187 miles via NY 212, I-87, I-287 (west of New York), I-78 and old US 22. 192 truck miles. 345 cumulative tow miles. 385 cumulative truck miles.
This was an easy hop to navigate as it was almost entirely on interstate highways. But it was a challenge for the truck as NY and PA both have a lot of up-and-down. And traffic was heavy, which surprised me.
The truck performed well, though the oil pressure remained high. I also had some worries about the fuel lines when, early on, it appeared that the gas gauge was dropping too fast. But it was just my paranoia as there was no fuel leak.
Because the I-87 portion was a toll road (and a toll bridge on I-78), I decided to do the right thing and ask the attendant how to deal with me towing a trailer. The attendant (where I entered I-87) told me to use the Cash lane when I got off, but when I did that the attendant just waved me through. Thank you!
The bridge attendant was not so generous. I got charged the full $16 rate there.
All-in-all, not a bad hop.
Our home in Saugerties was the Rip Van Winkle Campground, about 5 miles west of the village. I would rate the campground as “pretty nice.” We had a wooded pull-through near the Plattekill Creek, a little stream that looked close to dry. As the walls of the creek were about 10 feet high, I can imagine that there are times when this becomes a torrent. But not in the dry summer/fall of 2020.
The biggest problem I had with the campground is the roads. Most are very narrow with some tight bends that are tough to navigate with a 42-foot trailer. There are some roads that I am sure would trap me if I tried them. Not a great place for big rigs.
The campground has very good, free WiFi. And a good thing, too, because T-Mobile regards the entire area as “roaming” territory. On the evening of the first day I received a message from T-Mobile saying I had used my entire roaming data allotment. The message said that they would continue to provide minimal 2G service at no extra charge. 2G is useless for internet browsing, so thanks for nothing, T-Mobile. Another ding in my opinion of T-Mobile.
The park has quite a few long-term sites, but few were occupied. Some looked like they were prepared for winter even though the park is not open year-round. I wonder if this is the kind of place that lets long-term renters access their sites via snowmobile when they are “closed.” Doesn’t matter – I sure wouldn’t want to be here in the winter. Brrrrr.
Saugerties itself was a disappointment. I was hoping to get some photos of the Hudson River, but I completely struck out. First I tried going to the Coast Guard lighthouse, which I knew was closed but I didn’t expect the entire area to be fenced and locked. Strike one. Then there was a municipal park on the banks of the river. I couldn’t even find the entrance. Strike two. Finally I headed for a public beach north of the village. Again, I couldn’t even find the entrance. Strike three. Three tries and I didn’t get so much as a glimpse of the river.
I also tried to get some headstone photos at the Blue Mountain Cemetery, just a few miles from the campground. It was too large and too windy. I didn’t get a single grave photo. But the dead have a lovely view.
So I have to say that I am not very enamoured of the Hudson River valley. Between my failed attempt in the spring to get photos near West Point and my Saugerties failures, the whole stretch of the river between Newburgh and Albany has been a bust.