The Erie Canal at Holley, NY

The Erie Canal is famous in song and story. Proposed in 1808 and completed in 1825, the canal links the waters of Lake Erie in the west to the Hudson River in the east. An engineering marvel when it was built, some called it the Eighth Wonder of the World.

Nestled in the eastern portion of Orleans County, the  picturesque Village of Holley proudly stands.  The village owes its existence to the Erie Canal and was named for Myron Holley, one of the canal commissioners.  First settled in  1812, the rich farmlands enticed many settlers.

The draw bridge is located on the Erie Canal at Holley, NY, near Canal Park.

 Holley Canal Falls is a man made waterfall. It is a byproduct of the Erie Canal, and is over 100 years old. Despite being man made it is a very pretty and natural looking waterfall.

Hurd Orchards in Holley, NY

Hurd Orchards is a family owned fruit and flower farm and canning company nestled in the fertile lake plains of Western New York between the banks of the Erie Canal and the shores of Lake Ontario.

Beautiful grounds with flowers and fruit orchards... plus fun gift shop. Hurd Orchards are well worth the visit if you find yourself in north west NY state.

The cherries will be ripe in the next week or so...

It is strawberry season so we bought strawberries and strawberry bread....

Inside the barn where they put on special luncheons and teas...

Natural products from all over New England.  Fat Toad Farms are out of VT...

Baskets....lots of baskets on the ceiling!!

Morgantown, WV Overnight Stop

Had a one night stop in Morgantown, WV. Our Colorado friend, Dennis, made an hour & half  drive to met for dinner and catch up on Grand Lake news.

Dennis is one of Ted's golfing buddys  from our Grand Lake, CO days....

Pipestem State Park in WV

Spent two nights at Pipestem State Park in WV on our way north to VT.

Pipestem Resort State Park is a 4,050-acre state park located in southern West Virginia. on the border near Athens. The park was built with grants provided by the Area Redevelopment Administration under the administration of President John F Kennedy. It is located in the gorge of the Bluestone River.

The Park name derives from pipestem, or narrowleaf meadowsweet, a locally common shrub historically used for making pipe stems.

Entering tunnel on I 77 in WV

During our stay we did some exploring and took the aerial tram from Canyon Rim Center.....

View of the Bluestone River at the bottom of the gorge on the way down...

There is lodging, a restaurant and a gift shop at the tram location at the rivers edge.

Freiberg's in Johnson City for Father's Day

One of our favorite German restaurant's is located in Johnson City, TN. We had a great Father's Day meal at Freiberg's and nice to have Kari and Curtis with us. 

Visiting Kari and Curtis at their new home in Chuckey, TN

Jan, Kari, Curtis and Clementine(their new dog) on the bridge leading to their new home. 

They are right on Cassi Creek, which is now down after heavy spring rains and run off.

We got the grand tour of their new digs.....

The property backs up to the Cherokee National Forest, so with their 4+ acres and being in the forest you can't see the neighbors. There is plenty of room for gardening and fruit trees..

These are logs Curtis has inoculated with with mushrooms. The mushrooms will take about a year before they are ready to harvest. 

Our Summer Trip North Begins

Leaving FL and heading into GA on I95

First stop Kings Bay Naval Base ....above is main gate as we arrive.

Eagle Hammock RV Park on the base....one of our favorite stops.

Heading north on I 95

South Carolina state line....

Our neighbors at Jolly Acres RV Park in St George, SC. 

View of our rig at Pine Ridge Campground in Roebuck, SC. This was a new stop for us and a very nice CG with friendly owners.

On I 26 heading over Sam's Gap and into TN.

long down hill into Erwin, TN on I 26