Alexandria Bay, NY in the 1000 Islands

Mike and I are winding down our stay in Alexandria Bay, it has been a great stop. I had never been in this part of NY State and Mike hadn't been here since he was a kid. The area is along the St Lawrence Seaway and is dotted by, you guessed it, a 1000 Islands!!!!! Actually 1865 Islands, some inhabited and privately owned and some just sitting there. To qualify as an Island all it needs to have is two trees..:). We took a drive to Cape Vincent, where the Seaway meets Lake Ontario, They run a small ferry which crosses the Seaway to Wolfe Island, and then another ferry that takes you to Kingston, Canada. We were even able to take the pups, so now they are boasting to the cat that they are world travelers..LOL..We decided to roam the countryside and ended our drive in Brockville, a small town in Ontario that was delightful. We drove back to the States crossing the 1000 Island Bridge, which gave us an amazing view of the seaway and the Islands. Alexandria Bay or Abay as it is called, is a town of bars,restaurants and shops..6 miles in the other direction is Clayton..also a small town but abit more upscale for this area. Mike and I took a 3 hour tour ( we decided if the captains name was Gilligan we would run for our lives..lol) to see the Islands and learn about the history of the area.Many of the Islands are privately owned, with beautiful homes (one might even say mansions!!!) that are perhaps used at most 10 weeks out of any given year. The names of the owners and their families reads like a who's who and just boggles the mind. We also made a stop at Boldt Castle, an amazing place on Heart Island. George Boldt, who owned and ran with his wife, the Bellevue in Philly and the Waldorf in New York, bought the Island in the early 1890's and in the mid 1890's started to build the castle as a gift to his wife. In 1904 after having put almost 2.5 million dollars into the construction, Louisa Boldt died and all building came to a halt, George never returned to the Island. In the late 1970's the property was given to the 1000 Island Bridge Authority and rehabilitation was started. It is an incredible place and one that should not be missed...Obviously, we made it back to shore and Clayton without mishap!!!!! This part of NY State is beautiful and if anyone gets the opportunity it is a great stop along the road.
Next stop is Byron, NY and a visit to Niagra Falls, which I have never seen, and the top of the Finger Lakes..
From the road,
Jan and Mike

For Patrick...Glenn Curtiss Museum

Hi Patrick, Hope you enjoy!!!!

Mike and I went to the Glenn Curtiss Museum of Early Aviation. Curtiss was a pioneer in Motorcycle design as early as 1901, the first official public flight in America in 1908 and in 1911 the first successful seaplane. He also developed Hiahleah,FL in 1921, Miami Springs in 1923,Opa Locka in 1926 and in 1929 streamlined the travel trailer. As we wandered the museum, it was interesting to see many of his original motorbikes, which led to the motorcycle. Replica's of his "Jenny", in which both Earhardt and Lindbergh learned to fly. He associated with Alexander Graham Bell and later with the Wrights, to form the Curtiss-Wright Company. He success relates back to his ability to design lightweight engines, for Motorcycles and later for various aircraft. The aircraft flown by the "Flying Tigers" in WWII was designed by Curtiss and produced by Curtiss-Wright.

From the road,

Jan and Mike

Photos of Watkins Glen Gorge

Enjoy...

Watkins Glen, NY

We are in Watkins Glen,NY,which to the uninitiated is at the foot of Seneca Lake,one of the larger Finger Lakes. The area is incredibly beautiful, and the Lakes are awesome. Mike and I took a cruise on the Lake and its history is extremely interesting, Along the banks one will see 2 Salt Factories, US Salt and Cargill..most of the salt sold in the Northeast (no matter what the name of the salt) is made here. Another interesting fact is that all the 11 Finger Lakes flow North. Next came a trip to Corning and the Glass Museum. Mike and I wandered the museum, learning how the company went from producing glass to optics and onward. We also watched the making of Stueben Glass,which is beautiful. Yesterday, Mike attempted to kill me!!!!!! We hiked the Gorge in Watkins Glen State Park. Now this may sound like a stroll in the park..DUH..when you enter the Gorge ,it is through a tunnel, then you start to climb..up up up up (well you get the idea)..800 steps to the top of the Gorge...all the time we saw people WALKING DOWN!!!! Oh yes one can take a shuttle to the top,and walk DOWN the steps..OR as we did walk up and take the shuttle back down to the main entrance.Of course I wouldn't tell Mike, but it was an incredible site.. Pictures of the Glen hike will follow in the next Blog, too many to post here.

From the road,

Jan and Mike

Mikey's childhood memories

We spent 2 days in Windsor NY..from where we could cruise Mike's childhood places. Mike spent his summer's at Aunt Mimi's outside of Livingston Manor..A beautiful area of streams and farms, where if he is to be believed, he roamed the farms, fished the streams and by my estimation was one very lucky kid!!!!!! It all started with Nana and Pop who went to the area to summer in the 1920's, and a legend was born..:) Mike and I, along with the pups, wandered the surrounding towns..making stops in Debruce,Roscoe and Liberty. Liberty was the home of Grossingers
which,unfortunately is closed and desolate..how sad that a place that brought so much fun to so many has gone into such disrepair.We stopped to have lunch at the Roscoe Diner..if you ever think of going "Be afraid,Very afraid"..it was probably the worst meal either of us has had in a very long time!!!! It was great to share old memories with Mike, and after another day of chilling, we were off to Watkins Glen.
From the road,
Jan and Mike

Milton,PA

Mike and I spent 4 days unwinding in Milton,PA at of all places Yogi Bear's Shangri La!!!! Nice campground,very well taken care of, with lots of work campers, running here and there..LOL..Needless to say Milton is not a hub of activity..BUT it is within 30 minutes of Knobels Amusement Park..Knobels has been in operation since 1923..and is an absolute hoot!!!! I had been there many years ago,( Dom and Marie will remember that trip!!) but didn't remember half of what Mike and I saw. We wandered the park and Mike talked me into going on a chair lift ride ( now those of you who know me, for along time ,know I don't like heights!!!) Well up up up we go..1300 feet in a ski-lift!!!!! After I stopped shaking I had to admit it was a great view...We walked the park and ate some junk,it was a really great day..( Pictures will be on the Blog)
Today we moved on to Windsor NY, our first stop in New York State. A short note from our traveling companions..HELP!!!!!!!!!! The pups and Dusty are still trying to figure out how they got here..LOL
And the adventure continues..:)
From the road
Jan and Mike

Elkton and Samantha's Bat Mitzvah

Mike and I have been in cell phone and computer hell for about 2 weeks!!!! We arrived in Elkton with Mike driving the coach and I followed with the rental car..The campground left much to be desired, BUT we were there for a purpose and nothing was going to stop our fun. We spent time with Robin, Mark and the kids..which was wonderful, and I had the time to go with Robin, to see the Golf Club where the reception was being held, and help set up at the Synagogue for Friday night...On Thursday we picked Kathy up at the airport and on Friday dropped the pups off at the kennel we found in Elkton, we lied and told them, they were going to overnight camp!!!!! AND finally got the car back..damages to the tune of $7000.00...Thank you Allstate!!!!! Family and friends from out of town joined us for dinner that evening before services..Samantha did an incredible job at services on Friday night, and we couldn't wait to see the follow through on Saturday morning. Saturday was a clear and absolutely beautiful day..Samantha once again amazed everyone, with her poise, intelligence and knowledge of Hebrew. Okay so I'm a proud Grandmom!!!!!!
We celebrated at the Wyncote Golf Club and a great time was had by all..Mike and I moved on to Milton,PA on Monday, and Robin and the kids took a very needed vacation at the beach...
From the road

Jan and Mike

Kinzers, PA

We are getting ready to leave Kinzers, PA,heading to Elkton, MD and Samantha's Bat Mitzvah. Mike and I have spent a great week here,visiting all the usual places. Ephrata,Paradise,Intercourse,Bird In Hand and Strasburg. The Bird In Hand Farmers Market was a great stop, and Mike tasted Scrapple for the first time!!!! I hadn't had Scrapple since I moved from Jersey so it was a real treat..We rode the railroad in Strasburg and it is the coolest ride through the countryside..Mike and I both love Choo-choos!!!!!! I and the furry ones have decided that every campground is really just a big field with different faces and different accents..BUT..no banjos..so we feel safer than we did in Georgia..:) Mike of course tells us we have over active imaginations..what does he know..LOL...Update on the car..we finally took it in to be repaired!!!!..and, as we suspected the damage is much more extensive than first thought. Conversations with the insurance company of the guy that hit us, brought news that he in fact..HAD NO INSURANCE. I spoke with him and hopefully he will make full restitution, although Allstate has assured me they will pursue it also. We leave in the morning and I will be following Mike in the rental car ..don't understand why they don't have rentals with hitches to hook up to motor homes..:)...AH perhaps we could start a new venture..rental vehicles to pull behind your motor home!!!!! we will be seeing some of you soon!!!
From the road
Jan and Mike