After leaving Maine, we stopped at another Thousand Trails location in the Catskills of Upstate New York. The third week of October 2024 was the perfect time to visit, as the fall foliage had just reached its peak—only to disappear by week’s end due to blustery weather.
Jason got to meet the finest of the NYPD taking pictures of the Ashokan Reservoir, a crucial part of New York City’s water supply system. This really shows how historically low levels are for the this vital infrastructure. It provides drinking water to millions in the city. A NYPD officer pulled up in his little smart car, popped out and told Jason to get moving.Cherries Roadside is a hidden gem we discovered—and revisited multiple times in just one week! Known for its delicious ice cream, it also serves fantastic food. A local favorite is the Cherries Mac Fries: crispy fries smothered in cheese sauce and Russian dressing, topped with diced onions and tomatoes. The portabella mushroom “burger” was another standout. A must-visit spot!We usually use our TSD Open Roads fuel card, but in the Northeast, in-network options are limited. This was our first time using the Mudflap Fuel Card app, and it saved us over $15 at no cost. While not as convenient as Open Roads, it requires showing a code from the app to the cashier, who then validates it on their tablet before you can pump. After fueling, you return inside to finalize the transaction. Still, the savings make it worthwhile!
Rond Out Valley Thousand Trails
AT&T Speed Test
There are many complaints online about the cellular speeds in this campground. The bigger issue was the consistency, that it would disappear for minutes at a time. So Jason was having to jump back and forth between the Pepwave and his hotspot on the Google Fi phone. We had not yet implemented the Mobile Must Have Peplink and in retrospect that probably would have been great to have had in place now.
Download
12.9 Mbps
Upload
3.5 Mbps
Latency
72 ms
Jitter
17 ms
The third week of October was a great time to spend a week in the Catskills. This was the last full week they would be open for the season, ending the week with a trick or treat event for the whole campground.
Each Thousand Trails property handles the “Amazon effect” differently. Some simply designate a clubhouse corner for deliveries, while others manage packages at the front desk and charge high fees. As if customers can control how vendors ship their orders! This location has the most complex and expensive fee structure we’ve seen yet.
FDR Presidential Library
It was just over an hour to Hyde Park, New York, from our campground to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library — our first visit to a presidential library. We learned so much about this four-term president. Regardless of political affiliation, it’s hard to deny that he led the United States through some of its most challenging times, both domestically and abroad.
The main entry to the FDR Presidential Library features this striking portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt, accompanied by his powerful quote on progress, highlighting his dedication to economic justice, social welfare, and uplifting those in need. A fitting introduction to his enduring legacy.This tag cloud highlights the lasting impact of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s policies, from Social Security and labor rights to banking regulations and the GI Bill. His New Deal and leadership shaped modern America, ensuring economic stability, social welfare, and infrastructure growth.This exhibit showcases Franklin D. Roosevelt’s desk, surrounded by his iconic Four Freedoms—freedom of speech, worship, want, and fear. A powerful tribute to his leadership, it highlights his vision for a just world. The desk, filled with personal artifacts, offers a glimpse into his presidency and enduring legacy.In 1935, University of Wisconsin economist Edwin Witte, known as the “father of Social Security,” led the committee that drafted the Social Security Act under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. This collaboration explained the Wisconsin Idea, reinforcing the university’s commitment to applying academic expertise to address societal challenges. Such milestones inspire us to embrace change and contribute meaningfully to society.The FDR Presidential Library is expansive inside, featuring exhibits on his presidency, policies, and legacy. It sits on the Roosevelt family’s beloved Springwood estate, a historic farm in Hyde Park, New York. There are plenty of places to sit and literally smell the flowers.
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