.

---

© Copyright 2008 - And Then Some Publishing, LLC

And Then Some News

We have a question for you: And Then Some Publishing, LLC is writing the scripts for the next set of videos. Our websites discuss the themes: 1) public speaking, 2) self-improvement, 3) And Then Some, and 4) relationships. Related to one of these themes, what topic would you like to see covered in one our new videos? Leave us a comment and tell us what you think.

---

Thursday’s essay, “Christmas is about people,” discusses gift-giving, holiday values, and what families can do to reduce the emphasis on gifts.

Share your link. Have you written anything on Christmas? How about material on Santa Claus, families at Christmastime, gift-giving, or the holidays? Share your link with us. We’ll post it and move traffic in your direction. And, a big “thank you,” in advance, from AndThenSomeWorks.com, for sharing your link.

Click here to LINK your And Then Some story

Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview
Christmas is about people
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
The real key, according to Lowenstein, is “to consider what the holidays mean to you and what you want them to mean to your children.” You do this so that you can “emphasize these things during the season and for the entire year. You’ll be happy to find,” he concludes, “that your family agrees that religion, charity, good will, family togetherness and love for each other creates more lasting memories than elaborate feasts, expensive decorations, and breakable toys.”

---

And Then Some Works - see you THURSDAY!!

When "camping" becomes exceptional

by Richard L. Weaver II

Someone could say that no camping (at all) is exceptional camping or that any camping at all is great camping — both extremes of the same subject. Today (09-08-08), however, reveals how truly exceptional “camping” can be.

My wife and I come from camping families, so it comes as no surprise that we both enjoy and pursue it with considerable interest and vigor.

We are “camping” in “Brennan Beach RV Resort” in Pulaski, New York, and this place is the largest park we have ever camped in with over 1400 sites, a combination of seasonal and overnight/destination types. It is hard to imagine (even for us), the size of this place, and if it were full, I would probably not be writing an essay on this topic, with this slant, at this park.

We are in this park for 3 nights, and we are likely to extend our stay for another night. When we checked in (this being the week following Labor Day), most campers had already departed. Having selected the more wooded area, we were already choosing the less popular area of the park; however, we are in a site surrounded by other sites, but nobody (with the exception of two other trailers quite a distance from us), is here. We are by ourselves.

Each of the 1400 camping sites here has full service: electric, water, sewer, and cable (wireless Internet access is available at the pavilion). The 62 sites surrounding us (we are approximately in the center of this wooded area), all have level concrete pads, and when we step out of our 5th wheel, we step onto this pad. There is a picnic table on the pad just to the left of our 5th-wheel door under our awning, and although this entire setup is an awesome arrangement, it justifies precisely why I place “camping” in quotation marks. This is camping?

It is currently 72 degrees, there is a blue sky with no clouds, and a slight breeze. Last night (our first night here) it was very dark and completely silent. Within 200 feet of our campsite (within visual distance through the trees), there are showers, a very clean restroom, and a dispenser for a daily newspaper.

We decided to stay in our campsite today since we have been on the road for 13 days. We wanted to relax and not get into the truck to travel or sightsee. Our biggest adventure today was to visit the camp store and swimming pool and walk down to and along the beach. The point of this essay is to extol the virtues of this form of camping — “camping” this way is truly exceptional.

Today I fixed a grilled cheese and ham sandwich on our electric, two-burner stove on the picnic table, had French-vanilla yogurt poured over bananas, grapes, cherries, black raspberries, and pineapple. A cup of coffee and a chocolate-chip cookie completed my lunch. It is an exceptional lunch.

We are carrying with us a small (two-person) crock pot, and Andrea has a ham and cabbage slow-cooker dinner simmering (for 8-10 hours) for dinner tonight. The delightful aroma in the 5th wheel is mouth watering.

Of the 13 days we have been on the road, we have had two camping experiences like this: under the shade of enormous trees, in a full-service, level, campsite, private, and quiet at night. The good weather we have had is an added benefit and comes at no additional charge.

What a great way to relax! We fully realize that larger trailers and larger 5th wheels come with even more amenities, but as far as we’re concerned, we have all we need. The bed, for example, is extremely comfortable, and the cool nights encourage a wonderful sleep. Cable has allowed us to watch the national conventions as well as the U.S. Open (the men’s final between Murray and Federer is tonight). We have a DVD player, and we’ve watched two of the 10 movies we brought with us.

Our 5th wheel comes with a terrific shower, and when we have a sewer we do not need to be careful about how much water we use. With Andrea and me taking showers right after each other, we have yet to run out of hot water. When we don’t have a sewer connection, we take short. showers using as little water as possible.

Although we have air conditioning and use it when necessary, the a-c unit has a fan on it which can be used on low or high. One night we used it all night on low just to block out the noise of a nearby active campsite. A small, portable fan (which I have on now) circulates the air sufficiently for comfort. When mornings are cold (it will get into the mid forties the next couple of nights) our cube heater provides a quick warm-up in the morning.

With two refrigerators, plenty of fresh drinking water, a microwave, full stove, a regular oven (which we’ve never used), we have all the conveniences necessary to prepare complete meals. We carry 3 small, blue-ice packets and a small plastic thermos-like container so that we prepare our lunches in the morning before breaking camp, and carry sandwiches, fruit, yogurt, fresh vegetables, drinks, and cookies wherever we travel or tour.

We heard recently of a prominent physician from our hometown who is retiring and whose wife wants to travel. He has no interest in traveling, but he says he can be persuaded. Considering what there is to see and do in the world, it is hard for us to imagine such a position. Day-before-yesterday, for example, we took a two-nation cruise to explore the 1,000 islands at the mouth of the St. Lawrence Seaway between Canada and the U.S. In another example, just a 1-hour stop at the Discovery Center in Sacket Harbor, NY, yesterday alone, supplied sufficient information to overwhelm the senses. Information on the farming and agriculture of this region, architecture, tourism, fishing, recreation, and history was impressive. Information on Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony, Frank Lloyd Wright (his famous home, Graycliff, is in Derby, NY), and because geography dictated that the war of 1812 operations take place around Lake Erie, near the Niagara River between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and near the Saint Lawrence River area, there was much information on those events as well.

There is much excitement in 5th-wheelin’ it, and camping in this manner is exceptional not because of any one element but as a result of adding everything together. Sure, it’s the vehicles, the ease, the supplies, the amenities, the weather, and all that you can learn. Our travels have always been educational adventures. The experience of using our 5th wheel is the delightful and wonderful combination that cannot be entirely predicted nor anticipated. It proves, however, that “camping” can be truly exceptional.

---

At the “Love Outdoors," the brief article on “Camping” offers over 30 useful tips and suggestions that may help you make camping easier.

In a brief article on this Camp’n Style website, there are three areas discussed: (1) family camping, (2) camping essentials, and (3) camping trailer tips. The ideas are brief and to the point, useful and interesting, readable and valuable.

---

© Copyright 2008 - And Then Some Publishing, LLC

And Then Some News

AndThenSomeWorks.com has been updated with a new section asking the question: Is life truly about male versus female, or is there something to be discovered when you dive in and inspect more closely? Are male/female differences more than just because their brains are wired differently? Check out the new section on Gender and find out!

YouRules.com has also been updated with two new sections. Continuing the self-improvement theme. These new sections compliment the book You Rules - Caution: Contents leads to a better life! These essays can't be found on our blog and are only available on the website. Click the links and check them out: Control Your World - For Skeptics

We have a question for you: And Then Some Publishing, LLC is writing the scripts for the next set of videos. Our websites discuss the themes: 1) public speaking, 2) self-improvement, 3) And Then Some. Related to one of these themes, what topic would you like to see covered in one our new videos? Leave us a comment and tell us what you think.

---

Thursday’s essay, “When ‘camping’ becomes exceptional,” is the third of three essays on our vacation to upstate New York..

Share your link. Have you written anything on traveling or camping? How about material on upstate New York? Share your link with us. We’ll post it and move traffic in your direction. And, a big “thank you,” in advance, from AndThenSomeWorks.com, for sharing your link.

Click here to LINK your And Then Some story

Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview
When ‘camping’ becomes exceptional
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
There is much excitement in 5th-wheelin’ it, and camping in this manner is exceptional not because of any one element but as a result of adding everything together. Sure, it’s the vehicles, the ease, the supplies, the amenities, the weather, and all that you can learn. Our travels have always been educational adventures. The experience of using our 5th wheel is the delightful and wonderful combination that cannot be entirely predicted nor anticipated. It proves, however, that “camping” can be truly exceptional.

---

And Then Some Works - see you THURSDAY!!

Traveling by guess and by gosh II

by Richard L. Weaver II

We were driving through the small village of Sodus Point, New York, after visiting the old lighthouse and museum and Chimney Bluff State Park, when I saw a small sign set out near the main road through town. It simply read “Pizza,” and after a quick discussion of dinner plans, we turned around and ordered a large for $11.99. After a wait of about 30 minutes, while we strolled the harbor, we took the pizza back to our Brennan Beach campsite. Talk about traveling “by guess and by gosh,” it was the best pizza we have ever had.

What was interesting about this “best pizza” experience was that when we were at the old lighthouse in Sodus Point, two ladies we asked about getting pizza said, very clearly and assertively, that there was no place in Sodus Point to get good pizza. Maybe they thought Sodus Point only had excellent pizza!

From a campsite overlooking Lake Ontario at Sodus Point we drove just 30 miles to Cheerful Valley Campground. Our “by guess and by gosh” opportunity occurred when we visited the National Women’s Right Park and Museum, in Seneca Falls, NY. It was a wonderful and inspiring collection of photographs, stories, and papers (books, letters, and pamphlets) about the life and times of Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Jane Hunt, Frederick Douglass, Mary Ann McClintock and the McClintock family and all the others who hosted the First Women's Rights Convention at Seneca Falls in 1848. Here were representative objects from the Women's Rights Movement of the 19th and 20th centuries particularly as they relate to the Declaration of Sentiments and the first Women’s Rights Convention.

An even more impressive “by guess and by gosh” moment took place as a result of talking with the owner of Cheerful Valley Campground. He pointed out that “Canal Days," was taking place in Palmyra, NY, and because we had expressed an interest in seeing the Erie Canal, he suggested we go. The main part of downtown Palmyra was closed off because of the parade route and all the tents, so we parked at the Palmyra fairgrounds and were shuttled to main street by school bus.

Just as we got off the bus in downtown Palmyra, there was a loudspeaker announcement that an historic walking tour of the Erie Canal would be taking place, and all those interested should gather at the main information booth. Just our luck! We met our tour guide and then the five other people taking the tour with us. Our guide showed us the old stores that serviced the canal, the hotels and storage sheds, and some of the old homes. He pointed out, too, how the bed of the canal had changed three times as it had been widened and deepened. He told us that in the time of the canal, traffic was constant day and night, but now most all canal traffic is recreational boats and tourist excursions. All the locks remain in working condition.

As we were getting on the bus to return to the fairgrounds, we asked a couple we saw how to get to the Joseph Smith Farm. We had not noticed that both people were wearing name tags indicating they were Mormon. They gave us specific directions out of the parking area, and we drove directly to the farm. In entering the parking lot, we noticed that the person in the welcome center of the farm waved to us, and later we discovered the couple from whom we asked directions had phoned ahead to let them know we were coming.

After a short talk by two missionary women from Australia, who were clearly proselytizing on behalf of their faith, we decided not to take the tour of the farm and Sacred Grove but, instead, drive directly to Hill Cumorah. In the small town (population 8,000) of Palmyra, NY, is where the Mormon faith was born. It was the home of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known as the Mormon Church. At Hill Cumorah we climbed to the golden statue of the angel Moroni just as Joseph Smith had visited the Hill Cumorah at Moroni’s prompting and dug up the golden plates on which the Book of Mormon was written. We did not look for any forgotten golden plates, nor did we receive any prodding from Moroni, but our trip was instructive and interesting just the same.

Our next excursion from the Cheerful Valley Campground was to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. Driving through the entire Refuge, there was little wildlife to be seen since the fall migration had not begun, but in the souvenir shop of the welcome center, we found some beautiful ballpoint pens in the shape of animals that we purchased (nine of them) for stocking presents for our grandchildren.

Because we were in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, we drove along Cayuga Lake, stopped at an Amish Market, visited Geneva (at the tip of Seneca Lake), and drove through several state parks.

The Finger Lakes, according to Wikipedia, “mainly are linear in shape, each lake oriented on a north-south axis. The two longest, Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake, are among the deepest in America. Both are close to 40 miles from end to end, but never more than 3.5 miles wide.” Again, quoting Wikipedia, “The Finger Lakes area is New York's largest wine producing region. Over 100 wineries and vineyards are centered around Seneca, Cayuga, Canandaigua, and Keuka Lakes. Because of the lakes' great depth, they provide a lake effect to the lush vineyards that flank their shores.”

From Cheerful Valley in Phelps, NY, we drove 202 miles to Chautauqua Campground on Chautauqua Lake. This was our final campsite, and because we stayed four days, it gave us time to relax, drive around the lake, and visit two outstanding gift shops in Bemus Point, NY. We had outstanding trips to Long Point State Park, Jamestown, and the Chautauqua Institute. as well.

We started this “by guess and by gosh” vacation with no reservations and no travel plans. It was simply a 3 ½ week visit to upstate New York. What we discovered at many points was startling. There were so many outstanding, unplanned for, and extraordinary experiences that this is an adventure we would recommend to anyone seeking a new and exciting get-away.

---

Although we dropped directly south from the Seaway Trail before it reached Rochester, NY, at this site there is a map of the entire trail. We traveled it from Massena, but you can follow it farther west from Rochester directly along Lake Erie.

The “I Love New York," website has a number of picture icons that will guide you to most of the areas we visited. It is worthwhile place to start planning an upstate New York trip.

---

© Copyright 2008 - And Then Some Publishing, LLC

And Then Some News

AndThenSomeWorks.com announces Very Personal, a new essay subject on the website.

The three new essays in this section have never been on the blog nor published previously, and they reveal a personal side of me, Richard L. Weaver II, that I have not yet talked about. The first essay answers the question, Why do I read?, and if you're a reader, you'll quickly identify with the insights shared. The second essay, Trying to understand everything, answers a question a student asked me: "Do you know everything?" How I answered that question is in the essay, and, believe me, it was a difficult situation. The third essay is about the joy and usefulness there is in being handy --- how I learned it and how I have applied it. There's lots of new information in these three essays that you'll find both interesting and insightful. Also, And Then Some wants to wish you all the best for the holiday season.

---

Thursday’s essay, “Traveling by guess and by gosh II,” is the second of three essays on our vacation to upstate New York..

Share your link. Have you written anything on traveling or camping? How about material on upstate New York? Share your link with us. We’ll post it and move traffic in your direction. And, a big “thank you,” in advance, from AndThenSomeWorks.com, for sharing your link.

Click here to LINK your And Then Some story

Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview
Traveling by guess and by gosh II
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
Just as we got off the bus in downtown Palmyra, there was a loudspeaker announcement that an historic walking tour of the Erie Canal would be taking place, and all those interested should gather at the main information booth. Just our luck! We met our tour guide and then the five other people taking the tour with us. Our guide showed us the old stores that serviced the canal, the hotels and storage sheds, and some of the old homes. He pointed out, too, how the bed of the canal had changed three times as it had been widened and deepened. He told us that in the time of the canal, traffic was constant day and night, but now most all canal traffic is recreational boats and tourist excursions. All the locks remain in working condition.

---

And Then Some Works - see you THURSDAY!!

Traveling by guess and by gosh

by Richard L. Weaver II

In Lolo, Montana, on September 9, 2005, we stopped in a field 12 miles southwest of Missoula where we discovered that Lewis & Clark had camped there exactly (to the very day) 200 years before in 1805. At this spot, called Traveler’s Rest, were tents, well-marked pathways, people in costumes, large areas roped off for visitor parking, and we had no idea what was going on when we stopped. Being very early in the day — before they had begun charging for admission to the grounds — we parked and walked throughout the whole area. I even had my picture taken sitting on a tree stump exactly where their latrine was located.

How do they know where the latrine was located? At the LewisandClarkTrail.com website, it says, “The Traveler's Rest Preservation & Heritage Association reported that archaeologists uncovered what appears to be the latrine used by the Corps of Discovery while camping at Traveler's Rest. Significant amounts of mercury were found in the soil where a Corps' latrine was located. The expedition regularly used mercury as a medical treatment.”

This accidental stop at Traveler’s Rest wasn’t the first “by guess and by gosh” occurrence, and it certainly won’t be the last. As-a-matter-of-fact, our entire trip to upstate New York in September, 2008, was all by guess and by gosh, and many of the experiences we had are truly memorable.

We left home on Wednesday, August 27th with no specific agenda and traveling straight east, we drove 262 miles (as far as we could) in one day. We stayed at the Hidden Valley Campground and RV Park in Jamestown, New York. For the second night we stayed in Meadow Vale Campsites at Mt. Vision, NY. Without a reservation, it was our third night that caused a slight problem. Our first choice of campsites in the Lake George area was full, but the owner called to Lake George Campsites and secured a site for us. Most of the 100 or more campsites were occupied or reserved because it was Labor Day; thus, we felt lucky to get a site in an open field (with full services) along with close to ten other RVs and fifth wheels.

With the Great Escape amusement park (roller coasters) close by, an elaborate putt-putt golf course at the entrance to our campsite area, an outlet mall within 1-2 miles, and many fast-food and sit-down restaurants in the area, Lake George catered to families, not to those who had an appreciation for natural things. We traveled around Lake George, up Prospect Mountain (for $7.00 per car), and were happy to leave for the Adirondack Mountains after three nights.

“By guess and by gosh” is much easier after Labor Day when children have to be back in school, and most people have ended their summer vacations.

It was only a three-hour drive from Lake George to the North Pole Campsites, just outside of Lake Placid. Site 65 in their 100-acre wooded area was private, close to their very clean restrooms, and had full service. Our first excursion took us to the AuSable River Gorge which cost us $10.50 each to walk it because it was privately owned. We then drove to Platsburg and drove around the SUNY campus there — a place I had considered teaching early in my career.

Our second excursion took us to the High Falls Gorge (also on the AuSable River), where our tickets were $9.00 each (because it was privately owned) to walk the Gorge. The Gorge is absolutely gorge-ous! Then we took Veteran’s Memorial Highway (NY 403) to the top of Whiteface Mountain, near Wilmington, NY, where I took a 286-foot elevator (carved out of the stone at the center of the mountain) to the top of the 4,867 foot-high mountain. It cost $12.60 (with an AAA discount) to drive up the mountain (because it was privately owned).

You obviously see a trend here in my citation of costs. We were amazed that the natural wonders of the Adirondack Mountains which should be state or national parks, were all privately owned with — what we considered to be — exorbitant costs attached.

From the North Pole Campsites we drove just over two hours north to Massena, NY, along the St. Lawrence Seaway. There, we found a site in the Massena International Kampground, all by ourselves, overlooking the Grasse River. After setting up camp, we drove to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Lock and watched a large ship traverse the lock. At the Robert Moses State Park, we saw an enormous electric-generating plant, but we chose not to take a tour.

We stayed just one night in Massena then drove along the St. Lawrence River (following the Great Lakes’ Seaway Trail, to Clayton and Alexandria Bay, NY, which is the location of the 1,000-island area. Just to the west of Clayton we found Riverside Island RV Park. After setting up camp, we returned to Clayton and Alexandria Bay to walk around. The following day we went back to Clayton to take a 2 ½- hour, two-nation cruise of the islands. The tour ended at the Boldt Castle, where we had delicious chili dogs and toured the castle before taking a boat-shuttle back to Clayton. The cost for the cruise and the additional cost for the Castle tour were reasonable and well worth it.

Our next camping site, just 2 1/2-hours west from Clayton at Pulaski, NY, was at Brennan Beach RV Park & Campsite, one of the largest parks we have ever stayed in. With over 1400 sites, we chose the wooded area which had full-service hook-ups for just 62 campers. We were one of only three in the entire wooded area, and all three campers were spread out from each other so that each of us felt totally alone. The park had a long sandy beach on the shore of Lake Ontario, and it was located next to a Deer Lake State Wildlife Refuge where we located and photographed swans along a trail where we walked.

All that I have mentioned in this essay thus far was “by guess and by gosh.” We had no reservations; we made no plans; we just went along at our own pace and on our own schedule. But the real payoff for our “by guess and by gosh” travels on this trip was yet to come. Next week's essay is full of more surprises.

---

Although we used a 5th-wheel camper for our travels, it is similar to having an RV (recreational vehicle). At this website, “RV Ideas for Family Traveling,” there are numerous tips and suggestions that may help guide you in the right direction.

Admittedly the tips and suggestions at this website, “Connell Family Camping Page: Camping Tips,” has an enormous number of ideas that begin with finding the right camper and towing vehicle, to winterizing tips, games and activities, preparation miscellaneous suggestions, as well as meal and family time suggestions. There is so much information on this site, you cannot fail to be amazed — or learn something new.

---

© Copyright 2008 - And Then Some Publishing, LLC

And Then Some News

Thursday’s essay, “Traveling by guess and by gosh,” is the first of three essays on our vacation to upstate New York..

Share your link. Have you written anything on traveling or camping? How about material on upstate New York? Share your link with us. We’ll post it and move traffic in your direction. And, a big “thank you,” in advance, from AndThenSomeWorks.com, for sharing your link.

Click here to LINK your And Then Some story

Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview
Traveling by guess and by gosh
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
In Lolo, Montana, on September 9, 2005, we stopped in a field 12 miles southwest of Missoula where we discovered that Lewis & Clark had camped there exactly (to the very day) 200 years before in 1805. At this spot, called Traveler’s Rest (http://www.travelersrest.org/), were tents, well-marked pathways, people in costumes, large areas roped off for visitor parking, and we had no idea what was going on when we stopped. Being very early in the day — before they had begun charging for admission to the grounds — we parked and walked throughout the whole area. I even had my picture taken sitting on a tree stump exactly where their latrine was located.

---

And Then Some Works - see you THURSDAY!!

Cyber Monday Sale!

It's our first annual Cyber-Monday Sale! We have great items for your baby like plush reversible baby carrier cover and an all-in-one baby changing station. Want a great deal on a fleece blanket? How about Frosty the Snowman and Santa fleece blankets, and one item so cheap we can't tell you what it is! See for yourself at ProductsThatPamper.com - A handmade paradise of products that pamper

Interested in public speaking, self-improvement... and then some? We have you covered. This week Dr. Weaver will be adding posts to our "Words of Wisdom" section. Every two weeks a new post from great thinkers of many generations. Get ready for inspiration and motivation. Check out three books by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.

You Rules - Caution contents leads to a better life
YouRules.com

Get the rules of self-improvement! "Look Inside" at Amazon.com

You Rules! answers the questions:

1. How do you establish the characteristics for success?
2. What are the essentials for a healthy lifestyle?
3. What methods can you use to get where you want to go?
4. How can you best exercise your creativity?
5. What can you do to maintain your program of self-improvement?
6. How do you look to a positive future?

With the answers to these questions, the guidelines offered throughout this book, your commitment and self discipline... you can obtain anything you desire in life.

Full chapters now available: (click link below)
Table of contents
Chapter 21: Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps
Chapter 25: Open the mystery doors of your life
Chapter 47: Rage, rage against the dying of the light


Public Speaking Rules! - All you need for a GREAT speech
PublicSpeakingRules.com

You don't want to speak just "good," and you don't want to be just "better." What you want is to be GREAT! This guide isn't just an introduction to public speaking, it's your handbook to improve your public speaking, whatever skills you possess. It doesn't matter if you're an advanced public speaker, just beginning, or in need one great speech. Public Speaking Rules! is your nut-and-bolts handbook whether you're starting from scratch or simply brushing up.

Whether you need tips on fears and phobias, a special occasion speech, impromptu public speaking, and/or writing the perfect speech... we have it all. Check out all the public speaking topics and learn how it's not just public speaking... it's Public Speaking Rules!

Click the link below:
> Speeches
> Public Speaking Rules book
> Impromptu Public Speaking
> Fears and Phobias
> Special Occasion Speeches
> Writing and Delivery


And Then Some - Essay to entertain, motivate, & inspire!
AndThenSomeWorks.com

Daily And Then Some moments have never ceased, and will never cease. With respect to influential, life-altering, high density, transforming events, nothing compares with the colossal And Then Some phenomena. And Then Some is your benchmark. Establish a new pattern and approach for reshaping your life.

Be positive, get motivate... And Then Some!
> And Then Some Approach
> Family
> Humor
> Messages
> Relationships
> Thought Provoking
> Travel

Have a great Cyber Monday!