Heading east to Seneca Falls NY (August 12-14)

After having such a good time playing tourist, we met some nice people in 4 Mile Campground who told us of yet another good place to eat in a quaint town near by, Lewiston. In order to fortify ourselves for the work ahead (Irene doing laundry and Mary Sue doing blog work at the library in Youngstown) we drove the opposite direction to go to Apple Granny's for lunch. We had been told their Fish and Chips were delicious, but not that they were served on Friday only. No problem! Mary Sue continued to sample a Blue Cheese Burger which was disappointing because it was served with blue cheese salad dressing on the side to pour over the burger. Irene had breaded Haddock which was huge which made up for not being beer battered.

 

Mary Sue's brother James gave us a book years ago Road Trip USA, which we're using on this trip.  We are heading south and east toward Lockport, then will drop farther south to pick up US 20 E traveling through small towns or villages as they are called here.

We arrive at Lockport, home of 5 locks along the Erie Canal. They've been "remodeled" several times and now measure 328' long 45' wide and 12'deep. This permits boats a maximum of 300' long, 43' wide and 11' deep to carry 2000 tons of freight. Unfortunately since trains came on the scene, not that much commerce exists on the Erie Canal. Cleverly named ice cream shop, but nothing special.  We are learning the difference between fruit vs. artificial syrup flavored ice creams.

We passed through Waterloo, "home of Memorial Day."  Enough of the small villages, we are ready to stop for the day!

We arrived at Cayuga Lake SP late afternoon; however it took us 1 ½ hrs to find a camping site. It took so long because we were going to splurge for electricity but our Progressive Industries Electrical Management System told us the amount of electricity was too much (132 volts) and would not let any power come to our rig. After much ado, we moved to a dry camping site for 2 nights. 

We started our day with the Seneca Falls Visitors Center & Museum on Main Street. It's free and packed with information and displays that shed a light on the inventiveness of this area, in part because of where it is located, on the canal system. There were inventions/patents  which led to many industries over the years and prosperity.  The Seneca Knitting Mills got its start sewing 84,000 pairs of socks for soldiers in the Civil War.  Several companies specialized in water pumps and fire engines. The Wescott Rule Co. started in 1872, a lawnmower company and bloomers got their start here too.  

Next up and just across the street is the National Women's Hall of Fame, showcasing great women who have inspired us over the years in all walks of life. Early on it was mostly science and education (nurses, doctors and teachers), but then expands to the arts, athletics, business, government, humanities, and philanthropy. Founded in 1969 inductees include Harriet Tubman (Underground Railroad), Madeleine Albright, Susan B. Anthony, Juliette Gordon Low (Girl Scouts) and over 250 other outstanding women.  Their future home will be the former Seneca Knitting Mills.

The Finger Lakes are gorgeous and while viewing them we went to Wolffy's and had the best clam chowder and beer to go with it. Then off to find NY wines at what was reported to be the most award winning winery on Lake Cayuga, "Thirsty Owl Wine Company", tasted and bought a couple of wines new to us, Traminette and Diamond (sweet). Different from anything we have with us and could use on the trip. Fully recharged with good food and drink we are up for one more museum.

The statues in Seneca Falls depict Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony being introduced by Amelia Bloomer in 1851.

Saving the best for last we visit the Women's Rights NHP. Even Irene was blown away by this National Historical Park and an excellent film about the women involved. On July 19 & 20,1848 more than 300 people attended the first Women's Rights Convention here. The guiding theme of the Convention presented in the "Declaration of Sentiments" declared that "all men and women are created equal." By this they meant equal in property and custody laws, educational opportunities, and participation in the church, professions, and politics. It only took another 72 years for women to gain the right to vote in the US. This one is a keeper!

As one enters the visitor center, they are greeted with "The First Wave"sculpture group byLloyd  Lillie with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Frederick Douglass in the front row, to the left.

All this new knowledge is exhausting for me, but I actually did enjoy it all. Mary Sue's eating it up with a spoon because she already knows most of it and is just enriching her knowledge. Hopefully we'll drive more tomorrow!

For those interested in tidbits other than history, "It's a Wonderful Life" Festival is celebrated the second weekend in December every year.  This 1946 holiday classic is set in Bedford Falls  and many believe Seneca Falls is what was seen in the film and Frank Capra,the director of the film, visited Seneca Falls in 1945.  There are a number of similarities between the villages' and whether true or not the village of Seneca Falls is having fun with it with lanes named Angel, Clarence, Bedford Falls, and George Bailey.