We are set to meet up with Kent’s sister, Tammy, in Hartford next week so we are heading that way today.  Our destination, Waramaug State Park in Connecticut.  We zig-zag our way east on lots of county and lesser state routes through some lovely small towns.  Some are clusters of cottages with a smattering of historic roadhouses and Inns and some are collections of old mansions and new behemoth summer homes.  The drive is short, just two hours, and uneventful.  Waramaug is a small park and sites pretty close together but it should be just fine for our short stay here.  Occupancy will likely fall dramatically during the week.  No Verizon service again though.  That is a bit of a bummer.  Investigating trails and local activities is a bit of a chore.  We will see how it goes.  Signs posted at the dumpster warn us to be careful of the mama black bear and her three cubs who have been raiding the dumpsters of late.  Of course, I’d love to see them but know that they will get in trouble if they don’t keep their distance.

It is mid-day Thursday in the Catskills and pickings are slim for open eating establishments.  Outdoor tables under bright yellow umbrellas and a sandwich board listing intriguing mocktails draw us to Sweet Sues.  We start with a margarita and a cucumber spritzer.  Delightful.  My lunch choice is brisket hash…the Catskill version is sort of deconstructed but excellent.  Two beautifully poached eggs sit atop a shallow bowl lined with herby roasted potato quarters.  A large slice of grilled onion peeks out from under a crisped slab of beef brisket that is draped across the entire dish.  Not at all like I expect hash to look!  It tastes as good as it looks.  Kent’s Hog Johnson sausage, ham and eggs plate is more traditional (add a grilled tomato and tomatoey beans) and “ok” rather than spectacular.

Still rainy but that doesn’t stop us from a reprise of breakfast at the Phoenicia Diner.  We both very much enjoyed the stop with all the kids back in July.  Kent stays with the taco skillet and I try a ham breakfast sandwich.  We are both happy with our selections.  It is a bit too early for a bourbon milkshake but we might find our way back here at a more appropriate time before we leave the area!  Next, we check out a section of the Catskills Scenic Byway.  Splashes of orange and red dot the mountainsides as we get a look at some early signs of fall.  It must be spectacular here in October.  The creeks are running full.  We are anxious to check out some waterfalls over the next couple days.

It is only about 8:30 but still feels decadent.  It is spitting rain on and off.  Kent fixes breakfast and we lounge around much of the day venturing out only for a quick trip to the Catskill Visitor Center.  We climb the fire tower to take in cloud shrouded vistas of the surrounding mountains.  A well informed and enthusiastic volunteer shares lots of information on recommended trails and other activities.  They claim the world’s largest kaleidoscope…gotta see it.   Then back to camp for a quiet evening.   No cell phone reception, no TV, no power.  It is easy to just relax and soak it all in.   “Who cooks for you” call of barred owls drifts through camp as we settle off to bed.