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.

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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.

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