Niagara Falls, the Erie Canal, Barn Quilts and Jello

9-4 to 9-5
Southwoods RV Camp
Byron, NY

The weather has been holding out for us so far with high temps in the 80's and sometimes 90's.  Upstate New York is a beautiful place with rolling hills, tidy farms and vineyards.  Yep vineyards.  I was surprised to see the large vineyards as soon as crossed the border into NY.  I've heard the wines are pretty good, but coming from Pinot Nois heaven of the Williamette Valley in Oregon, I think we'll pass on the grapes and wineries.  Besides, once I go in, all the wines taste great and I end up buying cases of the stuff.  We are still pretty stocked for now.  :-)

We arrived early to our camp and after lunch headed out to the Erie Canal in Lockport for a ride down locks 34 and 35.  These two locks have the largest drop in the canal at 50 feet.  The canal was dug out in the early 1900's using black powder and dynamite as well as finishing out by had.  The animals had to work the hardest to pull the barges and boats thru the canal.  In 1918 the old locks (previously five in a row) were replaced by the current two locks.  We enjoyed the abundant sunshine and nice quiet ride up the canal.

locks up ahead

the lock fills with water

The old locks

the happy travelers

heading towards Niagara Falls

At the top of the locks

the gear that opens the gate

The old ice house

This church has Tiffany Glass windows

One of the Tiffany Glass window

Vegetables on the honor system

You put your money in the box and take your pick

The next morning we woke to more beautiful sunshine and expected highs in the mid-80's for our next attraction-Niagara Falls.  We had bright sunshine all the drive in.  We bought our tickets to the Maid of the Mist and boom!  Here comes dark clouds, thunder and lightening.  We hopped on the boat, donned our trusty blue ponchos and headed for Horseshoe Falls.  Boom! Here came the torrential rainfall not in the forecast!  We got drenched, didn't take many photos, but enjoyed the journey just the same!  Niagara was on our bucket list so this just made it more fun.  

The Rainbow Bridge

Horseshoe Falls

Yeah it was a little wet!

Horseshoe Falls

our shoes and socks squished as we walked

American Falls

The falls thru my poncho

The river rushes towards the falls

We enjoyed a walk around the State Park then headed towards LeRoy, NY.  Why go to LeRoy?  for the Jello Museum that's why!  Why not?  I like Jello and as they say, there's always room for Jello.  Jello was first created and manufactured in LeRoy, a little bit of trivia for you.

A Jello Cow

This is how Jello came to be popular in households

Daniel Webster was a resident of LeRoy when he married his second wife

LeRoy Historical Society

Our appetites worked up, we called in an order for Buffalo Wings and smoked ribs from the Screamin' Eagle. 

 On the way back to Byron we scoped out barns for the Quilt squares painted on the sides of the barns.  LeRoy and Byron are real cute little villages away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. 

Next stop: the Adirondaks in New York, then into Vermont!