Turning Stone and Rome

The first night in Verona (where Turning Stone is located) we did some exploring. Our first discovery was the Recovery, a very large sports bar just across from the casino. We enjoyed happy hour and had some great calamari fries. Then it was back to the coach for dinner and a relaxing evening.

On Tuesday, we headed into Oneida and the Wal Mart for supplies and cash. I love the Wal Mart policy of allowing you to take up to $100 cash back on your debit card with any purchase. Saves lots of ATM charges! We then went to Denny's for lunch in the midst of a major rain storm. The food at Denny's is usually passable - not this time. Back at the coach, Suz took Dixie for her afternoon walk and I cleaned up some work, then it was back to the Recovery for happy hour.

Wednesday, Suz and I explored Oneida and found a great little restaurant - the Napoleon Cafe. It is only open for lunch Mon. - Fri. but the food is great and reasonably priced! In the afternoon, we drove to Rome (9 miles) to meet Virgil and Sue at Legends - one of Virgil's many watering holes. He knows everyone! After a drink, we headed to one of his long time spots - The Savoy - a great little bar/restaurant that is located just feet from Virgil's old business offices. Again, Virgil knows everybody! We ended up at another restaurant where we had a light dinner. Then it was back to Legends to pick up our car and then home. A full day.

Thursday, the rain came early and stayed all day. but it was mostly a light rain so we took the opportunity to go back to Rome to visit Fort Stanwix. To paraphrase Wikapedia, the current day Fort Stanwix is a fully restored colonial fort whose construction was started on August 26, 1758, by British General John Stanwix. The fort guarded a portage known as the Oneida Carrying Place during the French and Indian War. In 1768, Fort Stanwix was the site of an important treaty conference between the British and the Iroquois. The purpose of the conference was to renegotiate the boundary line between Indian lands and white settlements set forth in the Proclamation of 1763. The British government hoped a new boundary line might bring an end to the rampant frontier violence, which had become costly and troublesome. Indians hoped a new, permanent line might hold back white colonial expansion. Neither was realized unfortunately. The Fort played a small role in the American war of independence and was subsequently abandoned and allowed to fall to ruin.

While at the Fort, we talked to the workers, who are all dressed in period costumes, and learned about the lives of those who lived there. One stop in particular was of interest to me - the cooper's shop where barrels are made (think beer!)

We returned to Turning Stone and visited the casino - no gambling - and had lunch at a great little spot called Pino Blanco. The food was very nice and, surprisingly, the prices were reasonable. The casino is very large by any standard and, as usual, there are literally thousands of slot machines from 1 cent and up. I never fail to be amazed at how people can sit at these machines by the hour and push buttons. The noise level in the casino is quite high to say the least!

On Friday, we drove to Utica and found a Bed, Bath and Beyond where we could buy more Tassimo coffee discs. Then it was back to Oneida and a local hot dog spot that features Hoffman hot dogs - outstanding! We relaxed for the rest afternoon with the neighbors, then went to the Recovery for the evening happy hour.

Saturday found us at at Lowe's first to look at plants that might be nice for our new place in Galax, then it was to Wal Mart to pick up Suzanne's prescriptions, then back to the hot dog shop for a quick lunch. Later in the afternoon we headed back to Rome to join Virgil and Sue at their house for cocktails. They have a lovely home just outside Rome. From there we headed off to see Griffiss Air
Force base. The base is closed now, but it was where our friend Bob Meybohm was stationed as an Air Force pilot. Near the base is CPJs Restaurant, another of Virgil's watering holes, which is owned by two of his long time friends. After a couple of drinks and a nice dinner, we said our goodbyes to Virgil and Sue and headed back for Turning Stone.

Today I am doing the blog, then Suz and I will give the coach a good going over and do several loads of wash. By this evening, the coach will be spiffy and we will be all set to depart tomorrow morning for Lake George and our next adventure. Until then, Cheers!

John, Suz and Dixie the Wonderdog