Winding Down....for now

What a nice, final gesture Mother Nature had given me this morning as I sat and continued my reading of The Silkworm.  There it was, 'outta da blue', landed right on the book and voila, let me take a couple of shots.  "The butterfly is a multicultural symbol of the beauty of Nature, appearing in numerous examples of nature scenes of many artistic styles. Butterflies are included as elements of these scenes because they most effectively represent all positive characteristics of Nature." --Ronald A. Gagliardi, edited by Dexter Sear.  Their significance when landing on a person is open to many cultural traditions, superstitions, and meanings.  For me, it stopped by to ask how I enjoyed the past week of incredible weather as tomorrow, Wednesday, will be my last day here.  It did receive a hearty thank you for providing such an experience.

I enjoyed a visit from friend, Dina, who loved Winnie and its amenities.  A walk to the tip of Croton Point added to the pleasures of the afternoon.  

 
Sights along our walk to the tip of Croton Point Park

Abandoned Wine Cellar on the once Underhill Estate

Looking east at Metro North train headed south for NYC

We disturbed a hawk who took flight

A rotting tree; an ecology study in itself

Later this afternoon another visit from (River House) neighbors, Bob & Barbara G and John & Cathy F.  They, like Dina, got to see VC & G's Allie, the mansion next to Winnie, the "cottage", 

 

Well, tomorrow marks the end of my second stay here in Croton.  The list of things to do to prepare for my departure has become a routine: packing screened tent, Coleman Road Grill and tank, awning cleaned while retracting, black water tank emptied followed by the discharge of the gray water tank along with the flushing that follows each discharge.  Slides for the couch area and rear bed engaged, hoses and sewer line disconnected, drained and stored.  I will drive my Caddy to the storage area in Cross River and meet sister, Judy, who, in turn, will drive me back to the RV site so I can then drive Winnie back to Cross River.  Once Winnie is back in her storage area, there will be more work to do before saying goodbye:  Perishable foods, both in refrigerator/freezer and pantry must be removed; bedding, and electronics and anything else that is needed and part of my apartment scene.  I must keep in mind that two weeks from now I will once again be on the road; this time north to Searsport Shores Oceanfront Camping to visit my cousin John P. while he's at his summer cottage on Penobscot Bay, Maine.  I am looking forward to that trip.

 http://www.goodsamcamping.com/travel/campgroundsandrvparks/generalinfo.aspx?cgid=970000569

Later that evening, I will drive back to Croton to pick up camping neighbors, Trish & Craig who will join me in a trip to Samurai for a sushi dinner.