Syracuse to Schenectady

Some day you are going to be so surprised to find captions on individual pictures! But not tonight! Grrrrr, why can't I get this right?????

1. The Erie Canal Museum barge

2. Side of the barge

3. Guys who worked at the Syracuse Weighlock Building

4. Elevator doors with a great picture of the later Erie Canal locks

5. Kelly Cole and Erik

6. A turnpike/tollroad/express-way service plaza

7. Inside the service plaza

8. The food court

9. Finally! Some recycling bins

10. Hanging stop lights

We are quite familiar today with Interstate 90. We drove this toll road from Niagara Falls to Schenectady with a short detour. Along these expressways we have found fabulous service plazas. Lots of room to park, restaurants, souvenir shops, immaculate bathrooms, tourist information, gasoline, ATM's, coffee houses, candy stores. Just about anything the traveler could need or use. Today was the first time we saw any recycling bins to speak off. Glad to see those! Another thing we noticed today were many stoplights hanging over the street. Sort of confusing and we wondered what would happen in a strong wind. I think the inventor of the street light was from this area. Anyone out there remember?

We buzzed along the Interstate at 65 mph and the the only thing that keeps the speed down is cruise control. We are seeing some of the trees begin to color up in the heavily wooded areas. The sides of the Interestate are mowed making it seem like a lovely garden. The grass is green and dotted with wildflowers and then the trees rise behind. Small farms are nestled in the rolling hills and the word Shenandoah comes to mind.

Decided to pull off the Interstate at Syracuse and wandered around looking for a place to have lunch. Lee and Judi weren't that interested in the Erie Canal Museum but the gods were with me as several forces (need for a bathroom, parking, and location of the museum) came together and we had a delightful stop in Syracuse which included a visit to the Erie Canal Museum.

I was in the wrong lane to stop at Mimi's (guess that is the chain we have in California) so had to continue on down the street. Parked and walked a block to Kelly Cole's Improper restaurant and pub. Our darling waiter, Erik, helped us choose some very yummy things from a great menu. The sweet potato fries were the best I've ever had, Lee's Blue Moon ale had a hint of orange flavor, and Judi's homemade potato chips were delicious and were washed down with a Syracuse Pale Ale. Erik was so enthusiastic about the beers and the food and it was a great meal. When we asked who Kelly Cole was he pointed to his stepmother who was behind the bar. The place was jammed when we went in and it appeared there were many regulars from downtown Syracuse. A very warm and comfortable place and gets my vote for one of the best we've encountered since California! And when we asked Erik where the Erie Canal Museum was, he pointed across the street!!!!!

After taking Kitty and Erik's picture I ran across the street and Judi and Lee followed in a bit. The museum was very small but packed with good informtion. The resident expert was knowledgable and very personable. Answered lots of questions and I was able to buy a tile for my growing collection. I didn't know that the canal was drained in the winter and parts were used for ice skating! There are still parts of the New York canal system that are in use today but primarily for recreation and the occasional big shipment (GE turbines, etc.) sent to Lake Erie. Very interesting stop!

On Lee's suggestion we drove along a small county road through small towns--Fayetteville, Chittenango, Oneida, Wampsville, Canastota and rejoined the Interstate just before Utica. (Don't you just love those names?) After driving since Niagara I had a chance to sit in the back seat and promptly fell asleep! We arrived in Schnectady about 6:30. Looks like an interesting place but it is on the road early tomorrow as we head into Vermont and we have lots planned! Staying at a Days Inn which won't be our first choice again but the room is large. We particularly notice the stale cigarette smell in some of these older places. Most of the motels we have been staying in have never had any smokers on the premises. Makes a difference. And that is coming for a former smoker!

Judi and Lee are making my bed so I better go help! We have a huge room with a king sized bed and a sleeper sofa. We are a bit more partial to 2 queens with pillow top mattress but we can't expect the Belden Stratford every night. On to Vermont!

Love, the Gotta Go Girls