Ice Bikes of Buffalo

Last year I heard there was something called Ice Bikes in Buffalo. Of course I wanted to check it out but every free weekend didn't work out weather-wise. We were having such a mild winter, I thought maybe the ice was slushy.

This past weekend we HAD to go to Buffalo to pick the Smart Car up from the garage so we decided we might as well check out the ice bikes.

Turns out the bikes are at Canalside, where there is actually an ice rink. I thought it was just a frozen canal but it's a maintained rink so there is more control over the ice. The weather was mild when we visited but the ice was fine. There were lots of people there skating and hanging out.

Buffalo did a really nice job with Canalside. You can rent skates, ice bikes, try curling or even get a snack in one of the tents or a food truck. They have nice heated tents with lockers and seating for changing into your skates.

Back to the ice bikes. They are a very cool invention of a bike mounted on a frame with skate blades.

I really wasn't sure how well they would work but they really cruise along! The bikes are very responsive and easy to maneuver.

The bikes can be rented by the half hour which is plenty of time to get your fill of biking around the rink.

I'm so glad we got a chance to try out the ice bikes this winter. I think they would be great somewhere like the Rideau Canal in Ottawa where you could bike for miles. And I would love something like Canalside here in Rochester! Winter activities help you get through the long season of snow and ice.

 

Day trip to Niagara Falls

Sometimes I forget we are a little over an hour away from what would have been one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World - if they had not refused it - Niagara Falls. We have been there a couple times, but really we should go more often. We had a friend in town last weekend and he had never been so off we went.

There is the US side and the Canadian side... and they are different.

Niagara Falls Canada

Most would agree that the Canadian side of Niagara Falls is more impressive. The Horseshoe Falls is the largest of the three falls that make up Niagara Falls. The Canadian side is also more commercial. Clifton Hill is a major tourist spot with restaurants like Hard Rock Cafe & Planet Hollywood, Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, Guinness World Records Museum, Louis Tussaud's Waxworks, a giant ferris wheel, Hershey World, Coca-Cola World... you get the picture.

Everyone seems to know about the Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist (pictured above)... but that boat is on the US side. The Canadian's have the Hornblower.

One of the cool things you can do on the Canadian side is go behind the falls. You decend down wrapped in a plastic hood until you come out on a platform directly next to Horseshoe Falls. Then you can walk down a tunnel until you peep out behind the falls.

I had not done that before so I was glad to have the chance.

Niagara Falls US

The US side of Niagara Falls is much more like a park - which it is... a National Park made up of American Falls and Bridal Falls. There are not as many restaurants and destinations apparent on the US side. It's more about walking around and peering down at the falls.

You can walk out onto a look out, take a ride on the Maid of the Mist or walk down below the falls at Cave of the Winds.

While Horseshoe Falls was tough to see from all the mist, we got a good look at the US falls.

Looking right down Bridal Falls to the Cave of the Winds. Made me feel like flinging my phone into the water.

Looking down on the Maid of the Mist. I do prefer this boat ride over Hornblower.

You aren't going to find the Vegas-like attractions on the US side. This is more of what you might find.

This caught my eye too. It all has it's own charm.

Maple Weekend 2015

With spring comes Maple Weekend. But first a stop at Cuba Cheese. Which means a visit to the aged cheddar cooler.

"Excuse me but I can I get some assistance? I think I need more than 10 blocks of cheese."

It has become a tradition to go for maple weekend with friends - a delicious tradition.

Next stop Spragues Maple Farm!

This is where the magic happens. I would like that maple sign for our breakfast nook.

Mmm. Fresh maple shots.

Pancakes and waffles!

Time to visit the sugar shack.

I was worried that the record breaking cold weather we had in February would affect maple production but it was flowing fine when we visited.

It's not maple weekend without a haul of maple cotton candy and now kettle korn!

Ice Volcano

The temperature actually rose out of the single digits and I am finally feeling better from my cold so we took a little road trip. We went to the Glen Iris Inn at Letchworth Park to see the Ice Volcano.

The Ice Volcano was formed during the freezing temperatures from a man-made fountain inthe middle of a pond in front of the Inn. Park founder William Prior Letchworth built the fountain in 1860 and it shoots water 30 to 40 feet in the air.

The Ice Volcano grew to be 53 feet high and 84 feet in circumfirence as the last offical measurement recorded. It's a record size for the fountain.

The Ice Volcano got national attentiona as it was picked up by USA Today, the Today Show and Mashable.

While we were there we went to check out the Middle Falls. It was almost totally iced over.

Aaron leans in to get a better shot.

We hiked up a bit to look at Upper Falls.

It just felt good to get outside for awhile.

Cayuga Wine and Herb Festival

Clearly they are working very hard.

Cayuga Lake Wine and Herb Festival

I like all the cats and dogs that work at the wineries.

Cayuga Lake Wine and Herb Festival

Today we went to the Cayuga Lake Wine and Herb Festival- although this is a tomato.

This was Maple Weekend in New York State.

That means all you can eat pancakes with fresh maple syrup.

Yum.

Today Aaron and I went on a Holiday Cayuga Lake Wine Tour. Even though alcohol makes me sick it was a lot of fun. At the begining you get two wine glasses and a wreath. Then each winery gives you an ornament for your wreath. They all have food and recipes too. And grape juice, thank goodness. Here are pictures of our day on My Gallery.

Domo Kun went along.

Domo Kun had a great time... maybe too good of a time as you will see at the end of his photo gallery.

I went to the Finger Lakes Fiber Arts Festival today. I love petting all the sheep, llamas and yarn. This particular sheep was in seventh heaven having his head scratched. Look how his eyes are closed in happiness. I never met such a personable sheep before.

I bought some yarn of course. The light brown will be a shawl, the dark brown a poncho. I am going through a brown phase.