Summer Vacation

It has been a wonderful summer. In spite of my allergy, I've actually managed to have single vacation days. I haven't had a vacation in a number of years because of natural rubber latex allergy. I'm unable to attend my nephew's wedding next month in southern Indiana because of progression of my allergy. This just tears me up.

To compensate, I planned a few trips within an hour of home. But it all started with a 3 day fishing tournament between my neighbor & me on July 4th weekend. We did have family members included in this, and a separate youth tournament. Well, we got creamed; didn't even want to count the number of fish they caught. It was a great 3 days of fishing on & off. Yes, I would do it again.

Next was a trip to Chimney Bluffs State Park by way of Fairhaven. The country is beautiful with many farms, a lot of apple trees. I found several books on the Erie in a gift shop. I'm really serious about soaking up as much history about the canal as I can.

The bluffs were just awesome. It was an overcast day, and we did have some rain while we were there. The bluffs are spires in the sandy cliff that are sculpted by Mother Nature's wind and water. They are always changing. I have seen them from the water, and they are truely magnificent. We didn't take the path that goes above them because of the weather. We created the senior path, straight to the picnic tables with our carry in lunch. The wind from the lake felt so good. All of this was created by the glaciers. It gives me goose bumps.

Next on my schedule of planned exposures was touring the Lois McClure while she was docked in Palmyra. I was on her 3 years ago. She returned for the World Canals Convention in Rochester, NY. It was a beautiful day, and being a weekday, the crowd was small. The Lois is a canal schooner with the ability to navigate lakes and the canal. She is a replica of the canal schooners used in the 1800's to transport produce and goods across the state. The Erie was a boon for shipping, decreasing time and cost. The crew volunteers to navigate, and have to be quite adept doing so. They share all kinds of information about her so they need to be very knowledgable as well. I love this ship and all they tell me about her. Now, she navigates the canal with a tugboat. Back in time, mules or horses would have pulled her.

I just can't get enough or learn enough about the canal. Living here has certainly urged that need. I do feel like I had an Irish ancestor who helped to dig. I haven't yet visited the small cemetary up the road with Irish workers who died from smallpox and malaria.

Next trip is to a cruise in Lockport going through the locks. I believe now there are 2 locks. Originally there were 5. They are still there; called the "flight of 5". It goes through the lowest point of the escarpment to reach the Niagara River which is fed by Lake Erie. Rte. 104 goes below the escarpment. There is a highway that follows along the river at the top of the escarpment to Niagara Falls. There is also escarpment on the Canadian side of the river. We won't be cruising far beyond the beginning rocks of the escarpement. I just had to add what I've seen up there from living in Tonawanda and visiting all those sites way back then.

So far, I have been able to do these short trips, something new for me. I think I am learning how to schedule my exposures so that i fall short of reactions. We are entering fall with closed buildings which may change my situation. The best I can do is avoid.

Sal