Many Partings

On Thursday, it was time for goodbye-ing. 

They will miss Grandpa Jim!

 And these two pairs will miss each other:

I'll miss the little crop of tow-heads always about:

And my other half. Can you really separate half-people? 

Until we meet again. May it be soon!

Ontario Beach Park

This trip didn't deliver an easy opportunity to go to the family's campgrounds on the southwestern shore of Ontario. So I had a hankering to see the lake from some angle before we left. Charlotte Beach was calling me, despite it being only in the 70s. It was brilliantly sunny, and in WNY you better act when the sun shines. 

After some playground play, we bought the kids rides on the historic Ontario Beach Dentzel Carousel.  

Miles and Abby choose these cat-steeds right away

I had my eye on the ostrich.  

 

 After the carousel ride, we took a walk on the pier. As usual, Abby and Miles were inseparable.

 One section of the pier seemed to have water-attracting properties.

Miles was utterly soaked. Abby was pretty wet herself. Neither minded. 

 We took in a bit of a frolic in the shallow waves.

Tai-Tai preferred the warm sand. 

We lingered a while to talk our lives over, and to dream up new, future ones. Such peace. I am so grateful for this week. 

I've always been a fan of these Mt. Hope Ave signs. Here's the original:

 They've made it into a huge campaign, though, and now signs like this, and others that just say "Hope," cover several blocks near the University and Hospital:

I love this city like Leslie Knope loves Pawnee. May the winds bring me back soon!

Genesee Country Museum and Village

 As a final birthday treat, Grandpa Jim gave Miles a short list of fun day trips he could take us on. The list included the Strong Museum of Play, the Museum & Science Center, and the Zoo, all of which we've visited before, and the Genesee Country Village and Museum, which we had not yet visited with the kids. Miles heard a description of the GCV&M, and to my amazement, perked up and said, "That's where I want to go!"

So! Away we went.

What you need to know: GCV&M is like Colonial Williamsburg, except:
1. It's "set" in the 19th Century, with one section in the early pioneer days and one in the antebellum period.
2. All the buildings are restored original buildings, not recreations.

Antebellum period

Pioneer period

 One of our first stops? A 19th Century Baseball game. They played by 1868 rules, in 1868 clothing. The fans were serious; there seems to be a season ticketholder set.

There were even 19thC ads on the fence

We watched until the kids' attention spans no longer permitted us to stay. After lunch, we visited a cooper

He explained the whole craft

Hops growing outside the brewery

Probably their favorite visit was to the schoolhouse. I explained ot them that if they lived in 1850, they'd be walking to school every day. They loved this notion!

The schoolteacher seated them at their desks with slates.

We even got to use the readers:

From the pioneer section; notice the apple orchard!

After school, Adele made use of the privy behind the building. Then, we visited the dressmaker, who was in her yard picking berries. 

 

Delicious!

GCV&M is a popular wedding location. There were 3 that day!

We visited an indoor museum for a time. I spent some time captivated by the "fashions in fiction" display. 

The kids enjoyed the creative period play room:

Apparently helium balloon rides were the rage in the 19th century.

There were two churches in the village. The Methodist had a wedding going on, but the Roman Catholic one was open to visitors. 

I've always had a soft spot for St. Joe

The kids raced down the aisle, kneeled, and held out expectant hands. It was one of those rare moments when I felt like we were bringing them up well. 

It was another gorgeous, golden Western NY summer day. We hope to visit GCV&M at Christmas someday.