Seneca Falls, NY 6-5-2014

 The land around the lakes is perfect for growing grapes - the deep water keeps the weather mild -- thus wine country...... hundreds of them surround the many finger lakes.

And along the lakes are lake front properties!  Love the beach front views.

The town of Seneca Falls held many surprises. The Cayuga-Seneca Canal was part of the Erie Canal systems. The canals opened up the area for transporting people and goods in the western frontier.  It was the home of many industries - mills and factories - fire trucks productions,  Goulds Pumps and more.

Also the home of Women's Rights Convention in 1848 and on to today.

Seneca Falls is also known as "Bedford Falls" in the movie staring Jimmy Stewart  as George Bailey - "It's A Wonderful Life"  Many scenic spots - the Partridge Bldg is now Bank of America, Cayuga Street is where George & Mary lived, railroad station is still there, and of course the Bridge Street bridge (really the Water St Bridge) that George leaped from to save the Angel.  The town celebrates each December with festivals.

 

The homes along Cayuga Street are often very spectacular.  Very beautiful old homes.

 These canal 'houseboats' are rented by the week.  What a neat vacation.
Note the sign "Life in the Past Lane"

The 

The Cayuga-Seneca Canal connects the Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake - This lock raises 49.9'   It is just one of many locks in the system.

 Rural Farms are enjoyable to see!

Wed June 4, 2014 - Corning, NY

Today we drove south from Ovid (the land between the lake of Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake) to Corning, NY --- home of Corning Glass Museum.  Incredible history of glass from late BC to the present.   Glass used for practical and decorative purpose thru the ages.

Scenery is amazing pastoral with rural farms, vineyards, lake view homes with plenty of trees and green.  Farmers both English and Amish are all in the fields planting.  Folks are mowing acres of grass.

 
 Especially enjoyed learning more about fiber optic cables that can carry billions of messages at one time --- very fine glass cables.

 Okay - I have 3 of the same pictures - can't figure out how to remove the extra ones without starting all over.

Beautiful Red Poppies were blooming in the garden.

On the return trip north on 414 enjoyed Hector Falls and old homes.

An enjoyable day in NY

Palmyra, NY

The Finger Lake area of NY is a pleasant surprise.  Not only beautiful lake views, green rolling hills, rural farms and small towns scattered about, but also Wineries galore!  We enjoyed the Moron history sites of Whitmer Farm, Boyhood home of Joseph Smith, and the grove of trees where he discovered the gold plates translating into the Book of Mormon.

 Home of Joseph Smith

Continuing East 2014

We enjoyed Escapade in Goshen, IN --- in spite of the rainy days --- there were lots of SKP friends and hugs.

Then it was time for some RV repairs at Duncan's in Elkhart..... done quickly and easily.... decided to stay the holiday weekend..... then the slide motor died.  So it was back to the shop!  They got us going again and the RV is ready to roll.

The next stop --- New Wilmington, PA --- to visit with family.  Always a treat to visit.  Henry is celebrating 94 yrs.  Claudia, Jim & Andy are always welcoming. 
  Of course the RV wasn't quite done demanding some attention as the dump valve needed some attention.

New Wilmington area is also Amish --- We have taken a picture of this farm many times thru the years.

 

  Thank you Claudia, Jim, Andy and Henry for an enjoyable visit.

Surprise Party

April 26, 2014  It is always fun to have a family gathering when we come 'home' to Indiana.  And what a surprise it was - as everyone was there to celebrate our upcoming 50th Anniversary (August 29, 1964-2014)  Thank you Kathie & Sean for planning the "Surprise".  We were glad to have Carol & Becky, Ann & Bill Lamott, Andrew & Emily with Catherine, Grace and Andrew, Amy Orr, Holly & Danny Messick, JoAnne Orr and Amy Orr and family. Thank you all for a wonderful surprise!

Traveling to Indiana

Late April 2014 ---- We enjoyed a stop to visit with Sean & Kim.  Of course there is always a project to do -- and a Louisville Bats game to enjoy!   
 
 
 
We parked at Becky's - enjoying visiting in the Valparaiso, IN area.  Kathie came from LA, so sightseeing was in order..... Enjoyed the Fair Oaks Farm tour  - south off I-65.  The Dairy and Pig exhibits were terrific!

 
 

Time to leave AZ

April 2014 - An enjoyable spring at North Ranch --- and it is time to travel east.  Desert cactus are beginning to bloom.  Penny is in for grand adventures!

 

The #32 Verde Valley Rally was the perfect ending to the season and farewells to friends.

 

Branson, MO is always a fun time.  Enjoyed visiting with new and old SKP friends and of course a few shows.  The Sights & Sounds theatre - "Jonah" was a highlight.