This summer was great! Maybe I didn't go away as much as I did at the end of the year but I was able to go hiking and camping a bit more then last year! Once the camping season started I camped with different groups of friends up north in the Gunks. The ride from my place is not too long and on average it takes about 2 hours with rest stops, gas stops and so on. This year we set our tents only at Rondout Valley Campground - it's very family oriented and quite busy, almost too busy for my taste, but because of that it has quite a few amenities that are perfect for "beginners". They have laundry room, TV room, game room, swimming pool, playgrounds, volleyball courts etc. , not to mention that their bathrooms are pretty comfortable. Since most of the campers were new to the idea I wanted to make sure that at least their showers are decent so they will want to come back. I think that worked:) Brenda, Jeremy, Carmen are only a few of the group that gave it thumbs up. Sitting by the fireplace, sipping cider and smoking cigars is just part of what we do out there:)...during the day I always hope for a nice weather so we can hike and explore, they have a TON of delicious blueberry bushes along the hikes so you don't even need to bring lunch:). Couple of year's ago when I was in the area I took the Bonticou Trail and found the coolest rock scramble!!!! Not too easy, not impossible either but can be intimidating at times, and definitely not for everyone. So this year I wanted to visit it more often. One day I found a professional guide and had a chat with him. He told me about rock climbing and cave exploring that can be done in the area, so I organized one last camping trip and booked a guide with EMS, outdoor company from the area. The adventure included rappelling from top of the rock scramble (I was told it was about 180 feet, but didn't seem that high) and second part included cave exploration. Now, this was not a typical cave, in fact I don't think it is a cave by any kind of definition...it simply is a tight passage formed by rocks that were scrambled and didn't collapse completely. Pitch black and wet...slippery and tight...that's what it was! One area named by us "birth" canal, felt like exactly that...at least that's what I would imagine going thru birth canal would feel like:) If you are claustrophobic this is not for you! I was amazed that we were able to complete this obsticle course! It is impossible to get thru it yourself, you definitively need a guide. Don't be surprised if you end up covered in bruises, sweat and mud at the end of it all:) but to be honest it was well worth it and the price was excellent! Bring some Tylenol for soreness the next day:) More pictures are on the side:) Enjoy!
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