There's a lot to Buffalo and not just Niagra Falls. Sure, the falls are gorgeous and more than 12 million people visit every year. It shouldn't surprise anyone, as it is one of the world's natural wonders. If you've never been, go. We took the Maid of the Mist, the vessel that fills up with a couple of hundred of your closest friends from different countries, got wet and enjoyed every second of it. The boat takes you to the bottom of the American and Canadian falls and you realize that millions of gallons of water are roaring down every second. The Great Lakes feed the falls and none of us will live to see it run dry. Just be glad you don't use that much H2O and have to pay the bill!
We spent the day walking (8 miles worth), on either side of the border. We had a late lunch in Canada, which was good. Although we spent the entire day there, it wasn't enough - far too much to see and do, but we wanted to see other things and did just that. After lunch, I went to the Loo. The guy at the end just hung there, made me nervous, said nothing. I reported him to Canadian authorities, but left before the apprehension.
We stayed at a campground in Tonowanda. It was in a convenient location. Yeah, that's enough of a description, as we did nothing there. Frankly, there wasn't anything to do there, thankfully. As campgrounds go, it was perfect in that it had full hook ups, but you never spent any time there. You were too busy visiting places and seeing things. Actually, that's a good thing because there was absolutley nothing to do there - I think I said that already...
Got Locked Up & Down
We went to Lockport, which is where you get to experience the locks on the Erie Canal. The history is incredible, as the canals played a vital role in early America's commerce. It just wasn't taking a cruise, or watching the locks fill or drain with water, but the engineering marvel and ingenuity to solve a young American growth problem.
The captain explained a lot of this as we waited for the 50' rise/fall of water. This feat was accomplished in the early 1800's.
There was an underground waterway built that helped drain the locks, but we didn't take that tour. We walked beside the canal to a lunch place next to City Hall called Stooges, which was pretty interesting and very popular. They build stuffed burgers. Stuff it with whatever you like. After eating and drinking there, it made sense. Yup, that good.
While solving early trade transportation problems, Lockport prosperity also grew. A lot of industrial buildings lined the banks of the canals, storing all manner of goods that would eventually make its way onto the canal for transport to other places. Some of those buildings still stand today.
The hot weather continued to bother us, but the canal cruise made it bearable, as there was a subtle breeze. It begs the question - what about winter? Actually, the canal gets drained to avoid a lot of problems to businesses and homes on the eastern side of the river. This excursion was not at all expensive and well worth the 1 1/2 hours to do. Just a note... Travel up river about an hour and take a left you'll wind up on Lake Ontario. Take a right, you'll go over Niagra Falls. We were lucky, as the captain said he had plans for the evening which meant we were going...
Zweigle's, Sahlen's and Wardynski's
I like hot dogs. Ever since I was a kid, I liked hot dogs. Outside of shoveling sidewalks and driveways in the winter, one of my first jobs was working at a hot dog stand. Out of business now, Kuhn's was on top of Tunxis Hill in Fairfield and one of a handful of great hot dog stands. They cooked Rosseler's by first blanching them in a fryer, then finishing them on a flat grill. Toast the bun, line it with cut up bacon and top it with what ever you like. They were really good. In Fairfield center, there was Rawley's and if you go there, my brothers intials are carved in the wall. I like hot dogs, but I'm not sure about Julie.
But now we're in Buffalo and they also lay claim to good hot dogs. Whites & Super Hots are among the types you can have and they're just as good. A little different, but good nonetheless. Happiness is a key health benefit. Eating hot dogs makes me happy. Hot dogs must be healthy. My physician might disagree, but I'm not sure he had one from Rutts Hut in New Jersey. Julie thought the hot dogs were terrible. This isn't good.
The next day we went to Olcott to enjoy the lakefront, which is where we had a Zweigle's. Olcott is an interesting place, where fishing is big and a bit of a mecca. There's Krull Park, some 300+ areas of waterfront vistas, trees and stone walls/stairs. Even as hot as it was, the shore breeze under the trees was welcome and refreshing. There's the Village Shops, an old carousel, wineries, marinas... a lot to see and do.
Play Ball
Julie got tickets to the Buffalo Bisons. The Bisons are the AAA affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The stadium is large, comfortable and our server came down to our seats to offer food and rereshments. Sahlen Field (yeah, the hot dog maker), is where they play. But before we watched them play the Scanton-Wilkes Barre Yankees, we ate at a waterfront restaurant. Templeton Landing is a large facility with indoor and outdoor seating, and a gorgeous view of the marina on Lake Erie. Even though the heat continued, the waterfront, along with a little help from craft cocktails, we were quite comfortable.
After dinner, we walked to the ball park and passed a lot of naval vessels dry docked. Julie and I agreed to spend more time in the city and vowed to return. It shouldn't come as a surprise that when we go back, Julie won't be dining on hot dogs.
One of the last things we did before leaving New York and heading for Ohio was to visit Fort Niagra. Similar in reproduction to Ft. Ticonderoga, the grounds were well groomed, complete with workers who served at the fort in various roles, not just soldiers.
The Buffalo area was a blast. We were never at a loss for things to do, things to see and where to grab a bite. Julie's retirement gig is kicking in!
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