New York, New York – We Made it There!

After leaving New York City eight months earlier, we were finally back!  Well, NYC-adjacent at least.  Our next destination was Liberty Harbor RV Park in Jersey City, New Jersey.  This RV Park is located literally on the Hudson River across from Manhattan.  We could see the Statue of Liberty from the campground!  

There is also a ferry that leaves for Manhattan steps away from the campground, and the Grove Street Station for the PATH Train (New Jersey’s version of a subway) was only about a 10-minute walk from the campground; you can take it to the World Trade Center Station in the Oculus in Manhattan.

Tim was very nervous about driving to the Liberty Harbor RV Park.  Google maps was telling us to drive down the west side of Manhattan and through the Holland Tunnel to New Jersey, but RVs with propane tanks can’t drive through the Holland Tunnel, and we were not about to drive through Manhattan.  Our RV GPS app (CoPilot GPS) was telling us to cross the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey, but we had crossed the GW Bridge many times when we lived in NYC, and we knew what a nightmare it could be because there is always a lot of traffic.  Folks on the RV forums recommended instead that we cross the Hudson River on the Governor Mario M.Cuomo Bridge (formerly the Tappan Zee Bridge), which is what we did.  From there, we drove south on U.S. Highway 9W, which runs adjacent to the Hudson River, to Tonnele Avenue (which we called “toenail avenue”), took a left on Route 139, and then south on Marin Street in Jersey City to the Liberty Harbor RV Park.  Although we had to drive through the heart of Jersey City, it wasn’t terrible (buses must go down these streets too after all).

When we arrived at the RV Park, we found our designated RV spot a little difficult to maneuver into because the RV Park packs the RVs in like sardines.  We finally made it into our spot, which was gravel.  We didn’t have any of the usual RV site amenities, like a picnic table, fire pit, or grill.  We had electric and water hookups, but no sewer hookups.  Those who follow our blog regularly know that that means we must shower in the RV park’s shower facilities so as not to fill up our gray tank.  The RV Park was a little surreal being surrounded by skyscrapers, but actually pretty nice and such a great spot to be able to get into Manhattan quickly.  

On our first full day at Liberty Harbor RV Park, Tim took the PATH Train into Manhattan for an appointment with his old dentist, Dr. Yan.  Afterward, Tim had lunch with some of his former co-workers (Rachel, John, Nadja, Emily, and Jocelyn).  Tim had a great time catching up on the lives of these cherished co-workers and was so glad to be retired when he heard some of the current work war stories.  After lunch, Tim took the subway from Wall Street into Brooklyn for an appointment with his old barber, Matthew.  Tim was pleased to finally get a great haircut (although an expensive one).  Tim then tried to pick up a prescription from his old Walgreens in Brooklyn, but it wasn’t ready. By this time, Pat had taken the PATH Train and then the subway into Brooklyn and was doing some reminiscing.  Pat got a little home sick wandering around our old neighborhood to our old apartment.  

Pat also got a haircut (from his much cheaper old barbershop) and a mani/pedi from his old nail salon.  Pat was able to pick up his prescription from Walgreens and he also mailed some gifts to the grandkids. Tim caught up with Pat outside our old apartment building, and we decided to have drinks at the bar across the street called The Brooklyn Inn (we always planned to visit there often when we first moved into that apartment because it was like our Cheers bar, but we rarely did).  

After a few drinks, we walked a few blocks to our favorite pizza place in Brooklyn, called Layla Jones (we used to order delivery from them at least twice a month).  After pizza, we headed back to the RV Park, where Tim took the opportunity to do some laundry.  That evening, there was some loud music coming from the pier parking lot adjacent to Liberty Harbor, which we were not happy about because the parking lot is supposed to be attended to by a security guard.  It stopped around midnight though and we were able to get a good night’s sleep.

The next day, we took the PATH Train to Manhattan and then the subway to meet our friends Kevin and Chuck for lunch at a restaurant called Rosemary’s in the West Village.  Tim had Tagliatelle Bolognese, while Pat had Branzino.  After lunch, we were late meeting our friends Kenneth and Alessandro for coffee and dessert at a place called Harbs in Chelsea (the Chelsea location is now permanently closed but the SoHo location is open).  After an hour we had to rush off to meet our friend Dorian for dinner at a restaurant named Joe Allen.  Tim had the chicken Caesar salad, while Pat had steak frites.  

Then, we were off to see the first Broadway musical on our schedule, "Some Like it Hot"!  This was a musical of the famous movie by the same name, but the story took a twist from the movie.  J. Harrison Ghee won the Tony for the Best Leading Actor in a Musical and was inspiring to watch.  We love musicals with big dance numbers and this one had several!  

On our last full day at Liberty Harbor RV Park, Tim took the PATH Train into Manhattan for an appointment with his old dermatologist, Dr. Leo.  After his appointment, Tim got a passport photo made because he needed to get his name changed on his passport.  Tim then went to a UPS Store to print out some paperwork and had lunch at his favorite Chinese Restaurant in Times Square called China River (Tim had his usual wonton soup and cashew chicken).  Meanwhile, Pat tried taking the PATH Train into Manhattan in the early afternoon because we had tickets to see the matinee of a Broadway musical called "Shucked".  Frustratingly, the PATH Train stopped running because of an incident near the destination station in Manhattan and it looked as if Pat was not going to make it into Manhattan for the matinee.  Tim went on ahead to the theatre and by some miracle, Pat was able to take a ferry into Manhattan instead and make it to the theatre on time. 

We enjoyed seeing "Shucked", which was a super corny (pun intended) newer musical on Broadway about a small town that is surrounded by the corn that they grow.  When the corn stops growing, hilarity ensues as they try to find a solution.  Alex Newell won the Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Musical but sadly was not at this performance, but the understudy did a fantastic job.  It was a fun show to experience, and we are glad we both got the opportunity to see it. 

After the show, we met friends at a bar called Boxer’s in Hell’s Kitchen.  We had sent out a Facebook invitation to about a dozen people to meet us there, and were thrilled to see Dorian, Michael, David, Derek, Jacob, Jim, Ben, Bill, Allen, and Matty there.  Sadly, we were having so much fun we forgot to take pictures!  We spent several hours catching up with these friends and then headed back to Liberty Harbor RV Park just before the PATH Train stopped running for the night.

We had a very nostalgic trip to NYC via New Jersey.  There are many people and things we miss about living in NYC.  We decided then that we would have to return every year (RV or not) because it is a place we called home for so long.

Review of Liberty Harbor RV Park

Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, adjacent to the Hudson River across from downtown Manhattan, Liberty Harbor RV Park is the only RV park located this close to Manhattan.  You can see the Statue of Liberty from the RV park.  Surrounded by high rise buildings in Jersey City, the RV Park is also only a few blocks away from the Grove Street PATH Train Station, where you can catch a train into Manhattan. 

There are approximately 84 RV sites that accommodate RVs up to 45 feet long.  RV sites have electrical and water hookups, but no sewer hookups (a dump station is provided).  The RV sites have no other amenities such as picnic tables, fire pits, or grills (there isn’t room for these as the RVs are packed in close to each other).  There are also 12 sites available for tent camping, with no hookups.

Other amenities include a laundry facility and restroom/shower facility.  We found these facilities to be fairly clean and convenient.  There are also restaurants next to the RV park, or easy access to restaurants and bars in Jersey City.  Of course, the biggest plus about Liberty Harbor RV Park is that it is easy to get into Manhattan on either the ferry or PATH Train.  There you will find all that New York City has to offer!

Liberty Harbor RV Park is a bit expensive, but you would pay much more staying in a hotel in Manhattan (or Jersey City for that matter).  We were pleased that it was so convenient to New York City, and we would definitely consider staying here again.

The Smallest State

 

On our way to our next destination, we stopped in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to do some laundry at a laundromat because we had not been to a campground that had laundry facilities in a while.  While Pat started the laundry, Tim drove to a nearby grocery store, then a wine store.  When Tim was returning to the laundromat, it started to rain hard.  When we got back into the RV to continue our drive, we encountered a big storm.  Water leaked in through what we know is a small hole at the top of where the windshield connects to the cab, on the driver’s window, and between the slideout and the wall.  The roads began to fill with water and Tim had to drive carefully so as not to hydroplane.  

When we finally arrived at our destination, we only set up our electricity quickly (we did not hook up to water or sewer) and didn’t put the slide out until the rain slowed.  Our destination was Fishermen’s Memorial State Park and Campground in Narragansett, Rhode Island, a much sought-after campground that we woke up extra early to book exactly one year before our visit.  Fishermen’s is the ninth state park we have stayed in since we started full-time RV traveling.  Our RV site was asphalt with a picnic table and a fire pit (no grill).  It was also a pull-through site, which was nice (90% of our RV sites are back-in sites). 

The next day, we finally hooked up to water and sewer, but couldn’t get good water pressure so we decided to use the fresh water tank instead (which meant refilling it a few times since we were there for seven nights).  Tim climbed to the roof of the RV to clean out the air conditioner drain to see if that was what was causing the small water leaks on the bathroom floor (it wasn’t). 

Having a full week to stay at one campground is a luxury because we have more time to relax and just be retired.  So, for the first few days at Fishermen’s Memorial State Park and Campground, we took it easy and relaxed.  Tim had some committee meetings and Pat made future RV site reservations.  We both took walks around the campground, to an adjacent trail through the woods, and to an overlook nearby.  

One of the nice things that stood out about the campground was that it was full of rabbits; we constantly had rabbits around the RV, which we enjoyed.  The not so pleasant thing is that there were many mosquitos and gnats.  Every time we opened the door more of them came inside the RV.  It would take us some time to get rid of all the gnats.

On our third full day at Fishermen’s Memorial State Park and Campground, we took a city bus to the ferry terminal at Point Judith to take the ferry to Block Island.  The bus stop was about a five-minute walk from the entrance to the campground, cost $2.50 for a one-way ride, and was only about a 15-minute ride to the ferry terminal.   

Block Island is a popular summer tourist destination known for its bicycling, hiking, sailing, fishing, and beaches. It is home to several historic lighthouses.  The ferry cost about $22 each for a round trip, took approximately 45 minutes each way, and gave us a great view of Block Island as we approached.

Once on Block Island, we ate lunch at the National Hotel.  Tim had a lobster roll and Pat had fish and chips; we both shared clam chowder for an appetizer.  After lunch, we walked about two miles (40 minutes) up hills to the historic Southeast Lighthouse, where we toured the museum and grounds.  The lighthouse was built in 1874, with the first lamp lit on February 1, 1875.  The main tower is 67 feet in height, with an octagonal granite foundation and brick exterior.  Because of ongoing erosion of the bluffs, in 1993 the entire 2,000-ton structure was moved about 300 feet back from the cliffs. The museum provided details on this extraordinary move, complete with pictures and eyewitness accounts.

After touring the lighthouse museum and grounds, we walked back to the ferry terminal and took the ferry back to Point Judith and the bus back to our campground.  The next day, we took a 10-minute bus ride to Scarborough State Beach, where we lay on the beach for several hours.  We each took turns wading out into the water, which was cold or refreshing depending on whether you ask Tim or Pat.  We took the bus home and relaxed for the remainder of the day.

The following day, Tim took the bus into town to pick up some prescriptions from Walgreens; about a 20-minute bus ride.  On our last full day at Fishermen’s Memorial, we again took the bus to the ferry terminal at Point Judith and had drinks at the George's Tiki Bar located on the beach.

Then, we had dinner at George’s of Galilee restaurant, where we were seated at a table with a beautiful view just as the sun was setting.  Tim enjoyed local bass, while Pat had the local cod.

We missed the last bus back to the campground, so we walked approximately 30 minutes back to the campground trying to avoid the mosquitos as much as possible.

Review of Fishermen’s Memorial State Park and Campground

Fishermen’s Memorial State Park and Campground in Narragansett, Rhode Island, is tucked back off from the main highway and filled with tree-lined paths.  Our particular RV site did not have any tree cover, but we were next to a lot of lush vegetation that attracted the many rabbits that live at the campground.  There are approximately 182 sites for RVs or tents at the campground: approximately 105 with full hookups, 41 with just electric and water hookups, and 34 with no hookups.  Each site has a picnic table and fire pit (no grill). Amenities include a playground, a viewing platform, walking paths, and bathroom/shower facilities.  There are no laundry facilities.

The campground is located close to state beaches and one mile from the ferry to Block Island.  Additionally, the campground is approximately a 15-minute drive to scenic Newport.  We liked that there was a bus stop located nearby that could take us to the beaches, ferry, and into town for groceries and restaurants.

The drawbacks were the mosquitos and gnats, but we don’t know if that is a constant at the campground or if we were just there at the wrong time.  It isn’t likely that we would come back to this area of Rhode Island, but if we did, we would consider staying at Fishermen’s Memorial State Park and Campground again.

A Reunion with Dallas (and New York) Friends

 

It rained most of the drive from Salem to Provincetown, Massachusetts.  At one point we rested from the rain for a little while by stopping to get gas and to eat sandwiches in the RV.  We arrived at our next destination, Coastal Acres Campground, in Provincetown, Massachusetts, just before the rain caught up with us again.  We quickly set up and waited out the rain.  Coastal Acres Campground, is the only RV campground located within walking distance of the shops, bars, and restaurants in Provincetown.  Our RV site was gravel, with a picnic table (no fire pit or grill).  We noticed right away that there were many bunnies at the campground. 

As the rain started again, we lost power at the campground and had to use our generator to warm up dinner in the microwave.  This, of course, had us worried about the house batteries again.  So, before we left the RV to walk into town, we set the generator to start automatically if the house batteries dropped below a certain percentage level and to turn off when quiet hours started at the campground.

We had been to Provincetown many times while we lived in New York City, but this trip was special because we were meeting our friends Michael and Steve from Dallas.  Tim and Michael met approximately 30 years ago when they sang together in the Turtle Creek Chorale.  Michael was one of Tim’s groomsmen in our holy union ceremony in Dallas in 1998.  Michael and Steve started dating 16 years ago (in fact, Michael and Steve were celebrating their anniversary on the day we arrived) and we loved Steve immediately when we met him.  Michael and Steve are two of our best friends in the world and we were thrilled to be able to spend some time with them.

 

Many of the summer weeks in Provincetown (or Ptown) have themes, and this week’s theme was Bear Week.  Somehow, we keep ending up in gay places that are celebrating Bear Week.  Bear Week in Ptown is notorious for being one of the most fun weeks in Ptown because the guys are generally a lot nicer and friendlier.  We found that to be true this time as well.  We walked from our campground to a bar called Shipwrecked Lounge to meet Michael and Steve for a drink after their anniversary dinner.  It was about a 20-minute walk.  We sat for hours laughing and catching up. We hadn’t seen each other in a long time so we had a lot to talk about; though, the thing about best friends is that you never run out of things to talk about.  When we returned to the RV later that night the power was back on, and the house batteries were fine.

The next day, we picked up rental bikes nearby and rode to the Boatslip for happy hour (called Tea by us gays).  The Boatslip is a hotel; it also has a pool, bar, and dance floor.  It is THE place to be in the afternoon to mingle.  At Boatslip, we saw friends of ours from New York City, Deyond and Todd, who also happened to be in Ptown that week.  They had dressed for the "Solid Gold" disco theme at Boatslip that afternoon.

That evening, we had dinner with Michael and Steve at a restaurant called Victor’s, which serves small plates like a tapas restaurant, but it isn’t tapas.  We shared plates of bread, empanadas, tuna, shrimp, pork dumplings, and meatballs.  When we were leaving, we discovered that someone had chained their bike to ours so we couldn’t leave.  A hilarious scene ensued when we walked around to each table to ask them if they had a bike named Winnipeg (rental bikes have names in Ptown so you can tell them apart).  Finally, someone fessed up to having the bike and we were on our way to Harbor Lounge for some after-dinner drinks.  After a sufficient number of drinks, we rode our bikes back to the campground.

The next day, Deyond and Todd invited us over to their place for lunch.  They grilled pork chops and had grilled corn, potato salad, and green salad, among other dishes.  They also made these fruit drinks that were basically pure vodka, so we had a fun afternoon.  We rode our bikes to and from Deyond and Todd’s place and stopped at the grocery store on the way home.  The paper bags we got at the grocery store lasted almost all the way home but tore as we hit a bumpy dirt and sand road just outside of the campground.  Nothing was ruined though.  That afternoon we went back to Boatslip for Tea.

That evening, we headed to a restaurant named Lobster Pot to meet Michael and Steve for dinner.  We love the Lobster Pot and make it a point to eat there every time we are in Ptown.  We each had lobster; Tim’s was boiled (traditional) and Pat’s was baked and stuffed with sauteed onions and Ritz crackers and blended with shrimp and scallops.

After dinner, the four of us went to see a show with a drag performer named Dina Martina, who has been described as a comedian, dancer, performance artist, and singer (note that the description doesn’t say she is great at any of those, which is part of her shtick).  The show was at one of the performance venues at The Crown and Anchor hotel, so we went early and had a drink before the show began.  After the show, we had more drinks at Shipwrecked Lounge and pizza slices at Spiritus Pizza (the late-night place to get pizza when you’ve had a few drinks), then we rode our bikes back to the campground.

The following day, you guessed it, Tea at Boatslip.  After Tea, we went back to the campground and Tim grilled bourbon chicken for Michael and Steve.  Pat also made a rice dressing and green beans, and we had Port wine for dessert and talked until late evening.

The next day, Tim made some videos for the GALA Board in the early afternoon, then we headed to Boatslip for Tea in the late afternoon, where we once again saw Deyond and Todd, and also ran into our friend Paul from Salem, who was there with a friend from Iceland named Ragnar.  It was Michael and Steve’s last day in Ptown, so after Tea we met them for drinks at Shipwrecked Lounge and the four of us then rode our bikes to a restaurant named Fanizzi's for dinner.  Tim had the Cajun Seafood Alfredo, while Pat had Puttanesca.  After dinner we biked back to our campground and Tim had a little spill on the same dirt/sand road that is a little bumpy entering the campground.  Other than a few scrapes and bruises, Tim was fine.

On our last full day in Ptown, we had a lot of rain in the early morning.  After it stopped raining, we returned our bikes in the afternoon and walked to Boatslip for Tea.  That evening we had dinner at a restaurant named Pepe’s Wharf, recommended by Michael.  Tim had the local Halibut and Pat had Lobster Ravioli.  We shared Lobster Bisque as an appetizer.  We sat outside on a very windy day, so excuse our hair in the pictures.

 

After dinner, we had drinks at a place called The Monkey Bar, where we briefly ran into Paul and Ragnar, who had been joined by Paul’s husband, Shawn.  After drinks, Tim got some ice cream at Ben and Jerry’s, while Pat bought some fudge.  We walked home and headed to bed to rest up for our trip to our next destination.

Review of Coastal Acres Campground

Coastal Acres Campground in Provincetown, Massachusetts, is just a 10-minute walk from Commercial Street, which is the main street in the heart of Provincetown.  There is even a shortcut from the campground to Commercial Street.  It is the closest campground to the shops, restaurants, bars, and other commercial activities in Provincetown.  The campground apparently used to be a little rundown in the past but has new owners and we found it to be clean, spacious, and friendly.

Coastal Acres Campground has approximately 125 sites for RVs and tents; however, many of the RV sites seemed to be taken by seasonal campers and some sites could not accommodate large RVs.  There are also RVs for rent if you don't have your own.  The sites for RVs are full hookup and each site has a picnic table but no fire pit or grill. 

Amenities include bathroom/shower facilities; however, the bathroom/shower facility located closest to our RV site was closed for renovations.  There is also a store located on-site for basic grocery and RV items.

In addition to being located close to Commercial Street in Provincetown, beaches are located only about 1.5 miles from the campground, so it is also possible to get to beaches fairly quickly (either walking or by bike).  In town, you can take whale watching tours, a tour on the local trolley, and tour the Pilgram Monument and Provincetown Museum.  It is easy to rent a bike, kayak, or boat.

If you like staying in Provincetown (and we do) this is the campground for you.  Despite the closed restroom/shower facility, we found the campground to be a nice place to stay.  We would definitely stay here again in the future if we were coming to Provincetown in the RV.

"Hocus Pocus", Our Friends Appear

Our drive to our next destination in Salem, Massachusetts, was eventful to say the least.  First, it was a long trip; we would be driving for over five hours, not including stops.  Second, we drove along New York and Massachusetts Highway 2, also known as the Taconic Trail in New York and the Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts.  The road is two lanes, with sharp curves, and sometimes rather narrow.  Third, because of the heat, the altitude, and the constant braking while descending on the hills, our tire monitor warned us on two different occasions that the front tires were getting too hot.  This meant that we had to stop two different times to let the tires cool off.  We made the first stop at a grocery store and took advantage of the stop to get groceries and eat lunch.  We made the second stop at a scenic overlook park with a historic graveyard from the early 1800s.  Indeed, the positive thing about this drive is that we got to see some amazingly beautiful hills, valleys, and rushing rivers along the way.

We finally arrived at our destination in the late afternoon: Winter Island Park in Salem, Massachusetts.  Winter Island Park is situated on the waterfront of Salem Harbor and our RV site backed up to Salem Bay, which is adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean.  The RV sites are located in a large parking lot that also accommodates cars and boats.  Our RV site had a picnic table, but no fire pit or grill.  We had water and electric hookups, but no sewer hookup, which meant that we would have to use the park’s shower facilities so we wouldn’t fill up the gray water tank.  

That evening, our friends Tommy and Don, who live in Salem, came to tour the RV, and brought us dinner.  Tim met Don over 30 years ago when they were both in the Turtle Creek Chorale in Dallas, Texas.  Separately, Pat met Tommy in Dallas through a mutual friend almost 30 years ago.  Tim and Don knew each other before Don and Tommy started dating, and Pat and Tommy knew each other before Tim and Pat started dating.  So, there is a lot of history there; including history before either couple started dating.  This makes for interesting conversation.  Tommy and Don stayed with us at the RV until late in the evening so we could have an opportunity to chat, just the four of us, before Don had to leave town on business.

The next day, Tommy and Don picked us up early afternoon and drove us to their new house for a tour.  We had visited Tommy and Don in Salem and stayed with them at their previous home before they moved to Iowa for a few years.  When they returned to Salem, they purchased a new home.  While at Tommy and Don’s home, we did some laundry, and Tommy took us to the grocery store and liquor store.  That evening, we ate dinner at a restaurant called Barnacle in nearby Marblehead, Massachusetts.  Tim had shrimp scampi, while Pat had baked stuffed jumbo shrimp.  

Later that evening, we went to the home of our friends Greg and Jimmy for a Tiki Party.  Greg and Jimmy have been friends with Tommy and Don since Tommy and Don first lived in Salem.  We met Greg and Jimmy on a cruise many years ago when many of Tommy and Don’s Salem friends took the same cruise that Tommy and Don had invited us to take.  Since then, we have been on many cruises with Greg and Jimmy and other Salem friends of Tommy and Don’s.  In fact, Greg and Jimmy were on the cruise we took from Ft. Lauderdale this past February (2023).  At that time, when Greg and Jimmy found out that we would be traveling through Salem, they promised then that they would throw a party to welcome us – and they did!  We had a great time at the party and really appreciated that Greg and Jimmy put it all together!

The next day was our last full day in Salem, and we wanted to invite the whole Salem crew over to the RV for grilled burgers and hot dogs.  We ignored the park rule stating that “public consumption of alcohol is prohibited” – oops. 

We laughed all afternoon with these wonderful guys: Tommy (Don left for a business trip), Greg, Jimmy, Paul, Shawn, Bob & Bob, Jim & Jim, and James.  These are all great guys, and we are lucky to call them friends.  We hope to have many more cruises and other parties with these guys.   

That evening, we cleaned, relaxed, and went to bed early since we would be leaving early the next morning.  We also noticed a small water leak on the bathroom floor near the corner where the sink meets the shower and wondered what was causing it.  We had many theories.  More to come in a future blog entry on the bathroom water leak mystery.

Review of Winter Island Park

Winter Island Park is owned and managed by the historic city of Salem, Massachusetts. It is situated on the waterfront of Salem Harbor, a short distance from the downtown area.  It is the closest campground to Boston, Massachusetts, on the North Shore. The campground offers 22 tent campsites and 28 RV campsites (eighteen 50-AMP and ten 30-AMP RV sites).  All RV sites have water and electrical hookups, but no sewer hookup (the park has an arrangement with the nearby Sewage Treatment Plant for campers to dump sewer for free).  Each RV site also has a picnic table, but no fire pit or grill.  Tent sites are equipped with a grill and picnic table, but no water or electricity.  The front gate locks at 10:00 p.m.; any cars returning after 10:00 p.m. can obtain a gate code before 10:00 p.m. or wait until 6:00 a.m. the following morning to enter.

Amenities include a public beach and a playground. There is also a bathroom/shower facility, which all campers must use since there are no sewer hookups.  We found the bathroom/shower facilities to have really muddy floors since it is also used by those utilizing the public beach.  Otherwise, the showers worked well and had hot water.  

In addition, Winter Island Park provides a number of recreational opportunities for the public including swimming, fishing, camping, and boating.  The Winter Island Office and Store provides basic camping necessities including snacks, drinks, and toiletries as well as Winter Island memorabilia such as T-shirts and sweatshirts.

We enjoyed the beautiful view of Salem Harbor that we had outside of our back window.  We also loved that the park was located close to downtown Salem, and it was not difficult to get an Uber or Lyft from the park (as our friend, Tommy, demonstrated when he decided to Uber to and from our RV site on the day we grilled).  Once in Salem, it is also easy to get a train to Boston.  For these reasons, we would consider returning to Winter Island Park if we find ourselves in Salem again.

Fun on the Lake with Close Friends

We were extra excited to be on our way to our next destination because we would be seeing and staying with our very close friends from New York City, Brad and Tony.  Tim and Brad sang together in the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus for over 15 years.  Tim and Brad hit it off almost immediately after Brad joined the chorus and Tim moved to the Bass section of the chorus.  Tim and Brad made a point of sitting together at rehearsals; and to the dismay of the conductor, making jokes with each other and gossiping throughout rehearsal.  After Tim and Brad introduced Pat and Tony to each other, we all became fast friends.  Brad and Tony own an apartment in Manhattan, but also have a lake house on Great Sacandaga Lake in upstate New York.  When we lived in New York City, we traveled on a few occasions to Brad and Tony’s lake house to spend a long weekend.  This time, we would be parking the RV at Northampton Beach Campground, which is located on the same lake (it is actually reachable by boat from Brad and Tony’s lake house).  We would be splitting our visit with two nights in the RV and two nights at Brad and Tony’s lake house. 

Our drive from Jones Pond in western New York took us south to the Southern Tier Expressway, and briefly into Pennsylvania along I-86, before heading back north again toward I-88, and then north on NY State Highway 30 to Mayfield (we avoid toll roads when we drive).  It started raining about a third of the way into the trip from western New York to upstate New York.  We made stops at Walmart for groceries and at a gas station to fill up on gas.  

The drive was about 6 hours, with stops, but we finally arrived at our destination: Northampton Beach Campground.  Northampton Beach is the eighth state park we have stayed in since we started full-time RV traveling.  Our RV site was dirt/grass with a picnic table and a very nice brick firepit.  The RV site backed up to Great Sacandaga Lake and was nestled under and next to trees, so we couldn’t get a signal on our Starlink.  The RV site was large and there was plenty of distance between us and our neighbors on either side.  Northampton Beach RV sites have no hookups though, so we needed to run our generator to run air conditioning and to keep the battery charged.  We also needed to use our freshwater tank for basic water needs and the nearby shower facility for showers.  There was a dump station located at the campground to dump our tanks upon exiting.  

We spent our first evening at Northampton Beach in the RV.  We were only allowed to run the generator between the hours of 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 and 7:00 p.m.  By the time we arrived at Northampton Beach and leveled the RV it was about 6:30 p.m., so we only had a half hour to run the generator and the air conditioning that evening.  It was a little warm trying to sleep through the night, but we made it to the morning when we were able to start the generator at 9:00 a.m.  

Later that morning, on the 4th of July, Brad and Tony came to the campground to pick us up for an Independence Day party at the home of their friends, Bruce and Jay.  First, we gave Brad and Tony a tour of the RV and answered the many questions they had about RV life.  After the tour, we went to the home of Bruce and Jay for the party.  We had the traditional burgers and hot dogs and enjoyed the sunny (and hot) weather.  We met a lot of people at the party, but particularly hit it off with Amy and Patricia (she goes by Pat but for purposes of our blog we will call her Patricia so as not to confuse her with our Pat), who we planned to meet up with the following day.  

Later that afternoon, we went to Brad and Tony’s lake house because we would be staying there that evening.  First, we went by the RV to run the generator a bit and check on the status of the house batteries, which were low (it seems the batteries are not holding a charge as well as before we ran them down in Chicago).  Once at Brad and Tony’s, none of us were that hungry because of all we had to eat at the party; so, we had some cheese and crackers, fruit, and wine, and headed down to Brad and Tony’s boat on the lake to watch the evening fireworks.  One of Brad and Tony’s neighbors is trained in handling the biggest and brightest fireworks, so he puts on a show for the neighbors each 4th of July.  The firework show was spectacular!  Very professionally done, and LOUD, since we were very close. 

After the fireworks, we retreated to Brad and Tony’s home and chatted for hours about our parents, work, retirement, New York City, the chorus, people in the chorus, and many other subjects.  

The next morning, Tony had to work but Brad took us to check on the RV battery, which was running low again, so we ran the generator for a bit to charge up the battery.  We also set the Automatic Generator Start to come on in the afternoon to charge up the battery when we wouldn’t be around.  

Around noon, Brad took us out on the boat to a restaurant on the lake where we could have lunch.  Brad’s friends, Art and Kenny, came along with us and we enjoyed laughing and chatting with our new friends, who also knew people in the chorus.  We had lunch at Sports Island Pub on the lake; Pat had a French Dip sandwich and Tim had the Cardon Bleu sandwich, which were delicious.  After lunch, we rode the boat back to Brad and Tony’s. 

Later that afternoon, we, along with Brad and Tony, met Amy and Patricia for happy hour at the club they all belong to, called The Eccentric Club. 

The club was founded in 1882 and is strictly a social club.  The club has been housed in the same building in downtown Gloversville, New York, since 1908.  The club only started welcoming women about 20 years ago, and Patricia was one of the first female members.  Brad and Tony most recently joined when the club started outreach to recruit “younger” members.  We thoroughly enjoyed our happy hour drinks with Amy, Patricia, Brad, and Tony.  Then, we headed to dinner at a restaurant called Sam's Seafood and Steakhouse; Tim had the surf and turf (sirloin steak and crab legs) while Pat had the crab-stuffed halibut. 

We all had some really deep conversations about sexual identity and loved ones.  We don’t know how it was possible, but we liked Amy and Patricia even more after that dinner.  We hope to see them again sometime.  We spent the evening at Brad and Tony’s lake house.

The next day was our last full day at Northampton Beach.  Brad and Tony took us back to the RV, where we grilled burgers and had fries.  After dinner, they took us to their favorite place for ice cream, called Zippy’s Ice Cream.  Oh, so good.  Sadly, we had to say our goodbyes afterward, as we would be staying in the RV at the campground that evening since we were leaving early the next morning.  It was difficult to say goodbye, because we don’t know when we will see Brad and Tony again, but we made a vow to work on meeting up somewhere within the next year.  

Sleeping in the RV that evening was even warmer, and the house batteries were draining quickly.  Tim got up early in the morning and found the house batteries to be nearly dead, so he tried to start the RV engine to charge up the house batteries.  For some reason, the RV engine would not start at first (we think Tim accidentally flooded the engine), but we did get it started about 30 minutes later and left the engine running until we left the campground.  Onward to see more old friends in Massachusetts!

Review of Northampton Beach Campground

Northampton Beach Campground is in the state park run by New York State and is located on the northwest corner of Great Sacandaga Lake in Mayfield, New York.  The lake was created by impoundment during the 1920's.  The reservoir regulates the flow of the Hudson and Sacandaga Rivers, providing a conservation pool of water, minimizing floods, providing flow at drought stages, and affording recreational boating and fishing opportunities.  

The campground has 223 campsites available for RVs or tents.  Campsites include those that are completely secluded within tall white pines and northern hardwoods, and those that are on the open shoreline.  All campsites have a picnic table area and a very nice firepit.  The campsites do not have any hookups.  There are bathroom/shower facilities, but these tended to be a bit dirty during our stay, given that everyone must use these facilities for their shower (and maybe bathroom) needs.  

Additional amenities include a beach on the lake, a boat launch, and fishing; and rowboat, canoe, and kayak rentals are available.  There is also mini golf and an ice cream parlor about a 5-minute walk from the entrance to the campground.

On the plus side, the campsites are spacious and beautiful.  On the downside, there are no hookups, so campers must rely on generators (or solar panels) and use the restroom/shower facilities provided for showers, which tended to be a bit dirty but were located near to our campsite.  We feel like this campground could rival the best state parks we have visited with a few changes and upgrades but after the difficulties we had with our house battery, we vowed never to stay at a place again that did not at least allow more generator use time.  So, we would not likely return to Northampton Beach Campground.

Two National Celebrations

Finally, our eastward drive took us into New York, our home State for the last 18 years!  We had to stop for groceries and lunch at Chipotle, but we finally made it to our first destination in New York: Jones Pond campground.  Jones Pond is the sixth gay campground we have stayed in since we started full-time RV traveling.  

Gay campgrounds tend to be out in the middle of nowhere, and this one was no exception.  There was a steep downhill dirt road leading to the entrance of Jones Pond; and once inside, there were two very large, unevenly placed speed bumps.  The campground is spread out, with narrow dirt and gravel roads leading to the RV sites (which became muddy as it rained a lot during our stay).  Our RV site was about as far away from the clubhouse and pool that you can get; however, we did have a lot of room at our RV site, which sat upon a hill and had a good distance on either side from our neighbors for a little more privacy.  Our RV site was gravel, with a picnic table and fire pit (no grill).  We had electric and water hookups, but no sewer hookups; so, we had to walk a fairly good distance to the shower facilities the three mornings we were there since we couldn’t dump our water.

On a brighter note, we immediately met our neighbors two RV sites down who were from Canada: Kevin and Dave.  That night we went to our first event at Jones Pond: Bingo!  We didn’t win, but we had fun anyway.  Later that evening we went to a dance party at the clubhouse, which is called The Barn and looks like a big, red barn. 

The theme at Jones Pond that weekend was Independence Day and Canada Day because it was the 4th of July weekend and also happened to be Canada Day weekend (Canada Day celebrates the day that the three separate colonies of the United Canadas, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, became one Canada).

The next morning it was sunny, so we ventured out to the pool to get some rays.  The pool had a limited number of lounge chairs for sunning, but we got two of the last available ones. 

In the early afternoon, it began to rain so Pat decided to do some laundry.  By mid-afternoon the rain had subsided, and Tim went to the Canada Day party at The Barn, where he enjoyed Bloody Caesars (the official cocktail of Canada, which look like a Bloody Mary, but are made with Clamato juice, which is a mixture of tomato and clam juice, rather than just tomato juice).  That evening we had intentions of going to the dance party in The Barn, but it began to rain; and as we established earlier, it was a long walk to The Barn, which we didn’t want to do in the rain.  So, we went to bed instead.

The next morning, Tim had coffee with neighbors Dave and Kevin, joined by their friends Rick, Tim, and Andrew.  That afternoon, the campground had a joint celebration of Independence Day and Canada Day with lunch and drinks provided by some of the seasonal campers at the campground; a silent auction (with some really high-priced and beautiful auction items); and a raffle.  We didn’t win anything, but we enjoyed bidding at the auction and the food was great.  The people were all very nice, so we had fun mingling as well.  In the late afternoon, it rained again, so Tim did some laundry.  The evening brought a fun drag show and more dancing at The Barn. 

After we returned to the RV, it rained all night, but stopped long enough in the morning for us to disconnect the water and electricity and start our drive toward our next destination. 

Review of Jones Pond 

Jones Pond in Angelica, New York, is over 100 acres in size and has 175 campsites with electric and water hookups.  There are no sewer hookups, but there is a sewer dump station located at the campground.  RV sites also include a picnic table and fire pit (no grill).  Most of the RV sites are for seasonal campers; only 19 RV sites are available to reserve on a shorter basis.  RV sites are large and can accommodate large RVs, with very spacious setups at each RV site.  In addition, there are 21 tent sites with water and electric hookups, 8 cabins, a bunkhouse, and 4 rental trailers.  

Jones Pond had recently constructed a new pool area, although the pool area still did not have enough loungers to accommodate the number of people who wanted to lounge at the pool.  Other amenities include restroom/shower facilities and a small laundry facility.  There is also a restaurant (open on weekends only), The Barn clubhouse, a general store for basic items, a lounge with a large tv and pool table, a large outdoor fire pit, and a volleyball field.  In addition, there is the 3-acre pond for which the campground is named and some hiking trails.

Drawbacks include that the campground is only reachable by a dirt road with a steep incline/decline, the roads within the campground are narrow and made of dirt and gravel, and the pool and main party area (The Barn) are near the entrance to the campground and a good walk from the RV sites.  Still, the people who run the campground are very nice; the seasonal campers are happy to offer free food and drinks to make newer campers feel welcome; and the RV sites are spacious.  All in all, we would consider returning to Jones Pond in the future.