On the move

We left Rochester Monday morning and started to head back South. Up to that point, we had traveled a little over 1100 miles. We went down across the Finger Lakes on route 96, a really great road, as much of it has been repaved recently. We went though Phelps because I had read on http://www.roadsideamerica.com/search/tip about a two story brick outhouse. Sounds like something worth seeing, right? Well, I looked really hard going through town but I missed it. They had highway work going on and no place to park so I just kept on going. We wound up back at Mano's Diner in Ithaca for lunch and had another of their delicious omelets. From there, we made our way down Rt. 13 to Rt. 17 and then to Corning to the Corning Museum of Glass.

I'd love to have a bunch of fabulous pictures to show you of this terrific place but just as I got into the welcome center, my camera died. Boy, did I feel stupid. But, we'd already paid our money and the experience is not to be missed. In fact, all of Corning really deserves a full day, at least. We had arrived about 2:30 and the Museum closes at 5:00. Not nearly enough time to do it justice, figure on getting here in the morning. There are many static and dynamic displays of all of the facets (pun intended) of glass, from its history across the ages to its uses in art to its scientific applications. Did you know that the fiberglass in the space suits is only 2 microns thick? Way smaller than a human hair. They also have several demonstrations throughout the day, such as glass blowing and heat forming and this is why you have to get there early. It gives you a chance to spend the time on the displays that they deserve without having to rush to see the demos. Of course, they also have an extensive gift shop and a lunch bar.

After the museum, it was time to find a place for the night. I had looked at http://www.allstays.com/c/wal-mart-locations.htm and found a Walmart that might work. When we got there, they had lots of signs saying NO RV PARKING, but I went in and asked anyway. It seems that officially, they forbid parking to keep the local campground owners happy, but unofficially, no one bothers you if you stay anyway. We were joined by a couple with a van/trailer heading South and, in the middle of the night, by a great big orange semi who parked along side three feet from us.

We awoke to rain and fog and got on the road a little before 9:00am. I had thought about getting to the  Lake Erie shore and maybe seeing some wineries. The rain lasted for about two hours and then the clouds lifted and the day kept getting better and better. The road was great. Very scenic with sweeping curves and rolling hills and it was a very pleasant ride. Until we hit the area that runs through the Seneca Nation Territory around Salamanca. While almost all of Rt. 86 has been repaved and is very nice, this section has the original concrete slabs that tilt and thump. When you hear the term "bone jarring and teeth rattling", think of this stretch of road. Thankfully, it only lasted about 20 miles, but by then everything that could be shook loose, certainly was. Thank goodness, I didn't bring the good china!

We arrived at Erie by 1:00 and found that we would have had to backtrack about 30 miles to see the wineries so we decided to keep pushing on for our next destination outside Morgantown, WV. We pulled into Morgantown about 4:30 after a fuel stop for the coach and then stopped to fuel ourselves at a Bob Evans (breakfast all day). Then it was up the hill to Gabriel Brothers. We've been going to Gabe's for years. It is a small chain of clothing stores that specialize in factory seconds and over runs. Very cheap prices but you have look the prospective purchase over carefully for defects. I once bought a pair of pants only to get them home and find one pocket sewn shut halfway down.

We ended the day by pulling in here at our daughter's home in rural Masontown. The last couple of miles of road are only wide enough for one vehicle but luckily we didn't meet anyway heading the other way. We'll be here for the next few days to take in the world re-known, or at least locally famous, Buckwheat Festival.