Niagara Falls and Beyond September 2016
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| Hawk Mountain Sanctuary view |
We
made our way up to the Niagara Falls area of New York and beyond for our fall
road trip of 2016. We spent a week on
the road as we explored interesting stops in the area.
Our first stop was Hawk Mountain
Sanctuary
“Hawk
Mountain is...
•
A scientific
research center
•
An
international conservation training site
•
A learning
facility for all ages
•
An
eco-tourism destination
•
A wildlife
sanctuary open to the public year-round
•
The world's
largest member-supported raptor conservation organization
•
One of the
best places in northeastern North America to view the annual autumn hawk
migration”
We were here a little later in the year in 2015. There
were a lot more birds this time around.
Our next stop was the Niagara Falls
area. It was incredible and the weather held up for us to take a tour with
multiple stops. I have provided various links to find more information for some
of the areas where we visited on the tour. Some of the stops of our 6+ hour tour
included:
• Maid of the Mist
• Cave of the Winds
• Niagara River Gorge
• Goat Island viewing point
• Horseshoe Falls
• American Falls
• Bridal Veil Falls
• Prospect Point observation tower
• Queen Victoria Park
• Giant whirlpool
• Floral Clock
• Skylon Tower Observation Deck
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| Whirlpool |
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| Cave of the Winds |
“A North American natural wonder,
Niagara Falls flows with scenic might through Niagara Falls State Park. And
just beyond its waterfall vistas, Niagara is filled with splendid discoveries
and fantastic attractions.
Pictures are great, but getting close
enough to touch Niagara Falls inspires genuine awe. Millions of gallons of
water rocket over Niagara Falls every minute – about 750,000 gallons each
second! There’s no closer place to “feel Niagara’s flow” than from the decks,
boats, vista points and trails of Niagara Falls State Park - America’s oldest
state park.
With sparkling scenery year-round,
thrilling attractions, family-friendly and interactive exhibits, miles of
hiking trails and delectable dining options, Niagara Falls State Park gets you
closer to the Falls than anywhere else. The park features classic adventures
and vacation amenities to make the most of your trip, and no passport is needed
to experience an unforgettable and breathtaking Niagara Falls vacation.” It
sure had changed since my last visit when I was about 12 years old.
We found our tour on TripAdvisor. The
tour company was Over the Falls Tours. The weather was incredible for this
portion of our trip.
“Some Niagara Falls tours are American
and some are Canadian. Not this one. Get the full experience from both sides of
the border on this deluxe, 6-hour guided tour of everything Niagara Falls has
to offer. Visit all the must-see Niagara Falls attractions, from the thrilling
Maid of the Mist boat cruise to the exciting Cave of the Winds walk — even a
trip to the top of the Skylon Tower and much more. All attraction and admission
fees, plus hotel transfers and road tolls are included. Food and beverages are
at your own expense.”
“Don't let the border stop you from
experiencing all of Niagara Falls' glory! On this deluxe 6-hour tour, visit top
Niagara Falls attractions on both the Ontario side and the New York side. Take
a ride on the famous 'Maid of the Mist' boat, view the falls from atop Skylon
Tower, feel the falls’ thunder at the Cave of the Winds and much more. All
attraction fees, admission fees, hotel transfers and road tolls are included!”
We also stopped at the Aquarium of
Niagara. It was a neat experience for
us. “The Aquarium was established as a forward-thinking institution to advance
education, conservation and recreation for marine ecosystems. The Niagara Falls
area boasts a high visitation and tourist rates in the summer months. The
Aquarium's proximity to the natural resources of the Great Lakes serves students,
scientists and visitors throughout the region. Community support was strong for
this innovative inland aquarium. The initial founders won acceptance and forged
a bond with the region's people that continues to this day.”
We found a couple of lighthouses as we made our
way east towards Rochester, NY. The weather had changed to rain and wind, but
we made the best of it as we travelled along Lake Ontario.
Olcutt Lighthouse (Replica)
Thirty Mile Lighthouse
Our next stop was Rochester, NY. I had always
wanted to visit the George Eastman Museum due to my interest in photography and
photographic equipment. “The Eastman Legacy - Photography's epicenter
Rochester's photographic legacy began with a
young banker named George Eastman, who was determined to find an easier way to
take pictures after purchasing an unwieldy, 50-pound, wet-plate camera outfit
for a trip. He started experimenting in his mother's kitchen to find an easier
way to take photos. His experiments and early patents led to the small-box
Kodak camera in 1888, which he manufactured in Rochester and promoted with the
slogan: "You Press the Button, We Do the Rest."
The following year Eastman adapted the film
from his cameras for Thomas Edison's new movie machines, ultimately inventing
motion picture film. But it was Kodak's launch of the Brownie camera in 1900
that marked the real birth of mass photography. Selling for $1, this camera was
so easy to use and so affordable that it appealed to everyone: men, women and
children.”
There were multiple exhibitions going on at the
George Eastman Museum during our visit. We checked them out all out. I was most
interested in the exhibits featuring “Photography and America’s National Parks”
and “From the Camera Obscura to the Revolutionary Kodak.” It was also
interesting to see cameras out on shelves for folks to handle that were not too
unlike those that I have in my own collection. It was well worth the time to
visit the museum and grounds.
We headed south as the weather was not
improving, but had one more stop in Rochester before heading out of town.
Seneca Park Zoo
“Seneca Park Zoo inspires our community to
connect, care for, and conserve wildlife and wild places. Seneca Park Zoo will
be a national leader in education and conservation action for species
survival.”
“Seneca Park Zoo is a 15.5-acre (6.3 ha) zoo
located in Rochester, New York. The zoo is home to over 90 species including
mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, fish, and arachnids. It is accredited by
the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The zoo is operated by Monroe
County with support from the Seneca Park Zoo Society.” We had a great time at
the zoo. The temperature was perfect as all of the animals were out for easy
viewing. We saw the lions feed as well as the elephants working with the
handlers. Incredible experience!
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| Goats out for a walk... |
We made a few more stops on the way back to WV.
Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour
“Descend slowly into the earth in a mine car as
you enter the old Slope #190. Watch the
sky slowly disappear. Soon you’ve reached “the foot”. Then explore 300 feet beneath the earth
through an anthracite coal mine originally opened in 1860. Accompany a miner in the winding underground gangways
and rock tunnel past three different veins of hard coal, past the mule boy and
the nipper, past the monkey vein and the dead chute. Listen as he explains the
fascinating methods used, and the heroic efforts involved, in deep mining’s
history.” This was a very cool tour!
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| Hair-raising adventure in the ventilation shaft... |
U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center
Heritage Trail
“The Army Heritage Trail serves as the USAHEC's
outdoor museum. It encompasses the grounds of the USAHEC, covering about one
mile and highlights nearly every era of Army history with different exhibits
and large artifacts. Designed to provide an immersion experience that allows
the visitor to walk into each period represented, the Trail also serves as a
stage for living history presentations by historians serving as interpreters.
Fourteen individual exhibits include full scale
reconstructions of a French and Indian War way station, Redoubt Number 10 from
the Revolutionary War siege of Yorktown, a section of the Antietam battlefield,
a Civil War winter encampment with cabins, a WWI trench system, a WWII company
area, a replicated Normandy Bocage scene from World War II, a Current Operations
HESCO Bastion barrier checkpoint, and an interpretation of the Vietnam
helicopter air assault at Ia Drang that includes a period Fire Support Base.
Additionally, there are numerous smaller exhibits featuring armor, aircraft,
and artillery from several different eras of U.S. Army history.” We were too
late to visit the museum, but did take a break form the road and walked the
Heritage Trail. Very cool place that I imagine we will return to as it is not
too far from home and can be seen from I-81.
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| WW I trench |
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| Civil War Winter Camp |
Cumberland County Law Enforcement Memorial
“The Cumberland County Law Enforcement Memorial
is prominently displayed at the entrance to the Cumberland County Department of
Public Safety building. This memorial, which was dedicated in 2014, honors all
of Cumberland County's fallen law enforcement officers. Dating back to Officer
George Martin who passed in 1893, this memorial is dedicated to 11 officers who
died while on duty.” This memorial is
well done and allows us all a place to honor the Law Enforcement Officers who have
made the ultimate sacrifice.
Thanks for reading to the end. Hope you enjoyed
our adventure as much as we did.
8 comments:
Great set of pictures! The comments were also very informative!
Thanks Jack!
Magnificent! Can you add sound to the water fall pictures?
I grew up in Rochester. N.Y. Many of my family members worked at Kodak and we have a fond affection for George Eastman (One of my Great aunts worked as one of his secretaries). Visited the George Eastman house many times. Also spent many summer days at Seneca Park picnicking, swimming and visiting the zoo😄
So glad you two got to visit both!
Gail LaB.
Most beautiful pictures I have ever seen----thanks soooo much for sharing!
Pat
Always wonderful photos and great perspectives! You captured the power of those falls wonderfully!! Good stuff!!
Joellen
Just wonderful, we enjoyed looking at these mesmerizing photos of your journeys! 😘
KKMax
I appreciate all the views and comments! Thanks to all.
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