SheldonTimes

The rain stayed with us all the way from Binghamton to Northville, NY, on the northern shore of Great Sacandaga Lake. Our original plan had been to camp for two nights at the state campsites on Route 30, just north of Pumpkin Hollow, but vacation should be about fun, not drenched misery, so we decided to try and find a B&B. We looked at a place in Northville that was overdone even for decor that is supposed to be Victorian -- plastic flowers everywhere, even wrapped through the bannister, and artificial room fragrance. On top of it, the owner manager had the manner of a funeral director. Fortunately we spied a cat and explained Paul's alergy, so were able to make our escape somewhat gracefully.

We made a few calls from the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce's list of accommodations until we found a vacancy at Betty's River Road Bed & Breakfast. Betty was friendly and helpful on the phone and more so when we arrived at the rustic B&B a few minutes later. This was low-impact B&B -- a comfortable place for a good night's rest, but no fuss, no bother -- just what we needed for a transition to camping the following night.

Since intermittent rain was in the forecast for the next couple of days, we decided on two nights in the tent at the Adirondack campsite near Pumpkin Hollow, which was less than an hour's drive from Betty's. We arrived early on the 29th and Paul set up the tent while Fran checked the area around the campsite for mushrooms, finding quite a few. We had time for a short hike near the Murphy Lake Trail.