Niagara and Maumee

As we drive by Lake Erie on a beautiful day it looks peaceful and serene. However, the Niagara River flows from it and passes under this bridge and then...the river cascades down 167 feet which makes for the world famous spectacular falls.

Half a million gallons per second...the deafening roar, the cool misty air, and the stunning view all make for an exhilarating experience.

 The Rainbow Bridge to Canada is down stream from the falls where the river continues on to Lake Ontario.

We opted for viewing from the observation deck instead of joining the people who looked like drown rats on the boat or path way below.

A glorious sunset from our campground that evening. Lord, your creation is majestic!

Next day a quick drive through Pennsylvania then we camped in Ohio at Maumee State Park. This is the 4th time we've camped at a state park in Ohio and we definitely rate them at the top on the Meadow Meter. Spacious sites, huge open spaces, clean, trails for hiking or biking, quiet wilderness blended with activity areas. What more could you ask for?

 This beach on Lake Erie was all seashells...what?

Lorraine found some family relatives living in this bird house...Purple Martins.

 If you look closely you can see the family resemblance. Ha

 This Triple D diner in Indiana was worth going the extra few miles off the main road. Award winning chili, crab cakes and the real clincher...pies galore. Had a piece there and got one to go!

Route 20 Upstate New York

Good morning America, how are you? I'd say you're looking quite lovely as we drive by your farm lands, fields and vineyards. 150 miles on Scenic Route 20 through Upstate New York was the perfect way to slow down and take in all the beauty.

Little towns and villages along the route were busy with Saturday morning farmers markets. We enjoyed shopping at one in Cazenovia with local fresh fare from the farmers all along Route 20. Pictured below are the items we bought: fresh greens picked that morning, slow churned Meadow Butter, loaf of spelt bread, Delmonico steaks from grass fed beef (pictured), bottle of wine from local vineyard and of course, a fresh baked berry pie. All set for dinner tonight. 

And this is for you Leah...Woodstock! Or at least a field that looks just like it.

We got to see bit of Amish life in action. Traditional black surrey (no fringe) trotting through town and a field being plowed by a four horse team and driver.

The Finger Lake Region is the Napa Valley of Upstate New York. We were surprised to learn this area had so many local vineyards and wineries, each one open for tasting. So when in Rome...we stopped to sample some at this lovely winery, Atwater Estate Vineyards. 

Nestled in the Lake Cayuga area was Watkins Glen State Park. We settled into our campsite then took a refreshing hike down the Gorge Trail into Glen Creek with19 waterfalls and unique sculpted rock. 

The late afternoon sun gave birth to beautiful rainbows in the waterfalls. 

On the trail behind the waterfall

Now back at camp and ready to enjoy the tasty fare we bought at the farmers market this morning. Thank you Lord for your goodness to us, an exceptional day to remember!

Cooperstown

Once we left the busy roads around Boston it was smooth sailing to our next destination. It may seem silly to keep posting pictures of roads but this is what we are doing every day and this is the type of traffic that makes road trips so much fun.

 So after a couple of hours we arrived in Cooperstown, New York, the location of Baseball's Hall of Fame.  The town had a classic main street right out of the 1900's.

Being a true die hard baseball fan Tom enjoyed the museum's exhibits of over 150 years of baseball history. Sandy Koufax is a longtime Meadows family favorite but in Lorraine's book, Salvador Perez of the Kansa City Royals ranks high on her Meadow Meter.

...and Tom makes a great catch of a dangerous flying baseball bat.

Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo...from the reknown Broadway show "Damn Yankees"

Back to camp to enjoy a relaxing evening on the lake.