Summer's finale came early

The trip began in our Pleasant home town that has no Mountains. This of course is in the very center of that large peninsula that makes up the state bordered by plenty of water from great lakes. Mapquest said our travel time would be reduced by two hours if we took a shortcut through Ontario Canada, however, if you don’t have passports it poses a slight problem. We would have to travel south through Ohio so why not dip a bit further south into the state and visit our friends in Columbus. The adventures began. The evening with our friends was very enjoyable despite a good storm that moved through and a child who surprised us with several accidents of which we will not go into detail. The next day our journey continued and thirty minutes into the drive another child realized that their favorite blanket was missing. After pulling off the interstate and searching the packed car the hunch that it was left under a pile of blankets on the hotel bed became a real possibility. Although the adults in the car were not in complete agreement about how to proceed the driver made the executive decision to turn around and head back to the hotel. Sure enough it was under all the hotel blankets. We did not encounter the same problem again.

Next state Pennsylvania but only for maybe 40 minutes. Then it is onto New York where we get to travel on one of our favorite stretches of roadway with the exception of the Buffalo area on the west and parts of Albany on the east. Everything in between the larger cities is quite beautiful. Welcome to the New York State Thruway where you better not stop at the Angola Travel Plaza and expect to feed the Sea Gulls. The guy selling sunglasses will really get annoyed and try to scare you by saying you are breaking the law. There are no signs posted saying “do not feed the birds”. This is one of those cool stops where you park and cross a long pedestrian bridge over the Thruway in order to get to the much needed restrooms and other venues waiting to suck in your traveling dollars.

Just a little bit of trivia about the NY Thruway. It is the longest toll highway system in the United States. It is also a user-fee supported system, in that the Authority receives no State tax dollars, and is paid for by the travelers who use it. Interesting that every toll booth (except the EZ Pass lanes) is still staffed with individuals who have the exciting job of handing out thousands of toll cards hourly, one car at a time. I can’t imagine any job more exciting than handing out tickets all day long! Blue car, black car, white car, mini van, SUV, truck. Just how cost effective is this. The task can easily be replaced by a machine (no disrespect to those making a living doing this) but really, it is the 21st century!

There is a history of my writing being lengthy and very detailed. Some like it and others don't (my husband). So to cut out some detail you will find pictures and links (links to come when I figure this thing out) to the various places we visited or things we did. Who knows, you just might learn about something you did not know existed. Enjoy the virtual trip.

NEW YORK

NY Thruway, Hill Cumorah, E. B. Grandin Bldg., Erie Canal Lock 29

Jell-o Gallery, Underground Railroad Route, Lake Erie

VERMONT

Hogback Mountain, Cabot Cheese Factory, Ben & Jerrys Factory

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Highlander Inn (the wedding location), Storyland, Candlepin Bowling

Chucksters Mini Golf, Beech Hill Farm