RV Date: 08/01/21 Mid Vermont

There is something out there.............. shhh!!! Not sure what it is yet.

Terri and I are in Vermont now. We left Babbling Brook this morning where we spent a week or so. We did go on an adventure of sorts at Ausable Chasm, NY in the Adirondacks. Pretty cool waterfall fell into a pool and then gathered together to rush down an ever expanding chasm. We had to wear helmets to walk on the river as there was a potential for falling rocks. The path along the river was the stone that had been exposed in the past by the river. There were several metal walkways, stairs and safety handrails along the short path. It was fascinating to look at the exposed bedrock of the river channel and you can see the vertical tilt of the exposed rock. The river rushed through the chasm at a good clip. So after about 1/2 mile we got to take off our helmets, go up some stairs and cross a couple of bouncy bridges about half way up to the chasm rim. Again, we had a very short walk along the chasm walls before descending down into the chasm bottom for a raft ride.

When we got to the park we had to choose which of the various packages we wanted to do. Not just 1 price to get in. First the admittance Fee, which seemed to give you access to the gift shop. Then you had to pick which events to do: Adventure package, Thrill seekers, Death by choice.... all of which ended in either tubing to the end, or, a white water rafting excursion both of which again had a separate fee to exit (Hotel California). Well since the weather wasn't that great and we weren't in our bikinis, we chose the raft to stay semi dry. We can see the rafting area below and the suspense began to grow. We were on a platform about 40 feet above the raft loading area and took some pictures of the river, and the launch of a couple of rafts and it did look like a blast. Immediately after launching, the rafts would slide into the first rapid caused by some large boulders. Oh boy can't wait for the fun. Down the stairs we went like monkeys to a banana pile. Life jackets on, wait a short while and it's our turn. I talked Terri into taking the front seat. You know, like the front seat on a roller coaster, hands up and screaming at oncoming death. The suspense grew as we launched and the pilot immediately let the current twist the raft around so we could look back to where the waterfall was pushing the torrent down the chasm. We took the first small rapid backwards and then spun around facing downriver in time to hit the larger rapid head on. This one shot water into the raft drenching Terri and the row behind her. I got a small part of it but not like my sweetie pie. So we were now ready, people got wet, felt the bump as the raft slid over the boulder and we were ready to shoot the rapids. And then it was over..... No more rapids, short run down to a backwater pool, wait for the raft ahead of us to clear the channel and another short run over a couple of ripples to another backwater pool which was also the disembarking point. Altogether it was maybe a 1/4 mile trip. I felt very let down :( Since it had started raining again, and Terri was squishing with each step from her near drowning, we took the shuttle back rather than the 2 mile hike along the rim.. Could have been an excellent adventure but instead I will give it two sideways thumbs.

Yesterday we took an awesome hike in Stoney Valley along a river. in Colton NY. This was a true hiking trail, meandering along the river and its awesome rock outthrusts and falls. The path was well packed from foot traffic and wove around the rocks and tree roots as it followed the river with small detours up and around hillocks. The forest was a mix of old growth and tall pines with small sections of clearings overgrown with ferns. Mushrooms were everywhere and the woods were quiet when you were away from the roar of the river. The trails went up and down, sideways at points; a real hike I enjoyed it immensely. While walking I continuously looked for where my shelter would be, fish cleaning station and cooking area. We watched quite a few seasons of "Alone" and when we are in the wilderness I will often turn to Terri and say, "You are dropped off here with whatever you are carrying. Make your home". There were a number of other hikers out but not too many. A lot of them were accompanied by their pets and we had the Killer Chihuahuas with us. Including a couple of guys with their RC 4 wheelers. We passed them early on as the dogs did know what to make of them.

Here are some pictures: