Lake Erie, Niagara Falls and Teddy Roosevelt

What do Lake Erie, Niagara Falls and Teddy Roosevelt have in common?  New York state. 

We left Massachusetts and headed for a state park on the shores of Lake Erie.  As we traveled across New York state to get to our park, we realized that our perception of New York state included big cities and congestion.  We were pleasantly surprised to see scenic hills and lots of rivers and farms.

We diverted from our pursuit of the Yellowstone Trail to go to Niagara Falls.  The falls are located between New York state and Ontario, Canada and there are actually three falls.  We chose to view them from the Canadian side and were glad we did.  They are very amazing from both sides but from the Canadian side, you are looking directly at them.  On the U.S. side, you have more a sideways view of them.  This picture is of American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls (divided only by Luna Island).   There are tour boats that take you for a close-up view.

Another view of American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.  From October 24, 1901 to October 20, 2004, there were sixteen trips over the falls by 14 different people (2 people went over twice).  Sadly, five out of the 14 lost their lives.  The falls actually stopped flowing once just before midnight on March 29, 1848.  The reason - a strong south-west gale pushed the ice fields in Lake Erie blocking the channel completely.  It stopped running for about 30 hours until the wind shifted and the water broke through to its customary route.

This is a picture (below) of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls.  If you could see them from above, the horseshoe shape is really evident.  The tour boat actually goes under these falls.  Niagara Falls aren't the tallest falls in the world.  There are actually 50 waterfalls that are taller.  What makes Niagara Falls so extraordinary is its combined height and volume. 

Teri and Suzy were having fun.

We stopped for this view of Lake Erie as we came home from the falls.  It is immense.  It even has tides like the oceans. 

It was a beautiful, clear day but you still couldn't see land on the other side.

We have seen wind turbines in many states where we have traveled but were really suprised to see them on the shores of Lake Erie.  They seemed to be getting enough wind to keep them moving.

Here's the explanation of Teddy Roosevelt and New York state.  When President McKinley was shot, he was in Buffalo, NY.  Teddy Roosevelt was called to Buffalo when it was known that President McKinley was not going to survive.  

This is the Wilcox mansion where Teddy Roosevelt was inaugurated.  The home has been named a national historic site and is well worth the tour. 

The Wilcox mansion was also used as an army barracks in 1838.

This is the desk where the newly sworn-in President Roosevelt wrote a letter of assurance to the American people.

A telegraph was set up in the mansion where many telegraphs of congratulations and encouragement were received by President Roosevelt.

The furnishings may not have been the original furnishings of the home but they have used period pieces.

The library is where the inauguration actually took place.  It was chilling to think of what happened in this room.

Buffalo, NY, is home of the Gold Medal company.  However, they no longer give tours.  It would have been interesting.

We enjoyed our stay in New York State.