Last Day - DE-Touring Thru NY & PA

It had been rainy off and on thru the night - but now we had bright skies above! We decided to leave around Noon, so we could do a little hiking and have a leisurely breakfast. As we met up with different campers, we started to hear how severe the rain had been - and that south of here was flooding - into PA. We did not understand the severity of the flooding. We had to stop back at the Corning Museum to pick up the girls artwork - it cooled there overnight - We then headed out 414 to I-86 to State 17 - and wanted to take it to I-81, but it was closed at the junction to 220. We decided to take 220 - Which took us into Pensylvania, and we thought to Route 6. We were detoured off 6 because of flooding - and we started to understand how high the water was. On part of our detour, we needed to drive thru the waters that were rushing across the roadbed. I could see the center line thru the murky water - but it was still unsettling.


We tried to do south on State route 87 - only to be turned back. We stopped at a closed gas station, and Amy found out from some other travelers and trucker that they had not been able to get out of the area since the night before.
The truck driver was able to tell us where the State trooper barracks were, an a hospital - in case we wanted to 'boondock' for the night.

We stopped @ the barracks, and the young lady by the counter told us we would probably need to head further north and then perhaps east. She was taking many calls on the radio, so yelled in the backroom for help from a trooper. fortunatly the trooper had just came from the south, and was able to tell us that Route 29 was passable "even if it didn't look that way". We headed out and took 29 to 81, to 80,to 476 - and Home. Saw lots of evidence of the power of water - from Moved Homes, to downed trees, and mudslides.
9 hours for a trip that should have taken 4 to 5

Rainy Drive & Artistic Glass

We finished packing up and were on the road before 10am. With some easy directions from the staff @ KOA Niagara we were to Rainbow Bridge in no time. Destination - Corning & Watkins Glen, NY. There was some rain, but as we headed south the skies really opened up. RoadAbode did well, and we only slowed slightly in the heaviest parts. 4 hours later we were at the City of Corning. The river was high, but we didn't see any danger. We caught a quick lunch @ Wendy's (the girl's choice) and then headed to the Corning Museum of Glass. In hindsight we should of planned more time at this interesting place. From the History of Glass, glassmaking techniques, Glass in Art and Sculpture, and the future of glass in technology - all where covered in the museum. There were also demonstrations of glassblowing, and a chance to try using glass in various artforms for yourself. The Girls took advantage of the last option, creating fused glass mirror frames.
After Having fun at the museum, and doing some shopping, we headed back to RoadAbode and to our next Camping spot, Watkins Glen KOA We selected this KOA for it's proximity to Corning, location in Watkins Glen, and Free Wifi - to check into work. The Facilities were awesome - all new indoor pool, and playground, climbing wall, fishing pond, and trout stream - and a nice hiking trail. We should have spent another day or so in this

area - and plan to in the future!

Last Day-Trip in Niagara

Today was our last full day in Niagara, so we went in the AM to Clifton Hill to use the Tickets for Louis Tussaud's Wax Museum we had purchased as part of a package with Ripley's
It was good fun, and we took some pics posing with some of our favorite actors or other famous people. If I get time - will post a few here.

Afterward, we hit a few souvenir shops along Victoria Street, and then just window shopped and made our way back to the Red Line to take a swim, have lunch, and start to pack up. We got a call from our Friends from RPC Mr. Mike and Ms. Christie - who came up for their vacation. We planned a meeting at the falls.
We took the Red Line Falls Shuttle back down, Met with them and shared some of our "Best of the Falls" info with them. Even without our tips, I'm sure they will have a great time! We had some dessert together, and watched the lighting of the falls start. After a brief visit, we headed off - back to finish packing, get the girls to bed, and plan the route back to the U.S. for tomorrow.