Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Niagara Falls and Beyond September 2016

Niagara Falls and Beyond September 2016
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

Whirlpool

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!













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!






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.



WW I trench

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:

John/Jack said...

Great set of pictures! The comments were also very informative!

TCB Photo Blog said...

Thanks Jack!

JasonandMelissa said...

Magnificent! Can you add sound to the water fall pictures?

Anonymous said...

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.

Anonymous said...

Most beautiful pictures I have ever seen----thanks soooo much for sharing!
Pat

Anonymous said...

Always wonderful photos and great perspectives! You captured the power of those falls wonderfully!! Good stuff!!
Joellen

Anonymous said...

Just wonderful, we enjoyed looking at these mesmerizing photos of your journeys! 😘
KKMax

TCB Photo Blog said...

I appreciate all the views and comments! Thanks to all.