Maine to NY to NM- The Summer of 2019 con't

Following a great trip to Maine and a visit with friends in Northeast Chapter 3 of the Escapees RV Club, it was time to start or trip back west. Our trip west plans:

8.19.19          Brattleboro, Vt          284 Mi
8.20.19          Ovid, NY                  276 Mi
8.28.19          Fairview, PA             222 Mi
8.30.19          Galloway, OH           235 Mi
9.1.19            Terre Haute, IN         239 Mi
9.3.19            Marshfield, MO        365 Mi
9.5.19            Chandler, OK           265 Mi
9.7.19            Amarillo, TX            312 Mi
9.9.19            Lakewood, NM        281 Mi

Total trip days/miles:                           23 /2465

We left Hermon, ME and Pumpkin Patch RV Park on 8.19.19. Back to Brattleboro and Brat North KOA for a one night stay that allowed us to fuel up and get to one of our favorite spots in Brattleboro- Brattleboro Village Pizza. They were closed for the month of July(vacation). Next day it was off to NY following the same route that got us here- Hogback Mtn, up Searsburg Mtn, down Woodford Mtn into Bennington and then to Troy, NY and the New York State Thruway I90.  About 150 miles later we exited at Weedsport and made for Ovid, NY and SNED Acres Campground.

This was our 3rd trip to this area of the Finger Lakes, the 1st being in Aug of 2014. Camping next to us at that time were Don & Debbie from Newark, NY. We've been friends ever since. We saw them again in 2016 at Cayuga Lake State Park and again at Sampson State Park and this was a BIG reason why we were visiting this area again. Did I mention that the other 2 times were as a result of a Bass Tournament on Cayuga Lake? And yes, we do enjoy their company,

Don & Debbie right next to us, Cayuga Lake in the distance

I mentioned that there was a big Bass Tournament here, the Bassmaster Elite Series. When the event was announced like November of last year, I was quick to sign up to be a Marshall for the event. Being a Marshall is a very rewarding experience. Not only do you get to go out with a different pro for each of the first 3 days of the tournament, you get to spend an entire day with them, learning. Responsibilities include taking and posting photos to the Bassmaster Blog, recording and reporting  all legal catches, and most importantly, acting as eyes and ears for Bass Officials to be sure all rules and regulations are adhered to. It is really a priceless experience, not to mention traveling down the lake at 70 mph. I took Don with me to the Marshall's meeting the day prior to the start of the event. I think he was truly happy to sit in on the meeting.  When the Marshall's meeting was over, we joined the anglers at their meeting and it was here that the Marshalls found out who they were paired with for the first day. Was I ever lucky with who I drew. Cory Johnston from Canada(Mary and I like Canadians). Cory was certainly one of the favorites to win the tournament and at that point in the season was like 4th in Angler of the Year points.

My day 2 Angler was Hunter Shyrock from Ohio.

And this was a pic from Bassmaster. com of us at launch day 2.....

Boat on plane and heading south

And this was day 3 angler, Drew Benton from Georgia

Like I said, it was truly an amazing experience. What was so interesting for my part was the fact that all 3 did well in the tournament and all 3 caught fish using completely different techniques.

I'll share my 3 days here, and let the pics speak for themselves.

prior to launch day 1

Cory getting rods out

getting in line for start

The first one

The electronics used are pretty incredible

me doing my photo taking job

Start of day 2

Hunter with a nice one to start the day

Hunter at the scales

Drew with a nice one

Part of the large crowd at weighin. That is Don in orange shirt in center of pic and Debbie right next to him.

Another thing about Cayuga Lake - you are right in the heart of the Finger Lakes Wine Country. Since Mary was still experiencing bowel issues, we didn't tend to travel too much, but one day we did venture a few miles up the road and visited one of our favorite wineries, Toro Run.

The winery is on a hillside overlooking Cayuga Lake

Mary with el Toro and the vineyards in the background

It was tough parting company with Don & Debbie. We really enjoyed the time that we spent with them. But then it was time to leave the area. We got back on I 90 and headed west, past Rochester and Buffalo and then on to Erie, Pa and our first stop. Stayed at the same RV Park in Fairview, The West Haven at Lake Erie. 2 nights here and then off to Galloway, OH for 2 more nights. Nothing spectacular about it or this area, unless you were an Ohio State Buckeye football fan. We were right near Columbus and they were playing their home opener. In excess of 100,000 expected for the game. Glad we missed it. And the traffic,

Next stop was Terre Haute, IN KOA.

This was an interesting stop and one that kind of reminded us of Brattleboro KOA. Instead of goats, they had 2 donkeys.

A picture is worth a 1,000 words

Philbert at Hart Ranch would be jealous of this one....

The next few pics are of our travels into Missouri....

Rest Stop along I 44 in Missouri

Our spot in Marshfield, MO just off I 44

Traveling through St Louis past Busch Stadium

Couldn't stay in the area without visiting the Mother Ship

From Missouri, we traveled through Oklahoma, with a 2 night stay in Chandler. In the Tulsa area we picked up I40 and traveled to Amarillo, TX for a 2 night stay at Oasis RV Park.

Interesting stop over and a very nice park. We learned about this park after staying at what must be a sister park in Gallup, NM and certainly beats the low rent park we had been staying at east of the city on previous trips through Amarillo.

Amarillo was our last overnight before crossing over in to New Mexico. From Amarillo to Hereford, TX and to the NM border- the sights and smells were awful. Don't know how people can live there. It is nothing but cattle feed lots and slaughter houses. Clovis, NM was certainly a welcome sight.

Clovis to Roswell to Artesia to Lakewood. End of trip west. For now.