Day 31 - Traveling North

Tuesday I was up early, we slept at a Cracker Barrel in Youngstown, Ohio, since it seems the northern campgrounds are still closed. All was fine until a Big Class A pulled in a few spots from us. One would think that if you have Class A it would have enough batteries so you don't have to run your generator all night long, but they did and it was about the loudest I have ever heard. I kept waking up thinking our furnace was stuck on, but it was just the idiot next to us running his genny.  End of Rant. 

When we pulled in Monday night it was about 20F, when we woke in the morning it was 15F, and despite my effort to open compartments to all heat flow, and being warm in the RV, our water was froze. No running water. Of course we always carry a few gallons of drinking water, but washing up with cold water is not much fun. Given we did not sleep much, it was not a good start to the day, but we got over it. I suspected and hoped that after we drove for an hour or so the heat from the engine would travel under the van and thaw out whatever was frozen. 

We decided to head north then east on I90, this route brought us by Syracuse, close to where one of my college friends lives whom I have not seen since we graduated. In college we hung out together and I worked for his dad during the summer. We have stayed in touch electronically but just haven't managed to take the time to visit face to face. We stopped for fuel just west of Syracuse and even though it was still in the 20s, the water had thawed out just like I hoped. So at least I was able to get cleaned up and shave with hot water.  

We arrived at Neil and Marie's house around 1PM and they had made reservations at one of there favorite restaurants for lunch, the Angry Garlic, which is owned by one of their neighbors. It was very good. 

We had a great visit and vowed not to let another 40 years go buy before we get together again. 

After our visit we debated the route home; go direct or stay on I90 to Albany then I87 north. We carry bicycles on the front of the Serenity, so I prefer not to drive in the dark since it does impair the headlights a bit. We elected to take the Albany route and stop at my nephew's house in Troy NY to visit and spend the night. It was a good call, we visited with Gabe, Cassandra, Wes and even got to see Mike and his new bride Karen. Of course we also got a big dose of Brewer, their golden lab puppy who is now the size of a horse and full of energy.  

Today, Wednesday, we will head for home. It is just a bit over 2 hours and we will stop to visit mom in Moriah, we should be home by midday.  As I write this it is 20F, but nothing froze and June already had her hot shower so it is a much better start than yesterday. The forecast at home is for the 40s today and 50s tomorrow...it is trending the right way. 

I looked at my lake cam this morning, Lake Champlain is still very frozen. 

The ice is pretty late leaving this year, the ice left 15Mar2020, 25Mar2021, 2022 is still hanging on, it might be April before it leaves this year.