The only time either of us have ever spent in New York was the big city – New York City. And while I know from looking on a map that New York is so much more, that’s the impression I’ve always had.
Big city. Traffic. Hectic Life. High Costs.
So when we received an invitation to driveway surf for the fourth of July weekend in a small upstate New York city of Herkimer (outside of Utica), we were excited to check out the small town side of the state.
Let me just say this upfront. New York state definitely is nothing like our experiences of New York City.
Peaceful, beautiful, charming, friendly and relaxing have been our experiences so far.
Harvest Hosts Stay in Chenango Forks
We had to vacate our spot at Lackawanna State Park in northern Pennsylvania on Friday, as our site was reserved for the holiday weekend.
A quick search with our HaverstHosts.com membership (having recently had an awesome winery stay in New Jersey) and we found a winery and a farm right along our route up to Herkimer. Perfect!
We called the first one on our route to inquire about staying, giving them our HarvestHosts membership information, and were warmly invited to stop by Friday evening.
Black Bear Winery is located near Chenango Forks, NY and just under an hour away. We arrived to a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding hillsides in the RV parking area, with lots of privacy around us.
The winery is family owned, and they specialize in all fruit wines. They are proudly a ‘no grape’ zone.
Being a big red grape wine girl myself, I went in with an open mind. And they do have some pretty spectacular offerings – from their spicy Elderberry, cherry, blackberry, black current and cranberry based wines, fruit infused meads, and amazing sparkling ciders.
We did a representative sampling, and then ordered a pitcher of their Cherry Bomb cider.
Later in the evening, a local bluegrass & blues group setup to play. Suprinsgly, there were hardly any patrons in attendence, so we basically got sit in on a private jam session.
What a delightful & memorable surprise!
But nothing could prepare us for returning to our bus to discover the field in front of us had been transformed into a twinkling sea of fireflies!
I so wish I had any device with me that could have even captured a glimpse of the experience. It was absolutely mesmerizing.
With no other Harvest Hosts guests due in the next evening, we were extended an invitation to stick around a second night – which we gratefully accepted.
The cellular signal was quite marginal in this location, making it a perfect antenna testing location the next day.
Driveway Surfing in Herkimer, NY
We set off Sunday morning to make the final 2 hour drive up to Herkimer to meet our blog fans. We routed via backroads (which we do whenever possible – we love the slower pace, less traffic and gorgeous scenery).
It was a beautiful drive the entire way, and then we pulled into the driveway of Sarah & Bob.
They had tuned in live to our last video cast on Driveway Surfing, and immediately extended an invitation for us to drop by.. before they hit the road themselves! The timing was perfect.
For the past few months they have been gearing up to become full timers themselves. Their house has already sold and would be closing in a few short days.
Bob had accepted a job out of town, and they’ve decided to use their new RV as their home base – giving them flexibility to travel in their home as they explore their new area. In a few years, they aim to travel full time too.
Such exciting times for them!
We loved the opportunity to get a peak into their major transition. It took us back a bit to those final days of preparations we went through ourselves as we sold off the last of our stuff, cleaned the house and said our good-byes to family & friends.
Bob ended up needing to move the RV down to the new location, so we didn’t get to meet him during our visit. But Sarah was an amazing host who was excited to show us the town she had lived in for so long.
Herkimer is along the Erie Canal, and the home of Remington Arms. Located in the Mohawk Valley, it has a small town feel where everyone knows you as you walk about.
We joined Sarah in stoping by to visit some of her friends as she toured us around – which included several farmlands.
Her friends also graciously invited us to join them for a private fireworks celebration on an organic diary farm (where we honestly got engrossed talking with the owner all evening and learning more about the business – fascinating!).
While our host attended to the many chores of getting ready to move, we went out doing a little exploring ourselves – by booking an afternoon tour boat cruise with Erie Canal Cruises, that took us through Lock 18.
It was educational and beautiful. We just love civil engineering, and the opportunities the canal system opened up for commerce and now recreational travel.
All and all, a wonderful way to celebrate Independence Day weekend.
No crowded campgrounds, fun new experiences and new friends made! You just can’t go wrong with that!
What’s Up Next?
Ironically, just about the time we made plans to meet up with our RVing friends Forrest and Mary for a bit near Albany, we had some great invitations come in for exploring more of western New York.
We feel we could spend the whole season just in this state alone and not see even a fraction of it. We know we’re leaving behind Finger Lakes, Rochester, Niagra Falls and so much more.
But onwards we must go – for we are Escapade bound in Vermont which starts next weekend! Just how has time gone by so quickly???
So it’s east we headed, having to leave western New York for another time.
We’re currently meandering around the Adirondacks continuing to follow serendipity. We are definitely having no shortage of amazing experiences, which we’ll share later.
Until then, keep the invitations and suggestions coming for our upcoming time in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine (where I also suspect we’ll not get nearly enough time in either.)
For those also heading to Escapade… see you there!
Wow, sounds like you had a great trip through NY State. We live only 15-miles from Herkimer & Little Falls. If you use the canal in your future travels we’d love to meet up for lunch. Safe travels both on and off the water.
We, too, loved Acadia. Another unique experience is driving up Mount Washington. It doesn’t take a lot of time but there is nothing quite like it.
Love reading of your travels. You make it so easy to imagine myself there.
We are in New York now, and I’ve been surprised at all the open space and farmland. I’ve been to NYC and the surrounding suburbs, but our trek up from PA, to Niagara, and now east has been lovely!
As someone who grew up in the area, i highly recommend the Saratoga Springs area, which should be on your way to New England. Have fun!
We love driving that route every year from NJ to our vacation in the Adirondacks – it’s such a pretty area of NY!
This is truly a gorgeous “hidden gem” part of the US. We did a self-supported bicycle tour in upstate NY (mostly Finger Lakes and Adirondacks area) in 2004 and have never forgotten it. Such gorgeous scenery and beautiful memories! I’d be interested to hear more about how you found the roads in New England in general for RVs. We have a 32′ motorhome and have been leery of heading up that way in it. Hope you’ll consider doing a post discussing the roads in New England vs. the western US, where you tend to hang out, and how RV-friendly you’ve found them. Many thanks and happy travels!
Glad to see you are heading up the Northway along the Eastern Adirondacks. At this time of year that area is beautiful (as you can tell). You are passing right through the area where we used to live – 3 years in Plattsburgh, 12 in Saratoga Springs, and numerous visits each year since to the Glens Falls area to visit family.
As you have noticed – upstate New York is NOTHING like NYC. If anything it is much more like New England, and over the years there have been a few half-hearted suggestions to separate NYC from New York state – because they have so little in common. Having in lived in upstate New York it always irked me that a portion of our Sales Taxes went to fund the NYC subway system! So even if one in lived in Buffalo – 300 miles away – you were still paying taxes to support NYC subways.
But back to your travels – not sure you will have time to get into the Adirondacks more (such as the Lake Placid or Saranac Lakes areas). From your map it also looks like you will miss going over the top of Lake Champlain to get over to VT – a possible 2nd ferry ride for Zephyr! It’s a beautiful trip – taken it many times.
But no matter your route it’s all great – so enjoy it.
Glad that you are seeing how great that area of the country is. Also good that you got to witness a fire fly show – really miss them here in California. Be sure to stay into the fall so you can catch the leaf changes. In some years when we lived there – when the conditions were right – the leaf colors were almost fluorescent – spectacular!
Don’t we have a beautiful country?!
Try Letchworth State Park. Gorgeous waterfalls and quiet campground.
Thanks.. doesn’t look like we’ll have time to get up that way this time around. So much awesome here!
Chris & Cherie, up state NY is incredibly amazing. I’m in Corning NY and from this location the Finger Lakes region is accessible for hiking, kayaking, and of course wineries are every where. If you get to the Corning area, check out the Soul Full Cup coffee shop. Enjoy! 🙂
We so wish we had more time to get over that way. Sounds like such a lovely area!
Totally loving all the great Harvest Hosts you’re finding in the NE! Gives me hope that we can do the NE with reasonable costs when we finally get there.
Nina
So far, between Harvest Hosts, a couple driveway surfs and sticking to state parks we’ve kept the costs reasonable (more than usual, but less then staying in a hip town for a month). We’ll see how it works out as we enter VT, NH and ME.
Of course, Harvest Hosts are never ‘free’ nights 😀 But heck, we’d buy wine anyway.
Stowe and Smuggler’s Notch in VT are beautiful. So is Acadia NP, in Maine.
Thanks for the tips.. Acadia National Park is definitely on the list of places to check out.
Hi Phil.. I think perhaps you meant to post this in the MIA forums, not our personal travelogue? Feel free to repost it there, and we’ll be happy to answer.
We are so excited to be heading that way in a couple weeks. I love ciders and mead over wine so that little stop looks wonderful to me 🙂 And what a wonderful surprise to have fireflies greet you at home!! I’m sure Sarah had a great time picking your brains while sharing her hometown – how fun for all of you!! Safe travels and have fun in Vermont.
You’re going to love all the new discoveries out this way! Have a wonderful journey.