{"id":13961,"date":"2017-04-30T23:16:49","date_gmt":"2017-05-01T03:16:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iaintjustmusic.bobleafe.com\/?p=13961"},"modified":"2021-07-23T00:47:10","modified_gmt":"2021-07-23T04:47:10","slug":"2021-the-best-family-vacation-i-cant-remember","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iaintjustmusic.bobleafe.com\/?p=13961","title":{"rendered":"2021\u00ad – The Best Family Vacation I Can\u2019t Remember"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (ignore April 20, 2017 publish date – this was published on July 23, 2021)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In that previous bag of goodies, I found this small plastic bag. When I saw the contents, I had to set it aside because I realized that it was its own post:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It contained documentation from what I always considered to be the best family vacation ever (from August 1958), though a third of our family wasn\u2019t there (the 8-month-old stayed with relatives and the other one wasn\u2019t conceived yet).<\/span><\/p>\n

We went to MANY places in New York state and stepped foot in Canada for a day (or maybe just overnight).<\/span><\/p>\n

I feel bad that I don\u2019t remember everywhere we went and everything we did, but it WAS a few years ago. And it\u2019s not like I knew this stuff 30 years ago and have since lost my mind. I guess a lot of it was fun, but just didn\u2019t register.<\/span><\/p>\n

From what I can tell from this little bag\u2019s contents, we drove north through New York state’s Catskills and western Adirondack mountains, dabbled a toe in Canada, made a sharp right to the eastern Adirondacks and another right straight back down to NJ\u2026\u2026\u2026.at least that\u2019s what I think I can piece together from this fairly-thorough collection Mom put together and a few photos I found from this trip – starting with\u2026\u2026\u2026..<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CATSKILL GAME FARM<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A great place that no longer exists\u2026\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

I have to start by saying that the prices of admission on this entire trip seem incredibly low (a family of four gets in here for $3.00?):<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I found two photos. In them, my 4-year-old sister Geri gets a helping hand from the men in the family:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Strangely enough (or not), the ONE lasting memory I have of this place was in the area where very large bison were kept. I noticed a lot of large piles of something on the ground that looked bright green.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes – they were exactly what you think they were. I just didn’t know it came in that color…………and in such volume!
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

HOWE CAVERNS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How do I not recall this place? I love this stuff! I\u2019m starting to suspect that my mother collected brochures from a travel agent – intending to go to these places, but we never got there:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

RESTAURANT\/DINER PLACEMATS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Well, I\u2019m pretty sure she didn\u2019t get these from a travel agent, so maybe we really were there (big whoop).<\/span><\/p>\n

Chase\u2019s Restaurant, Waterloo, NY<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

These can NOT be found online, so this must be worth at LEAST a quarter.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The place doesn\u2019t exist anymore, but I did find a small picture of it:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Not exactly memorable\u2026\u2026..<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s another placemat that doesn\u2019t seem to be from any particular eating establishment, but does seem to be an advertisement for the upcoming 350th Champlain Anniversary Festival in 1959 (sorry – we won\u2019t be able to make it due to our own massive celebrations for the birth of sister Lorraine):<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TOTEM INDIAN VILLAGE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Absolutely zero memories of this place, but we have $2.80 in admission receipts, so we must have been there:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I found an online picture of one of the featured attractions within. You\u2019d think a sight like this would leave an impression in one\u2019s mind\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..nada:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe I was way too revved-up about the next stop to give this place a chance.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME – COOPERSTOWN, NY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

What could be better\u2026\u2026\u2026..getting to finally see the HoF\u2026\u2026\u2026.and on my birthday, no less!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And here\u2019s our proof: admission receipts for 2 adults and\u2026\u2026\u2026..one<\/em> child?<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Did we leave Geri at the Totem Indian Village? It\u2019s not like Mom to not have saved EVERY receipt.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Putting that aside for the moment, LOOK HOW MUCH IT COST TO GET ME IN! FIFTEEN CENTS!!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wondering how much the same admission might cost today, I found the answer to that question (and to the one about Geri):<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

If I was still the same age, it would cost ONE HUNDRED<\/u><\/strong> times as much for me to get in today! And if it costs nothing for a child aged 6 and under today, it was nothing back in \u201958, so Geri was NOT still enjoying the amenities of Totem Village\u2019s Bear House.<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead, she spent her time at the Hall introducing herself to old, dead players:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026.while I hung out with The Babe:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Our big expenditure of the day appears to be a postcard that describes its flip-side-picture as being \u201cTROPHIES presented annually to members of team winning World Series\u201d:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t know you could wear a trophy around your finger.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I\u2019m guessing we spent the night at this swanky resort (I think<\/em> I remember staying the next night on the Canadian side of the Falls):<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Since Dad smoked (and there are<\/em> 3 matches missing), I\u2019m also guessing that this item is his contribution to Mom\u2019s collection:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NIAGARA FALLS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know why, but we did NOT go on this. Maybe it had something to do with the U.S. dock being temporarily closed (so why didn\u2019t we board on the Canadian side when we were there?):<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And I\u2019m quite sure we didn\u2019t go to Great Gorge (click these two images TWICE to fully-enlarge and hit back button to return):<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Whatever it was we DID do that day, the ladies look tired:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rainbow Bridge runs between the U.S. and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls. Given the date on the receipt, this might have been for when we re-entered the U.S.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Besides the Falls, I don\u2019t know that we saw any of these things\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026maybe (click ONCE to enlarge both):<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This picture may have been MY contribution to the festivities (but since I was pretty short at that age, they really should have had me standing on something, so more of the Falls would have been visible:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

This is probably the only picture I\u2019ve ever taken in Canada (and don\u2019t the parents look thrilled to be there?).<\/span><\/p>\n

And since you asked (?), I\u2019ve taken a few pix in Mexico and some video in England, so that\u2019s the extent of my international photography. From Tijuana:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE RAINBOW TOWER CARILLON AND ONTARIO’S PARLIAMENT<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I don\u2019t recall if we saw these places or if Mom just picked these up to make us think we did:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ADVENTURE TOWN<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now back in the U.S., I don\u2019t really remember this place:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026.but I feel like I might, based on the fact that I\u2019ve been familiar with my \u201cstockade\u201d shot for a few years now. I\u2019ve posted it elsewhere on this blog because – based on my profession – it feels like it was rather prophetic:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dad and some cowgirl leave the Widow Wilson\u2019s Chuck Wagon:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Some saloon babe is looking for her handsome gunslinger:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And here he is! (the dope went to the wrong saloon):<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AUSABLE CHASM<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From what I remember (or think I remember), this is where I had the most fun. I seem to recall riding rapids, but not any of the other stuff (click to enlarge both pix):<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Two more items were in Mom\u2019s collection, including a synopsis:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2026..and something I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve ever seen at any other vacation stop: a guide on how to maximize your photo skills in the facility\u2019s various attractions. Quite thoughtful (and beneficial for their Camera Counter sales):<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

(So why are there NO pictures from this place, Mom?)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I have ONE last item. It’s 11.5″ x 8″ and I purposely acquired it – probably on eBay – many decades after this trip. I imagine I bought it as a tribute to the most fun I had on the best family vacation that – for the most part – is a blank:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Well, I hope YOU enjoyed the trip!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (ignore April 20, 2017 publish date – this was published on July 23, 2021)   In that previous bag of goodies, I found this small plastic bag. When I saw the contents, I had to set it aside because I realized that it was its own post:   It contained documentation from what […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13961","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iaintjustmusic.bobleafe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13961","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iaintjustmusic.bobleafe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iaintjustmusic.bobleafe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iaintjustmusic.bobleafe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iaintjustmusic.bobleafe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13961"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/iaintjustmusic.bobleafe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13961\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14030,"href":"https:\/\/iaintjustmusic.bobleafe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13961\/revisions\/14030"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iaintjustmusic.bobleafe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13961"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iaintjustmusic.bobleafe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13961"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iaintjustmusic.bobleafe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13961"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}