Health & Happiness At Double H Camp

I rode out to this very special camp last weekend, the Double H Ranch.  Co-founded by Charles R. Wood and Paul Newman.  It's located about two and a half hours away from my home and located in one of my favorite areas - the Adirondack Mountains ('Daks) of New York State.

Spring, summer, fall, winter, the 'Daks are always a great place to play or just hang, relax and recharge yourself.  For decades, the 'Daks have been a destination for folks with any aliment.  In 1885 the world-renowned Trudeau Sanatorium was opened in Saranac Lake to treat tuberculosis.  Later, New York State opened the Ray Brook facility for treating tuberculosis which was later transformed into a rehab center treating women with addictions.  In recent years, Forest Bathing has become a popular trend. Forest Bathing, known and studied in Japan, has even been sponsored by the Japanese government to study the health benefits of spending time in the forest (forest bathing). Japan researchers determined being in nature has healing benefits ranging from relieving stress to lowering blood pressure, and fighting off depression.  So, it's not a surprise to find Health & Happiness (the Double H) in the Adirondacks.

The H Tree

For years I've been wanting to volunteer at a camp for kids living with and or recovering from chronic illnesses or debilitating conditions.  Growing up myself with thal and being around many other patients with chronic type illnesses over the years I was drawn to helping out in some way.  I've had a lot given to me in my 52 years of life and felt it was time to pay it forward.  I did some research and was directed through the Cooley's Anemia Foundation to the Double H Ranch.













I arrived Friday under the threat of strong thunderstorms with damaging winds.  I located the camp entrance down a small winding road, still mostly covered with a layer of sand from the long winter which had left a little less than two weeks prior. As I made my way down the dusty road, I imagined Mr. Paul Newman driving down this very same road.  I wonder what he thought of my Adirondacks.

Sara

The road widens into a small parking area where hundreds of kids a year (all coping with, or recovering from life threatening illness) are greeted and checked in.  It has that rustic yet welcoming appearance.

Following the two and a half hour bike trip, it was nice to hop off and stretch. I checked in and recieved my room number where I'd stay for the next three days.  Oh, and my official title of Pal. Yup, Sam Pal.  And the name and family I'd be assigned to help out and hang with.  This was family weekend.  Future and past campers would be here with their families.  Mine consisted of a great young lady named Sara, her older brother, and Mom.  Luckily Sara had attended one of the previous week long camps.  She was able to help break me in, probably more than I helped her.

As the weekend proceeded and I followed Sara and her family I became intrigued by just watching the other campers and their families along with their Pals.  If you didn't know, you'd think these kids came here every week.  They all seemed to be so relaxed and at home.  And not at all in a bad way.  None seemed to misbehave.  I know many of these kids have been through really tough times in their young lives.  I think this sometimes makes even the young appreciate things a little more and even they seem not to be bothered by some of the little things.

The staff along with about 15 or more volunteers have everything planned out so it all runs fairly smooth.  Even with the unplanned, but now looming storm approaching, the outdoor campfire with s'mores was moved to an indoors fireplace.  Without hesitation, all went well.  The storm ripped through, lights flickered a little, and the generator kicked on without missing a beat! The generator wound up staying on the entire weekend.

Sara

Sara

There seemed to be endless arts and crafts in multiple buildings the entire weekend, but with the calm after the storm came amazing beautiful weather.  Sara guided us through all the outdoor activities.  We took a small rowboat out fishing. Tried our skills out with the bow and arrow.  Only one tree was injured as a rogue arrow from Mom went sailing out of the range and into the forest.  What seemed to be the biggest hit with young and old, big and small, was the ropes obstacle course.

I am hoping to return for at least another weekend although the Double H has week long camps.  I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet.  I was lucky to be assigned to an older camper.  I don't know if I'd be able to keep up to some of the smaller kids.  I do highly recommend this to anyone looking for a safe fun environment to send their child.  Look into their programs which run year round.  They also have a small ski slope.   And if you have the time no matter what your age, think about donating some time to the Double H Camp.

2017-18 Snowmobile Season

2017-18 snowmobile season arrived like a lion and left like a lamb.  We road out and tacked on a over 2,000 sensational miles this season.  Through all types of snow conditions.

Here are some of the highlights:

One of my first rides was an early season ride January 4 with Liz up to the Tug Hill.  Check out these pics.

 Was a beautiful day!

Towpath Restaurant

 And as usual, it's not necessarily the ride as much as 

the food found on the ride.  We stopped for lunch in 

Turin, NY. 

Yes, you can get a snowmobile stuck.  It's usually just a matter of letting off the throttle to soon.  In this case one of Liz's skis slipped off the trail causing the sled to get sucked off the groomed trail into some real heavy packed deep snow.  Knowing how heavy her sled is and how hard it can be to get it out of deep packed snow, she did the right thing to quickly let off the throttle and annualized the situation.  Come to find out, it wasn't bad at all.  Joe and I packed down the snow directly in front of the sled and I gently throttled it out and back onto the trail.









Took what I thought would be a last ride with Joe.  I had just upgraded and purchased a new to me 4-stroke.  So, glade we could get out and I could tally the 100 plus miles that day.  Above freezing most of the day made it seem like spring even though it was only February 14.

Trails are well marked with route numbers just as road are.

Notice under the map a sign advising Miami 1445 miles. 😆

That signpost is about 4 feet tall!

New (2014) Cat handled great all day. Zero ski lift. Suspension really fits my style of riding (Cool Old Man😎). Needed to stand for ruff trails about half as much as with my older (Polaris 209) sled. And when standing is needed it is much less effort to stand as seating is much more raised and rider-forward.

Nice thing about snow storms is get to ride to my big Sista's for a visit. 

One of THE best burger joints on the trail system! 

The snow just kept coming but this was our last last LAST ride. 

Ohio Ridge Rider's area. We don't get over that way too often.

Really nice day out. 

 

Fresh Blood Documents

Fresh Blood Documents for you to download and give to your physicians, infusion centers, and blood banks. Thanks to Sandy at the Cooley's Anemia Foundation.

Transfusion of human volunteers with older, stored red blood cells produces extravascular hemolysis and circulating non–transferrin-bound iron


Fresh blood for transfusion in adults with beta thalassaemia

We Need Blood MOTHER NATURE!!!

Warning ❆❆❆❆❆ Warning

Southern Oneida Severe Watches & Warnings

Winter Storm Warning

Issued: 3:20 AM EST Dec. 13, 2017 – National Weather Service

... Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 6 PM EST this

evening...

* what... lake effect snow ongoing, heavy at times, with blowing

and drifting snow. Plan on difficult travel conditions.

Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 6 inches are expected.

* Where... Oneida, Seneca, southern Cayuga, Onondaga, Madison, Cortland

and Chenango counties.

* When... warning in effect until 6 PM EST this evening, though

most of the additional snow will occur this morning.

* Additional details... be prepared for low visibility at times.

Winds will gust as high as 35 mph, causing blowing and drifting

snow including localized white outs. Wind chills will be in the

single digits below zero at times this morning.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather

conditions are occurring. If you must travel, keep an extra

flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an

emergency. The latest Road conditions for the state you are

calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Maine Loop

Maine has always been one of my favorite destinations and one of the few places I would ever consider moving to.  I love it's climate much like ours here in central, northern NY.  It's history and most of all it's diversified topography.

We left Tuesday evening for a quick two hour ride to Troy, NY to spend an evening and night with longtime friend / relative Maria and her family.

First I was to meet Liz at the I90 exit in Utica about 20 mile from home.  She'll be leaving from work.  As I'm hitting highway speeds I'm noticing some unusual sway to the bike.  Not sure if it's the road or bike.  So I cautiously continued and I pulled into a gas station just prior to where I was to meet Liz. Sure enough, my front tire requiring 42 pounds only had 10.  There did not seem to be a leak.  Mr. Grey just got new boots and maybe while I was talking to the mechanic he didn't top it off. I topped it off to 40 pounds and off to Troy we went.

Maria had asked where we wanted to meet for diner.  Liz and I are both adventurous when it comes to trying new foods.  Maria, just pick something different, I told her.  My only stipulation was not fancy as we'll both have our riding gear on.

We met at   Ali Baba.  A very authentic Mediterranean style restaurant, mostly Turkish style food.  Not really knowing what to order we started with a sampler plater and fresh flat bread out of the wood fired oven.  I wish I could recall all that was on it but I'm really not sure what it all was.  Entrees to follow where just as fantastic. 

Waiting at Ali Baba for Maria and Family

It was a really nice evening with Maria and her family.  We also had the opportunity to discuss making our own custom designed new wedding bands.  Maria owns, runs, and teaches at her studio Sawtooth Jewelry Studio.  Hard to believe that in less than eight hours we can design and create our own bands from a puddle of gold.  We look forward to returning and going to her studio in December to "hammer out" our new bands.

The next morning found us searching for a place which could break the bead and remount the tire.  It had lost 10 pounds in less that 24 hours and 150 miles.  Liz, my self appointed Wrench Wench found an area along the bead of the rim gaping.  We are now thinking Greys new shoe just did not get a good bead.

We know of two good bike dealers within the area.  Max BMW and Brunswick Harley Davidson.  Figuring, since we are on adventure style bikes and adventure is their gig, We'd try Max BMW.

To our SURPRISE! Max would not, under no conditions, absolutely nata, in no-way service or assist me.  This shop strictly only services BMWs!  The guy at the desk strongly discouraged me from even using their air to top off the tire to get to another shop.  Must be BMW spicific O2 kinda like Starbucks is to the riders. He did recommend a good gas station where there is ample free air to be used.  I thought, this is BMW's primary gig, adventure riding!  I know it's not a precious BMW but Mr. Grey has feelings and to be treated that way by especially an adventure bike representative is just terrible.

Mr. Grey Shinning at Brunswick Harley

Luckily Brunswick Harley Davidson was just about a mile away.  We Explained to their service department what we thought was the issue.  They took a look and agreed. Rolled the bike right in and with in 30 minutes the tire was remounted and holding air.  The Mechanic even took the time to come out and reassure me, he wet the tire down and valvestem and found no leaks.  And remounted it so it was still balanced.  Super KUDOS to this shop!  They where great!  And only charged a half hour labor $35.00!!










Leaving NY and winding our way through the Green Mountains of VT, we find ourselves riding through a very quaint town of Chester.  Buildings all seem to date to the turn of the century.  With lunch on our minds we stop to have a look.

Chester VT

We find The Southern Pie Company.  Well,,, If you know me at all,, you know what happens next! We walk in, and there in an old style case are stacks of treats! Wide eyed, I stand in front of this chilled piece of heaven.  Homemade pies, cheese cakes, and pastries.  It's not if I will have pie for lunch rather which pie I will have for lunch!   The triple berry pie is the winner.  You know I can always justify.  Heck, If I add a scoop of ice cream I'm hitting at least two of the food groups (fruit and dairy).  Everything looked so good even Liz indulged in a half a piece of cheesecake.  DELICIOUS!









Riding out of VT and into NH means out of the Green Mountains and into the White Mountains National Forest.  Really spectacular views.  We chose not to stop for any scenic pictures since it's getting late and we've had ISSUES with riding through dusk in the past.  And, the moose crossing signs have started to freak us out a little.  We love seeing these long legged loafers but neither of us really want a mouth full of one.






Riding out of the White Mountains of NH just before ME I noticed a delay per G maps coming up as indicated in red.  Liz and I both noticed smoke or low clouds passing over a peak.  As we ride up on this area there are vehicles lining the road and low flying helicopters just pulling out of a large pond off to our right.  We pulled onto the shoulder dismounted and found ourselves within view of a raging forest fire.  We took some pics.

Our next two day stop was in Fryeburg ME for a day at the Fryeburg Fair.  And an opportunity to eat my way through another fair.  I highly recommend a visit to this fair.  It's like most state fairs but with more of a local connection.

They called this a Redneck Chainsaw. 

Yes, Liz must touch.

Never saw an oxen competition.

Camp for a couple of nights.

We finally hit the coast of ME Friday.  Explored and of course looked for a Maine type place to eat.  We found such a place in Southport.  Liz had been wanting me to try raw oysters.  One of the few seafoods I'd never had.  She found good oyster reviews (did you know oysters had reviews?) for
Robinson's Wharf & Tugs Pub. 
They where very good.  Not fishy or slimy like I'd thought they might be.  They where tender, sweet, with a hint of saltiness from the ocean.

Thanks to our friends John and Liz Colombo for letting us stay and their beautiful home in ME.  It was a great stay and night out.  Enjoyed the Rockland arts culture and diner.

Thank the Donors

As I encroach on 52 years of life I have been thinking of what I’ve done with my years. Everyone reflects back on their years on earth. However, ours with thal is different. Along with normal daily obstacles we have the added thal related issues.

Through my younger years I hadn’t given blood donors much thought. I’d just show up, get my blood and go. It was more like a medicine than something from a real person. But with maturity came a little wisdom and recognition to the many which took time out of their life for me. So that I could have a life. 

I’ve worked. I’ve played. I raised a family. I probably haven’t always done the right thing but as I’ve matured I think I’ve grown as a human being . I do take the time to think about my actions and try to be a good person. I think a good way to show my appreciation for what has been given to me is to just try to do my part. Live in this world without being too much of a jerk! So, that is what I’ve done. I just tried to be a decent person. 

In my lifetime I’ve (on the conservative side) have had 650 blood transfusions receiving 1250 units of blood. I have no way of really knowing how many individual kind and thoughtful donors actually contributed their time and blood to me. I’ve been thinking, is there any way I could ever thank them for their contribution to my life. All the donors (probably 1250ish) is why I am still alive today. And as I reflect back on MY life, I hope I’ve earned all they have done for me!

Let’s reflect. When diagnosed in 1966 at about eight months old, my parents were advised I would not live to see my teens. As I approached my teens new meds became available. Prognosis was better but still most thal patients where not living much into their twenties. Then of course better treatment plans came out and, well you see how it works. The key is to survive long enough to enjoy the fruits of science, research, and all which had been gained from those who walked before.

Survive! Yes that is it. Some days you feel like that’s all you are doing while others, you feel pretty good. But sometimes we may forget how we are surviving. We are literally surviving on the blood of others. If I can push on to complete my life, I will have personally consumed thousands of units of blood from at least as many donors! That is just mind boggling to me!! Man,, if I could only find some way of thanking them. How could I possibly. Heck, many probably have passed themselves.

There is a quote in the movie Saving Private Ryan which I feel in a small way I can relate to. The last scene in the movie the older Ryan is at Captain Miller’s grave and says “Every day I think about what you said to me that day on the bridge. And I've tried to live my life the best I could. I hope that was enough. I hope that at least in your eyes, I've earned what all of you have done for me”.

I hope I have earned what all the blood donors have done for ME!

I’m hoping some donors will read this and know how much they mean to me, my family, and the many others who have received their blood. This is my personal THANK YOU!

My Day Trip Through The Adirondacks

I spent an incredible day on the bike today.  Debated doing so, no regrets!  There is always something to do, but few days are as perfect for a ride through the Adirondack Mountains as today was. Left early, road up to Old Forge for a nice breakfast sandwich on the patio of Ozzie’s Coffee Bar.  The name says it all.  Maybe the best coffee in the Adirondacks.

Ozzie's Coffee Bar, Mr Grey enjoys his espresso

Next stop The Donut Shop in Eagle Bay.  They only make two kinds of donuts. Sugared and plain. Always fresh made on the spot.

*******DENIED!******

The ONLY day of the week they are closed is Wednesday. They may as well close the Adirondacks on Wednesdays! 

Continued my ride north.  Took some pictures of Butternut Falls near Long Lake, NY.  Short walk from the road. I prefer hiking much more off the beaten path but this worked out good with my heavy riding gear.

Watched a couple of seaplanes land and take off.

Then on to Long Lake, NY. Just sat by the lake for awhile.  I love the Adirondacks.  It's nice to just sit back and take it in!

I continued North up to Cranberry Lake then back home through Croghan. With some of the side routes I explored, about a 300 mile day.  It's sometimes difficult to get away but always worth it!