From Daredevils to Butterflies to Carousels!
For those loyal RV Lost Yet fans out there, you learned about the first stop of our summer journey already. For those of you who haven’t followed, tsk, tsk! But that’s okay, no better time than now. The first stop on our journey next month will be Niagra Falls. And today, I’m going to give you the line up, the juicy scoop, of what we hope to see and do while there. Well, okay, not EVERYTHING but pretty darn close.
I know, you’re probably thinking, they’re at Niagra Falls, what else do they plan on doing other than seeing the obvious, Niagra Falls! Well, that’s not how we roll here folks! While that is definitely on the agenda, we also have some other places in mind. So without further ado, here’s the line-up.
Niagra Power Project Visitors Center
I’m always on the lookout for any type of learning that can be turned into fun. The Niagra Power Project seems to have a little bit of that. This cool place will have your hair standing on end (literally). It boasts more than 50 interactive displays that help visitors learn about hydroelectricity. There are exhibits on solar energy and an electric lab specifically for kids where they can view an operating model of a hydropower turbine. There are electronic postcards that can be sent and demonstrations on how Niagara River water is diverted to generate electricity
It seems there is a bit of art to be adored here as well in the restoration of the seven-foot-high mural by American painter Thomas Hart Benton. It depicts Father Louis Hennepin and a group of Native Americans viewing Niagara Falls during the priest’s 17th century expedition in the New World.
In preparation for the trip, I’ll also be reading to the kids Geronimo Stilton’s, Field Trip to Niagra Falls. It’s a cute book that will give them an idea of what to expect.
You know the story of taking a barrel over the falls, right? Well, it’s absolutely true and there have been several daredevils who have attempted this feat in various types of vessels. This hall of fame showcases the actual vessels used by these brave souls or crazy folks, however you choose to look at it! This is what the website had to say about the hall of fame located in the IMAX theater:
Visit the world’s largest Niagara Daredevil exhibit. Hear the stories, feel the fear and touch the actual daredevil barrels. Nothing is behind ropes. They are not delicate after all, these are the true artifacts that survived the plunge so they can survive anything.
Call them thrill seekers; call them attention seekers; call them crazy, but 16 ‘daredevils’ have challenged the falls. The Daredevil gallery is the only collection of the original daredevil barrels. See and touch the actual barrels, spheres and chambers of death that carried the daredevils over the falls in Ontario, Canada, and relive the stories of those who dared to take the plunge.
If you’re interested in reading up on these idolized folks then Queen of the Falls looks like a good read for curious people like myself. I’ll be adding it to my arsenal.
I’m a sucker for all things nature oriented. I love to go to farms and get back to the basics. Not to mention all the yummy homemade jams, breads and more! So of course this orchard is high on my list of ‘things to do’. But there is another thing that is drawing me in, the history behind Murphy Orchards. The orchard is the site of an underground railroad. This is what they share on their website:
There is a concealed chamber beneath the barn (the trap door entrance to this chamber can be viewed from inside the barn) where people escaping from slavery organized secret routes throughout the United States. Here they were able to hide and were cared for by the McClew family until it was safe for them to continue on their journey to freedom in Canada.
The farm has been a family owned and operated fruit farm in continuous production since the early 1800s. I’m hoping to be there during either strawberry or cherry season. They also ship their jams/jellies so if anyone is interested, click on their link above.
Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum
This place looks ultra-cool and I definitely have to add it to our agenda. I mean, carousel’s on their own accord are always a fun treat. But when you add in the history of how they’re made and see woodcarving going on right in front of your eyes, super duper cool.
The factory is located in North Tonawanda and is one of the last existing complexes in the United States which housed the production of wooden carousels. In the highlight of carousel production, there were 50 to 75 carvers who worked in the woodworking shop. There is also a paint shop, a storage area, an upholstery shop, a machine shop and a roundhouse in which carousels were assembled and tested before shipping.
The complex, which is listed on both the New York State and National Registers of Historic Sites, is a series of seven interconnected structures which once housed all of the manufacturing components of the Allan Herschell Company. The company shipped its first ride from this factory complex in 1916. And with a motto of “once around is never enough”, how can you go wrong?
Niagra Parks Butterfly Conservatory
We love butterflies so how could we not check out North America’s largest collection of free-flying butterflies? There is a rainforest-like conservatory and more than 2,000 specimens and 50 species available for viewing. The center produces 45,000 butterflies annually as well as imports species from Costa Rica, El Salvador, the Philippines, and Australia. So what’s the secret to having a butterfly land on you? Wear colorful clothing, perfume or cologne and move slowly. In other words, act like a flower.
Alright, so we ARE heading to Niagra Falls, right? Of course we have to go riding into the roaring, churning waters and blinding mist. I’ve read that at the bottom of the Falls, they run the engines just enough to hold the boat still as huge walls of water pour down all around. Hey, what the heck, they offer waterproof gear if you need it.
Where We’ll Be Staying
As mentioned in a previous post, we will be staying at Four Mile Creek State Park. It was really reasonable (considering it’s a tourist location) at $28/night for out of state guests. New York residents can stay for $23/night. This rate includes 50amp hook-ups only. We’ll have to make sure we have a full water tank and use the bathhouses for showers.
So there you have it folks, a little flavor of what we’ll be up to. We may scrap an item and/or add in a thing or two as time permits. Make sure you follow along with us as we plan for the next leg or our trip, Lake George, NY.
{HUGS} from the Crew
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