Truck Camping

Getting Tired of Camping and Traveling in the Same Places

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I have to admit I am getting tired of visiting the same places every time I go out and camp. It seems like lately, I’ve been following almost the same schedule every year, never mixing it up for the holiday weeks.

I’ve been thinking about some alternatives this year — things to for me to consider — not necessarily what I will end up doing.

Memorial Day Weekend to East Branch of Sacanadaga River?

I am getting tired of going out to Vermont each year for Memorial Day Weekend. That weekend is often too wet and buggy to be great for camping, so I’m thinking this year if I want to enjoy the long weekend, I should think about not going so far away — maybe some camping along the East Branch of Sacandaga River?

Summer Trip to the Adirondacks and North Country?

I haven’t done a summer trip up through the Adirondacks in years. I have spent little time in the North Country. Rather then doing the Finger Lakes again, this might be a good alternative.

Autumn Trip to Southern Ohio?

I am thinking rather then West Virginia this year, I could go out to Southern Ohio for my autumn road trip. There is the Warren National Forest down there, which would be a nice change compared to always going to West Virginia.

Setting Sun

Thinking About My First Big Trip of the Season

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Easter this year is April 21st, which as Easter holidays goes is one of the latest possible dates. I am thinking about making Easter week my first big trip of the year, as by then the snow should be gone in most parts of the state, and the weather moderated to the point where the average high most days is around 60 degrees. While it’s likely that the leaves won’t be on the trees, and the mud-season closed roads will still be closed, the weather is likely to be quite pleasant this time of year.

Chittenango Creek from the Railroad Bridge

Usually my employers give off Good Friday, and it’s usually a relatively quiet week in the office, so I could take off Wednesday and Thursday, and have a four or five night, five-day trip if I returned back on Sunday. An easy option would be to go out to Madison County, possibly on that Tuesday night after work, camp at Cherry Ridge State Forest, then head out Stony Pond State Forest for a few nights. I do a bunch of trout fishing on the Cazenovia Creek and some of the other local creeks out that way, and do some hiking, assuming it’s not too muddy.

Stoney Pond

Another option I’ve thought about that would be nice, but a much longer drive is to head up to the North Country, around Malone and Massena. I’ve talked about doing that as a trip for years, but it has yet to happen. It’s kind of a long drive, and I really don’t like having to drive that far, and some of those roads up around Massena are pretty rough and can be kind of muddy in the spring. I also worry about getting stranded for some reason and that very remote country. But the Deer River looks like it would be a blast to fish. Plus I haven’t been up that way in a long, long time.

Deer River off of Webster Mill Road

I am two and half months out from this trip but I should continue to think about my options and plan for my adventure. Could be a very nice kick-off to a nice spring trip before all the black flies are out and biting away.

Why I often camp at the same places

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It seems like I often go to the same places a lot and camp at the same campsites year after year. ⛺ But the truth is there is only so many places that offer roadside camping near the Albany area that have the destinations I want to visit and the wilderness experience that I so truly treasure.

I should probably find new ways to spend my weekends, new places to explore. 🌌 But sometimes a canned experience – one that is predictable – and easy to plan for is best. New destinations require me to plan and have to be aware of the risks of the unknown.

Charcoal Cooking

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I used to cook a lot more on charcoal while camping but lately I’ve been using the gas stove more. But I forgot how good a breakfast tastes cooked on charcoal. 🍳 Sausages get that nice smoked taste as do the eggs. The fire tends to be fairly consistent but slow, it radiates warmth even on a fairly cool morning.🔥 Maybe it’s a little bit more work and slower but the results are wonderful.

Making Breakfast

 

Decided to wait for Saturday to camp in the Adirondacks

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After giving it a great deal of thought I decided against taking Friday off to head up to the Adirondacks. 🗻Instead I think I will work Friday and pack after I get home and leave first thing Saturday morning. 🎒I kind of wanted to camp for two nights when I went all the way to the Adirondacks⛺ but I don’t want to camp in the rain by a smoky wet fire. 💦I’m going to do some fishing and hiking plus a nice night by the fire. 🔥I haven’t been up to the Adirondacks since December so I look forward to kicking off my summer camping season up north.