Campers roll in despite weather

For the past 45 Independence Days, Timothy Collette, Redwood, has come to the same spot at the Westcott Beach picnic area for a family reunion.

"We are here rain or shine," he said. "We have family from all over the place come out for today."

Mr. Collette is just one day user at the 24 state parks in the Thousand Islands Region. Because of the recent rain and showers, there are not as many people joining the Collettes just to spend the day at the park.

"My parking lots will be either absolutely full or absolutely empty," said Daniel J. Heneka, manager of Westcott Beach State Park in Henderson and Southwick Beach State Park in the town of Ellisburg. "The weather forecast wasn't good coming into the weekend, so the day use isn't looking good."

While day trips are down, officials said, the number of campers reserving campsites for the holiday weekend is at an all-time high.

Kevin A. Kieff, Thousand Islands regional director for the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, said the 24 parks had a 96 percent reservation rate for the holiday weekend. Last year, the reservation rate was 82 percent, and in 2007 it was 76 percent. Those sites that weren't rented coming into the weekend would no doubt be filled by last-minute campers, he said.

"June, weather-wise, was a bit of a disappointment, but our occupancy rates have matched and slightly exceeded last year," he said. "The reasonably affordable vacations at state parks are allowing us to the buck the trend of the economy. We are poised for a great summer as long as the weather gets better."

Mr. Kieff said Robert Moses State Park, Massena, and Coles Creek State Park, Waddingham, were doing significantly better this year. He said that's because the state just spent $2 million improving facilities at those parks. The improvements are just in time for the 50th anniversary of the Robert Moses park. A ceremony will be held at noon Friday to officially open the new complex.

Unfortunately for area parks, the Fourth of July did not bring with it temperatures in the 70s or 80s, but instead began with the mercury in the 60s, with high winds and occasional rain. High winds off Lake Ontario closed the beach at Southwick on Saturday, Mr. Heneka said.

But the weather did not stop some campers who come to Westcott every year — such as Mr. Collette and his wife, Diane. They checked the weather leading up to Saturday and found inconsistent reports.

"Thursday it said it was going to be sunny and in the 70s. Friday it said the complete opposite," Mrs. Collette said. "But that didn't stop us."

It did, however, mean they brought extra layers of clothing, blankets and wind jackets. Some visitors braved the water — at a temperature of about 60 degrees, according the Coast Watch Web site, which monitors temperatures in the Great Lakes.

Timothy and Trina M. Lennox also checked the weather before coming to camp for the long weekend. The prediction of rain didn't stop them.

"It's about being away from the phone and TV and the hustle and bustle of daily life," said Mrs. Lennox, Adams. "It rained Friday night, but we were able to get a fire going for a few hours, so that's all that matters. It's about being with family."

The forecast for today is a high of 73 degrees and mostly sunny.