You may be tired of hearing about high gas prices, and even more fatigued when you pay at the pump. But this summer, if you haven't ventured on the short road trip to the Southern Tier-you may be thrilled to know that fantastic fun, rich history, and the famous faces of today and long ago await you.
Corning Museum of Glass
If you haven't visited the Corning Museum of Glass (CMOG), know two things: first, this is truly a family affair, meaning fun for everyone. Second, mark your calendar for two visits because there is so much to do that it is nearly impossible to squeeze it all into one day. You'll find yourself-not just the kids-asking, "When can we come back?"
CMOG History
The city of Corning is known for its bake ware and other manufactured glass goods, so it only made sense that a museum in honor of the city's hallmark facility was built. In 1950, the Corning Glass Works founded the museum, not to showcase its work, but to give people the history and a greater understanding of glass. In 1972, the museum and many artifacts and documents were destroyed by Hurricane Agnes which caused the Chemung River Valley to overflow its banks and pour five feet of floodwater into the Museum. It is considered one of the worst museum disasters in history. Fortunately, a new CMOG reopened in 1980 and a multi-million dollar state-of-the art museum extensively developed during the 1990's is the feast of fancy you see today.
Glass, Glass, Glass!
Not too many of you would call yourself glass enthusiasts, but a tour of the glass museum is a treat for anyone with an interest in history. View Egyptian glass images of pharaohs dating back thousands of years, to contemporary works such as the 18 suspended blown glass boats of Endeavor by the internationally-lauded Italian artist Lino Tagliapietra-thousands of works await you. One can easily be lost for hours alone, even after the courteous guide has finished her well articulated tour. On this particular day, I sent my husband off with the children while I was guided through the historical museum. The little ones may not find this nearly as fascinating as the big kids. The intricacies of the Egyptian works are wonders as amazing as their pyramids and crypts.
For the kids, the Hands on Innovation Center is full of fun and interesting activities, but our two favorites were the You Design It, We Make it Glass Show, and the walk-in workshop. In the first, kids sit in a drawing area and color their favorite animal or image. My daughter drew a hot air balloon. Then, the artist on for the show that day selects one picture that he or she will replicate before the audiences eyes. On this day, one lucky girl had her dolphin chosen-the show was an hour long in a rather warm seating area (of course!), but my 5 and 6 year olds sat through the entire demonstration in complete awe. In the walk-in workshop we created our own glass creations-using mugs that we decorated with stickers and then had sandblasted. It's my favorite coffee mug!
CMOG is a treasure not to be missed this summer. I could go on for days about how much there is to do, and we did, but there was much more to do on this trip. Next we went from high temp to high gear as we headed to Watkins Glen and the excitement of NASCAR racing.
NASCAR Next Door
NASCAR Nextel Cup racing and the sport in general has grown by more than miles of road track in recent years and right here in New York State Watkins Glen International is one of the premier venues in the northeast for NASCAR and other races. The facility offers the best of the best for family fun, and it's less than two hours from Rochester.
What started as a road rally along the dirt roads of the village, which is re-enacted each year at the Vintage races, is now a bustling center of race activity-from NASCAR to Indy to club racing. I have a confession. We've been fans of the Glen for decades-my husband holds a track record there. Okay, it was in his club class, back in 1992-but it's his record, and his trophy and no one can break his record because the track design was changed shortly after his win. But enough about Dad…
On this visit, we were at the Glen to see the top NASCAR drivers, including my son's favorite--Tony Stewart, and my daughter's favorite-Jeff Gordon, maneuver the S curves of this formidable track. So many families were there, toddlers to teens, complete with headphones, ear plugs, and, well as luck would have it-rain gear-but enjoying the roar of the cars.
"There's Tony Stewart!" I yelled to my son as Stewart's Home Depot Car popped up on the jumbo screen. The number 20 car would go on to win the race, and Gordon finished 14th to my daughter's dismay.
Do you have down time at the track? If you're not watching a race, perusing the many vendors, or grabbing a bite to eat, a visit to down town Watkins Glen is well worth the short, less than five minute drive. Quaint shops, hiking, boating on Seneca Lake, putt-putt golf and more abound.
If you want to settle things down a bit, it may be time to get away from the track and take a leisurely trip down memory lane in historic Elmira, Chemung County.
Mark Twain's Elmira
If you've ever taken a tour bus or historic trolley ride you may be familiar with the tape recording boom box in the front of the vehicle, which on occasion, gives your guide a vocal break and the ability to focus on driving, even though he or she may be holding a microphone. This error-free, precisely timed voice guides you to points of interest to the left or right of you along your tour. Not so on this journey. Mark Delgrosso, resplendent with bow tie and straw hat, is talking at length about the architecture, life and perhaps most famously, the presence of Mark Twain in the town of Elmira's history. A refreshingly cool breeze blows through the downtown trolley as the children and adults gaze in awe while Delgrosso describes in meticulous detail not only the architecture of historic sites in Elmira, but continues on about some unanswered questions regarding Mark Twain.
"On the grounds of Elmira College sits an outdoor study, which was designed to look like a riverboat wheelhouse. It was the site of inspiration for much of Twain's work. But there is an opening at ground level outside, and there was once an opening in the floor," says Delgrosso.
"We're not sure what they were intended for, but legend has it that Twain allowed for a place for his cats to find comfort."
"It is known that Twain loved his cats and they were a source of comfort to him," says Delgrosso, who has spent five years at the helm of the Elmira Trolley.
Once off that tour there is still much to enjoy in town: Woodlawn Cemetery, where Mark Twain is buried next to his wife and children; the Chemung County Historical Museum; shopping and dining along the quaint Maple Avenue, or at the Arnot Mall. Wherever you decide to visit, you don't have to go far to find fun and bump into a bit of history in Chemung County!
National Soaring Museum
Our last stop was at the National Soaring Museum between Elmira and Corning, and on top of Harris Hill. Now it was an "iffy" weather weekend, but we were anxious to visit the museum because we knew that there was much to learn in addition to the opportunity to enjoy the "Magic of Silent Flight."
The museum has a rich history and many laurels from which to soar upon. The first American captured the world's distance soaring record there, it was the site of the first U.S. National soaring contest back in 1930, and even World War II glider pilots were trained there. Today, it holds the largest collection of gliders and sailplanes in the world!
The museum is interactive and educational-the kids can get into a glider seat and feel what it's like to dive and glide. Electronic displays allow you to see your flight line of site as you pretend to land your glider. If that's not enough, you can experience the thrill of a sailplane ride and get a bird's-eye view of the stunning Finger Lakes region.
One exciting new exhibit you won't want to miss highlights the evolution of the National Aeronautics Space Administration. Whatever your pleasure, this is another truly educational and exciting adventure!
No Jetlag
There's only so much one family can fit into one weekend south of Rochester, and believe me, I'm looking forward to going back. I think the nicest part of the whole trip is that getting back home is a short, relaxing, drive that won't exhaust you or your pocket book. Enjoy!
