Stateside and the Motherland (Niagara Falls to Hughesville, PA)

July 6, 2015

We were able to wake up at a decent time this morning at the hotel and decided to get down to the HORNBLOWER for a ride on the Niagara River to get as close as possible to the misty Canadian and American Falls.  The good walk down the hill woke us all up after loading up on our muffins we bought the night before.  The kids had a great time on the boat, especially when the mists from the falls soaked us.  GT was searching for some fish in the water (of course) and watching the falls at the same time.  They were complaining of being hot in the ponchos until we got near the falls and then the attitudes changed a little bit.  A great quick ride, then we were off--back to the hotel and the packed car to get back to the states.

After about a one hour wait to get back to the U.S. on the Rainbow Bridge, we checked the 1000 things to do book out before we went to PA.  I remember reading something about the first Buffalo Wings place in America and we decided, after waiting so long and finally getting to cross the line, that the Anchor Bar was only about 45 minutes away.  Perfect timing for a stop on the long 5 hour trip to PA.  We stopped in, grabbed a bucket of 50 wings (which were a little too spicy for Avery) and chowed down, with a Gennessee Cream Ale as a palate cleanser.  Great place.  Great food. Go Sabres too!

Afterward, Avery wanted to see downtown Buffalo—I did too after viewing all the amazing old architectural buildings from the 1800’s and 1900’s so, since we were close we went to the Canal area.  There were people everywhere in the park area, but no music starting yet.  We just did a drive by as there weren’t too many places for Avery to venture off to, besides, we were looking forward to getting to family a few hours away. 

Google maps is extremely weird in their direction giving.  In order to get to I-390, we had to traverse all kinds of back country roller coaster route rides that gave all of us the ‘belly drops’ as GT liked to call them when he was little.  What was strange about it was the feeling of going in circles, but we were eventually making our way southeast.  Noticed beautiful countryside and a new scene was the multiple huge windmills on the peaks of the mountains that we drove next to. Very interesting sight to say the least.  Finally after traversing back country roads and one stop towns we made it to I -390 and moved across the state to i-86—FINALLY.  I-86 took us to Corning, NY, and, after being on the road for three hours, and always wanting to go since it’s about an hour from PA,  we went to the Corning Museum of Glass.  What an INCREDIBLE place!  The art gallery was amazing, as was the Ennion art work collection from about 200 AD.  We went to a show on how glass was blown thousands of years ago, and the guys were demonstrating the kiln processes in the background and how glass was made. It was VERY interesting, especially to GT who stated that he was really glad we stopped.  The artwork inside was incredible that was on display also.  We really could have spent two days in that place alone!  Even better, Kids under 19 get in free!  We probably made up for that in the gift shop though.  I’d highly recommend anyone in the area or passing through to visit this place.  Definitely worth the trip. 

GT taking the glass tests for metals used to make the colors of blown glass. Apparently Rust creates a green color to glass, while gold creates a reddish pink color and thus, more expensive.

The Seneca wine trail was close too—as bad as I wanted to show the family Watkins Glen and stop at wineries, time wasn’t on our side if we were to arrive at my cousin’s house by 8PM, so we stopped at a local wine store and stocked up on some NY wine for gifts. After a little bit of rain, we got back in the car and headed toward the homeland.  Only took a little over an hour to get where we were headed. My cool cousin’s house overlooking a beautiful rolling plain with meadow and deer in the background.  The drive there was incredible, as I firmly believe Interstate 99/Rte 15 PA is one of the most scenic and beautiful drives in the nation.  Nothing but rolling mountains all the way there.    When we arrived we were bushed after a long commute, but, as always Vicki and Dave were hospitable above and beyond expectation!  Love these two!  We hung out on the back deck—had a couple of beers, and watched Dave teach GT how to crush lightning bugs with wiffle ball bats (always a classic).  He also told us stories how they used to smear the lightning bugs on their cheeks like Indians because they always light up.  Achievement unlocked for GT as he went to the field and started swinging at the mass amount of fireflies that were lighting up the yard. Probably one of the best long days in the car yet, with stops to make it worth it.  It’ll feel good to relax here for a couple days before we push on to Annapolis!