Monday, July 8, 2024 – Travel Day to Brookfield

Hi Babe!
Woke up early, got up around 7:00, and even so, it took me about two hours to get out of camp. Because it's a fairly short drive today, just over 100 miles, I left some stuff to be packed this morning, thus the later departure. I had a bit of a scare on the way down to Watkins Glen. The road is very steep in a few places, and I didn't do a very good job of managing the hills (I've been a little spoiled as the engine braking on the truck seem to be working just fine), and I didn't downshift the way I should have, and by the time I got to the main street, my brakes were literally smoking. I pulled over by the park and let them cool a little, but then I was reading that if you stay still too long the brakes could warp and stick, so after about 15 minutes, and since I knew I would be climbing uphill rather than down, I headed out, making sure I did a much better job of managing the hills. The only other bad spot was going downhill into Ithaca, but I handled that a lot better, so no overheated brakes. I stopped twice in Cortland, once at the Tractor Supply for propane and another muck bucket (to catch as much rain as possible, since water is problematic at Brookfield), and again at Walmart for a few last minute grocery items. We finally reached out destination around 2:00. I took it nice and slow! Last time we were here (in 2012!!) we parked in the Assembly area, which turned out to be more of a group camp, but this time I headed straight to the actual campground. Took me about an hour to scope out the best spot and get situated, then another hour to get settled in. There's a nice big grassy area next to me, so I put Apollo on the anchors and let Flash free, and they had a great time grazing most of the afternoon. I've decided to put them in the standing stalls overnight, as there really aren't any good trees for highlining here, and I imagine it's probably frowned on anyway. I will let them graze until too many other folks show up. I was thrilled that the place was empty when I arrived (and so was Sugar Hill when I departed, first time since I got there!), so I had my choice. Water is a hand pump only, no spigot, so I'll need to figure out how I'm going to fill up my tank. Fortunately the nearest town is only about 10 miles away, so that may be the easiest answer. I also was considering how well my new impact wrench might work on the little drill pump I have, but I think I might need an adapter for that. Anyway, got settled in, though it's quite hot, but there's rain in the forecast later this week, hoping I can recover some water from the awning, not the first time we've done that! You know I'll find a way, somehow! Hot and sweaty, heading to my shower and bed! Good night, sweetheart! Love you!

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