Boston, MA to Buffalo, NY

September 18, 2009
Boston, MA to Buffalo, NY

Looking out the window of the airplane, I spotted Finger Lakes below and could not wait to land in this land called Buffalo. What did Buffalo have to offer a traveler? My CS host had called me and told me I would love the outdoors up here and after some Wikipedia research I halfway believed him. Soon after Jetblue dropped me off and I was officially stuck in upstate NY for three days, my CS host, Jeremy, met me at the airport and drove me off to the Anchor Bar…home of the World Famous Buffalo Chicken Wing! What a place to start. Jeremy’s friend Billy joined us and soon the three of us were downing 30 of Buffalo’s finest homemade hot poultry apps as we got to know each other. Jeremy and I soon realize that we are like brother and sister and when I order a PBR he gives me a hard time the rest of the night. Hello! It was either that or a Molson and I’m not Canadian. It was so weird being in the USA but seeing Canadian beer everywhere I went. Following the Anchor bar Jeremy showed me one of his favorite places in Buffalo, Niecce’s, where we saw a Frank Zappa cover band. They were so cool, but after Billy fell asleep standing up we decided it was best to call it a night. On the way out I witnessed a lady selling tomatoes and wondered if that’s what drunk people in Buffalo call for at 2 AM. Towards the car a guy ran down the street with three police officers following him…when they reached him he got hit with the nightstick while fighting back and yelling “Don’t hit me!” Don’t run brother if you didn’t do anything wrong…

September 19, 2009
Letchworth State Park, NY

Lounging on the couch, talking with Jeremy’s cousin Tom, the two of us were enjoying an early Saturday morning over coffee when Billy’s three nieces bounced up the front porch to invite us to breakfast. Before we could say yes they had taken over Jeremy’s studio and created a rock band with his drum set. Nothing like the sound of a nine year old beating the drums at 9 AM. Throwing on our hiking boots, a group of us took off to Apollo Family Restaurant and enjoyed some homemade diner food washed down with orange juice and coffee. Outside I wanted to get a photo of the group and looked around for someone whom I might be able to take a picture that wasn’t blurry…I saw two guys coming towards us and asked them “Hi, can you take a picture for me.” The guy looked at me a little weird and then when I handed him the camera I noticed that he didn’t have a hand. Nice. I couldn’t decide if he thought I was a bitch b/c I hadn’t noticed or inconsiderate b/c I made him take it anyway. Whatever. It was too late to turn back by that point and only I could find the one guy in Buffalo with no hand to take a picture.

Back in the car we headed out of town and east towards Letchworth State Park. Jeremy told me they call it the Grand Canyon of the East so I was very excited. Perfect weather poured over us and as the sun belted down I enjoyed the countryside of upstate New York. We passed by multiple dairy farms and roadside stands selling corn 12 for $2 before I saw a sign that read “Democrats and Republicans Pancake Breakfast.” I wonder what was going on. At Letchworth the lady working the entrance informed us that there was a Native American Festival taking place that day with events, etc., but when we showed up it turned out to be more like beads and feathers made in China and sold in New York. Driving through the park leaves were starting to change and fall off, there were lots of motorcyclists driving through and at Mr. Letchworth’s house three weddings were taking place. One of the weddings included every bridal attendant having a tattoo right above their breast, including the bride…then they all yelled “F8&$”…it was nothin’ but class up in there. Jeremy showed me the lower falls, upper falls and Portidge Bridge area. Everything was so beautiful and the river below was exceptionally clear. So clear that I could see straight through to the bottom. Although the water was really low; only 6 inches in some parts. At the Portidge Bridge we snuck around the fenced area and joined other tourist to walk the train tracks for a mile high view of the valley. Green trees went on for miles and hawks soared above our heads.

Back towards Buffalo we stopped at a roadside stand where we picked up fruits and veggies, which were turned in to a pasta and side dish later that night. Jeremy, Billy, and Tom sat me down after dinner and taught me how to play “Farkle,” but were not impressed when I soon whipped their ass with a few hot rolls. What a fun game!

September 20, 2009
Niagara Falls, NY

It was 39-degrees last night; too cold for me. I would never survive a Buffalo winter! My bones were stiff as I peeled away the covers and stood up to take in Sunday morning. Grabbing our hiking boots again, Jeremy drove us twenty miles away to Niagara Falls, home of the USA’s first state park. Through Buffalo I saw the General Mills plant, where they make Cheerios, Tyson foods, where they make lunchmeat, and Honeywell, where they make….

In the car we jammed to Iron Maiden and Bob Dylan before pulling in to Niagara Falls, where we parked near the river and walked through the park. Rapids flowed and the water was crystal clear as we approached Bridal Veil falls. The water hurried down the cliff and everyone looking on was a tourist. Mostly Asian and Indian tourist and one guy even had three cameras! I thought I took a lot of pictures! Looking over towards Canada I could see the Maiden of the Mist ship that cruises people near the bottom of the waterfall and I spotted double rainbows. After Bridal Veil falls, we walked towards Horseshoe Falls, which is where people jump over and try to survive. Already over the ledge were two European girls in stripper heels attempting to get a better picture. That is how people die I wanted to tell them, but figured they would get it as they tumbled in. Next to them a Bollywood movie was being filmed, so I snapped a picture of that, too. Down at the bottom of Horseshoe Falls, Jeremy and I entered the Cave of the Winds where we were outfitted with yellow panchos and flip flops that will later be donated to poverty stricken countries. Inside Cave of the Winds I walk towards the railway and see the most beautiful view of the falls and another rainbow. Up the stairs the falls pour down on me and I stand underneath and they rush onto my body. It is an amazing feeling just being there and allowing the water to rush all over you. When else in my life will I be back at Niagara Falls and have this experience?

In the afternoon my CS host introduces me to his family and friends and we watch the Buffalo Bills take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while eating homemade chicken noodle soup and ribs…DELICIOUS! It hit the spot and the people in Buffalo were so nice and welcoming until I told them I was a Charger fan…