08/22 - 08/29 Junius Ponds Campground-Part Two

What's this?

Larry and me enjoying a 92° treat.

Welcome back to Junius Ponds campground. Weather has been brutally hot Wednesday and Thursday as it was elsewhere. At the camp store, nine flavors of soft serve ice cream were available, so we took advantage. Night time campfires? Ha! Not this week.

We visited the Muranda Cheese Company in Waterloo, NY, owned and run by Tom and Nancy Murray. They founded Muranda Holsteins in 1991. Back then the Murray family’s main focus was producing the highest quality milk out of high caliber cows. In 1997, the Murrays bred a cow that broke the world record for milk production. Muranda Oscar Lucinda produced 67,914 pounds of milk in just one year - that’s about 8500 gallons of milk. They've earned the dairy of Distinction recognition for over 25 years consecutively.

The Muranda Cheese Company was born in late 2007. Today the farm helps to produce over 17 types of cheeses that have been recognized for their superior artisanal quality. .

The huge, immaculate barn, known as The Dairy at Muranda
was originally built in the late 1800's. 

Our visit included a 12-cheese tasting event.

Of course each was available for sale. My favorites were
Red Buddy (Swiss & Cheddar) and Old Man Cheese.

Each cube of cheese was expertly described by our host including texture, pairings and flavors remaining on palette. Yup, just like a wine tasting event.

Me, Larry, John and Dawn

Upon entering, one just stands, looks up
and marvels at the sight of  the craftsmanship

A view from the barn's entrance.

On the way back to the campground, we stopped at Sauders Store in Seneca Falls, NY, run by the Amish. The link brings you to their Facebook page. Another mouth dropping event upon entering; the expansive and unique homemade products locally produced was overwhelming. I loved the use of the word, "Local...." for almost everything in the store. Everything fresh and lined up perfect for display. The photos below are not mine.

The photos actually don't do the size and varieties of products justice.
To me, it was a mini-Wegmans without the narrow aisles.

With just 12 cubes of cheese and a glass of Chardonnay for the day,
Dawn's chicken fajitas for dinner was welcomed, delicious and appreciated.

Another visit took us to Waterloo, NY and Ciccino's Pizzeria and Restaurant.

Ciccino's (chi-chi-nose) Pizzeria, founded by the Franzone Family (whose origins are from Sicily) opened the doors for business on May 29th, 1996. The name Ciccino's originated from an Uncle (Francesco Palmeri "Ciccino") who lived in Sambuca, Sicilia, Sicily. The original location for Ciccino's Pizzeria and Restaurant was built in the late 1800's. Originally, the location housed the Waterloo Fire Department for many decades. In 1996, after four months of renovations it was transformed into a Dine-in, Carry-Out and Delivery Restaurant.

After a fresh garden salad with house dressing, I enjoyed the Chicken alla Vodka Rigatoni: Grilled Chicken tossed with Stuffed Cheese Rigatoni and finished with a Plum Tomato and Vodka Cream Sauce (which was not creamy at all). Half the entrée and dessert taken for tomorrow's dinner.

Cinnamon-sugar dredged fried dough
with vanilla ice cream and
raspberry melba sauce.

And there was dinner Friday night. Thank you, Carole, for a spread that could have fed the entire campground. Danny and Pam, friends of Johnny, stopped by to visit and help make things disappear. A caveat for my critical, food conscious readers: This is what was presented for those who wished to partake.

Saturday, warm and humid as it was, the remaining three RVers, me, Larry, Dawn & John had lunch together at the pavilion. They forced me to join them with one last visit to the camp store for soft serve ice cream. The week has come to an end.

With all going their separate ways pursuing their own life's adventure, I'll be returning to Croton Point Park for two weeks. The second week there, 9/7th to 9/14 will once again see the Hudson Islanders getting together for their second meeting at CPP for this year. We'll see what hurricane Ida has to say about that. At this writing, 15 reserved sites will house 27 people. This will be another blog I look forward to writing and sharing.  Till then, stay safe, stay healthy and cool.