Saturday July 15 - Maritimes to New York 2017

We departed Cooperstown KOA for our final stretch of this journey. We should land at Charlie’s brother’s house by noontime.

Just outside of the KOA on Route 20, we came upon the Museum of Petrified Kreatures. Originally opened in 1934, the Petrified Creatures Museum of Natural History is a classic roadside dinosaur park that features misshapen creatures and a mineral-filled gift shop, but it sets itself apart with its brightly colored dinosaurs and acceptance of camp. Created in the mold of other, similar roadside dinosaur parks, each designed to entice families on road trips to pull over and buy marked up fossils from the gift shop while taking in the homemade prehistoric creatures, the Petrified Kreatures Museum embraces its kitsch status. 

Each of the concrete dinosaurs which stand in the backyard of the gift shop/house seems to have been molded from a vague memory of a picture of a dinosaur the creator once saw. From a t-rex that is seemingly a torso with teeth, to the brontosaurus with the crimped neck, to the triceratops with the soft round horns, each of the beasts is certainly unique. To make them even more strange, the last owners of the museum have painted each one a blinding shade or pink, orange, or similar shade of garish. Each dinosaur is also accompanied by a ramshackle information station consisting of a button in a mailbox that used to spout info when pressed. Sadly, the museum was closed permanently on June 16, 2016.

There is a historical marker in Richfield Hotel is the oldest tavern In Richfield. It was built By Nathan Dow in 1816. He was with Ethan Allen at Ticonderoga. The first summer guests arrived in 1821, when room and board was $1.25 per week.

Following this route, we get to enjoy the rolling hills and farms in this part of New York.

In Bridgewater, New York there is the Bridgewater Railroad Station, a historic train station located in Oneida County, New York. It was built in 1901 and is a one story, rectangular, timber frame building. It was built by the short line Unadilla Valley Railway and also served the separate line of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad branch to Richfield Springs, New York. It ceased operation as a station in 1960 and is now home to the Bridgewater Historical Society. It was added the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.

Moorisville, New York is home to a College, bearing the town's name. It is located in the geographic center of the state. It boasts a rural setting with one of the most diverse populations among the State Universities of New York campuses. They offer bachelor's and associate degree programs that are practical in nature within specialized areas in over 75 different majors. Morrisville is well-known for programs in business and entrepreneurship, agriculture and sustainability, hospitality and restaurant management, criminal justice, equine science and rehabilitation, and automotive.

Ahhhh, in New York you can see wildlife everywhere! 

We saw about 10 – 12 wild turkeys in a field. 

As well as a chicken on the corner!

When you are traveling on Route 20, you must stop at Pratt's Falls Park. It is a county park in Pompey, New York. This park officially opened to the public on July 3, 1934. 

The main attraction in this park is Pratt's Falls, a 137 foot cascade style waterfall. This geological wonder, formed by retreating glaciers, was the site of Onondaga County's first mill operation in 1796. Additionally the park features covered shelters, an enclosed pavilion known as Camp Brockway, hiking trails, two archery facilities, an archery course, picnic areas, and a playground. Pratt's Falls park is part of the Onondaga County Parks system. 

You know you are in New York State, Western New York State for sure ... when you see a billboard for Genessee Beer!

We used to call the Genessee Cream Ale, Scream Ale ... you can imagine why! But I know many people at our Sportsman Club that drink it today!

We moved off Route 20 onto Route 14 a and then onto Route 245. Gorham, New York is known as the "Bandstand of the Fingerlakes". This name is a result of the extensive marching band extravaganza that occurs each year in town.

This area is also home to a large population of Amish. They can be seen among all of the modern conveniences we are used to.

               

We also saw 4-legged wildlife in Middlesex, New York. There were 2 fawns in the road.

In Naples, New York everything is grapes and purple. Naples is home to the a Grape Festival annually.

               

Naples is also home to many wineries, but my favorite is Hazlett's ... home of Red Cat!

You know you have arrived in Cohocton, New York, when you see the wind turbines on the hillside!

Cohocton is our base for the next 30 to 45 days!