Lower Falls
Lower Falls
2011 Trip - Day 1
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Monday, April 18 - Kent, OH - 410.5 Miles
Left Oswego around 8:00AM, stuffing a few final items in the car. I noticed most of the rivers I drove along were either at or overflowing their banks, so I decided that even though it was cold (around 37°) and raining, I'd make a stop at Letchworth. I parked at the wrong lot for the Lower Falls (there is a lot that is much closer than the main one) but at least I got my exercise for the day. Going down the 127 steps was easy, although there were many muddy spots. At least the rain stopped while I was there. There was almost no one other than the park maintenance crew in the park - they were cleaning up the winter leftovers.
The water level in the Genesee River was as high as I've ever seen it, although I'll have to admit I was only there once in the spring. Anyhow, I shot a couple of photos from the bridge:
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Lower Falls |
Lower Falls |
After climbing back up the 127 steps (I didn't actually count them, but there is a sign stating the number, and I can attest that the term climb is accurate) continued along the river. Saw a couple on the railroad bridge. For those that haven't been to Letchworth, the Portage Railroad Bridge crosses the gorge a little above the Upper Falls. It is the highest & longest wooden railroad bridge in the country, at least according to the park sign at the base of it. There are many "No Trespassing" signs put up be the railroad, but for some the temptation it just too much. There are a couple of places where paths have been created under the chain link fence guarding the tracks. I didn't cross the bridge - the walkways are pretty narrow, and it is a quite active set of tracks (a train went by while I was taking photos of the bridge).
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The Trestle |
Here Comes the Train |
& There it Goes! |
After leaving the park I asked Matilda to get me back on track (My late wife Carol gave the name to the lady of the GPS, and even though this is the 4th one, the name has stuck) and she took me down Wiscoy Road to get back to NY 19. The road crosses a bridge that has a nice view of a waterfall. Of course, those that know me know I like to take photos of waterfalls (alright, I admit it, I'm addicted to photographing waterfalls!) Anyway, here it is:
There is an old grist mill & power plant on each side of the river. A pretty setting.
The rest of the day was spent on various state & county roads in NY, PA & OH. I stopped for the night at the Super 8 Motel in Kent, Ohio after driving 410.5 miles, far more than I expected to do. Still, there are thousands more to go!
This page is maintained by: vermilye@oswego.edu
Last Update:
March 20, 2012