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Upstate NY Trip - February 2008

This year we closed the Shelter Island house up in November.  The idea was that we would not feel obligated to get out east in the Winter.  After a false start in January we planned a trip in early February to visit the Thayers in Ithaca and Michelle and Jerry in Baldwinsville. 

We decided to take 3 days so we weren't rushed and the third day originally was to head for the Catskills and play in the snow, we have barely had any on Long Island.   I was very busy on Friday before we left and completely forgot to make sure we all packed snow clothes.  

The drive up was horiffic it was rain and sleet and snow.  Saturday we had lunch at a Japanese restaurant  in Cayuga Heights.  The Triphammer / Route 13 exchange has completely changed and developed.  After lunch we went to the Science Center in downtown Ithaca. 

Sunday we drove up to Baldwinsville and had lunch with Michelle and Jerry. After lunch we went for a walk behind their house to a spring that constantly flows with fresh drinking water.  That night we drove to Saratoga Springs and stayed in a very nice Courtyard Hotel.  We found some take out Chinese and watched the last quarter of the Super Bowl.

Monday we walked around Saratoga Springs Carrie found a Yarn Store and Audrey found a toy store that had really fun window displays.  We then stopped in New Paltz for lunch (and another yarn store).  We found a restaurant with 450 beers -- what a hard choice.

Great trip the kids were wonderful, everyone had a good time.

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Dickerson Creek Crabbing

Dickerson Creek is a mud bottom bay with a very narrow inlet.  The mud can swallow you up to your mid thigh in spots and is a blast to watch newbs walking in.  It holds a lot of floating seaweed and is an ideal mating place for Blue Claws.

Shovel and a Net and a Pond full of Fun

When the tide goes out in Dickerson Creek these tidal pools stay full of hermit crabs and tiny bait.  

Beautiful Setting for a Dream House

The inlet at Dickerson Creek can be treacherous when the tide is really ripping, but having to plan when to get your boat in and out is a very small price to pay for having one of the best home sites on Shelter Island.

Blue Claws in a Cooler

I rigged up a small cooler with a wire shelf and was able to drop some ice in and keep crabs just peachy for days.  These guys are so tasty.

Blue Claws Cooking

I cooked these with 2-3 cups of white vinegar, about 3 cups of water, and a mess of Old Bay. Bring the mixture to a boil dump in a dozen and a half crabs and let them cook for 18-20 min.

Cooked Blue Claws

They almost always popped their claws which might not be preferential if you are serving them in a restaurant, but just fine if you are planning on picking them yourself for the meat.