Days 34 to 36-Gettysburg to Massena to Sandwich

On the road by 6:45 AM,  we began another long travel day for us, most of which was spent on I-81 as it climbs across the Allegheny  Mountains in Pennsylvania coal country and into the flatter farmlands of New York state.  The 18 wheel truck traffic along this route is extremely heavy until you are north of Scranton, so it's not a relaxing drive despite the gorgeous scenery.

Our first top was around noon in downtown Syracuse for sandwiches.  This art deco building belongs to Niagara Mohawk, one of the big power utilities in New York.

Continuing northward along I-81 until it ends at the bridge across the St. Lawrence to Canada.

We took a short diversion, about ten miles east of the end of I-81, to the village of Clayton, a beautiful resort village right along the seaway.  Every summer Clayton hosts an antique boat show that has always been on my bucket list.

The main shipping channel on the Seaway passes right next to Clayton so a common sight is a that of a huge tanker or container ship that dwarfs the buildings of downtown Clayton.

Leaving Clayton we deviated inland to the village of Heuvelton.  There are a lot of Amish families that have settled in this region and Joni visited a general store in this small town that featured Amish baskets and quilts.

Leaving Clayton around 5:30 PM, we moved on to  Potsdam where we dined at Sergi's Pizza.  Their pizza rolls are to die for...and if you eat too many you probably will.

We arrived in Massena around 7 PM, 496 miles from our starting point in Pine Grove Furnace State Park.  

We spent the next two nights in Massena, visiting Joni's aunt, and for the first time touring the local museum where we came across some fascinating photos that highlight Massena's history.

André de Massena, one of Napoleon's favorite lieutenants, for whom the town is named.

Queen Elizabeth and Vice-President Nixon were in Massena for the dedication of the Seaway opening.

The English Department at Massena Central High School, where I began my teaching career in the fall of 1973.

As I finish writing this last blog entry, Joni and are packing up our van and getting ready for our last drive of this trip, to our home in Sandwich, 425 miles away.  We plan to stop for lunch in Littleton, NH, and hopefully we'll be back on the Cape before dark.  I know one of topics Joni and I will discuss on today's drive, is where will go for our next camping trip.  

 Footnote:  We crossed the bridge over the Cape Cod Canal at 6 PM, tired and hungry.   Over the past 36 days we have driven 7511 miles and visited 25 state.  Can't wait to hit the road again, but for the next month we're going to just enjoy living on Cape Cod.