Midway State Park has started it’s 110th year on the sunny shores of Chautauqua Lake in Maple Springs, New York.  Originally established  in 1898 as a trolley  park after the Jamestown & Lake Erie Railroad introduced a trolley stop at the popular steamboat dock.  Midway Park is the 16th oldest continually operating amusement park in the United States.

Over the years Midway Park expanded with several amusement rides, miniature golf, water wars and more.  Patrons can take a nostalgic ride on the vintage 1946 Allan Herschell Carousel or the 1958 Dodgem Ride, take a spin on the Tilt-a-Whirl, ride the go-carts and bumper boats or watch their children enjoy themselves on the many kiddie rides.  While some folks may prefer to relax while enjoying an old-fashioned candy apple or a bag of cotton candy, others can test their skills at classic midway games.  The Midway Arcade still features an assortment of arcade legends including Skee Ball, and Whac-a-Mole, as well as the 1980’s hits Pac-Man and Galaga.

 I went as a child, my three sons had a blast there, and I hope to take my grandson for his first visit this summer.  Hope to see you there.

My grandson (2-1/2 years) went on the Thomas the Train tour and was totally enthralled.  He toured in Medina, NY.  Thomas will be travelling all over the country and elsewhere.   If you want to see a smile on a childs face, try this tour.  It is not an all day affair, so parents and kids will not be over whelmed.  The tours for 2008 go up into December.  Have fun!!

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Would you like to mix and mingle with some of the hottest stars of daytime television? We can help you make it happen, on an unforgettable 4-day cruise from Miami in January.

It’s called the Soap Cruise, and heartthrob Cameron Mathison (Ryan Lavery on All My Children) will serve as host on this unique voyage of the Celebrity Century.

As you sail to Key West and Cozumel, you will enjoy private access to Cameron and 14 other soap celebrities from popular shows including Days of Our Lives, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Young and the Restless, As the World Turns, One Life to Live, General Hospital and Guiding Light.

There will be no velvet ropes at this event, it’s an up-close-and-personal experience.

You’ll be taken to a private room to meet the celebrities as soon as you step onboard. During the cruise, you will mingle with your new friends at private cocktail parties, autograph and photo sessions. There’s even an opportunity to get up on stage and act out a script you have written for the stars!

You’ll find these stars approachable and friendly, but don’t just take my word for it, click here to watch the Soap Cruise 2007 highlight video and see for yourself.

In addition to Cameron, seven of the celebrities on the upcoming cruise also sailed on that first Soap Cruise: Alicia Minshew (Kendall Slater on All My Children), Winsor Harmon (Thorne Forrester on The Bold and The Beautiful), Don Diamont (Brad Carlton on The Young and The Restless), Jacob Young (J.R. Chandler on All My Children), Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe Lane on Days of Our Lives), Christian Leblanc (Michael Baldwin on The Young and The Restless) and Austin Peck (Brad Snyder on As The World Turns). Seven other stars will be taking their first cruise.

To learn more about the Soap Cruise, or to reserve your space now, click here. There are a limited number of cabins available to Soap Cruise participants, and you must book the Soap Cruise package through Vacations To Go to join the fun. Celebrities and Soap Cruise activities will not be available to other passengers on the ship.

Sounds like alot of fun to me!!!

Holiday Valley is adding 2 million dollars of improvements this summer.  It is one of the areas premier resorts with ski slopes, health club/spa, a year around heated pool, an 18 hole golf course,  the Tamarack Club (a 78 unit, four star condominium-hotel), and restaurants.  There is the Ellicottville Brewery that makes their own beer which is very tasty.

The resort is upgrading their snow making system, installing an outdoor music system, constructing a picnic/ wedding pavilion on Sugar Plum and a picnic shelter at Spruce Lake.  An upscale housing complex is being built at the heart of the resort.

Holiday Valley had over 500,000 visitors during the past winter season and is financially in great shape.  It is located in Western New York State.

Holiday Valley

 I don’t know about you, but once or twice a year I like to go to a casino in hopes of winning the BIG prize and retiring from work.  HEE! HEE! There is a casino  close to my hometown of Jamestown, New York.  It is in Salamanca, New York.  The casino is fairly new and expands everytime I go. 

There are two casinos near Niagara Falls, also.  The casino in Niagara Falls, Canada that is huge and alot of fun to visit. Of course, as a bonus you can see the Falls.  They are amazing to see, and I highly suggest you go.  The other casino is on the United States side of Niagara Falls in Buffalo, New York.  It is much smaller, but you can still site see and enjoy the Falls without needing a passport.

What do you think about this sort of entertainment?

PS. I am still working! 

Niagara Falls  Buffalo,NY  Travel Savings

Lucy fans will have some new memorabilia to admire when the Lucy-Desi Museum opens its expanded exhibit in August.

The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center received a shipment of items on March 28, 2008,to add to its collection of Lucy memorabilia.  The items are on indefinite loan to the center from the Arnez family, and include items from Ms. Ball’s Beverly Hills home, including her RV console,  one of her backgammon tables, and a swag lamp with an unusual modification made by Lucy.  The items had been on display at Universal Studios.   

Ric Wyman, center executive director, said “It’s kind of like Christmas”,  referring to the many boxes of Lucy-Desi items that were still unpacked.

The center hopes to have everything complete by Lucy’s birthday celebration in August.  Come to Jamestown and have a good Lucy laugh!

Radisson Hotel  Chautauqua Institution 

A “story idea” on the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitor’s Bureau website reads:

“SPRING BREAK NO MORE”"What do Cancun, San Padre Island and Daytona Beach have that South Florida once had, but does not want again? The six week ritual known as ‘Spring Break.’ Fort Lauderdale is no longer ‘where the boys are’ but where well-heeled Europeans, sophisticated Northerners and laid-back Mid-Westerners come to relax and vacation. From the late 1980’s into the early 90’s, Greater Fort Lauderdale was a destination in transition. The area’s success at ridding itself of Spring Break has made it one of the fastest growing travel destinations in the United States.”I can’t believe anyone would have the audacity to turn down business in this economic state.  I know some of  ”the breakers” are abit on the wild side and maybe a distraction to some folks, but I wish I were that age again. I have a cottage in Bemus Point, New York, on Chautauqua Lake.  When I was a teen, we spent hours standing in front of the local ice cream/hamburger shop.  A few summer people arrived every year as soon as school was out in Pennsylvania and Ohio.  Then the fun began.

Today, summer has brought in hundreds of people for weekly Sunday concerts on the floating stage at the Italian Fisherman, aka, The Fish.  The Fish used to be the local ice cream/hamburger shop.  New Condos are going up with a beautiful view of Chautauqua Lake.  The activity has brought in alot of revenue and FUN to the area.  When September comes , it settles down and the town empties out with mainly locals frequenting the See Zurh House (great food),  the Casino (not a gambling place), the Italian Fisherman and the Hare and Hounds.  

The youth of today are no different than the previous generations.  Most of the problem is the news coverage.  We only hear the bad things.  Sure bad things happen, but look at all of the good spring breakers bonding with their friends. 

Come to Chautauqua Lake, Bemus Point, or Western New York.  Spring break would not be fun, however.  We are still getting snow/rain.  We have ski resorts for winter fun and the lake for summer fun. 

Go here for Savings  Chautauqua Lake  Bemus Point 

Weddings are a lot of fun, especially for those that don’t have to plan them.   My three sons got married within a four year period, and their weddings were planned by themselves and their future wives.  The weddings took place in Cleveland, Ohio, Amherst, New York, and Erie, Pennsylvania.  If you want to know about   their weddings, give me a return blog. 

After doing   some research, I found a few interesting spots on the east coast for weddings and receptions.  Anything near the ocean is fun!

(1) Fort Fisher, NC -Fort Historical Site

Fort Fisher, located south of Kure Beach, North Carolina, has two gazebos overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Both are great for smaller weddings, less than 50 people. The most romantic times for ceremonies are dawn and dusk. The sunrise and sunsets there among the historic hills and trees is beautiful. There are no buildings to get out of the rain, just an open area under the trees to have your reception. There are grills and picnic tables already set up, but you will probably want to bring more. For your application to use one of the gazebos, please visit the Historical Site’s office.

(2) Wilmington, NC -Airlie Gardens Airlie Gardens in Wilmington, North Carolina has 67 acres of the most picturesque flowers, plants, trees, and lakes. Although there is a church at Airlie, it is not available for weddings. Springtime is the best time for a wedding in the Gardens because the flowers are in bloom and it’s also not too hot and sticky. There are no reception areas at Airlie Gardens, but this site is within 2 miles of some of the best seafood restaurants inWrightsville Beach that host wedding receptions.  Airlie Gardens books ceremonies 18 months in advance. (3) Charleston, SC - Battery Park

You can have a gazebo wedding in White Point Gardens in Battle Park, a magnificent and historical
Charleston park right on the water. The park is full of live oaks draped with Spanish moss. Its surroundings are old historic Charleston dwellings and businesses. For weddings in the park, you are limited to 25 people including you and the groom, and you have to get a permit from the City of
Charleston.

(4) Savannah, GA - Forsyth Park Inn

The Forsyth Park Inn is a bed and breakfast overlooking Savannah’s Forsyth Park.Forsyth Park is said to be the most beautiful park in Georgia! The Inn features elegant and extravagant decor indoors and outdoors. Your garden wedding will definitely feel intimate and relaxed as you are surrounded by beautiful landscape and fountains. The Queen Anne - style Inn has 11 rooms for housing your wedding guests. The Forsyth Park Inn would make a great location for small weddings.

(5) Outer Banks, NC - Mallards Marsh

Mallards Marsh is a plain building on the outside, but a large open area on the inside. At the Mallards Marsh, your wedding guests will enjoy views of the 22-acres of sound and wildlife adjoining the building. For your reception, Mallards Marsh’s floor plan allows for the dining room to open to the dance floor. There is a wooden walkway going from the main building to a unique glass chapel - perfect for having your wedding outdoors but still be sheltered from the elements.

(6) East Coast Yacht Cruises

Have the wedding of your dreams on one of the East Coast Yacht Cruises boats. They offer all-inclusive packages on certain yachts. A 4.5 hour cruise aboard a Manhattan East Coast Yacht for 75 guests is $13,000 but includes a wedding coordinator, DJ, invitations, ice sculpture, wine and champagne, open bar, and wedding cake just to name a few 

(7) Orlando, FL - Disney World

Get married at Disney World! Disney allows you to choose from one of four types of weddings: wishes collection which is the most elaborate, couture collection, escape collection for less than 18 guests, and a cruise collection which is obviously a ceremony on a Disney cruise ship. From the elegant decorations to friendly atmosphere, Disney World can give you and your groom a truly magical ceremony! 

(8) Coconut Grove, FL - The Grove Isle Hotel & Spa

The Grove Isle Hotel provides the perfect background for your wedding. It is on its own private island which overlooks the Biscayne Bay. At the Grove Isle Hotel, you can choose which indoor facility you want for your ceremony, or you can have it outdoors. Outdoors would be pretty at sunset! There are several ballrooms and banquet rooms to choose from for your reception too. The views of Miami from this hotel are amazing.

Enjoy the day!  All the preparation is worth it, and your family and friends will have a good time no matter what.  Remember, something bizarre is sure to happen.  My husband forgot to bring his tuxedo pants to the church, so his brother had to madly dash home and get them.  In the meantime, the photographer’s brakes on his parked car released and the car rolled down the street. We laugh, now.

Go here for Air Flight Savings 

After taking a trip around the country from New York
State to Idaho, then onto the Grand Canyon, Pike’s Peak, and St Louis, I can truly vouch that family vacations go much more smoothly when you choose a hotel or resort that plans for family trips. Did I forget to tell you that we had 3 sons with us, ages 12, 10 and 8?  What a riot!!!!  You really must try the mule ride down the Grand Canyon with three boys.   We also found that traveling one day and site seeing the next was the best for all of our demeanors.  These family-friendly hotels will help when planning your family vacations. 

1. Four Seasons  With locations throughout the world, this luxury hotel chain caters to family vacations with amenities just for the kids, like child-sized robes. Restaurants have children’s menus. The “Kids For All Seasons” program provides supervised activities which vary at each property, and they are all complimentary. Most resorts have children’s swimming pools and play areas. Cribs, roll-away beds and amenities like baby soap are complimentary.

2. Disney World Resorts    All two dozen of the Disney World Resorts are family-friendly, so you can’t go wrong with vacations there. Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom have rooms with bunk beds available. The All-Star Resorts and Pop Century feature larger-than-life icons like 101 Dalmatians and Mr. Potato Head that will delight younger children. Polynesian, Contemporary and Grand Floridian are a short monorail ride away from the Magic Kingdom.

3. Kimpton  Stylish boutique hotels in metropolitan areas. Most offer family vacations that vary with the hotel. For example, the Hotel Marlow in Cambridge offers ” Museum of Science” family vacations that include four VIP passes to the museum and mountain bikes. The Hotel Monaco in Denver offers “Monaco Munchkins” family vacations that include four passes to Six Flags (or to the IMAX, the Denver Zoo and the Museum of Nature & Science), a $25 gift certificate to Johnny Rockets, snacks and morning coffee.

4. Loews Luxury hotels throughout the United States and
Canada. The “Loews Loves Kids” program for family vacations was developed in conjunction with Parenting magazine. Their Family Concierge will contact you before your arrival with a list of local activities your family might enjoy, and information on the hotel’s family amenities. Family amenities vary by hotel, but generally include children’s menus, board game and video libraries, welcome gifts and supervised children’s programs.

5. Ritz-Carlton This worldwide luxury hotel chain has an extensive “Ritz Kids” program that caters to family vacations. Amenities vary at each hotel. Babies in Hong Kong can enjoy a butler-drawn bath, while families vacationing in Cancun can request quiet suites with phones that light up instead of ringing. Kids in Grand Cayman kayak and snorkel, while in Orlando families enjoy dive-in movies and take golf lessons. Most locations have creative “Healthy Taste” children’s menus, and some have special kid suites.

6. Hilton Geared to summertime family vacations, the “Hilton Vacation Station” is held at many locations in
North America. Gifts, snacks use of a toys and games library are all free to kids twelve and under. Many of the most popular destinations for family vacations, like the Fontainebleau Hilton Resort in Miami Beach, offer supervised children’s programs. Kids eighteen and under stay free in their parent’s room throughout hotels in the United States.

7. Hyatt Children can help plan family vacations with the ” Camp Hyatt” web site. Fifteen locations throughout the United States participate in this year-round supervised children’s program, which offers activities ranging from boogie-board lessons at the Huntington Beach Resort to roasting S’mores over a campfire at the Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando. Many more Hyatts have game lending libraries, children’s menus and special rates.

8. Westin Babies sleep in the crib version of the Heavenly Bed, and enjoy complimentary amenities like bottle warmers, strollers and juice. Kids have special menus, family-friendly television and movies, bedtime stories over the phone and welcome gifts.

9. Radisson About a dozen Radisson resorts offer supervised children’s programs. Many offer seasonal family vacation packages, like the “Sea World and Six Flags” getaway to San Antonio or a “Spring in Bloom” vacation package in ashington, D.C.

10. Marriott Resorts in the Caribbean have supervised children’s programs like the watermelon eating contest at St. Kitts or the treasure hunts at Curacao. Children’s programs are generally for ages five through twelve, although some resorts can accommodate as young as two, and others supervise teens in the arcade. Costs vary, but are generally around $25 per child per day. Elsewhere, kids under 18 stay free in their parent’s room.  

Enjoy your trip and your kids.  They fly the coup before you know it. 

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Take a Canal tour/cruise on the Erie Canal and enjoy the history and beauty on New York State.   Try the day tour at Skaneateles Lake, or stay at the Twenty Woodlawn Bed and Breakfast in the quaint historic village of Fairport, NY.  Other cites/towns that have lodging and events around the Erie Canal are Lockport, Albany, Brockport, Utica, Rochester,Utica, Stanfordville, and Syracuse.  History and nature buffs would love this adventure, as well as, those who just plain want to relax. 

When a canal across New York State was first proposed by Jesse Hawley, a miller in the town of Geneva, President Thomas Jefferson thought it was “little short of madness”. Dewitt Clinton then mayor of New York City supported the idea. Clinton’s opponents called the proposal “Clinton’s Folly”. In 1817, Clinton became governor of New York State, funds for a canal from the Hudson River to the Great Lakes were quickly approved workers broke ground in Rome and started west. This spot was chosen because no locks or aqueducts that would slow progress were needed for approximately 80 miles. This helped quiet Clinton’s detractors. The Erie Canal (”Clinton’s Big Ditch”) opened on October 26, 1825, and was hailed as the greatest engineering marvel in the world. 363 miles long, forty feet wide, four feet deep, 18 aqueducts and 83 locks, the canal shortened travel time form the east coast to the gateway to the west (the Great Lakes) by half and reduced shipping costs by 90%. The Erie opened the only trade route west of the Appalachians, prompted the first great westward migration of American settlers, turned Rochester into the nation’s first boom town and made New York City the busiest port in the United States.

The Erie Canal was enlarged three times, 1862, 1895 and 1918. The canal today is 363 miles long, has 57 locks and the total rise from the Hudson River to Lake Erie is 568 feet.

Shortly after the opening of the Erie canal, branches to the canal were built to connect other important water routes. This ensured towns along previously used waterways were not abandoned. Today, the New York State Canal System extends over 524 miles and connects with hundreds of lakes and rivers. 

Lodging       Canal Tours and Cruises