Corning, NY September 29

The Corning Museum of Glass is dedicated to the art, history and science of glass.  It was founded in 1951 by Corning Glass Works and currently has a collection of over 45,00 glass objects, some over 3,500 years old.  The Glass Collection Galleries show the most comprehensive and celebrated collection in the world.  The galleries contain objects representing every country and historical period in which glass making has been practiced.  The Museum’s gallery of contemporary glass focuses on vessels, objects, sculptures and instillations by international artists over the last 25 years.

Glass blowing is demonstrated each day as a glob of hot molten glass is blown into vases, bowls or sculptures by a museum artist.  Throughout the demonstration, a narrator describes the process, and cameras give viewers a close-up look into the furnaces where the glass is heated.

The Museum is fascinating and requires more than one day to fully appreciate.

Watkins Glen, NY – September 28

Watkins Glen, a small town at the southern end of Seneca Lake, is one of the eleven Finger Lakes in central New York.  They are long narrow lakes formed by glaciers thousands of years ago.  Watkins Glen road racing started on the winding back roads in the 1940s.  Today racing is confined to the track, go fast and turn right!  We watched practice laps by several different styles of cars.  Racing here is called Thunder in the Valley!  It can be heard all over town!

Niagara Falls, NY – September 23-27

Niagara Falls, Paul’s hometown, is a frequent stop on our travels.  This Wonder of the World is spectacular to see every time, the sound of the water and the rising mist create a magnetic pull to the water’s edge.  There are so many ways to view the Falls.  The deck of the Maid of the Mist is guaranteed to be wet.  As the boat approaches the bottom of the Falls and you feel the cool spray.  We enjoy the view from Canada for a panoramic view of the American and Horseshoe Falls.  Then at night there are the colored lights!  

Welland Canal connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario circumventing the Falls for ship traffic between the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Superior.  The vessels primarily transport grain, coal and iron ore.  It was fun to watch the ships inch into the canal riding high above our heads with only inches to spare on each side. The gates close, the water is pumped out and the ship lowers with the water level.  When lake level is reached gates on the other end open and the ship continues to its destination.  There are currently eight locks to span the canal.

We also look forward to visits with Betsy’s family in Amherst and Hamburg when in the area.  Travel tales are shared and we catch up on where all the cousins and their children are these days.

It’s always fun to go home!

September 16-23 – Halls Lake, Ontario

Halls Lake is a deep glacial lake in the Haliburton Highlands, about 150 miles north of Toronto.  It was Betsy's “summer place” growing up and holds lots of good memories, swimming, water skiing, hiking, and just goofing off.  We have returned and Paul said I either feel like or act like I’m fifteen again! 

 Our former cottage is still there and the new owners welcomed us like family.  We shared stories, and saw the additions and improvements they have made in the last thirty years, and talked of quilts!  We visited with neighbors and reminisced about the old days with photos to back up our stories! 

An early frost, (0 Celsius makes it sound even colder), and the leaves began to change color!  Wow!  It was beautiful!  Every turn was a Kodak moment, red and yellow leaves among evergreens and birch trees. 

Haliburton was a logging center in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Logs were felled then transported by water to mill sites.   Dams were used to increase water flow in the spring to chute the rapids.  A log chute has been recreated on Kennississ River that demonstrates the process. 

Our trip was definitely a walk down memory lane, what good memories they are!  We hiked, canoed and found most of the movie theaters within 20 miles have shut down.  We made new memories and had a great time! Thank you Paul.

September 7 – Berne, Indiana

Swiss Mennonites settled the town of Berne, Indiana in 1852.  The Swiss Village Museum re-creates that time period with authentic homes, barns, churches, schools and a very large cider press.  The Heritage Festival shared food, music and games with the community. 

  There was soap making, quilting, knitting and quilling demonstrated.  The sawmill was in operation turning large trees into usable planks.  There were two-day old chicks to cuddle – but don’t squeeze.  The games for children included stilts, tug of rope, and hoops to roll.   A good time was had by all!