07/01 to 07/06 Woodland Hills & Lake Winnipesaukee KOA

  Spacious Skies-Woodland Hills - Austerlitz, NY

07/01  to 07/03, 2026 

The journey continues. What looks like a very round about, long 8-hour trip is not quite so when taken in 3-4-hour bits with a two or three day rest as you proceeed. Picturing the more northerly, direct route seems more sensible but winding, back country roads adds over an hour driving time. 

My first stop is at Spacius Skies at Woodand Hills. It's one in a collection of family-friendly RV parks and campgrounds primarily located across the Eastern United States, about 15 locations in 10 states includings one as far south as Georgia. I've stayed at six of them, this one once before. A convenient layover on my way to or from Maine.

07/03/2026 in Austerlitz, NY

Nothing special to write about except for another "severe thunderstorm watch" was proven correct and knocked out power around 9:00 p.m. This is the second campground, second "incident" with outages lasting more that 24-hrs. New batteries kept the refrerator going but by morning I turned off both refrigerator and inverter to lessen the drain. Quiet hours ended at 8:00 p.m. at which time I started the generator to replenish the batteries which takes hours. Not until 4:00 pm on my last day was power restored. Even then there were intermittent outages lasting a few minutes each. 102º outside, 88º inside. While everyone else suffered through it, so did I...again. New batteries, sufficient propane and an efficient RV system made it somewhat pleasant and anxiety free.

Meanwhile my new tenting neighbors arrived the night of the storm. They survived the night but after my generator was up and running (8:00 a.m. after 'quiet hours") I thought a couple of cups of coffee would be appreciated. It was evident that this was not their first outing. Fire going in the fire ring for breakfast, screened in Easy-Up erected, they were good to go.

On my last night, July 4th eve, they had family join them. Tenting in a different area, there must have been ten including two little people about four or five. And, before the night was over, there was a delicate knock on my door. One of the girls brought over and offered some of their dinner. Alas, at 9:30, I had already eaten. But how nice was that? Of Hispanic descent, I would have loved to see what is rustled up while tenting. It was so nice to run into and interact with nice people. The morning I left, the husband stopped by to see if everything was all right with me as I prepared the RV for taking off within the hour. I thanked him for the last night's offering and come to find out it was his daughter. Turns out he's 42, much older than he looked. He pegged me at 55, (stop laughing). After I gave him the reality jolt, he regained compusure, and invited me to breakfast at the other tent site. Very nice.

Well, so much for the heat wave. Tomorrow I head for Strafford, New Hampshire. Lots to do there. The usual 12-day routine of dumping, flushing and filling the fresh water tank. They also sell propane so you know I'll be topping my tank off anticipating the next outage. Then there's New Hampshire's Liquor and Wine Outlets. Stay cool.

Strafford/Lake Winnipesaukee South KOA - Strafford, NH

07/04  to 07/06, 2026 

Happy Fourth to y'all. What a special day. Here's hoping you weren't rained out or heat waved and forced indoors. The weather has been crazy but the worst is over.  287 miles and five hours (including a fuel stop) later, I'm here in Strafford, NH, near Lake Winnepesaukee. There was light to moderate traffic as I drove the Interstates. The rolling hills, back country roads and the ever present, surrounding thick forest greenery once again left me in awe at what a beautiful country this is. Many times as I looked around at the scenery, especially on this holiday weekend drive, I couldn't help but put myself back into the late 1700's and think of what it must have been like to be one of the 2.5 million inhabitants of this new country. Today's trip was all about forests and farms; so much and so many. I think also of folks who should, if they can, take advantage, get out and see it all for themselves. Neither my pictures nor my words do it justice.

In need of some (AARP) Another Alcoholic Refreshment Pickup for my upcoming Happy Hours, I thought I'd try an online experience of ordering at a New Hampshire Liquor and Wine Outlet. Everyone raves about their cheaper prices. A stop for fuel, (diesel $5.339), then to pickup the wine/liquor order in Somersworth, NH, which was on my route to the Straffod KOA. Thirty miles away, I panicked. The day was Saturday, 4th of July, a national holiday. WHAT IF they're closed on weekends and holidays? SUPPOSIN' I can't pick it up? I'm leaving NH on Monday. Just then, granddaughter Beca and Ryan called from California to wish me a Happy Fourth. I told her my dilemma. So, from California, she called the outlet in New Hampshire (something I couldn't do while driving) and found they were open until 9:00 p.m. Thanks to my long distance liquor advocates, they saved the day. That simple task reduced my angst for the next 30 mile trip to the Outlet. P.S. I'm sorry I didn't take a photo of this outlet. Picture a Costco, a Super Walmart or a BJ's. Think of the expanse and then picture all those aisles and shelves neatly packed with with nothing but wines and liquors. 'Twas someting to behold.

This KOA campground is definitely in the boonies, about thirty miles south of the largest lake entirely in the state of New Hampshire, Lake Winnipesaukee. Approximately 72 square miles with an average depth of 180 feet, it's of glacial origin. The lake's name comes from a Native American legend of forbidden love. A chief's daughter, Mineola, fell in love with Adiwando from a rival tribe. When her father tried to kill him, she intervened; peace followed, and the chief named the lake "Smile of the Great Spirit" (one of several interpretations; another is roughly "beautiful water in a high place").

Although my travels won't take me anywhere near the Lake, I researched anyway. It has hundreds of islands (estimates range from ~260–365, with around 270+ habitable or sizable ones). There are three islands named Loon Island, and quirky names like Overnight, Spider, Rattlesnake, Scavenger, Upper Shoe, and Little Barndoor. The smallest island, Becky’s Garden (or Becky’s Island), is only about 10 feet wide (depending on water levels)—you might pitch a tent there briefly but not much more. One island named "Nine Acres" is actually 13 acres in size.

"The Witches" refers to a hazardous cluster of barely submerged rocks (resembling witches' hats) west of Governor’s Island that boaters treat with respect.

My campsite #33 is totally shaded (where were you when I needed you) thus eliminating all hope of using my Starlink router for Internet service. The free campgound hotspot barely provided one bar so I relied on my iPhone's hot spot to compose this post. As expected when I arrived the campground was packed with screaming kids loving the pool, dog walkers, bike riders and golf carts decorated to the hilt with red, white and blue, banners, streamers, glitter, flags and balloons. As no fireworks were allowed in the campground, a few distant events provided half hour celebrations that ended at 9:45 p.m. So for me, the 4th was quiet.

Sunday, most (younger, working) folks with kids packed up and left including the families behind and to the left of me.

And just like that, Monday will arrive and off I go for another 164 mile, 3 hour drive to Searsport, Maine. Hope to see you there. Stay safe and happy.

New Hampshire and Lake Winnipesaukee are places where time loosens its grip. The loons become the clock, the mountains become the walls of a great cathedral, and every sunset reminds us that the finest moments in life are never rushed -- AI inspired