Randy's Northeast 2023 Trip - Part 3 Western NY, Cleveland, and Indianapolis

Tuesday, September 5th: I embarked on a journey starting from Bill's place, passing through Rochester and Brockport, which held significant memories for me. My first stop was a drive-by of Xerox Building 801 in Henrietta, where I worked for two years. As I pulled into the parking lot, a wave of bittersweet memories washed over me.

I continued my drive, heading towards downtown Rochester through the south wedge area, ultimately reaching the Genesee Brewing location that is known for its picturesque view of the Rochester High Falls.

High Falls @ Rochester

Despite a disappointing beer choice, I enjoyed some delicious pierogis. Unfortunately, my plan to explore the High Falls walkable trail was stopped by a reconstruction project on the walking bridge.

Usually a good walk but too hot today

The sweltering heat further discouraged me from attempting the walk.

I pressed on to Brockport, a town that had changed so much since my college days. I checked into the Econolodge hotel, eager for a shower to wash off the day's sweat. As I explored the town and campus, it struck me how everything seemed much closer and walkable, a stark contrast to my college years. My journey took me through SUNY Brockport, showcasing the buildout that had taken place in the 40 years since my graduation. I parked my car and strolled through downtown Brockport, making my way up to the campus and then circling the perimeter of SUNY Brockport. Returning to downtown, I noticed hairstylists cutting hair on the sidewalk, possibly enjoying the warm evening. I attempted to visit Barber's Grill and Taproom for a pint and a cheeseburger, only to find it in darkness due to a power outage throughout downtown. Instead, I ended up at Bill Gray's, the replacement for Casey's Bar and Grill, where I settled for a less familiar experience.

I messaged John Conkling about my visit to Brockport and the unfortunate power outage at Barber's. He suggested I try the place that replaced Casey's, to which I humorously replied that I was already there. After dinner, I took a drive through town and the campus, relishing the peaceful atmosphere. The following morning, I parked downtown and took a final walk around the campus and town.

Wednesday, September 6th: I set out for Lockport, New York, to explore the five locks of the Erie Canal. Lockport, with its charming ambiance, was well-prepared to captivate tourists with its lock attractions. Continuing my journey, I made my way to Niagara Falls, often dubbed "The Big Drip." Finding parking, I crossed the Rainbow International Bridge into Canada, where I marveled at the incredible views of the falls.

The mist from the falls provided some respite from the scorching heat, but I eventually sought relief at Victoria Park Edgewater Café, where I enjoyed a cooling beer, plenty of ice water, and a refreshing salad. The stunning view from the café added to the experience. I continued my exploration, taking in the rainbows and then retraced my steps to return to the USA via the Rainbow Bridge, passing through customs and resuming my journey.

Originally, I had planned to travel just an hour south of Buffalo, possibly reaching Erie, Pennsylvania, which was a two-hour drive away. However, it was only 5 PM, so I decided to continue driving and ended up about 20 minutes outside Cleveland, Ohio.

Thursday, September 7th: I planned to spend the day at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, which didn't open until 11 AM.

Before my museum visit, I explored the well-developed Cleveland waterfront area, featuring marinas and protective brick walls.

The museum itself was a captivating experience, with a highlight being "The Garage", where visitors could pick up and play various instruments. I particularly enjoyed playing the drums but noted their looseness. Upon inquiring, I learned they didn't tighten the drums too often. After a sensory overload at the museum, I ventured downtown for a Vietnamese lunch to recharge. Upon returning to the museum, I delved deeper into the exhibits.

I stumbled upon a display dedicated to Ohio's contribution to Rock and Roll, where I noticed people gathered around a display for The Breeders, a band I admired. One of the adults in the group resembled The Breeders' lead singer. Later, I discovered that a stage was being set up outside the museum for a free concert by The Breeders, confirming my suspicion.

However, I decided not to stay for the concert due to impending rain, which materialized just before the show.

Friday, September 8th: I continued my journey to Indianapolis, navigating through traffic and encountering numerous propaganda signs along the way such as “Marriage is only between A Man and A Woman”, and “Praise Trump”.  Scary. Arriving at my hotel around 4 PM, I took a quick shower and headed to Lucas Oil Stadium to explore the Jim Irsay Collection. The collection featured pop-culture artifacts, including the iconic Jack Kerouac scroll, which I found fascinating. 

I also marveled at The Big Book, authored by Bill Wilson, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.

The musical instruments section boasted guitars with historical significance, such as Jerry Garcia's beloved "Tiger" and the handwritten lyrics to the Beatles' song "Hey Jude."

That evening, the Jim Irsay band, featuring renowned musicians, played a concert.

I enjoyed about an hour of music before heading back to my hotel.

The following day, I made a quick trip to the airport, returned the car, and found my gate. Treating myself to first-class tickets, I indulged in a white wine alongside my breakfast sandwich.

Randy's Northeast 2023 Trip - Part 2 Syracuse/Saratoga

It was the summer of 2023 when I embarked on a memorable trip back to Syracuse, a city that held countless memories and experiences. Bill and I had a jam-packed week planned, filled with cherished activities, delicious food, and even a surprise reunion with an old friend. Here's a recount of our week in Syracuse:

Monday, August 21: After making our way back from Ottawa to Syracuse, we were eager to dive into our vacation plans. Our itinerary included all the classic Syracuse experiences – leisurely walks in various parks, firing up the grill, and indulging in the irresistible central New York fresh corn. You just can't beat the simple pleasure of buttery, salted corn on the cob. Although, we knew we'd be reaching for the dental floss later!

Bill inquired about Ahi Tuna at Wegman's, only to be met with laughter from the fish guy. "Yeah, sure, for about $40 per pound," he replied.

Tuesday, August 22: Our second day was more of the same, including a lunch stop at Heid's Dogs. Bill had a special event in mind – Newbie Tuesday, a gathering related to Fleet 204. However, three decades had passed since my active days in the fleet, and I didn't recognize anyone as they set sail. I opted to relax on the shore while Bill took to the water, and I can confirm that there were minimal bug encounters.

Wednesday, August 23: This was the day we decided to explore the Great New York State Fair. The fair was worth every penny (we got in free as senior citizens). Highlights included a virtual reality experience for an Air Force search and rescue, snagging a US Space Force koozie, and marveling at the butter statue. We did skip Bill's usual 25-cent chocolate milk in favor of a $1 ice cream cone.

The only lowlight was my choice of ordering a blooming onion to share with Bill's beef on Wick sandwich. The fair's display of photographs and craftsmanship left much to be desired compared to the Del Mar, California fair, which boasts extensive halls dedicated to these arts. However, both fairs share an abundance of livestock on display, encouraging visitors to step out of the buildings for some fresh air.

We made a pit stop at Camillus Costco, solely on a quest for Ahi Tuna, and we scored! The price was reasonable (Wegman's, take notes), and it paired perfectly with Bill's mini-cast iron skillet. Of course, we couldn't resist more central New York corn.

Thursday, August 24: The highlight of the day was the arrival of our old friend Stan, whom we hadn't seen in years – perhaps since Boston. The day was filled with lively conversations and hours around Bill's fire pit. By evening, we realized that driving for dinner was out of the question, so we opted for a damn fine pizza. It was a delightful evening, enjoying the company of old friends.

August 25 - 30: Our week continued in the same fashion – park walks and deep conversations. We frequented Onondaga Park, Green Lakes, and Beaver Lake. Bill mentioned that he needed his "Tree fix," and we couldn't help but appreciate the vast green expanses that New York State has to offer, even in comparison to California's beautiful parks.

We also visited the Stickley Museum, located above a local library. It was an educational experience, especially learning about the intricate furniture joints. The museum had a remarkable artifact – the Stickley chair used by the Dalai Lama when he spoke at Colgate University. And the best part? We were invited to sit in it!

That evening, we dined at Coleman's, and a pleasant surprise was when Bill's ex-roommate, Chris Lord, joined us.

Stan, Chris, Bill and me

Years may have passed, but when old friends reunite, time gaps become irrelevant, and the laughter flows freely.

Salt City Coffee near SU Campus.  Damn fine espresso.

Music Hall @ SU.  Ominous with clouds.

My BFFs.

August 31: It was time to travel once more. Stan drove his car, and Bill and I followed, making our way to Saratoga Springs. Our hotel, the Community Court Motel, greeted us with an early check-in, and Ed, the check-in guy, made sure we had TV reception in our room.

Livin' Large

Livin' Large gets you a pink tiled bathroom.

We explored the town, stopping by Café Lena, the venue for the evening concert. As luck would have it, we crossed paths with Jon Pousette-Dart and Jim Chapdelaine during their sound check, ticking off another item from our bucket list.

When I booked tickets for the Jon Pousette-Dart concert, I had a conversation with a ticket agent who asked if I'd seen Jon before. My response was, "No, but this will take care of two bucket list items: seeing Jon and attending a Café Lena concert." I contemplated upgrading to a premium membership but hesitated. The ticket agent assured me, "No need, we'll get you and your friend good seats."

Walkway in Cafe Lena.

Little did I know that we would be escorted to a FRONT ROW table when we checked in! We were so close to the stage that I could nod at Jim, and he reciprocated. The concert was a nostalgic journey, taking me back 40 years to a simpler, carefree time. Café Lena only had seating for 75, so it quickly emptied after the concert. Stan had brought several vinyl albums for autographs, and we managed to snap some pictures before heading out. A quick note to Café Lena: you can sell more $50 Café Lena prints if you actually have them available. I would've bought one just to get Jon and Jim's autographs.

Afterward, Stan headed back to the hotel, and Bill and I enjoyed a leisurely stroll around Saratoga in the warm evening. Saratoga is a lively town, and I promised myself to look into Café Lena and SPAC concerts for future visits to New York State.

Friday, September 1: In the morning, Bill and I explored Congress Park while Stan packed for departure. We met up for brunch and continued our exploration of the town. Eventually, it was time for Stan to continue his travels, so we said our goodbyes, and Bill and I carried on with our walkabout. Later, we packed up and traveled back to Liverpool.

Saturday, September 2: Bill's original plan was to head to Kathy's place in Massena until his Mom duty began on Monday. He dropped me off at the Syracuse airport, where I rented a car for my next adventure. However, about an hour later, I received a call from Bill – his plans had changed, and he was returning home until Monday.

Sunday, September 3: Bill and I enjoyed a wonderful morning walk at Beaver Lake. In the evening, we headed to the Cobblestone for a light meal and some beers.

At Onondaga Yacht club

Monday, September 4: Bill headed off to Massena, and I relaxed, preparing for my next adventure.

As our week in Syracuse came to an end, I couldn't help but reflect on the incredible experiences, reunions, and memorable moments we had shared.

Here are more Syracuse - August 2023 pics.

Randy’s Northeast 2023 Trip – Part 1 Canada

On Thursday, August 17th, I embarked on my journey to Montreal. United Airlines had joined forces with Air Canada, allowing me to catch a direct flight to my destination. It was a winning start to the trip! Thanks to some YouTube research, I had prepared for the transportation from the airport to our hotel, Le Saint-Sulpice in Old Montreal. However, what I hadn't anticipated was the massive crowd of fellow travelers.

Many, many people in Montreal airport.

The line for Customs seemed to stretch endlessly, making it difficult to discern where it began. My research had suggested I should get a ticket and board the 747 bus for the shuttle, but it turned out that most of the people in the Customs line had the same idea. Note to Canada: it's high time for a mobile app for these services!

Canada, it's time for an app!

Eventually, a new line formed for the 747 buses, and I patiently waited my turn, watching as four buses came and went before I could board.

Some bus drivers were strict about not allowing standing passengers, while others encouraged passengers to squeeze in and use the hanging straps. As the bus left the airport, I was following my downloaded Google map, but I lost connectivity with my travel companions, Bill and Kathy. Kathy had decided to join us for the evening, driving up separately and waiting at our prearranged bus stop. Unfortunately, our lack of connectivity meant she and Bill waited quite a while before my bus finally arrived. It was a valuable lesson for future trips – we definitely want connectivity to avoid unnecessary waiting.

After dropping off my luggage at the hotel and enjoying a refreshing shower, we explored Old Montreal, had dinner at Les 3 Brasseurs, and took a leisurely stroll along the waterfront.

Fast forward to Friday, August 18th. Kathy had an early departure back home, leaving just Bill and me to continue our adventure. We had been worried about the weather forecast, which had predicted rain and drizzle for the entire week. Fortunately, our luck changed, and we were greeted with mostly clear skies. However, the temperature soared into the upper 80s, making our walk towards Mount Royal via McGill University quite warm.

We had expected to encounter distinct ethnic neighborhoods like Chinatown, Little Italy, Old Greece, and a Jewish area, but these distinctions weren't as apparent as we'd hoped. The Red Light district, on the other hand, was noticeable but somewhat seedy. Despite this, our walk was enjoyable.

Obligatory pic of seedy Red Light district

We explored McGill University during Parent's Weekend and even found the Dentistry building, which Bill photographed for his ex-work buddy Jordan, a graduate from there. For lunch, we opted for Nouilles Zhonghua, where we witnessed the fascinating process of a noodle-maker crafting noodles by hand right in front of the restaurant's window – no machines or pasta presses involved.

Continuing our uphill journey into Mount Royal, we decided to take the road cutbacks instead of the seemingly endless stairs. As the temperature rose even higher, we realized we had overdressed. Nevertheless, the lush greenery and scenic overlooks of Montreal and beyond made it worthwhile.

Reaching a plateau with manicured lawns and a large pond, we noticed dark clouds on the horizon and decided it was wise to start descending from Mount Royal to avoid getting caught in a heavy rainstorm at the peak. We used the steps on our descent and found ourselves deep in a beautiful, dark forest when the rain finally arrived. It was a brief but intense downpour that turned the steps into mini-rivers.

By the time we left Mount Royal, the rain had passed, leaving everything glistening and even more beautiful. That evening, we had plans to meet up with Rob, who had driven from his farmhouse in Ottawa to spend the evening with us in Montreal. We met at the rooftop bar of Hotel Nelligan, where Rob had secured a spot for us during happy hour. The bartenders' precision and coordination as they prepared drinks were truly impressive. We caught up over a few beers, with Bill and Rob realizing it had been about a decade since they had last seen each other. We also raised a toast to their friend Bert, who was not in the best of health.

Rob selected an excellent Italian restaurant, Salumi Vino, for dinner, where we enjoyed some fantastic gnocchi. Rob had a playful offer to cover the dinner bill if anyone mentioned airplanes, to which I promptly responded, "I flew on a plane to Montreal," turning it into a business dinner joke. Our conversation also touched on the possibility of a 2024 trip to Croatia. We teased Rob about it, even though we all understood it would be challenging for him to make it happen. After dinner, we took a stroll through Old Montreal and discovered Modavie Bistro Bar, which featured either jazz or blues music depending on the floor. Opting for the first-floor bar, we enjoyed the jazz music while continuing our conversation. This evening made all the flight and airport hassles well worth it, and we had a great time.

Good to catch up w/ Rob, even if I have to go to another country.

On Saturday, August 19th, the three of us met for breakfast at Eggspectation, where I couldn't resist trying the Poutine Benedict – it was delicious. We bid farewell to Rob, with plans to meet again in Central America, and then Bill and I explored St. Laurent and the Mile End area. We passed by the iconic Schwartz's Deli and Fairmont Bagel, both with long lines, and wisely hopped on the Metro as rain clouds approached.

The line at Schwartz's Deli.  Pass!

For dinner, we dined at St-Paul Pub on the third floor, enjoying an open-window seat with a view of the waterfront. We split a smoked meat (don’t call it pastrami!) sandwich and poutine, which proved to be just the right portions.

Living well.

We continued our walk, stopping for a nightcap at Verses Bistro, where we had street-view seats with open windows.

Spotted while walking...

A rendition of Gustav Klimt's The Kiss.

On Sunday, August 20th, we embarked on a slow drive to Ottawa. Sections of the main highway were closed for construction, diverting us onto a service road, which made for a seemingly endless stop-and-go journey with numerous merging side roads. Our adventure took an unexpected turn when we mistakenly entered the Alt Hotel, thinking it was our Arc Hotel ("down the street on the opposite side").

After parking under the hotel, we checked in and headed toward the waterfront. The slow drive had left us thirsty, so we stopped for a beer at another 3 Brasseurs. The Parliament was under reconstruction, so we explored the area around the beautiful building overlooking the Rideau River and Canal.

Rideau Canal locks, to get to the river.

I noticed that the flags were at half-mast, prompting me to approach an officer near a Parliament checkpoint to inquire about the reason. As I headed toward the officers, one of them swiftly approached me, maintaining a respectful distance, and explained that the flags were lowered due to the recent passing of an elderly statesman.

Dinner that evening was at Bier Market, situated on an impressive pedestrian street. Rob had recommended that we watch a nightly show projected onto the Parliament building, which delved into Canadian history, including their recognition of past racist actions and their efforts towards reconciliation.

The final projection, as "Oh Canada" was played.

After the show, we strolled to the Rideau Canal, where we found the Convention Centre hosting an event, with boats parked along the canal and restaurants and bars offering scenic views.

Beautiful Rideau Canal.

We stopped at the Elgin Restaurant for a nightcap at an open-air bar along the Rideau Canal, where we encountered a couple celebrating their third anniversary with two very well-behaved dogs who had traveled by boat through the Rideau Canal to Ottawa for the occasion.

On Monday, August 21st, after another walkabout, we began our journey home with a brief stop at the Duty Free store. As with all our Canadian purchases, the strong US dollar provided a favorable exchange rate, reducing costs by 25%.

Notable:

• Every service person was bilingual.  A typical greeting was in French, and once they heard our Americano English they would flip over to English.
• Old Montreal reminded me of Paris but cleaner.  There was very little graffiti or trash.  And it was walkable.
• We didn’t get into Schwartz's Deli and Fairmont Bagel due to long lines but I did have a bagel at Eggspectation and it was underwhelming.  I had read so much about Montreal bagels being better than New York City bagels but didn’t seem that way to me.

Like Paris, just cleaner.

More Canada pics are here.

Stahl House Visit

This year I started to make a dent in the “To-Do” list.  The first step has been to define the list…

But the Stahl House has always intrigued me and obviously was on the list.  I remember seeing the 2 young women in the iconic black-and-white Life Magazine photo some 50+ years ago.  And every time I thought of it after moving to SoCal, I would check the Stahl House website and all slots were sold out.

The initial view after walking in the gate.

Not to be confused with the 2 young women.

But not this year.  I finally booked a time slot that started in the daytime and ran into the evening, just for the nighttime views.  It was so worth it.

Possibly the best LA view.

Made better by adding me to the pic

And I had bought the published book.  It was informative, and the tour guide pointed out several aspects I missed in the book.

Simply stunning

Dinner @ The Doran's

I had dinner at The Doran’s in place of Thursday night surfing.  It was great to catch up with the Doran family after their Australia trip. 

Amelia picked a bouquet of flowers for me to take home.

A girl hasn’t given me flowers in over 40 years (a very different situation!).

Thank you Amelia.

Tracy's SoCal Visit

 My sister Tracy escaped the Florida heat for SoCal coolness.  Tracy arrived on July 4, with the intent of walking over to see the Del Mar Fair fireworks.  But the all-day travel caught up to her and she slept through the fireworks.

The obligatory Swami's view pic

I try to treat repeat visitors to something new, to show them more of SoCal.  Tracy said let’s just stay with the tried and true.  While the pressure to find new and exciting was removed we did find things that were on my “gotta try that” list.

We always check local music venues.  This time we went to see Vonda Shepard @ the Belly Up.  I have seen Vonda before and she brought her Big Voice.

The benefit of being in the front row

An unexpected plus was the opening act, Jack Tempchin.

See Jack if you can

I knew of Jack and he was on my bucket list to see, and did not disappoint.  Jack performed solo and shared stories of songs from his time with the bands Poco, Flying Burrito Brothers, Jackson Browne, Warren Zevon, and the Eagles.  What a catalog.

Bob and Kathy hosted a Saturday evening get-together for the Thursday night surf crew.  Corn-hole teams were defined and competition began.  The competition ran long, so we opted for play suspension and retired for dinner, followed by a round of the card game developed by Jeff Lobo.  Good times.

Competitive Corn-Hole.  Until dinner is served

We began a list of “to-do’s”.  Some we didn’t get to, but some we did.  A checked-off item was going to Captain Keno’s.  CK looks like such a dive, with a hand-painted menu containing “Meatloaf $3.99, Spaghetti $2.99”.  We entered at about 5:30pm and the bar was full.  This should have been expected for a place that advertises “no beer over $5”.  No table service – you place your food order at one place then have to go to the bar to get drinks.  And find your own seats.  But the chicken-fried steak with mashed potatoes/gravy for $6 was great.  I will be back.

With some prodding, Tracy joined my travel to Fletchers Cove on the night of July 18 to possibly see a SpaceX launch from Vandenberg Space Base, about 260 miles away.  We discovered several other people were also there (some with high-def photo equipment) to see the launch.  Alas, the launch was scuttled until the next day.  On the next day, neither Tracy nor I wanted to go to Fletchers Cove.  But during our backyard dinner, I mentioned the SpaceX launch should have happened about 2 minutes ago – Tracy looked up and saw it over my shoulder!

We watched it from the backyard then hustled to the cul-de-sac to see more of it.  Emily from 3 doors down also came out for it.  Wow.

We really enjoyed Jack Tempchin’s opening set at Belly Up, so we googled him and discovered he plays a happy hour and an Oceanside wine bar.  So we drove up, walked in and got a reservation, then walked down to the Oside pier.  Upon returning, we got the obligatory wines and enjoyed Jack with his sidekick named Jesse London, as well as a person that toured with the band America.

Jack, always entertaining, with great musicians on-stage

Great music, so-so wine.

We got some small-talk (fan-gush) with Jack.

As expected, Tracy and I spent a lot of time talking about our recent family loss of Rick, our brother. We drank a lot of wine and tried to make sense of everything. We didn't really solve anything, but I think we are at peace with it.