Eric & I Drive Southeast to Austerlitz, New York

Jerry sits on her porch to
watch Eric & me prepare
to leave for our drive
to Austerlitz.






I'm glad she's wearing a sweater because it takes time to get the motorhome ready for a
road trip.

I see that I have to lower the

 DirecTV satellite dish as I get

this shot of Eric moving a board

that was under our front jack.

Eric pulls out of Jerry's
driveway....

.... and pulls out into the road.

Yes there is enough room for

him to make the turn.

Look at where the front

wheels are on the motorhome.

Our drive starts on
New York State
Route 158 South.

A shot of a cow & barns on

this drizzly day.

US Route 20 in Guilderland
is a busy four lane road.

Oversize Load & a larger

Oversize Load up the

road.

Everyone would like to
drive past this "half a
house" on the left.






Take a look at the road striping.  The road shoulder is pretty wide here, at an intersection.  As a local, I know that the "chase car" will have to move into the left lane to provide room for the tractor trailer to move to the left lane because trees come closer to the road, just after the traffic light.

It's OK to sit back a bit and watch the "half a house" make its way east toward Albany.

Eric is excited to drive the

motorhome on this access

ramp to the the Northway,

Interstate 87, the Thruway,

 Interstate 90,

He remembers that this ramp has an amazing curve.  I start to get nervous... and then remember that the access ramp has to be wide enough for tractor trailers to negotiate.

He remembers the curve
correctly...

... & easily negotiates it.

We continue east on
Interstate 90.

Our first glimpse of

Fall Foliage.

Exit 1 E takes us onto
US Routes 9 & 20 East.

We are alert for horses

along the road.

Here's Lebanon Valley
Speedway, the home of
a Clay 1/2 Mile Oval 
Track,  a Dragway &
& a Go Kart Track.





This is the place to be for auto racing in this region of New York State.

Eric turns onto New York

State Route 22 South.

This section of road parallels
the Thruway.

Next turn...

Middle Road

We take our time negotiating
holes in this dirt road.







Eric and I reminisce about driving the Dempster Highway to the Arctic Circle.  The road can't be as tough a drive as that 250 mile stretch of Canadian Tundra.

Eric turns left into Woodland

Hills Campgrounds,

in Austerlitz.

Dinner at Tara Kitchen in Downtown Schenectady, New York

Tara Kitchen has been
serving Moroccan
meals since 2012.














Exploring locally means walking six blocks from Capoccia's Wine Lounge, past City Hall to eat Moroccan cuisine.  I know the food will be delicious because I looked up recipes online
and I eat all the ingredients listed, but not in the combinations presented.

Eric & I watch the

chef preparing

meals.

Aneesa and Muntasim's success at this location led them to open a second restaurant in Troy. I hope the new restaurant is added to the Troy Central Historic District Food Tour.

The indoor dining
area is welcoming.







Aneesa created a line of Moroccan sauces that are available locally at Niskayuna Co-Op, Honest Weight Food Co-op and several Price Chopper Supermarkets.

Eric & I choose a table

outside, under the
 canopy.

Eric shows off his dinner...
Chicken Cooked with Spicy
Date Sauce, Potatoes, 
Raisins & a side of Rice.

He chose the mix of
ingredients.

My dinner is Cauliflower

with Potatoes, Apricots,

Tomatoes & Black Olives

& a side of Rice.

My expectations were exceeded.  I know what the ingredients are.  I know what they taste like. The combination and spicing is magic!  Eric's dinner is delicious.  Thank you, Aneesa and Muntasim, for bringing Moroccan cuisine to Schenectady and for sharing your cooking traditions in Troy.  

Capoccia's Wine Lounge in Downtown Schenectady, New York

Eric purchased a Groupon
for Capoccia's Wine Lounge
in downtown Schenectady.















Capoccia's occupies the ground floor of the former Hotel Foster, which now houses high-end apartments.

I love the ornately carved stonework on the front of this building.

The front bar serves

walk-ins & outdoor

 seating, on warm

 days.

A Like on Facebook gets

the user a discount on a

drink.

Eric and I walk to the Wine Lounge in the back.

Tables with

 comfortable

leather chairs

 welcome visitors.

Deep leather couches
line an intimate
seating area.

The Bar also stocks

beers.

Beers & Ciders are

available by the 

glass.

Eric & I choose glasses of

Capoccia's 2014 Traminette

with our Charcuterie Board

consisting of Capicola Ham,

  Asiago Cheese & Crackers.

The light, sweet Traminette Wine compliments the mild, tender Capicola Ham and provides a delicious contrast with the full flavored Asiago Cheese.

Eric and I, like many locals, forget to explore our communities.  We think that the new and the exotic are just over the horizon.  I appreciate Eric's shopping at Groupon.com to explore local epicurean delights in our backyard.  Schenectady, and the Capital Region, continues to grow and change, providing new opportunities for exploration.

Draper Loft Apartments Is Getting Ready for Their First Tenants in Rotterdam, New York

Workers' vehicles are parked
around Draper Loft Apartments.
the former Draper High School.

I have been watching the

outside change since

last fall.

About 110 apartments will be available for rent, from Studio to one and Two Bedroom units.  Rent runs from $800.00 to $1,232.00 per month, depending on the size of the apartment.

An Earl B. Feiden truck is
delivering kitchen appliances.







Parking around the building has been striped.

Excavation near the gym

continues.

The gym will be a common

area for tenants.

The Leasing Office is
open.

Interested persons are
touring the finished
apartments.

Using my camera's long

lens, I get a peek inside

an apartment under

construction.

 Curiosity is getting the better of me, so I called for an appointment to see a model apartment.

The main living area
in a large one
bedroom apartment.

A glimpse into the

 kitchen from the

 dining area. 

The kitchen is
small.

The Bedroom...

... & Bathroom








The sizes of the apartments vary because the original rooms in the old Draper High School were built for numerous purposes.

Leases are being signed and the first tenants will start moving in next month.

I didn't sign a lease.  Eric and I have a lot more travelling to do...

Lunch @ La Empanada Llama in Albany, New York

Eric purchased
a Groupon for
La Empanada
Llama Peruvian
Delights & More
in Albany.





We love Hispanic foods and are delighted to try a new restaurant.

A life size Llama stands

in the entry.

I love taking photos
of it, the artwork
& Pan Flute Sikus.

La Empanada Llama
has a few tables for
 eat in dining.

The artwork in the
window has village
scenes.

After catering for a number of years, owner Maria Lloyd, opened a restaurant on Picotte Drive in Albany in 2013.  She moved to Delaware Avenue after the business outgrew its original location.

Eric's lunch is La Empanada
Llama Platter: Yucca Fries,
Tequenos, Fried Plantains, a
Mini Tamale & an Empanada
with Guacamole.

I ordered the Quinoa Salad
with Mango & Avocado
& a Chicken Tamale with
Green Sauce.








After a truly delicious lunch, Eric and I poured over the rest of La Empanada Llama's menu. We will return for Vegetarian Tamales, Aji De Gallina, Arroz Con Pollo, Stuffed Yucca, Tres Leches Cake and to explore La Empanada Llama's savory and sweet Empanadas.  There will be a lot of return visits.