Lake George Battleground Campground
Lake George, NY

May 2014

No hookup for trailers or RV's

We spent the weekend during the Elvis Festival.  The festival is meant to bring the music of the King to the Queen of America's Lakes. The festival's founders worked with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. to create a world class event respectful to everything Elvis® stood for. Since the festival's inception, it has continued to grow, and is now the second-largest Elvis® Tribute Artist Competition in the world.

Most notables:
Adirondack Pub Brewery & Restaurant;  Shopping; Scenic boat tour of millionaire's row on Lake George

Date:  10/6/2013
Location:  Niagara Falls, NY & Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Written by: DJ Doran

TAKE NOTE: This post was written while DJ & Joey were on their RV roadtrip across America. Sadly, their trip ended before it really got started. No worries, Shelly & Lucia are taking the Connextions Out n About Roadtrip to new heights, exploring one RV park at a time!

We continued our exploration of Niagara Falls under sunny skies and comfortable temperatures for October.  I want to pause here and point out that although the attractions charge a price for admission, they are reasonable… Cave of the Winds was like $10.00 and a trip aboard the Maid of the Mist was $15.00 per person that is very reasonable considering what you will take from the experience.  Don’t go cheap and skip either of these, you’ll be glad you didn’t.  Also, the food, snacks and trinkets at the shops can be pricey, but do yourself a favor and stop and have a hot dog or an ice cream and walk through the shops, its part of the experience and the vendors will appreciate it even though they may show it in typical New Yorker fashion…

Joey and I finished our tour of the New York side of the falls and were ready to head to the Great White North aka Canada!!  I start to sing Oh Canada as we approach the entrance to the rainbow bridge and Joey gives me “that” look reminding me that there are tourists and cameras all over the place.  We watch as some Japanese tourists try to figure out how to go through the turnstile and quickly follow behind them.  Once on the bridge we gawk at the cars waiting in line to cross over to the US and realize that they are gawking at us too.  It’s easy to forget how high above the water you are until you (meaning me not Joey) look over the railing, which is only 3-4 feet tall.  FYI, The Rainbow Bridge is not named after the iconic Gay symbol, but rather after the natural rainbows caused by the spray from the falls.  We walk across the bridge and I say hi to everyone that passes, some say hi back but most look down at the ground like I have sharp teeth and horns.  I really need to check myself in the mirror when I get to Canada! 

As we approach the Canadian border we stopped to read the monolith detailing the meaning of the rainbow and how it was promised by God after the flood to demonstrate his promise not to kill any more humans or something like that.   That’s good enough for me!  We walk into the immigration kiosk and hand the young Canadian Officer our passports. He quickly inserts them into some scanner and asks us what we do for a living, why are we in Canada etc… after my failed attempt at small talk we are free to go.

Date: 10/6/2013
Location: Niagara Falls, NY
Written by: DJ Doran

TAKE NOTE: This post was written while DJ & Joey were on their RV roadtrip across America. Sadly, their trip ended before it really got started. No worries, Shelly & Lucia are taking the Connextions Out n About Roadtrip to new heights, exploring one RV park at a time!

Joey and I awoke later than we had planned - or wanted to - after having a quiet evening onboard Priscilla. We were planning to go to Niagara Falls today but it was raining lightly outside and the humidity was uncomfortable.  I thought to myself, “we sure picked a great day to tour the falls”!  We were getting a late start and the weather sucks - as some of you know how I am about being late... I hate it.  As a matter of fact, I drag Joey to the movie theater 45 minutes early so that we have plenty of time to get the popcorn (which I always ask if it’s fresh) and the other necessary items needed for the complete movie enjoying experience, but that’s another story.

After a few grumbles and comments to the effect of, “we might as well skip it because the day is ruined” by me, we crank up the engine and Priscilla is once again on the move.  As soon as we arrive at Niagara State Park we realize that parking is going to be an issue.  Joey sticks his head out the passenger side window and asks the guy waving people on, where we can park an RV.  He replies that there are a “couple of places around the block”, so after a few minutes of waiting, we maneuver our way through the throngs of clueless tourists walking to the park toward the direction of parking.  As we approach the designated parking area we suddenly realize that we are only 4-5 blocks away from the casino where we have been over-nighting and parking for free!  Duh!  We drive Priscilla back to her nest and grab the camera, wallets and our shades because by this point the sun is coming out and all the worry and fussing about the weather clears away like the clouds and rain of this morning.  As usual Joey and I have different ideas of which path to take toward the park, His choice is along the sidewalk and through the Casino, mine, cutting through the fence around the back of the Casino and passing the employees entrance.  After some debate I decide to follow his lead and we walk into the Casino.  As we approach the guard at the entry of the gambling floor he politely asks “what’s in the case”? Dutifully, we tell him that it’s a camera to which he again very politely replied “sorry no cameras allowed”.  We thanked him and told him we’d be back to gamble later that night and walked back the way we came and stood by the outer entry doors trying to decide which way to go.  Joey again, recommended that we follow the sidewalk along the driveway that we came drove down with Priscilla to the main street and then walk down to the park.  I, on the other hand had a different plan.  We were going to walk the short distance toward the back of the Casino and then hang a right and walk toward the park… No zigs, no zags the most direct route to our destination.  After some, “It’s fenced in, we can’t get through there” comments from someone who shall remain nameless, we proceed to walk around the back of the Casino.  As we turn right and its revealed that I was in fact correct, once again, all is right with the world.

Date: 10/4/13
Location: Buffalo, New York
Written by: DJ Doran

TAKE NOTE: This post was written while DJ & Joey were on their RV roadtrip across America. Sadly, their trip ended before it really got started. No worries, Shelly & Lucia are taking the Connextions Out n About Roadtrip to new heights, exploring one RV park at a time!

Joey and I met up with Mikey and his Boyfriend Keith for a walk around the Artsy/Bohemian section of Allen Street during the first Thursday Art Walk.  We toured several small galleries and chatted with a few of the Artists before stopping at a bar/restaurant named  DBGB’s (pronounced deebeegeebees) otherwise known as Dukes Bohemian Grove bar - for a drink and a light dinner.  After a couple of drinks and a round of shots, courtesy of Mikey’s cousin Gabby who owned the bar, we all decided to order some grub.  As we were perusing the menu it was revealed that Buffaloans as you are called if you are from Buffalo NY, do not use the term Buffalo Wings at all but rather call them Chicken Wings or just wings.  Not being a fan of chicken wings, regardless of what you call them and mainly because I dislike the texture of rubbery chicken or the look and taste of dark meat (wink, wink) I decided to give them a try as Mikey explained that chicken wings, cooked properly should be crispy on the outside and NOT rubbery on the inside.

Date: 10/3/13
Location: Buffalo, NY
Written by: DJ Doran

TAKE NOTE: This post was written while DJ & Joey were on their RV roadtrip across America. Sadly, their trip ended before it really got started. No worries, Shelly & Lucia are taking the Connextions Out n About Roadtrip to new heights, exploring one RV park at a time!

We awoke this morning to a full parking lot.  It was hard falling asleep with the bright blinking neon lights that illuminate the Seneca Niagara Casino and with the constant starting and stopping of the diesel engines of the tour busses parked next to us as the lovely odor of their exhaust wafted into our opened windows, but sleep did eventually come and thankfully we did not suffocate.  As Joey grunted for just a few minutes more of sleep I worked my way to the dash and started the engine.  The ever present danger of accidentally leaving some minor electrical power running and killing the batteries have made me paranoid of being stranded and unable to start the engine so I am constantly making sure that we have battery power… (The reason for this is a future blog).  I started the engine and heaved a sigh of relief.  Today is not the day that I yell “Oh Shit” the batteries are dead because we forgot to shut off the power before we went to bed.  As the air pressure builds in the system I prepare the coffee pot to brew the first cup of the day, hazelnut creamer at the ready of course, let’s not get crazy here. Priscilla is equipped with an air pressure system primarily used for braking and shock absorption but air pressure is also used to extend a small step when the entry door is opened and to open and close the generator compartment, hence the reason for waiting for the pressure to build. Usually, we can start the generator without having to open the pressurized compartment with the push of a button inside, but because of a little mishap during the summer, the switch burned out and well, now I have to use a pair of insulated pliers with a piece of wire bent into a “U” shape to jump the solenoid to start her up.  (This also is another future blog), it does the job but I digress.

Date: 10/4/13
Location:  A truck stop
Written by: DJ Doran

TAKE NOTE: This post was written while DJ & Joey were on their RV roadtrip across America. Sadly, their trip ended before it really got started. No worries, Shelly & Lucia are taking the Connextions Out n About Roadtrip to new heights, exploring one RV park at a time!

Thursday we woke to cloudy skies and high humidity.  I hate feeling sticky and the sheets damp from the humidity so of course I woke up grumpy.  Tonight’s the big night and I didn’t sleep well and now I feel like I’m covered in maple syrup.  There is so much to do and so little time to do it in but first things are first, I must have Coffee!  As I am rubbing the crust out of my eyes and preparing the coffee pot I notice that we have some new neighbors, a young couple that are pulling a trailer behind their pick up.  The trailer side doors were open and directly across from the galley window of Priscilla, so of course I couldn’t’ help but do my best Gladys Kravitz imitation and check them out.  The first thing that I noticed was that their trailer was neatly packed and organized, I hate them already I said to myself.  The next thing that I noticed was that they had a composting bucket of some sort for their, you know, business and a bed was set up in the back of their pick up which was covered by a camper top.

Being the social butterfly that I am, I finished getting dressed and walk out there with my coffee to “meet the neighbors” because after all, strangers are just friends waiting to happen, right?.   The young couple were busy doing whatever we all do in the morning when I strolled up and said “Good Morning!”.  We introduced ourselves to each other and began chatting about our separate road trips and adventures. Right away I liked both of them, Chad and Jessica from New Hampshire.  Nice, polite and respectful, a rarity with young people nowadays.  We traded stories of why we were on our adventures and shared tips and insights about what we have learned so far during our road trips.  I offered them some coffee and was told that their French Press or small coffee maker wasn’t working (not exactly sure which) and that they would LOVE some coffee…  As a fellow coffee addict I know what it would be like to not have that morning coffee and have to resort to Tea… ugh!   Don’t get me wrong, I like tea, especially Green Tea but it’s just not the same thing as a good cup of Coffee first thing in the morning.

I went back aboard Priscilla and filled 2 extra plastic travel mugs that came with Priscilla when we got her and proceeded back outside, both cup filled with steaming hot coffee.  I told them they could keep the cups to remember us by and they warmly thanked us.  We spent the next 20 minutes chatting about what our plans were for the day when Joey came out and we all talked and laughed for a bit.  Chad and Jessica explained that they were heading to Cedar Point Amusement Park, the roller coaster capital of the world later that morning and we had errands to run.  We invited them for dinner aboard Priscilla that night and we both finished getting ready to leave.  As we were pulling away I sounded the trumpet horns and waved hoping to have an enjoyable evening of dinner and drinks with our new friends.  Dinner with Chad and Jessica didn’t work out but we exchanged contact information and know that we will keep in touch as we both follow our passions for exploration and travel.

We headed to Cheektowaga to purchase some diesel fuel that according to the iPhone app Gas Buddy was supposed to be $3.95 per gallon.  Apparently sometime between our departure from Niagara Falls and arrival in Cheektowaga the price of diesel went up to $4.05.  We walked into the truck stop and scoped out the place.  Fuel, check, Laundry, check, Showers, check.  We started our laundry and used the showers.  After a warmish shower we went to the restaurant for a snack while we waited for our clothes to finish being dried.  Joey and I decided to order the small hamburger when the waitress proceeded to tell us how small the burger was and we were shamed into ordering the larger big boy burger.  When our food arrived my jaw dropped at the portion size of the food on the plate.  Don’t get me wrong I like a good burger but geesh.  Joey and I each cut them in half and resolved to take the other half back with us to Priscilla.  As we were finishing our lunch one of the truckers decided to strike up a conversation with us thinking we were fellow truck drivers.  I am not sure how that makes me feel but he was pleasant enough so we chatted across the aisle for a bit.  I realized that our laundry was probably done drying but the check hadn’t come yet so I politely excused myself and left Joey there to handle our new fellow trucker friend.  The look on Joey’s face, priceless.

We walked from the laundry section through the truck stop and right past the smoking section of the restaurant.  Yes,  there WAS  a smoking section.  Now, no disrespect to smokers but clouds are for computing not eating and no food could taste good in a cloud of tobacco smoke.  Just sayin…  Joey and I walked back to Priscilla with a basket of clean laundry (we hurried by the smoking section) and it was weird but we felt like we were on display as the eyes of each trucker in the cab of their truck followed us as we walked past.  I for one was happy to be back aboard Priscilla and ready to go.  It’s funny sometimes Priscilla looks soo big to me but next to rows of big rigs, she looks like a toy.

Date: 10/3/13
Location: Buffalo, NY
Written by: DJ Doran

TAKE NOTE: This post was written while DJ & Joey were on their RV roadtrip across America. Sadly, their trip ended before it really got started. No worries, Shelly & Lucia are taking the Connextions Out n About Roadtrip to new heights, exploring one RV park at a time!

We arrived in Buffalo, New York yesterday under cloudy skies and blustery wind, but feeling pretty good that after months of planning, setbacks, successes and analysis, we actually pulled it together and departed Chicago, determined and ready to begin our journey.  They say that you always remember your first time, and Buffalo will ALWAYS be very special to us because it was our first stop on this grand adventure. 

When we first discussed and decided to stop in Buffalo we were just like everyone else... we wanted to see Niagara Falls, but during our drive I decided to reach out to Peter Burakowski, Communications Manager for Visit Buffalo Niagara www.visitbuffaloniagara.com to try to hook us up with a local guide of the city and Gay scene in Buffalo.  Peter connected us with Michael Rizzo, the Executive Editor of the local LGBT Newsletter “In the Loop” from www.mybuffalopride.com and he graciously agreed to meet with us at his offices the next day.  

As we drove along the Niagara River searching for a place to park Priscilla, Joey quickly discovered that we could park for free at the local Seneca Niagara Casino www.senecaniagaracasino.com Go figure!  There were no hook ups, but we were safe in a fenced, lighted and patrolled parking lot and only steps away from the “Wheel of Fortune”.  As we pulled off the highway toward our safe haven, we were worried that Priscilla might be too tall for some of the road bridges between us and the Casino, especially in the older part of Buffalo.  It’s a challenge to drive Priscilla in any city during the daylight hours, but it can be especially stressful driving her down narrow streets with cars parked on either side at night.  As we wound our way through the sparsely lit older residential neighborhood, I prayed that Priscilla would carry us safely to the Casino and some well deserved rest, for all of us.  I don’t think that I could imagine anything worse than at that moment than breaking down in a 33’ foot box on wheels with nowhere to pull over, blocking the street with angry horns bellowing until the police came.  Thankfully my worst fears never materialized and we pulled into the parking lot, found a level place to park and shut the engine down.  As Joey prepared our bed and I secured all the hatches and privacy curtains, the generator whirred away providing precious 110V so we could recharge our only connections to the cyber world for the next day and air conditioning to take the edge off of the surprisingly warm and humid weather, which by the way Joey loved, me, not so much.

Day 1 of our 365 day adventure was over, only 364 more to go!