Day 48 Scenic Tour of Orange County, NY

July 6 

Scenic Tour of Orange County, NY

Today we decided to take the scenic route around Orange County.  Taking the secondary highway from Florida we travelled south to Warwick along treed, windy roads.  Then southeast to Tuxedo going past Greenwood Lake and along the Sterling Forest, very picturesque!  Then north on highway 9 up through Harriman State Park, Bear Mountain State Park and eventually to the Hudson River.  Lots of curves, hills and small lakes but no pull offs for pictures.  We finally found a pull off and stumbled into Fort Montgomery right on the Hudson.  From here we could see the Bear Mountain Bridge crossing the Hudson and Bear Mountain.  We went into the info centre and then walked around the grounds where the fort was originally built in 1816. 

 Harriman State Park

Bear Mountain & Bear Mtn Bridge from Ft. Montgomery

 



West Point Military academy is just down the road.  The fee is $13/adult for one hour and foreigners need to show a passport, Americans have to show ID.   Luckily Marg had read this and we had our passports with us.  The tour was very informative and the grounds were very impressive.  New cadets have just started their training and only 1100 are taken each year but they receive about 15,000 applications.



 

Continuing north is Newburgh where we went to check out river cruises on the Hudson River.  We decided against the cruise as they only go as far as West Point.  They were about $22/adult for 2 hours and there were dinner cruises but we didn’t check prices.  Instead we checked out Orange County Choppers.  There were some very nice choppers on display from their shows dating 2002 – 2004.  Next stop the Woodbury Common Outlet stores.  Yay shopping!!

OCC Fire Fighters Dedication Chopper

Back at the campsite by 6:30 and it is still 33 degrees.  The campsite was offering free ice cream at the pavilion from 7 – 8 pm.  We joined in besides the pavilion is air conditioned.

 

Daily Stats: 
Today's distance:  170 km 
Weather:  Sunshine; High: 33 degrees; Lo: 25 degrees
Wildlife:   didn’t see anything today??
Campsite:  Black Bear Campground
Walking:  5 km
Today's news event:  San Francisco Air crash

Day 47 New York City Tour

July 5 

New York City Tour

With our tour guide Al and bus driver Shinaid, we left the campsite at 8 am in a full size, “Leprechaun”, air conditioned bus.  On the road to New York City, Al was updating us and giving us a history lesson on the surrounding area,.  He also informed us that a new house in this area (50 miles from New York) for $400,000 would have property taxes of about $13,000 of which $6,600 is school taxes.  Also taking a bus into the city from this area is $200 a month.

First stop, Times Square, Al dropped us off and let us know where there was a great place to get some New York cheesecake @ Juniors.  We had an hour to look around and shop. There are 5 Boroughs, as they are referred to in New York City; Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staton Island, Queens, and The Bronx.  The financial district is in Manhattan and referred to as SOHO District or South of Houston.  Manhattan has 19 bridges and 4 tunnels and it is about 15.5 x 2.5 miles.

We were told a good place to get tickets for shows are at TKTS where tickets are 2 for 1.  It is right behind me in the picture.  But be prepared to stand in a line up!  Good thing the “natives” the locals, as Al put it, were off today otherwise this place would be packed, wall to wall!!



But there were some strange characters walking around. We got our cheesecake before heading back to the bus.  I wish I had bought a bigger piece, it was sooooo good!

Trinity Church

 Bell of Hope

Inside St Paul’s Chapel

Three churches survived the falling of the Twin Towers; Trinity Church, St. Paul, & St. Peter.  We walked into and around the churches.  They are beautiful with their architecture and stained glass windows.  It is a miracle they were not damaged.  We walked by the Financial District or Wall Street and past the New York Stock Exchange.  We entered Manhattan via the Lincoln Tunnel and exited a few hours later by the Holland Tunnel (which was totally flooded in Oct due to hurricane Sandy) going under the Hudson River about 75 feet.  We were taken to Jersey City in New Jersey for lunch at the Liberty Park Diner.  Food was great and lots of it including coffees for under $20.  Al said if we had eaten in New York it would have cost double.

Buildings still being restored after 12 years

New York sky line 12 years later 



We couldn’t go to Ellis Island due to hurricane Sandy last October.  But the Statue of Liberty was just opened to dignitaries July 4 and today was the first day the public were allowed back due to the hurricane.  Where we loaded the ferry was an old dilapidated train station where immigrants came after they were processed on Ellis Island so they could head to their new homes in search of the American Dream from 1892 - 1954.  The station was closed in 1957.

After a 10 minute ferry ride we were on Liberty Island with a few thousand other tourists.  The Statue of Liberty was closed for awhile last fall while an elevator was installed to help seniors and disabled people get to the top of the statue.  It was just about to open when hurricane Sandy hit.  The copper skin of the Statue of Liberty is 2 pennies thick or 3/32.  It took the copper 30 years to turn green.  My only complaint is by the time we got to the Island we had ½ hour and had to be back in line for the next ferry.  What a fantastic day, just a little hot!

 

Daily Stats: 
Today's distance: 175 km in the bus
Weather:  Sunshine; High: 33 degrees; Lo: 24 degrees
Campsite:  Black Bear Campsite, Florida NY
Tour from campsite: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8 am – 6 pm $106/ person incl. $17 to see Statue of Liberty
Walking: Manhattan & the Statue of Liberty

Day 45 & 46 Niagara Falls, ON to Florida, NY

July 3 & 4                                                                                                

Wednesday, July 3 - Niagara Falls, ON to Chenango Valley State Park, New York

On the Road Again!!  Love it, beautiful sunny day!  Leaving Canada and driving over the Niagara River near Lake Erie into Buffalo, New York.  Border Crossing was a little busy.  The border guard wanted to know where we were going and where we were staying and if we were travelling with the folks in front of us, the Bogaert’s.  Maybe he noticed the BC plates.  Then he asked "to enter back there" so Ross opened the RV for him, he looked in and said OK to go!!  Whew!!!

 

Off the I90 and onto Highway 20A.  These smaller highways are more scenic and pass through smaller towns.  Hwy 20A is called “Big Tree Road”.  Rolling hills and very green, farmland with fields of corn.  We also drove past the town of Corning!  Can you guess what they made there?  They have the Corning Museum of Glass!

We stopped at the Chenango Valley State Park off I86 just N E of Binghamton.  Not bad for an overnight stop.  The park entrance was lined with American Flags for the Fourth of July celebrations.  The small lake is divided into sections per depth of the water and has lifeguards on duty.  There are picnic sites in the park and an 18 hole golf course plus cabins to rent.



Our campsite 

Daily Stats: 
Today's distance:  377 km 
Weather:  Sunshine; High: 28 degrees; Lo: 22 degrees
Diesel Price:  Dansville, NY $4.219, gas / gallon $3.669
Wildlife:  Geese, heron, bunny and deer
Campsite:  Chenango Valley State Park ($34.75 incl. electricity & showers)
Walking:  8 km around campsite


Thursday, July 4 - Chenango Valley State Park, New York to Florida, New York

Happy Birthday America 

Leisurely start to the morning since we don’t have far to go!  Leave via I88 south to I81 then onto 17 east.  We stopped for lunch in the rest area near Roscoe.   We didn’t know then but we were pretty close to Bethel where Woodstock was held in 1969!  New York has the Catskill Mountains but their maximum height is only about 4,000 feet.  Lots of small rivers and creeks to cross over and of course some road construction but everything is closed down for the holiday. 

Set up in the campsite #70 & #71 at the end of the row, very nice, room to put out the awning and lawn chairs.  Headed into town to get gas and groceries.  Had to drive to Chester about 5 miles away to get a decent grocery store.  Good thing, the tour to New York City starts at the campsite in an air conditioned bus.  We just paid $106 per person plus our camp fee so we are ready to go to New York City at 8 am in the morning!!

Daily Stats: 
Today's distance:  232 km 
Weather:  Sunshine; High: 31 degrees; Lo: 25 degrees
Diesel Price:  Florida $3.95; reg gas $3.61 gallon
Wildlife:  Fire Flies
Campsite:  Black Bear Campground $50/night full hookups w/Wi-Fi and cable

New York Stats:
Flower:  Rose
Bird:  Bluebird
Nickname:  Empire State
Sales Tax:  4 percent but New York City 13.75 percent

Day 43 & 44 Niagara Falls, ON & area

July 1 & 2

Monday, July 1 - Niagara Falls & Area

Happy Birthday Canada!! 

We got another 24 hour bus pass for $7 and headed for the parade.  The parade came down along Victoria and Queen streets towards City Hall where all types of booths and a stage were set up for festivities after the parade.  We lined the street with all the other tourists and locals to watch the parade which lasted an hour.  A lot of musical bands, gymnasts and cheer leader type acrobats in the parade, no real floats to speak of.  There were two blocks of old cars and trucks lined up for display.  Walked by the B & B area along the shore.  Beautiful old homes!!

 Church on Queen Street

 Looking down parade route

One of the old houses along Niagara Parkway

Back to the campsite to relax.  The pool and hot tubs were empty!!  Just waiting for us! We headed for the bus at 8 pm.  The colored lights on the falls started about 9:15 pm  The mist from the Falls was coming back on us and you could see all the moths in the lights.  Fireworks started at 10 until 10:15 over the water falls but close to the Rainbow Bridge and the American Falls.  What a way to celebrate Canada’s Birthday with a few thousand people!  After the fireworks it was a mad rush for the bus.  We got on the first Red Line but it took about an hour to get to the KOA.

 Canadian Flag on Niagara Falls

Lights on Falls, Skylon Tower in Back 

 

Daily Stats:  Monday, July 1, 2013
Weather:  Cloudy, light rain in afternoon; High: 24 degrees; Lo: 19 degrees
Campsite:  Niagara Falls KOA
Walking:  10 km - Queen’s District Parade, B&B area & Falls 
West Coast heat wave; Vancouver 31 and Okanagan 40 (our coolest day lately)

Today's news event:  19 Arizona Fire Fighters died fighting blaze
Cirque de Solie – Ka, one of the performers since 2006 fell


Tuesday, July 2 - Fort Erie to Niagara on the Lake

We drove south to Fort Erie, viewed a brief 12 minute video the War of 1812, then our tour guide in period dress guided us around the fort; then a demonstration of loading and preparing to fire muskets by a young man dressed in the Red Coat (British) and Grey Coat (American).  Orders were called and then they fired the muskets, twice, in case we missed the demonstration the first time.  When the weapons were fired, it was so smokie, hence the dress code of the time so your own guys wouldn’t shoot you. 

 Musket fire

 

Did you know why the American army went from Blue coats to Grey coats?

Along the Niagara Parkway we headed north and stopped at the Chippawa Battlefield which took place July 5, 1814.  Back in Niagara Falls we stopped at the Aero Car to view the Whirl pool.

Aero Car crossing Niagara River and Whirlpool

Now the sun was starting to come out again, beauty.  Stopped at the two Sir Adam Beck Power plants facing each other across the Niagara gorge!  There is a huge reservoir behind each of the power plants.

A quick stop at Laura Secord’s Homestead.  She was the lady that walked 20 miles to warn the British that the Americans were planning an attack.  Finally arriving in Niagara on the Lake.  A beautiful little community, probably not so small about 15,000 population, we walked around the Historic Main street and had lunch. 

Niagara on the Lake Main Street

Weather:  Cloudy, light rain in afternoon; High: 26 degrees; Lo: 18 degrees
Campsite:  Niagara Falls KOA
Walking:  10 km – Ft Erie & Niagara on the Lake

Answer:  The British supplied the blue dye but once the war started, no more blue dye so the Grey Uniforms for the American Army.

Day 41 & 42 Niagara Falls, ON

June 29 & 30

Saturday, June 29 - Niagara Falls, ON

We purchased our Adventure Pass which includes 4 attractions: Maid of the Mist, White Water Walk, Journey Behind the Falls, and Niagara’s Fury plus 48 hours on WEGO transit for $106 for two.  The WEGO Red Line bus stopped at the KOA campsite.  Off to the falls for our first real life viewing.  Amazing, beautiful, awesome!!  Maid of the Mist was amazing.  We were right at the front and top of the boat.  We got wet but our blue plastic poncho’s kept us dry!!

 

 

The White Water Walk took us down an elevator about 70 feet then onto a board walk in the gorge just above the rapids.  Back onto the bus, back to Table Rock.  This is the hub for the buses also the Canadian Niagara Falls misting the area depending on the wind direction, restaurants, info centre and the place to see Niagara’s Fury.  The blue ponchos are handed out but first we watched a cute animated show of how Niagara came to be starting about 10,000 years ago and then into another room to experience the changes in 4D with special effects.  You guessed it; we got wet and the floor moved. 



Falls from White Water Walk

Journey Behind the Falls, this time yellow ponchos, elevator down then walking in tunnels behind the falls and also coming out on a platform beside the falls.  The awesome power of water!  Did you know Niagara Falls moves a foot every 10 years by wearing away the rock!

Also did you know that the Niagara River is divided in half with the amazing horse shoe falls belonging to Canada and the other two smaller falls belonging to the USA.  The smallest falls is called “Bridal Falls”.  The land or island between the Falls is Goat Island and Luna Island.

Good thing we started at 9 am, the crowds hadn’t arrived yet.  The crowds were starting to appear.  Good thing we started early and avoided the lineups.  Next was a late lunch at Edge Water Tap & Grill overlooking the Falls. 



Refreshed we caught the bus to Niagara Glen and walked down about 70-80 steps to a trail that took us above the rapids.  Here we could see the Jet boats getting everyone wet and doing 360’s.

 

Sunday, June 30 - Niagara Falls, ON

Pancake breakfast at KOA then catch the bus to the falls.  We started by going up the Skylon Tower which gives a 360 degree view.  On a clear day apparently you can see 80 miles.  The elevator is on the outside of the building. 

 

We walked over Rainbow Bridge into Niagara Falls, New York!  Show our passports and we’re in!  We walked to Goat Island which is the Island between the water falls.  Then we walked to Bridal Falls.  We looked down on the walk on the US side of the falls where people were getting soaked and the force of the water was almost knocking them over.  After walking around for about 2 hours we walked back over the bridge to Canada.

Canadian Falls from the US side

 

We walked past the Hard Rock Cafe and into the Hersey Kiss store.  Lunch time we headed to the Secret Garden Restaurant overlooking the falls.  I never thought Niagara Falls was like a mini Las Vegas.  Clifton Hill has museums, haunted houses, stores, amusement rides and a giant Ferris wheel overlooking the area and the falls. 

Ferris Wheel & Mini Golf

 

 Daily Stats: 

Today's distance:  WEGO Niagara Falls Bus Service June 28 – Sept 2 
Weather:  Saturday - Sunshine with clouds; High: 20 degrees; Lo: 25 degrees
          Sunday – Sunny; High:  30 degrees, Lo:  20 degrees
Campsite:  Niagara Falls KOA
Walking:  5 – 10 km each day
Hot Spot June 30 in Lytton BC 40 degrees; Death Valley 54 degrees; Vancouver 30 degrees

Day 39 Visit Pelee Island

June 27

Visit Pelee Island

Raining lightly this morning!  We headed to the ferry terminal in Leamington to go to Pelee Island.  We were one vehicle from getting on the 10 am ferry so we went at 11 am and the sun came out.  We were on the Pelee Islander, which is the smaller ferry.  The crew drive and park the vehicles on the ferry via the side of the ferry.  The ride over is 1 ½ hours.  Beautiful ride on smooth waters.  We even had the pleasure of a posing Great Blue Heron near the terminal.



On the Island we decided to go for lunch first, Pelee Island Wine Pavilion & Deli Hut.  Very nice property with beautiful rose gardens!  Our surprise was that at the deli hut you order your food and then you get to BBQ your own food.  The wine was very good.  We all tried a different type.

Pelee Island is the largest island in Lake Erie and most Southern inhabited land in Canada.  It is a beautiful little island about 6 miles by 9 miles.  Our second stop was Fish Point Prov. Nature Reserve.  The trail to the point is 1.6 km through lush green forest.  On the beach, we headed for the point to dip our toes.  Not to be nasty but Fish Point smells fishy and there were dead fish on the beach!  On the way back along the trail a snake crossed in front of me about 12 – 18 inches,  black color, I screamed!  Everyone else laughed at me!!

We had a reservation on the ferry at 4 pm to head back so we had to get around the island and back to the ferry terminal.  The north part of the island has the nicest houses/cottages and protected beach.  Even little Pelee Island has a City Hall!  We were on the larger ferry, Jiimaan on the way back.  Lake Erie was flat but just before reaching land the clouds were rolling in.  Perfect timing!

Looking back to Pelee Island, Winery in background

 

Back at the campsite we noticed that the lake that was blocked by our campsite with a sand bar into Lake Erie had just broken and the slew was running into Lake Erie.  The slew dropped about a foot in a couple hours and we could see a brown stream flowing into Lake Erie with fish getting their freedom.

 

Daily Stats: 
Today's distance: 72 km 
Weather:  Light rain then sunshine; High: 25 degrees; Lo: 20 degrees
Wildlife:  Egret, wild turkeys, rabbits, snakes, and ring necked pheasant
Campsite:  Holiday Harbour RV
Walking:  5 km 

Day 38 Wheatley, ON to Point Pelee National Park

June 26

Point Pelee National Park

Yesterday was gross with the May Flies everywhere and sticking to everything!  Today not so bad!   Arriving at the Visitor Info centre we watched the 12 minute video on the history of the area, always a good start.  It is 2 km to the Point from the Visitor centre.  There is a trolley or you can walk.  We chose to walk on the West Beach Footpath.  We forgot about the May Flies!!!  They are in the bushes, on the leaves! As we walked by, we disturbed them, so they were all over us!!

 

Made it to the end of the Point!  We put our feet in Lake Erie on the most Southerly spit of mainland in Canada.  Point Pelee is just south of the 42 parallel, as far south as Rome and Barcelona.  On the way back we walked the Sparrow Field Footpath and the Woodland Nature Trail.  Then we drove to the DeLaurier Homestead and Trail which has the historic house and barn.  Cute yellow little birds along the marshes on the trail, we have yet to identify it. 

 Finally we walked the Marsh Boardwalk.  The viewing platform gave a good view of the marsh.  There were swallows everywhere; their nests were attached under the observation tower.  Red-winged blackbirds were nesting all over the marsh.  We also spotted painted turtles relaxing in the sun.  

Relaxing on the beach in the sunshine, Ross decided we needed to take a dip in Lake Erie.  Well we did, it was very cold.  Gorgeous evening and no thunderstorm tonight!! 

Daily Stats: 
Today's distance: 78 km 
Weather:  Sunshine with clouds; High: 31 degrees; Lo: 20 degrees
Park fee:  $7.80 / adult or $19.60 per group / family
Wildlife:  Wild turkeys, turtles, Redwing Black birds, sparrows, fish and 1,000,000 May Flies
Campsite:  Holiday Harbour RV Park
Walking:  10 km

Today's news event: From Washington – Keystone Pipeline – Hardesty, AB to Texas.  Will it go ahead amid all the controversy!!

Ontario Stats:
Flower:  White Trillion
Bird:  Common Loon