When the leaves turn red and gold, when the geese migrate south, setting down briefly on Owasco Lake to feed and gaggle all night long outside our bedroom window, and when the boat is snuggled under its shrink-wrapped winter blanket, that’s when Janet and I abandon our deck chairs at lake’s edge and drive our automobile—laden to the roof with suitcases and junk—to paradise in Juno Beach, Fla.

Thousands upon thousands of us snowbirds commute from our homes in the Northeast to our homes or condos in the Southeast every autumn, only to return the next spring. It is a uniquely American ritual that may die off with the 55-plus generation because of the rising cost of owning and operating property in Florida and other southern vacation states.

We enjoy the drive but other snowbirds prefer to ship their cars and fly back and forth. When you see the humongous car carriers unloading in front of the condos, then you know the “season” has begun. Likewise when you see the car carriers picking up their loads in the spring, you know that the “season” is over.

Instinctual need—The human animal has not evolved much beyond the geese, whales, sharks, or other mammals that are driven by unknown instincts to seek shelter from the snow and cold of winter.

Our routes of travel include Route 81 through Pennsylvania and Virginia to Route 77 in North Carolina, Route 26 in South Carolina, and finally hooking up with 95 that travels through Georgia and Florida. The most beautiful segment of our journey is Virginia, in my humble opinion the most beautiful of all the 48.

The rolling hills and lush landscape of this Colonial state highlight the vibrant colors of autumn as well as the verdant greens of spring upon our return. Our route hugs the mighty Appalachian Mountain chain. Starting in Front Royal Virginia—opposite Washington D.C.—Skyline Drive melds into The Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway and then The Smokey Mountain Parkway and finally ends in The Great Smokey Mountain National Park in Tennessee.

The parkways generally follow Route 81 and ride high over the mountain ridges. Occasionally, when weather permits and the mood is right, we will drive the Blue Ridge Parkway from Roanoke to Fancy Gap, Va., which intersects with Route 77 just south of the intersection with Route 81. This beautiful byway takes only a few minutes more and rewards with spectacular views of the Virginia landscape.

Breath-taking view—Some of the scenic overviews overlook 100 miles to the horizon. The driver must be continuously vigilant for the occasional deer or bear that sometimes meander onto the highway from the nearby woods. Oh, and if a passenger is prone to motion sickness, forget the whole idea.

Charlotte, N.C. is the halfway point of our journey and our stop-over point. It is a beautiful, modern, cosmopolitan city totally unlike typical laid-back southern cities like Savannah, Ga. This year, we discovered a new upscale Holiday Inn that, likewise, is totally unlike the typical mom and pop motel. This attractive high-rise hotel features plush rooms with every modern ammenities including a large flat-screen TV, an inside pool, and a steakhouse restaurant off the lobby. We would have expected to pay over $200 a night for such accommodations in a major metropolitan area, but instead, thanks to off-season rates and deep discounts as a result of the recession—our rate was $89.

In spite of the enjoyable trip, we were happy to arrive at our southern home. Florida is worlds apart from Upstate New York but we welcome the change of venue. Several of our friends and neighbors in Auburn join us, some introduced to the area by us. Additionally, we have acquired many new friends from other places in the Northeast. Janet is even able to continue her weekly bridge games with the same Auburn group, unabated.

Florida has undergone a sea of change since the crash of 2008. The explosive growth that produced condominiums on every square foot of beachfront and practically every street corner—or so it seems—has come to a complete halt. Many housing projects as well as commercial building projects were halted in mid construction. Many retirees on a fixed income have seen their investment income greatly reduced, while their mortgage is upside down.

The resultant chaos has reduced property values by up to 50 percent in some cases. This situation is likely to continue for the foreseeable future and while it produces opportunities for some, it has created hardship for others.

Meanwhile, Florida remains a haven for those of us who love to be outdoors practically every day of the winter, to swim, and play, and exercise. In my estimation, it can add 10 years to your life and make the golden years shine.

By Marvin Druger

Tipping is the traveler’s dilemma. The question of “should I or shouldn’t I?” occurs whenever someone offers any services.

Perhaps, at some time in the evolutionary past, tipping was for services above and beyond the call of duty. Now, it is a way of life, and is even built into the expected basic wage.

For the traveler, tips are like taxes. The penalty for not paying is often poor service, disdainful stares or rude accusations. Like taxes, tipping is no guarantee of good service, since the tip is usually given after the service. For the world traveler, tipping is an especially difficult puzzle.

Very often, the traveler is visiting places where the traveler has not been before. Different currency may be used as the traveler passes form country to country.

Meanwhile, experienced tip hustlers await the next unsuspecting victim, and it is not easy to distinguish the hustler from the honest worker who takes pride in helping travelers, and accepts a tip as a sign of gratitude. Unfortunately, tip hustlers are common enough so that even the most trusting traveler becomes suspicious of any service rendered.

Most individuals who perform services do so with a sense of pride and purpose. They are sincerely eager to impress the traveler with the hospitality of their shop, or hotel, or country. I have been to restaurants where the waiter takes such pride in the presentation of the food that I feel I am destroying a work of art by eating it.

I have been in hotels where there is no tip expected. Indeed, sometimes tipping can be an embarrassment to the tipper and recipient alike. Once, at an airport, I needed help to carry two extremely heavy suitcases from the baggage area. A young man saw me struggling and he helped me get the luggage into my car. I thanked him and gave him a tip for his assistance. The look on his face revealed that the tip was completely unexpected, and it seemed that my mercenary manner had deprived him of the good feeling of having helped another human being simply for humanity’s sake.

Here are some tips about tipping that I’ve learned from my travels around the world:

• Learn the currency and exchange rates of the country you’re in. Countless amounts of money have been expended by travelers who do not take time to do this. Don’t treat every green bill as if it were a dollar. Also, the size of a coin often bears little relation to its value. I recall giving the cab driver in Spain a tip that was larger than the fare, and my wife recalls giving a penny tip to a cab driver. You must also avoid the common feeling that foreign coins are play money, and that only U.S. currency is real. Remember that all money is real, or you will have a sad awakening when you return home.

• Obtain a guide book and read about tipping practices in the country you are visiting. Information about tipping practices can often be obtained by asking the tourist bureau representative at the point of entry. The Web is also a good source for information about tipping.

Americans have a tendency to feel that the customary tip seems too low, and they tip according to American standards. This can be a costly mistake, both to you, and to people of other nationalities that visit the country. Higher tips beget higher expectations. Being American and giving higher tips will not get you better service; it will simply result in an emptier pocket. So, stay within the customary tipping range, no matter how unreasonable it may seem by our standards.

• Plan your tipping in advance and try to anticipate all possible developments. First, be sure to have bills and coins of all denominations. It is awkward to have only large denomination money in a tipping situation.

Think of all the places you plan to go and anticipate all the types of tip-seekers you might meet. Plan how much you will tip each person. I spent an hour planning how to tip my way out of a hotel the following morning. In this hotel, the doorman called for a taxi; two young men who usually greeted guests appeared outside. Then, two hotel porters appeared with the luggage. The ultimate dilemma, i.e., who to tip and how much I flung bills frantically into any hands that appeared in a desperate attempt to get out of there as quickly as possible. The taxi drove away. I had that relieved feeling, but only for five minutes, when I suddenly realized that the hotel had overcharged me. With a renewed sense of righteousness, I had the taxi turn back. I reclaimed my overcharge and walked out of the hotel with the sense of freedom and dignity that I should have experienced the first time.

• The tip hustler is not embarrassed about seeking a tip, so you should not be embarrassed about deciding whether or not to give one. In some instances, the approach is very direct. In New York City, a porter at a dock terminal loaded my suitcases on a cart, wheeled the cart about 20 feet into the elevator, and met me outside the elevator on the first floor. I gave him what I thought was a generous tip for the service performed. “That’s not enough,” was the thank you I received. Because I had not yet learned not to be embarrassed and the psychology of tipping, I gave the porter more money.

In Tangier, Morocco, a young man escorted my family into the Caves of Hercules. After five minutes of trivial remarks, we emerged and the boy jingled coins in his pocket. Then, he spoke the most meaningful word that he had said thus far, “Tip!” Again, I felt embarrassed and gave him a tip that was higher than the price of admission to the caves.

• Tip after, not before. Whenever possible, avoid tipping before the service is performed, or you may never get the service. I recall picking up some coats from a coat check person in a restaurant. When I approached the cloakroom, I dropped two dollar bills into the little dish on the ledge. First, she couldn’t find the coat; finally, after some delay, she found an umbrella without a handle and gave it to me, insisting that it was mine. Meanwhile, she knocked other coats and hats onto the floor. After 10 minutes, she located the coats, and virtually threw them at me. While all this was going on, I looked wistfully at my two dollars sitting in the little dish, wondering how and why they had gotten there.

• Anticipate whether or not a situation calls for service assistance. At many airports, moving your luggage from a car to a checkout counter is a relatively short distance. The usual, “Can I help you, sir?” can be politely, but firmly, countered with, “No thank you. I can handle it.” Then it is easy to transport suitcases one at a time over the short distance to the check-in counter. The trip is so quick that there is no time for guilt feelings or embarrassment.

However, it’s important to be careful in assessing the need for service, or this approach may backfire. This happened to me in a luxury hotel in Hilo on the big island of Hawaii. Our rented car was parked just outside the registration area of the hotel that consisted of a scattered complex of three-story units. The hostess registered us and served drinks to the family. She gave us the key to our room and said the bellboy would help us with our luggage and would escort us to our unit when we were ready. While I sipped my blue Hawaiian drink, I evaluated the situation. “You and the kids walk to the room,” I whispered to my wife, “while I drive our car around to our housing unit and deliver the suitcases.” Whistling a Hawaiian melody, I slipped out the front door and into the car. I drove the car around the complex and parked in the back of unit 10. Then, I discovered that our rooms were on the third floor, and there was no elevator. It was also a hot, sunny, humid day. After four memorable trips up and down the stairs to and from the third floor, I wondered whether parting with a few dollars tip to the bellboy would have been a better idea after all.

Like many travelers, I have learned about tipping the hard way. Many people find tipping to be a distraction from thoroughly enjoying the people and the country they travel in. It is the constant nag of who and how much. Most travelers (including myself) would prefer that service charges be included in the overall billing, with an understanding by all that there is absolutely no additional tipping. If workers are paid lower wages because tips are expected to make up the difference (a common practice), their tips can be built into the overall cost.

We had that experience recently on a cruise ship around the Mediterranean. Tips were built into the cost of the trip. The ship’s staff was very helpful and satisfied, since they received their well-deserved due. Until such a policy becomes universal, the traveler must be alert about tipping. It should not be a birthright, or a form of blackmail, but a reward for good services rendered. We live in a tip-oriented world, and I like having all-inclusive trips. They prevent my family from calling me by a nickname they adopted for me in Spain, “El Cheapo.”

• Marvin Druger is a professor emeritus at Syracuse University.

By Sandra Scott

Today picturesque Sackets Harbor is a serene town that hugs the shore of Lake Ontario, which belies its tumultuous past. Following the outbreak of the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain, Sackets Harbor became the center of American naval and military activity in the upper St. Lawrence Valley and Lake Ontario.

Standing on the porch of the Commandant’s House looking out over what was once the battlefield it was hard to envision what the peaceful, green expanse looked like during the summer of 1813.

There were two long log barracks that housed 1,000 soldiers each and all the equipment needed to supply 2,000 soldiers. During the War of 1812, Sackets Harbor was an active station where naval ships were constructed and supplied. With easy access to timber, the area developed into an extensive shipyard.

A major battle occurred on May 29, 1813, when the British attempted to destroy the American shipyard. At that time the majority of the American forces was across Lake Ontario attacking Fort George. The remaining Americans drove off the enemy, but a fire that destroyed their military stores marred their narrow victory. In 1814, the 9,600-pound great rope, made famous in the book of the same name by the late historian Rosemary Nesbitt, was transported by lake and then overland on the shoulders of local volunteers from Oswego to Sackets Harbor. It was needed as an anchor rope for the newly launched frigate, The Superior. In the Ice House a video, “The Lion and Eagle,” depicts the conflict.

The Commandant’s House shows the lifestyle of the 1860s. Interestingly, few of the artifacts actually belonged to the occupants, Josiah Tattnall and his family. Tattnall sided with the Confederacy during the Civil War. Considered a traitor, his possessions were auctioned off to buy uniforms for local soldiers.
Regardless, there are many period things to see from the horsehair chairs to the tin-lined pantry. Living history programs, costumed interpreters, and the colonial garden help add to the understanding of the 1800s.

Sackets Harbor Battlefield is designated as one the top 10 War of 1812 historic sites where history comes alive at the annual reenactments.

Next to the battle site is the Pickering-Beach Museum. The long rambling 1817 house was home to families that were important in the development of the area. It offers more insight to the era.

Sackets Harbor played a part in every war up to and including World War II.

Madison Barracks is today a historic residential community on the site of Fort Volunteer, which was later named Fort Pike in honor of General Zebulon Pike, of Pike’s Peak fame.

Pike was killed during an attack on York, today known as Toronto; his body was brought back to Sackets Harbor for burial. Through the years the barracks served as a frontier post, military depot, hospital and training center for both civilians and the military.

The first stop in Sackets Harbor should be the Seaway Trail Discovery Center with detailed information on Sackets Harbor along with all the other sites along the 504 miles of the Seaway Trail. Housed in what was once a hotel, visitors learn about history, the area’s economic development, and coastal recreation along with local wildlife. The hotel was a gathering place during its heyday. Chat with the animatronic Ulysses S. Grant who was stationed in Sackets Harbor at Madison Barracks before his Presidency.

Another animatronic display is the ladylike cow comfy in her alcove stall adjoining the kitchen room. She explains life on a dairy farm and how important she is to the local economy.

Just minutes from the village visit Old McDonald’s Farm where during the tour of the cow barn LaWanda, the guide, explains, “Here girls rule and boys drool.”

The working farm has 700 cows. They are milked three times a day making it a 24-hour process. The farm provides fun and learning for the whole family. Did you know that rabbits can come in 150 coat colors but have only five different eye colors? And, how many eggs does the average chicken lay each year? The answer is 20 dozen. What does the owner of a farm get for a birthday present? A llama, of course, so the first llama does not get lonesome — and the camel needs company, too. The Robbins family has transformed their 1200-acre farm into a visitor-friendly working farm with over 1,000 animals and farm tours, featuring their Wizard of Oz Hayride along with a variety of seasonal events. Truly an agricultural adventure for all ages.

The arts are flourishing in Sackets Harbor. The Samuel F. Hooker House Arts Center is housed in the 1808 Hooker House, home of an early and prosperous merchant.

Besides showcasing work by local artists and special exhibits they have two large studio spaces where they offer classes and workshops. Nearby a private gallery displays and sells the work of Lawrence C. Barone with a focus on the Upstate New York landscape. Year round the Lake Ontario Playhouse is home to stand-up comedy from the national circuit and during the summer there are professional theatrical performances.

A three-hour motor coach group tour and walking tours are available from the Sackets Harbor Visitor’s Center housed in the 1802 Augustus Sackett Mansion. The tours highlight the village’s history, architectural landmarks, the importance of Sackets Harbor’s past, and the growth of the village in the last 30 years.

During the summer there are weekly Sunday waterfront concerts.

Stay at one of the many quaint B&Bs or Ontario Place Hotel, which offers accommodations with the option for a private chef. It is also home to the Sackets Harbor Brewing Company.

Today Sackets Harbor is a beautiful resort town with many attractions not the least of which is boating. Enjoy history, dining out, art galleries, and shopping for unique crafts, artwork, or antiques.
For more information check www.sacketsharborny.com or call 315-646-2321.

By Sandra Scott

Sandwiched between the East Coast Big Three — New York, Philadelphia, and Washington — New Jersey is more than a state to drive through to get to one of the Big Three. New Jersey is a place to discover great travel treasures. In Ocean and Monmouth counties there are beaches galore, historical sites spanning hundreds of years, a plethora of destinations to get the blood racing, and places to shop for products from the earth. It is ready to be discovered and enjoyed.

The Shore— Surf and sun worshippers will love the miles of beautiful white sand beaches that stretch along the central coast of New Jersey from Sandy Hook in the north to Long Beach Island. It is the area referred to as the Jersey Shore. There are places to sink your umbrella in the sand and spend the day on the beach with refreshing splashes in the ocean. There are quiet beaches like those in Spring Lake and hopping beaches like Jenkinson’s Pavilion and Aquarium Point in Pleasant Beach with a mile-long boardwalk lined with shops, amusement rides, and a fun house. Their aquarium is home to sharks, penguins, alligators and seals. With a double boardwalk, Jenkinson’s is an all-season destination but during the summer there are fireworks every Thursday night and movies every Sunday. It is like a mini Disneyland.

For a bit of nostalgia the Floyd Moreland Historic Carousel at Casino Pier in Seaside Heights is a rare 90-year-old carousel with the colorful hand-carved horses beautifully restored with music provided by a Wurlitzer Military Band Organ. It is just one more place on the Jersey Shore that offers family fun.

The revitalization of the coastal area is probably best symbolized by what is going on in Asbury Park. After years of slow but steady decline, the popular seaside destination is being reborn. Bruce Springsteen has a deep affection for the place where he started his career and often has concerts in Asbury Park. The revitalized boardwalk is coming alive with modern amenities creating places to play and stay. The chamber of commerce has a free walking tour map that starts on Main Street and continues to the boardwalk.

History— With an extensive coastline, New Jersey has many historic lighthouses. The Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the nation’s oldest, is still an aid to navigation. The Twin Light of Navesink has been operational since 1828 with the light of the south tower so bright it can be seen 22 miles at sea. Climb the 217 steps of the second tallest lighthouse in the U.S., Barnegat, which was commissioned in 1859.

Over 100 Revolutionary War battles for America’s independence were fought in the Garden State. Glen, the guide at the time of my visit, explained, “The Battle of Monmouth was the graduation exercise for the troops that were trained in Valley Forge.” It was one of the largest battles of the Revolution. The Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Manalapan is also a tribute to Molly Pitcher, one of our country’s first heroines. With the temperature approaching 100 degrees, a gunner collapsed from heat exhaustion, and the wife of gunner William Hays stepped forward to help “man” the gun. Her heroism evolved into the myth of “Molly Pitcher.”

Nearby is the Covenhoven House in Freehold, which served as the headquarters for British General Sir Henry Clinton before the Battle of Monmouth. The guide explained that “Clinton is considered a gentlemen first and a general second…”

At Longstreet Farm in Holmdel experience how farming was before the days of mechanization. Sandra, another guide, explained, “Mother’s Day is the day for planting corn for animal use. And here sheep are sheared by hand. Everything is done in the traditional manner.” Longstreet is a living history farm restored to the 1890s. Interpreters in period dress show the daily and seasonal agricultural and domestic activities along with hands-on programs that include milking a cow and grinding corn for animal feed.

During the mid-19th century New Jersey bog ore was mined and refined for use in the production of tools, which do not rust like modern iron alloys. Because of the need for labor to work at the smelters and to perform other tasks, towns grew around the sources of bog iron. Some of these communities like Allaire in Farmingdale and Batsto in Hammonton became major “iron plantations” that are now restored villages frozen in time.

Thrilling— Since 1870, when Monmouth Racetrack opened, visitors have thrilled to the fast-paced excitement of world-class thoroughbred racing. Today the beautifully landscaped racetrack is host to diverse events such as Sunday musicals along with great racing. Enjoy the free morning Dawn Patrol program when guides take visitors through morning training, a tour of the stables, and starting gates.

At Six Flags Great Adventure, there are thrills, spills and chills galore with amusement rides and daredevil roller coasters. At Wild Safari see more than 1,200 animals from six continents without leaving the car. Hurricane Harbor is a family water fun playground featuring an enormous wave pool and one of the country’s longest lazy rivers.

For those looking for more sublime thrills, Nelson Sailing Center in Island Heights, offers rental sailboats for a relaxing sail down the Toms River past picturesque Victorian towns. Don’t know how to sail. Not to worry, sailing lessons are available.

Of the Earth— Spend a relaxing afternoon at one of the newest New Jersey wineries. Laurita Winery in New Egypt opened its wine tasting barn in 2008. The winery is dedicated to creating wines that derive as much character from the fruit as possible. They are very environmentally friendly. The vineyards overlook the paddocks that accommodate the horses of the Laurita Equestrian Center and are near their Dancer Farm B&B Inn.

Several farms such as Hallock’s U-Pick Farm and Greenhouse in New Egypt sell in-season produce and allow guests to pick their own. For natural sweets, stop by the E&M Gold Beekeepers. They use natural and chemical-free bee-keeping techniques and breed their own queens. In addition to harvesting delicious honey, they sell honey soap, beeswax candles, beeswax hand cream, and beeswax lip balms.

After dark— When the sun goes down the curtain goes up at the Surflight Theater on Long Beach Island to present Broadway shows. The New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch presents premieres and script-in-hand readings. Rock ‘n roll fans will enjoy the Stone Pony, one of the world’s best-known music venues.
Stone Pony is one of the great rock and roll venues. And, of course, the area is dotted with five-star restaurants like Bia in Ocean Grove, Salt Water Beach Café in Asbury Park, and Copper Canyon at Blue Bay Inn in Atlantic Highlands.

There is so much more to discover along the Jersey Shore, including fishing, hiking in the state parks, golf, and shopping. The Jersey Shore has something that is “shore” to please every visitor — young and old. For more information check www.visitnj.org or call 800-VISITNJ.

By Sandra Scott

This year is Rochester’s 175th birthday but people were living in Rochester when it was called Rochesterville after its founder Nathaniel Rochester, who established the settlement in 1811. In 1834 it obtained a city charter and became known as Rochester.

Often dubbed the Flower City, it was first known as the Flour City. At one point in time Rochester made more flour than any other place in the world. Even Queen Victoria reportedly stocked her kitchen with 6,000 barrels of Rochester flour because “…it made the best cakes.” In the mid-1800s Rochester became the Flower City due in a large part to nurserymen George Ellwanger and Patrick Barry then later Frederick Law Olmsted, called the Father of American Landscaping, who created the city’s park system. Other notables have left their mark on Rochester, including George Eastman, Margaret Woodbury Strong, Susan B. Anthony and George Long, Jr.

The Eastman House—George Eastman, a photographic pioneer and founder of the Eastman Kodak, made photography available to the average person by creating small, easy-to-use cameras. The motto for the camera he introduced in 1888 was, “You push the button, we do the rest.”

To visit to Eastman’s House is to learn more about the man who claimed, “I want to make Rochester the best city in which to live and work.” To that end he donated more than $100 million during his life to educational and arts institutions, public parks, hospitals and charitable organizations.

At the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film see the historical development of photography in the Machines of Memory gallery, visit changing photographic exhibits, wander the gardens, and tour Eastman’s house, a National Historic Landmark.

Beside docent tours, the Eastman offers a variety of programs from film presentations in its Dryden Theater to classes centered on its historic gardens.

The Strong Museum —Margaret Woodbury Strong agreed with Plato who over 2000 years ago said, “Life must be lived as play.” A prolific collector of dolls and toys, Strong founded her namesake museum in 1968.

Today it is larger and more dynamic than ever due to a major expansion project that was completed in 2006.
The carousel and diner are still by the entrance but the museum offers new adventures for young and old.
The National Toy Hall of Fame is home to toys that have withstood the test of time. Visitors can visit Sesame Street, the Berenstain Bears, and Reading Adventureland before heading to the Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden. In a lush, humid rainforest setting there are 800 free-flying tropical butterflies. The guide explained, “Butterflies taste with their feet. They may want to taste you. They are beautiful to see but easy to injure. So watch where you step and check your body in the mirror on the way out to make sure you don’t have any hitchhikers.”

The Susan B. Anthony House—On a quiet tree-lined street the home of Susan B. Anthony tells the story of a lady who dedicated her entire life to making the United States a better place for everyone.
She first became active in the temperance movement, but because she was a woman, she was not allowed to speak at temperance rallies. This led her to join the women’s rights movement in 1852.

She dedicated her life to getting “…women their rights and nothing less.” Ignoring opposition and abuse, Anthony traveled and lectured across the nation for women’s suffrage feeling as she said, “Suffrage is the pivotal right.” She also campaigned for the abolition of slavery, women’s rights to control their own finances, and women’s labor organizations. Anthony died 14 years before women got the right to vote with the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920. It is often referred to as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment.

Sam and Mary—Rochester is another city that owes its existence to the Erie Canal, which opened in 1825, creating an affordable western route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. Even though Sam Patch and Mary Jemison did not live in Rochester, their legacy lives on in the names of two Erie Canal tour boats.

The Sam Patch, a replica of an 1800s Erie Canal packet boat, leaves from Pittsford for a trip on the canal traversing Lock 32. The boat’s namesake was known as the Yankee Leaper, having gained fame for jumping off waterfalls. Twice Patch successfully jumped off Niagara Falls. On his second 97-foot jump off Genesse Falls on Friday the 13th, 1829, he failed to surface.

The Mary Jemison, a 1931 historic wooden boat, honors the legacy of “the white woman of the Genesee,” who chose to remain with her adoptive Seneca family after being taken captive as a child. The Mary Jemison departs from the trendy Corn Hill area traveling the Genesse River and the Erie Canal.

As the Mary Jemison passes under several bridges, the scenery changes offering unique and different views of the Rochester area.

Family Fun—Seabreeze Park is celebrating 130 years of family fun, making it one of the world’s oldest amusement parks. The park opened in 1879 when the main attraction was the shore-side picnic area but mechanical rides soon arrived.

In 1904 George Long, Jr. and his family brought a merry-go-round to Seabreeze, beginning a family legacy that continues to this day with his great-grandchildren working at the park. It is said that the energetic Long took a break at the park and, looking out over Irondequoit Bay, said, “This is the life…”

The park has grown to include a water park with a wave pool and a variety of state-of-the-art thrill rides for all ages. Currently Seabreeze is North America’s fourth oldest operating amusement park with the Jack Rabbit the third oldest operating roller coaster.

For information about more things to see and do in and around Rochester, including the Seneca Park Zoo, the Memorial Art Gallery, self-guided walking tours, and a variety of festivals, check visitrochester.com or call 800-677-7282