Irv Oslin: Adirondack Dispatches Part II

I learned everything I know about drumlins, phantom vibration syndrome and ringxiety at a Lake Ontario campground

by Irv Oslin November 8, 2026November 8, 2026

READ PART I

Irv Oslin: Adirondack Dispatches Part I: Preliminary exploration proved to be a real nailbiter

by Irv Oslin October 14, 2026

FAIR HAVEN, New York — I never would have learned about drumlins had I been in a hurry to get to the Adirondacks.

Or why the ground was vibrating as I crawled into the back of my pickup to sleep at Fair Haven Beach State Park.

It was a nine-hour drive from north central Ohio to the Adirondacks. I was counting on getting some sleep before completing my two-day journey. Not a likely scenario when your camper is shaking like little Regan’s bed in The Exorcist.

I thought perhaps I was experiencing something akin to phantom vibration syndrome — also known as ringxiety — which is the sensation you feel when you think your cellphone is vibrating but it’s not.

It was even more alarming that no one else in the campground seemed to notice.

**The sun sets on Lake Ontario at Fairhaven Beach State Park in Upstate New York, one of seven state parks offering camping along the shoreline.** *Credit: Irv Oslin*

I thought about moving my truck to another part of the park but there were no other campsites available; I’d arrived late in the day and lucked into the last one.

So I toughed it out.

I retreated to the shelter of my truck cap, AKA the “tin tent.” I thought that, by the time I’d read a chapter of Anne LaBastille’s “Woodswoman” (see previous column), the phantom vibrations would stop. Or, after a long day of driving and exploring, I’d be too tired to notice anymore.

After reading unil I couldn’t keep my eyes open, I resigned myself to nodding off in spite of the vibrations.

Eventually I fell asleep. I stirred into a semiconscious state a few hours later and noticed the vibrations had ceased.

Located about 60 miles east of Rochester, Fairhaven Beach State Park offers camping, swimming, fishing, stunning views of Lake Ontario and strange ground vibrations caused by a bizarre geological feature known as drumlins. *Credit: Irv Oslin*

After returning home from my Adirondacks adventure, I contacted New York State Parks, reported my experience and asked what might have caused this.

Here’s the response:

Good thing I packed apples for my trip to Upstate New York, where I found countless acres of trees so heavily laden with ripe apples that the branches arced nearly to the ground. In every orchard, huge gaylord containers were stacked four-high and small buses staged to bring in migrant pickers. My apples looked pathetic compared to these grapefruit-size gems. *Credit: Irv Oslin*

“Those distinct vibrations were most likely amplified by the unique glacial geology of Fair Haven Beach State Park. Fair Haven is famous for its drumlins and there are some close by to the campground.”

The New York State Parks spokesperson went on to explain:

“Our team believes that generators (on nearby campsites) were amplified through the unique layers of earth.”

But why did it cease at some point in the night?

They had an explanation for that. Due to strictly enforced quiet hours in New York State Parks, generators must be turned off from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. and again from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Apparently one camper hadn’t gotten the memo. Or didn’t care.

I recalled hearing a generator running a stone’s throw from my campsite. Had I known about the curfew, I would have been tempted to heave a few stones in their direction.

(To be continued.)