I’m a country girl, from a Syracuse
rural area. I now happily take the
role as tour guide. If ever considering
a new holiday or vacation
destination, ponder the benefits of
Central NY.
We planned our summer trip around
my 45 th Chittenango class reunion. I
hadn’t seen classmates since the mid
1960’s; imagine my confusion when
no friends wore nametags. Those
who attended were already
anticipating a 50 th we took advantage
of memorable sightseeing
opportunities.
If going, plan a leisurely outing to the
Chittenango State Park for a walk
down to the breath-taking
Chittenango Falls. The rush of the
cascading falls and the local flora
make the perfect background for a
photo op. Be sure to carry extra
batteries for your camera; you won’t
want to miss this site.
No site-seeing Central NY outing is
complete until vacationers visit the
many Erie Canal museums and parks.
We worked in a stop to the
Chittenango Landing Canal Boat
Museum, where my cousin Diane
Brandt gave us a personal tour.
Driving out of town, we meandered
to Mycenae, the small neighborhood
I called home from birth until our
1967 marriage. Residents proudly
point out the historic significance of
the One-Room Schoolhouse. My Dad,
There is a valid reason I
might point it out on a
map and say
“You’ll wish you were
here!”
Franklin F. Ford attended the
picturesque school.
Later, we drove a short distance to
the Manlius Center Erie Canal Park to
view the canal area where a boy
cousin once pushed me in! I gazed at
the canal towpath, bringing back
memories of strolls with sisters and
cousins. The Erie Canal is truly an
engineering marvel. I am thrilled that
non-profit groups are preserving it
for future generations.
I hope to return sometime in the
future, during early autumn. The
change of the leaves is spectacular
and I would be able to attend the
New York State Fair; the annual
event takes place
Wait, before you plan the itinerary
for that next holiday; mull over the
advantages of Central New York
State, USA. It’s worth your
consideration. There is a valid reason
I might point it out on a map and
exclaim, “You’ll wish you were here!”
Copyright Pam Ford Davis
http://teapottestimony.vpweb.com/?prefix=www
Photos: Clockwise from top - 1. Chittenango
Falls, 2. Downtown Chittenango, 3. Erie Cana-
Towpath Manlius Center, 4.
Gayla/Pam/Lauree, 5. Mycenae School House .
JASMINE'S PLACE
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