travel

Flix Bus To Niagara Falls

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Started out at 3:30 a.m. for a 5 a.m. bus ride via Flix Bus to Niagara Falls. Drove to the Syracuse Walsh Transport Center which was clean and orderly. There were the usual suspects, the homeless, and overnighters, but since they did not pan handle all was okay.

Flix Buses have Asian drivers who speak little English but get by. Buses are clean and prices low. Paid $30 round trip for this fare to Niagara Falls which was 3 hours each way.

As this was my first trip on Flix was unaware the bus did not have any schedule info in terminal.  The bus meets outside the terminal.  Learned this by asking a young female traveler with her mom. 

The last time I took one of these non-traditional bus lines I traveled from North Carolina to New York City and found the driver and passengers unruly to the point of scary, however, this journey was civilized. And while the morning bus driver spoke loudly the entire route on his cell phone in Chinese, the afternoon driver was much more respectful. He had a DOT inspection before leaving Niagara Falls and his logs were in order. WHEW!

Besides this complaint the only other problem was wifi charging, and seat belt malfunction. But you get what you pay for.

Had a few take aways from the ride out:

Rochester was announced Lachester..

And as leaving one station the door to the luggage compartment wasn’t closed. Oh well.. For a laugh…..

 

Showing: The Walk and The Inspection

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After grooming the dog is shown. This is done by breed. The dog walks, then runs, then is inspected by judges who have much dog experience especially by breed.

The Wait..

While this pageantry is competitive the folks that attend these events become like family. Many know each other for years and while some may become “sore” saying their dog didn’t win as the winning dog was a friend of the judge, overall, it is a pleasant sportsmanship. Here the dogs are waiting to be shown. Note also the owners and their garb as many dress for the event. While owners may show their dogs they also may pay professionals to show their dog.

The Walk, then run by an Australian Shepard. These animals come in a variety of colors and can be born with/without their tails. Cost $3-5,000.

Inspection

The Winners

What they win..

This is for the dog but there were also placards given out for the owners.

Dog Show: Syracuse Fair Grounds

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Attended one of the Central New York Dog Shows at the Syracuse Fair Grounds in March. If you get a chance to attend one of these, go. What sights and what laughs..

Walking in to a dog show is like visiting a fine salon with the smells of hair products and grooming galore techniques.

These orange “curlers,” for lack of a better phrase, keep the dog’s hair from frizzing out.

What a hoot!

More grooming and primping shots..

He’s working on the dog’s head.

And she’s working on this guy’s tail.

Then there’s the pedicure..

More grooming shots for a laugh..

Pink curlers here for this guy or is it a girl??

And a short rest after primping..

Isn’t she gorgeous??

Tools of the Trade

All owners seem to carry these combs on their arms.

A grateful dog that all this is over.. Time for a hug!

The Next Chapter

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Another Date Night

This is my second trip to this venue. Love their soups and beer but tonight tried their wood fired pizza which was also tasty.

Where it’s made and the finale..

As you can see I enjoyed the fare..

They also have music and trivia. Here’s their bulletin board listing..

The Bar

and the musicians…

And all this delicious beer and food is made in the next room. Would love a tour.

So, if you are in the area stop by for a brew, pizza, or whatever.

I guarantee a good time.

The Next Chapter is in the Genesee Center right on Genesee Street – a stones throw from Wegman’s.

And did I mention great prices??

Women’s Hall of Fame

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Along the Cayuga-Seneca Canal River Walk is the Women’s Hall of Fame. Here great women of inspiration have been highlighted since 1969. More than 300 inductees from American history and present day have been honored. Those in the arts, sciences, and politics, have found mention, and acclaim in this space. The exhibit was fascinating, and more interesting exhibits are planned.

This building is of particular note as it was a functional knitting mill from 1844-1999. The mill exhibit is another fascinating piece. The building has been under construction for 7 years and retains the original floors and beams.

Those who we know of, and those we don’t..

Women in Sports..

Julie Krone, inducted in 1993, won the prestigious Triple Crown in Racing and over 3700 races.

Tammy Duckworth – politics and military has several firsts.

  • First disabled female elected to congress.
  • First woman to fly missions in the Iraq War.
  • First woman to give birth as a congress woman.
  • She hails from Illinois.

And let us end with Susan B. Anthony.

In 1872, 15 women from Rochester registered to vote and voted. Later there votes were found illegal, however, 14 were let go, but Susan B. Anthony was jailed. She was fined $500. of which her lawyer paid, as she would not. In her trial she conveyed the 14th Amendment as her defense, however, found guilty and charged another $100,, of which she did not pay. This bench is from the Rochester Court were the trial occurred.

The Ladies of Seneca Falls

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When visiting Seneca Falls make sure to visit these statutes, take in the beauty of the river.

The chance meeting of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton by Amelia Bloomer

The Ripples of Change Statute Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Laua Cornelius Kellogg, and Martha Coffin Wright

The Trinity Episcopal Church – now an apartment building was connected to many of the abolitionist and women’s rights activities. It is directly across from the statutes.

And lastly, the Erie Canal walkway is another spot to take in the beauty of the river and enjoy the area.

Here boats can tie and stop to visit the area as they continue their journey on the Erie Canal.

Cayuga-Seneca Canal

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Having written about the locks of the Erie Canal in former blogs was pleased to find one near the Stanton home. Let’s take a glimpse..

What a massive structure, this picture does not give it justice.

The doors which hold back the water.

The sides of the lock.

Another view..

Closer view of the doors to the lock..

Fascinating!

Seneca Falls, New York

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Central New York has a long history of fighting for Women’s Rights. On this sunny March day decided to take a trek to this area starting at the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Home.

Early Beginnings

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was born of privilege to a Boston based family where her father was a prominent lawyer and later circuit district judge. She was educated at the now Emma Willard School in Troy, New York, where women such as Jane Fonda were educated in present day. She married Henry Stanton, a young lawyer whom she met through friends. He was an abolitionist, and with his health poor, it is believed he suffered from asthma, and career not blossoming, her father suggested the young family move to Seneca Falls where he owned a home.

Her father gave Elizabeth the home on two conditions – she would maintain the home in her name, and renovate the property as it was in disrepair. Elizabeth did both as she cared for her 2 sons and increased their family during their stay from 1847 to 1862 to 5 boys and 2 girls. In this area Henry’s health and career also prospered.

Views of the Property

The Drawing Room

An 1840 desk similar to what Elizabeth would have written on.

Intellectual Stymie

Though Elizabeth enjoyed the area her intellectual stimulation was dwarfed. In Boston she had contact with many educated neighbors such as Thoreau and Emerson, however, this area was filled with Irish immigrants, and those who spoke no English. No longer did she have the interesting conversation or debates of Boston.

She wrote her friends and began contact with Susan B. Anthony, a married woman without children who was the direct opposite of Elizabeth, a known party girl. Together they promoted the cause for women’s rights with Elizabeth’s stories blending with Susan’s travel information.

Besides writing Elizabeth also farmed the land having a functional homestead with vegetables and an orchard. And in 1862, when her husband was given a post at the Customs House in New York City, the home was then sold with the family moving to New York.

However, this was not the end of Elizabeth’s work, she continued working as an agent of social change in New York City.