On the way to Niagara - Watkins Glen, NY
Watkins Glen, NY
Okay I'm back, been a while since I've had a chance to blog, but I'll try to catch up now. We only overnighted in New York, at the Roosevelt Hotel. Hotel's probably not worth mentioning, very old world and grand lobby, but overall rooms were old and service not the best we've come across, they even reckoned we had cancelled our booking!? Anyway up early before sun up the next morning to jump on the bus to Niagara. Bus was comfy apart from the passengers in front who insist on reclining into your lap. Tour guide lady was friendly, German originally, so still had a slight accent and some odd phrases every now and again, but overall excellent. Maccas stop about 2 hours out for wees and brekky at a place called East Stroudsburg. Fran was salivating over her sausage McGriddle, which is basically a sausage and egg McMuffin but with pikelets instead of a muffin! Passed through some amazing scenery, lots of autumn colours and I even spotted a deer! ( don't listen to Fran, she's just jealous she didn't see it!! ) Lunch stop was at a place called Watkins Glen which happens to have a classic motor racing circuit that used to be used for Formula 1 up until the early 80's and still hosts big Indycar, Nascar and Sports car events now. Unfortunately for me that wasn't part of the tour :-(. :-( What we did see is a beautiful little canyon with stone bridges and waterfalls and autumn colours everywhere. After lunch we continued up through the finger lakes country, one of the east coasts biggest wine regions. Once in Niagara we watched a short movie in the visitor centre and went to a couple of lookouts on the American side of the falls. It was quite spectacular to see such an incredible volume of water going over the edge, and to think the hydroelectric plants were taking about 60% of the water! What would it look like if that was given back!!!! At dusk we went through immigration and over the bridge into Canada and managed to score one of the good rooms with a massive spa bath. Dinner was at a great Italian restaurant, ( have I mentioned yet how huge all the servings are over here?? we end up stuffed and still leaving heaps behind!! ) and then we hit the streets of Niagara Falls. Given its a massive tourist destination it shouldn't of surprised us that downtown Niagara is a bit like a theme park, all neon lights and rides and haunted houses etc.. It was hilarious following Fran around in the haunted house, jumping & squealing at every little thing that jumped out or touched her! The falls themselves lit up with coloured lights at night were absolutely spectacular, but proved hard to get a good photo of, especially the main Horseshoe Falls just because of how much spay & mist was coming off of them!!