last day Watkins Glen KOA

July 3, 2013

To repeat, the list of stuff to do here includes Pool, Mini-Golf, Playground, Pirate Ship, Jump Pillow and Waterslide. We managed to do every one yesterday with 2^nd visits to both the pool and jump pillow. And still managed to get a couple of loads of laundry done.

But in the end the Water Slide was number 1. Ty did a great job of leading the way up the stairs with a slightly nervous Sophie right behind .. and Grandy bringing up the rear to keep an eye on things. The first couple of runs Sophie and Gandy did a tandem run but for run number 3 Sophie got a bit of a surprise when Grandy set it up as before and then gave her a solo run...which Alex had okayed. The report from Mom was that the first realization came quick and showed some concern but that instantly turned into pure joy… and no desire to go with Grandy again.

At the pool Sophie is very comfortable going under water and Ty is working hard on his swimming but above all just plain loves being in the water… especially with the new Grandy tosses Ty game. Sure am glad there’s the Hot Tub to relax and big sign saying “Over 16 Only”.

One more full day here and then off to the Shanty for the 4^th and a weekend meet up with Jeremy and family. For non-family folk, the Shanty is a mid-1800’s village one-room meeting house that in the late 19^th century was pulled up 2 hills using logs and mules and placed on a small log provided by the cousins who have rather larger houses at the top of the first hill. Along the way there have been several additions to the house and a ‘sleeping barn” and it even got indoor plumbing in the 60’s.

One additional note from today.  While making a run for dinner supplies we decided to stop by one of the many wineries around Seneca Lake.  We found a fun little winery, Catherine Valley Winery, on the southeast side of the lake and stopped to find a bottle of wine to go with dinner.  We tasted two reds and both liked the Noirette much better.  They also had a batch of hard apple cider so of course that was a must try.  The cider is fantastic!  Nice and light and crisp with old English varieties of apples.  Of course we had to get a bottle of that too.