Two Lane Adventure in New York – Monday, July 1st 2019

We departed Troy to head back to Cohocton. Leaving Chief and Diane’s house, we drove past the Oakwood Cemetery. Who is buried in Oakwood Cemetery? Uncle Sam, that’s who! The original Uncle Sam was a meat packer and is now buried in Troy, New York. A lot of people think that Samuel Wilson of Troy, New York, was Uncle Sam. Samuel, however, seemed unaware of it. His simple tombstone in Oakwood Cemetery merely lists his name, age, and death date. Seventy-seven years passed while Samuel rested in sleepy obscurity. Then his granddaughter erected a much larger stone and brass plaque on the spot, declaring that Samuel had in fact been Uncle Sam. Directional signs appeared, both inside and outside the cemetery, guiding people to the grave. Born in Massachusetts shortly before the American Revolution began in that colony, 

Sam Wilson joined that patriotic movement as a teenager just as the war was ending. He eventually relocated to New York and soon made a living as a meat packer in Troy. During the War of 1812, Wilson was contracted with supplying meat to troops from New York and New Jersey, including locals who already knew him by his kindly reputation. Barrels of meat would be stamped “US” before being shipped to soldiers. Thanks in part to the soldiers from Troy who knew him, many soldiers equated their meat rations with “US” to “Uncle” Sam Wilson. The legend of Uncle Sam grew over time, eventually evolving into the image of a white-bearded man wearing the stars and stripes. The image became particularly iconic during World War I and World War II. Sam Wilson died in 1854 and was originally buried in a different cemetery before his reburial at Oakwood Cemetery. Though others have been claimed as the original Uncle Sam, the United States Congress made Samuel Wilson the official one in 1961. That year, the Senate and the House of Representatives passed a resolution to salute “Uncle Sam Wilson of Troy, New York, as the progenitor of America’s National symbol of Uncle Sam.” In 1989, Congress adopted Sam Wilson’s birthday, September 13, as “Uncle Sam Day.”

When the New York State Thruway was built in the 1950’s, to the north of the old highway and roughly parallel, progress along Route 20 skidded to a halt. To historians, the road is like a highway set in aspic, with vignettes of architecture, some of which may not be around next year. We are traveling on Route 20, but heading west today.

It’s the day for wide loads! I really never guessed that a Monday morning would be that day!

Found this historic marker for the “Esperance Witch.” Sometimes referred to as the “Grenadier Woman,” the legend of the Esperance Witch is about a widowed French woman who was accused of witchcraft. Among the acts of which she was accused, include taking off her apron and poling herself across the Schoharie Creek on the garment and putting it on dry on the other side. She was also accused of delivering poor crops and dying cattle. Locals were determined to get the “witch” out of the area and she was shot through the window of her house with a silver bullet. She’s said to be buried below a pine tree with its roots keeping her from rising to seek vengeance.

Come for the kitsch, stay for the hot dogs. The TePee can't be missed. It is a giant tepee in the middle of nowhere, right on Route 20, with a bison statue standing guard. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Mohawk River valley and Adirondacks while dining on classic road food at The Chuckwagon. This attraction is a relic from the heyday of road trips, it just should not be on Route 20 … maybe out west somewhere!

Ten miles north of Cooperstown, famous for baseball, and near Richfield Springs is a “Field of Dreams” for sale. Actually, it is the former Diamond Dreams baseball camp. The property sits vacant, but boosts three completed softball fields, concession area, eight partially built bunk houses, and an administrative building. All sitting on 62 acres.

Construction of Diamond Dreams at Cooperstown, a fast-pitch softball camp for girls, stopped in May of 2010 at the request of nearby residents, according to court papers filed in the Herkimer County Clerk's Office. In August of 2013 there was an ongoing probe into an alleged scheme has identified 22 individuals and businesses who say they were ripped off by the former camp operators to the tune of more than a half million dollars. Those allegedly cheated by the former owners, who either did work for the couple or delivered materials to the camp, and weren’t paid. I could not find anything about the outcome of the court case, or is it still dragging on … whichever, this “Field of Dreams” was a nightmare!

In West Winfield, the former blacksmith shop of Ira and Joe Walker is now home to a law firm. The beautiful stone work has been maintained well. Only two buildings from the old business district are in existence; at the time this one was a blacksmith's shop and the antique and gift shop. The other buildings are gone, either by fire or demolition. They included a clothing store, meat market, dental office, and even a pool room.

In Cazenovia, NY you can experience everything in this picturesque town in the center of New York State. Cazenovia College brings in scholars from around the globe, while the town's many National Register of Historic Places homes and buildings attract architecture buffs. Lorenzo State Historic Site is the home of John Lincklaen, who founded the town in 1793, and hosts events throughout the year, like annual horse shows. A large park and public swimming beach are available at Cazenovia Lake, and the Cazenovia Beverage Trail links together some of the state's best agricultural products.

Where Route 20 and Route 11, two of the longest highways in America, meet. You will find the town of LaFayette, known as the "crossroads of New York." It is also one of the leading apple growing areas in the state, and the annual Apple Festival gives visitors the chance to experience and sample one of New York's leading crops and the by-products it creates, like cider and doughnuts. Route 20 connects the Finger Lakes. From Skaneateles in the east to Canandaigua in the west

Stop in Skaneateles' historic downtown for a bite to eat at the Sherwood Inn, with lake views. The Sherwood Inn on the shores of Skaneateles Lake, one of the larger of the 11 Finger Lakes in New York, is the Grande Dame of this upscale tourist town. Skaneateles, founded in 1830, is a village of boutique style shops, galleries and restaurants on the north end of this pristine lake that stretches for 16 miles. The Sherwood Inn, located where the village meets the water, affords a marvelous view. The original inn, first built as a stage coach stop in 1807, was later torn down and a new inn called the Packwood House was built to replace it in 1871. That was the first of several changes that have led to the Sherwood Inn’s current status as 25 guest room inn with a fine-dining restaurant and a tavern.

In Auburn, visit the Willard Memorial Chapel, which is adorned with Tiffany stained glass windows, more notably, the last surviving complete installation by Tiffany in an original location. Or the Harriet Tubman house and William Seward house both are found in Auburn, linking the town to important American history. Take in a minor league baseball game with the Auburn Doubledays. Or pull your vehicle into the Finger Lakes Drive In. The theater opened on July 15, 1947, and it is New York State's oldest operating drive-in theater. They are a classic drive-in which still has speakers but you can use their FM radio transmission for a better quality sound.

Geneva is home to Hobart and William Smith Colleges and touts itself as the lake trout capital of the world. Belhurst Castle and Geneva on the Lake are two shining examples of the exquisite architecture that the Finger Lakes is known for. The outskirts of Geneva is also the home of a large Amish and Mennonite population. On the west side of Geneva, we turned onto Route 14a and then onto Route 245.

The Valley Farm Market had a great deal of fresh fruits and vegetables, ready very early in the season … oh, it reminds me how great it is in Florida to get fresh fruit and vegetables all the time!

We came through Naples again, I think I have talked enough about the wineries, grapes and pies … but have I ever mentioned that even their fire hydrants are purple, in honor of those beautiful purple globes that grow on the vines!

We arrived back at Donny and Donna’s for a few days, before our next adventure!