I have photos to post, but we are in a state park tonight just outside of Niagara Falls, in the town of Youngstown, and no wifi, and slow signal. So stay tuned for photos from Cooperstown to present!
The campsite is Called 4 Mile Creek, and sits on the banks of Lake Ontario, which we can see through the trees from our coach. Couldn't get a site lake front, but we walked down to the lakes edge and watched the sunset tonight. Clem had to be dragged of course...."I have seen lots of sunsets." "Well, you never saw one on Lake Ontario!"
It is the smallest of the Great Lakes, and yet HUGE, 193 miles long, 53 miles wide, and 850 feet deep at its deepest point. A LOT of water!! You can see the Toronto Skyline directly across on a clear day, and though there was a bit of a haze this evening, we could make it out. A 1800 foot needle like structure, (think the Seattle Space Needle) , looked like a tooth pick.....well, maybe a ruler! Anyway, it was pretty neat.
We had a bit of difficulty getting the coach level on the grass parking space. Kind neighbors came over and made a few recommendations, and we finally got it level. They are from California, and though they have only used their motor home in the past for weekends, and a couple of weeks for vacations, they decided this year to spend 6 months in it. They visited Virginia and New York City, and are headed in the same direction we are, on their way back, and looking forward to visiting Washington state and Oregon. They are visiting the National Parks.
When we checked into the campsite near Cooperstown, a 40 foot Phaeton was just in front of us, and they were from California, too. they were headed in the opposite direction, having just left Chicago, and were heading to Boston, which we had just left. They are visiting baseball sites, it seems, as he said all he needs to see in Boston is the ball field, and he'll be happy.
Anyway, after getting leveled out and set up and chatting for a while, we decided to drive to the Falls and check it out. Amazing rush of water, and the spray drifting way up into the air, did not disappoint. Something like 700,000 gallons of water per second flows over the edge crashing down. We walked along the waterway to the Bridal Veil falls, and then Horseshoe falls, which may be even prettier.
After all I have heard, I had expected real honky tonk surrounding, and I have to say I have seen beach towns that were much worse. With the exception of a huge building screaming souvenirs , food court, and the like, and guys flagging us down to park in their lot, I didn't think it was bad at all. And the State Park where the falls are is very pretty.....pleasant , manicured, clean. Now, I know they say the Canadian side is prettier, but they are the same falls, so I guess I would have to see it . Which we won't do this time, as I have let my passport expire!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Rochester, and it's hotter than....................Florida!!!
George Eastman home
We checked into a really neat KOA, which had swimming pool, shuffle board, horseshoes, fishing, and even paddle boats! We did none of those things!! We went instead to the Eastman Home and Museum . Good day to be inside and take refuge from the heat, though the swimming pool would have been nice, too. And the Museum, while very interesting as far as George Eastman, Kodak invention, and the advances in technology, was not what I expected in the way of images. I had expected thousands. And perhaps some really wonderful photography, and was disappointed in that regard. The home, in which the museum was housed, was beautiful. It was neat to be able to walk around and explore, as the galleries were installed in the various rooms.
We passed by Utica, NY, which always reminds me of Utica Club Beer and their neat advertisements with talking mugs Schultz and Dooley. Thanks to my sister, I have them , and I love them! I just looked up the beer , and though they are no longer on the site, I saw that Utica Club was the first beer produced after prohibition! You can see a commercial on u tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZSJt6M7wfo&feature=related
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Reading
Traveling like this seems to spark interest in reading things I never thought about. The last trip made me want to read the Grapes of Wrath, which I have to admit, I have not yet accomplished. This time I decided to be more proactive, and I downloaded the Last of the Mohicans. But I had barely started reading when David recommended I read Steinbeck's Travels with Charley. It is about traveling across country in a camper with Charley, the poodle! I downloaded that and was immediately sucked in. They have just arrived, coincidentally, in New York State, having gone through New England! Wonder what comes next?!
Cooperstown, NY
What a lovely town! With its small size, and obvious reliance on agriculture, we are amazed at the wealth of beautiful architecture. Stately old homes with tons of gingerbread trim. And a huge, very upscale lake resort on Lake Otsego, called the Otesaga Inn. Otesaga is an Iroquois word meaning "a place of meeting." The lake is vast and beautiful, with the tree line coming right down to touch the edges. It's knickname is Glimmerglass, which is highly appropriate.
Cooperstown is the birthplace of baseball, where Abner Doubleday was said to have invented it, and where the Baseball Hall of Fame resides. We arrived at our campsite just out of town, plugged in, pushed out and headed out in record time. Clem was very anxious to visit. I will have photos to post, but wanted to catch up while I can use Clem's cell phone as a hot spot. I love the campsite....we are deep in the woods, with only the chirping of birds to break the silence. But there is no cable or wifi. And I will be driving today to our next destination. I enjoy driving the back roads....so much more to see. ....but it makes Clem nervous. He is not yet as comfortable with the coach as I am in general. And I am still the back up queen!! haha!! We extended our stay here another night, and visited the Fenimore Art Museum and Fly Creek Cider Mill, and strolled the downtown at our leisure. That is, after all, why we bought our own RV. So as not to have to rush to get it back when we wanted to spend another night!
The other thing we learned about Cooperstown, is that it is home to the author James Fenimore Cooper, and yet named for his father, a landowner of thousands of acres of New York, and a judge of prominence. Most of those beautiful homes were owned by relations. He married a woman by name of Fenimore, and their 6th and most famous son was the author. His most famous works, which he penned on a bet from his wife, were the Leatherstocking Tales, among which was the Last of the Mohicans. Most of his work was based on his life here and influenced by the lake. The region is called the Leatherstocking region because of the leather protective garments worn by the people.
The rolling hillsides take me back to my youth, as I grew up not far from here. It is interesting how you can go from state to state and feel the difference brought on by the topography. And fall here is unequalled, with the blaze of colors ranging from rusts, through shades of red that literally glow, to yellows. And the hills are covered in deciduous trees, so they are en masse. You really can't imagine it until you have seen it. As a kid I remarked to my mother when looking out a window that the hills looked like a bowl of Trix.
Cooperstown is the birthplace of baseball, where Abner Doubleday was said to have invented it, and where the Baseball Hall of Fame resides. We arrived at our campsite just out of town, plugged in, pushed out and headed out in record time. Clem was very anxious to visit. I will have photos to post, but wanted to catch up while I can use Clem's cell phone as a hot spot. I love the campsite....we are deep in the woods, with only the chirping of birds to break the silence. But there is no cable or wifi. And I will be driving today to our next destination. I enjoy driving the back roads....so much more to see. ....but it makes Clem nervous. He is not yet as comfortable with the coach as I am in general. And I am still the back up queen!! haha!! We extended our stay here another night, and visited the Fenimore Art Museum and Fly Creek Cider Mill, and strolled the downtown at our leisure. That is, after all, why we bought our own RV. So as not to have to rush to get it back when we wanted to spend another night!
The other thing we learned about Cooperstown, is that it is home to the author James Fenimore Cooper, and yet named for his father, a landowner of thousands of acres of New York, and a judge of prominence. Most of those beautiful homes were owned by relations. He married a woman by name of Fenimore, and their 6th and most famous son was the author. His most famous works, which he penned on a bet from his wife, were the Leatherstocking Tales, among which was the Last of the Mohicans. Most of his work was based on his life here and influenced by the lake. The region is called the Leatherstocking region because of the leather protective garments worn by the people.
The rolling hillsides take me back to my youth, as I grew up not far from here. It is interesting how you can go from state to state and feel the difference brought on by the topography. And fall here is unequalled, with the blaze of colors ranging from rusts, through shades of red that literally glow, to yellows. And the hills are covered in deciduous trees, so they are en masse. You really can't imagine it until you have seen it. As a kid I remarked to my mother when looking out a window that the hills looked like a bowl of Trix.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Grace turns 6!
Not usually much for creative work, she concentrated on getting the stickers on these cars, which she loves probably more than anything! She told us she wants to be a race car driver!
She is also intrigued by anything Batman!
With her gift, we gave her a mini RV, which was received with a knowing grin, and pointing to Grandpa! We Thoroughly enjoyed a little time with Grace on Friday, on the swings, blowing bubbles and playing games while her Mom picked Emma up from Brownies. For her party everyone enjoyed a jumping house....even the adults got in on it. The weather turned to a splendid 70 degrees and low humidity day.
The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere
For anyone who might be interested in reading the poem, I have added a link here.
Sarah Palin may be especially interested!
It has always been one of my favorite poems, and I can recite the beginning stanzas, believe it or not! Having lived here and visited the Old North Bridge in Concord and the homes of many of the patriots and authors, and seeing historic markers where these events took place, it is even more meaningful. I thought you might enjoy reading, or re reading, the poem in its entirety. I know I did.
(CLICK ON TITLE ABOVE, OR SEE LIST OF LINKS ON THE RIGHT)
Sarah Palin may be especially interested!
It has always been one of my favorite poems, and I can recite the beginning stanzas, believe it or not! Having lived here and visited the Old North Bridge in Concord and the homes of many of the patriots and authors, and seeing historic markers where these events took place, it is even more meaningful. I thought you might enjoy reading, or re reading, the poem in its entirety. I know I did.
(CLICK ON TITLE ABOVE, OR SEE LIST OF LINKS ON THE RIGHT)
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