Belden Hills - Hudson Islanders 7/21 to 7/28

 

After a month's hiatus, with Winnie in storage and me "camped" out in my apartment, the time finally arrived to get on the road once again. This time I'll be staying at seven campgrounds, two of which will be for two weeks stays, and will return early October. States to visit once again include: NY, NH, ME, RI and MA. Antsy though I may have been, it was a good time for "catching up" with housework, shopping/stocking up, medical appointments and visiting/dining with family and friends. It was a nice change of routine. I even got around to submitting my income tax...in July. Reflecting on my time at home, I come away enriched with the memories and magic that came out of life's hat as a result of interacting with friends, neighbors and family. Without naming name, places or events, those who read this know what I'm talking about and it's to those that I offer my thanks for being a part of my life and my experiences; that list is extensive, varied and wonderful.

Belden Hill Campground is situated 2½ hours, 160 miles from Peekskill, NY as you travel northwest on Route 17 in the town of Harpursville in Broome County; northeast of Binghamton, NY. I camped here last year in September on my way to Maine as a "scout" and thought members of the Hudson Islanders would enjoy the scenic view and nearby attractions, limited though they may be. That blog can be accessed HERE. There will be three Hudson Islanders (6 people) spending the week before heading further north to re-visit the Thousand Islands in Alexandria Bay, NY and joining a few more couples in our club.

 

I got to know the owners, Brian and Crystal, last year and was able to get a reduced rate for our group who will be clustered together in the southern scenic, hilly portion of the campground. 

Site C = Charlie

Site D = Doreen and Tony

Site H = Melanie and Dan

Site I = Dawn and John

A few mornings, the view south into Pennsylvania had a low lying cloud cover
that usually dissipated by 10 a.m.

It was nice to see some of the gang once again. They all seemed to be in agreement that this location lent itself to a different style of relaxation than we enjoy at home. Unlike our other get-togethers, however, this week and its location did not provide area attractions we are accustomed to. So our activities were somewhat limited.

Dan, John, ACR, Tony

For me morning coffee with "the guys" is always a treat. As soon as I'm up and about, my camper door is open signaling that coffee is made and whoever is up and about is welcome to visit, sit a spell and help solve the problems of the world. My 7:30 am alarm usually starts my day. Dan and John have already been up hours. And Tony? Well, that's a different story. What you see here at the left is a truly rare moment where Tony made his appearance early in his day...like 9:00 am.

Usually, group planning has an attraction every day to visit with a late lunch or an early dinner tacked on to the visit. Not this week. Saturday, we walked up to the Snack Shack and enjoyed hot dogs and ice cream with proceeds going the SPCA.

Our first "evening" out was a 4:00 pm visit to the Belden Hill Golf Club for Sunday dinner (they close at 6 p.m). Since taking over in 2005, the owners, Dave and Tonia, have been striving to make this beautifully scenic golf course one of the nicest golf courses in the Southern Tier/Binghamton area. Located just twelve miles from downtown Binghamton, for us it was a short ride across route 7 opposite the campground.

John/Dawn, Doreen/Tony, Dan/Melanie

Chicken tenders drizzled with a bourbon BBQ
sauce on a bed of fries; soggy and a tad spicy.

With the kitchen near closing, our group of seven were accommodated by the hostess and the cook. Our menu choices consisted of the typical pub, fried food you'd find at most golf courses serving light fare to their members at the completion of the round of golf. The company, as usual, made it a nice adventure.

Dessert? But of course. With nothing in the surrounding area, we drove nine miles to Port Crane just outside of Binghamton to Cones Ice Cream Shop.

My "small" cup of Maple Walnut was delicious and a perfect ending for the day.

On Tuesday we traveled to the Beer Tree Brewery in Port Crane, NY.  

The timber frame taproom with exposed trusses was an impressive sight upon entering. Typical of the German style, every connection for supported beams was pegged...not a nail or bolt found anywhere which gave the huge expansive rooms a warm, rustic-yet-refined experience.

Listen to Chris Rhoades and his brother-in-law, Brendan Harder share the origins of the brewery in this short VIDEO

After we found a table that accommodated our seven, we'd go to the front,
place our order, give the table number and food was delivered shortly thereafter.

Take a look at their menu HERE.

I opted for the Beef on Weck; thinly sliced roast beef, horseradish sauce, salted caraway Kaiser roll, served with au jus and a side of shoestring French fries sprinkled with paprika, parmesan and scallions.

Being in a brewery I thought I'd try something different. A pint of "Raspberry Jammin;'" An American Pale Wheat ale brewed with 50% malted barley and 50% wheat then blended with hundreds of pounds of pureed raspberry. Perfect!

Having never heard the word, "Weck", I researched and found "Beef on Weck" is a "sandwich found primarily in Western New York State, particularly in the city of Buffalo. It is made with roast beef on a kummelweck roll, a roll that is topped with kosher salt and caraway seeds. The meat on the sandwich is traditionally served rare, thin cut, with the top bun getting a dip in jus and spread with horseradish. The sandwich, along with Buffalo wings and sponge candy, is one of the three best-known food specialties of Buffalo."

On Wednesday, the group visited the Animal Adventure Park and Preserve five miles away on Martin Hill Road. The park and preserve of over 100 acres houses over 300 animals representing 100 species. It's an interactive drive thru adventure which also offers a petting zoo. Education the prime objective, owner Jordan Patch opened his once private preserve to share the experience of driving through the grassland, scrub brush and deep forests along designated paddocks that house the animals.

Patch made local headlines two years ago when he cut his ties with Dos Rios Cantina restaurant in downtown Binghamton where he was a silent partner since its opening. Dos Rios Cantina was one of three popular eateries that was abruptly closed when allegations of sexual assaults surfaced.

Wednesday night, for one more "night out on the town," we visited the Pantheon Greek Restaurant and Pizzeria. Down the road 4.4 miles, about 6 minutes, this clean, well kept restaurant seemed to be a good dining place for the locals out here in the "wilds" of this scenic, wooded area of New York State. One person working as  waitress, hostess, cashier and bussing person gave us plenty of time for chatting. We were in no hurry for anything. We were serve around 7:15pm, the restaurant opened at 7a.m. and closed at 8.

With "no frills" décor, the delicious meals we no frills patrons ordered turned out to be delicious and plentiful. We did not leave hungry.

Well, the thoroughly relaxing week, complete with terrific weather, scenic views comes to an end. Working with pleasant and engaging owners, Bryan and Crystal the week was perfect for me. Others in the group I know would have loved to be out and about visiting local attractions, but this location didn't lend itself for that at all. Once again I thank Tony/Doreen for their Uber services taking me to all the nearby "attractions," (called restaurants.) The one evening's passing thunderstorm that rained out our nightly campfire was the only "inconvenience." Otherwise, nightly campfires went perfectly with the evening chill and it all tied nicely together with our "gang" of four (RVs) who were able to make it. Member, Larry, got away from his chores at home and made it up for three days.

Friday, we make the 180 mile, 2½ hour trip to Alexandria Bay, NY, and the 1000 Islands Campground. See you there. As always, I look forward to your comments. Using "Anonymous" usually does the trick. If it doesn't, email me your thoughts and comments and, with your permission, I'll post them for you. Others would love to hear from you as well.