The Open Road - North East States (PA, NY)

Time2spend'08 (View Time2spend'08's trips)

Starting out on US- 15 North traveling to Wellsboro, PA (The Little Grand Canyon). Might I add it was scenic but no more than a 3-hour stop. Elevation of the MT. is at 1833 ft. air temp. 62 F. (If your not wishing to go on the trails this stop is no more than 30 minutes for picture taking and the like.) Should you pack a picnic basket, also take spare clothing, climbing shoes for their Turkey Trail that descends 1000 ft or so down a dirt path, slippery when wet. State Park closes at sunset and reopens at dawn. They have two cheap hotels and a park for RV's. If you want classy hotels you must drive to the other end of Town. This makes for a good day trip at best. Go out the road you came in on. The roads are not marked to well, (one lane each side of the roadway) this is a rural setting. Then we packed up and headed for New York State. There off US-15 North, we stayed at The Erwin Motel $50 a night w/ a average size outdoor swimming pool. Small room for two and a bite-size breakfast w/ coffee at hotel lobby. On a Sunday after-noon we drove back on US-15 North to I-86 to Wakins Glenn State Park (NY). Well worth the $7 per person park fee. Make sure you park at the upper enterence, so that you can climb down the 400 or so steps on the Gorge trail. Beautiful water falls and rock formations can't beat it. There are however impatient crowd gathers and some lines on the trails. The walkways are slippery so watch your step. There are a few side trails off the main gorge trail which leads through wooded area's. We prefered to stay on the main water route, and went through tunnels, down a spiral staircase, underneath a small water fall, and posed for several pictures. Take a video camera for sure- its any cam-corders paradise! Never mind the impatient on-lookers they can go around! Be sure though to spend an equal amount of time with your group esp. the wife. Because after cam-cording some of the gorge trail you'll have taken great video pictures but you won't have enjoyed the trip itself. Because any cam-corder person alike will tell you it takes work to produce good shots. So limit the cam corder use, there are plenty of views to take in after the one mile marker on gorge trail. After the 1 1/2 hour walk on wet slate/dirt walkway is complete a gift shop and shuttle service await you. Shuttle service is a must at $3 per person, unless you don't mind walking back up the area in which you came down. By mid afternoon we had a late brunch at picnic area nearby where our car had been parked (upper enterence). We then proceeded up NY - 14 north to the New York State TurnPike West (toll) towards Buffalo (Niagrara Falls-USA) This we did before nightfall arrived. When approaching The USA city Niagrara Falls you drive over two bridges paying tolls, then as you enter the park from Moses State Parkway (Highway) you'll pay $10 for parking. We arrived at 7pm and had until midnight to park there. (at Goat Island?) The American Falls and Horseshoe falls are a must see attraction. You can look for free from Goat Island, however plan on walking about 15 minutes one way over the Nigrara River walk bridge (to the rightside) (the center lane is for service vehicles) it is roped off you will see. Bare to the right an walk towards tree-line down pathway to American Falls view area. A small guard-rail that is 3ft high over-looks the falls. Watch your children very closely. The Niagrara river moves very fast as it should over the falls. To see the American falls from a different view USA side and walk upwards to the left for another platform view. After looking addionally there proceed to your left down a walkway for 5 minutes and you'll come to an overlook of the Horseshoe Falls. Very Breath taking drop. Again a 3ft high guard rail and pushy people, watch your kids. No over night hotel stay for us, we left by Midnight. If your wanting to go across the border have your passport. But to save time just buy the postcard DVD for $10 dollars at gift shop.

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