2chicksNiagara ~One cat’s opinion…

One cat’s opinion? Misha wanted to remind you that no matter the season, Niagara is a great place to visit, love and live! Autumn’s just around the corner, so be a cool cat and plan your trip ahead.

The 2chicks family has been in the midst of a move, so less publishing this summer, but Misha was tired of just hanging around and had to get her two cents in! Her trip’s already in the bag. 😉

#ThrowbackThursday #SherrieRobinsArt #Niagara #Autumnscoming

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Sherrie Robins’ Art Facebook

Sherrie Robins’ Art Fine Art America (Purchase of art, available here. *Requests taken).

2chicks2go Pinterest

 

 

 

2chicks Niagara ~ Gorgeous Gorge

For the Beauty of the Earth.

The wind curves ’round the bend,

The Hawk and eagle glide on by,

The water rushes down below,

My heart it soars, touching the sky.

Sherrie Robins

 

#ForBeautySake #NiagaraGorge #NiagaraRiver #NiagaraFalls #SherrieRobinsArt
#2chicks2go #WhirlpoolStatePark #DevilsHole #IloveNewYork

Old Fort Niagara

There is a stately beauty about her. Noble, strong, statuesque. She is the Old Fort Niagara, the oldest continuously occupied military site in North America.

She is ready for you to call on her, when you visit Niagara. She’s just down the lane at the end of the Niagara River, where it meets Lake Ontario.

http://www.oldfortniagara.org/

 

Good Eats ~ Country Style

A warm spring day in Niagara. A healthy appetite. Yearning for a bit of adventure. Whadd’ ya got? Our Saturday trip to the country! So if you like farm-sourced food, delicious house-made baked goods, a drive in the country, and a few good snaps, you’re in for a treat.

First, hats off to a little place in Ransomville, called “Knead the Dough”.https://www.facebook.com/Knead-the-Dough-412887704147/?fref=ts  It’s an unassuming place, on the main drag, with a lot full of cars.

There’s nothing too surprising for a country restaurant, on the outside…

But on the inside…

And the food was perhaps as surprising.

From scratch corned-beef-hash

They make their baked goods including the croissant for this plate.

The home fries weren’t greasy. The burrito filled with lovelies. Different taste combinations, friendly staff. We give it 4 chicks! 

Then it was off to the Farm! There were…

Fine-feathered turkeys…

A chicken laying eggs…supervised by a rooster…

A Chick NOT laying eggs, supervised by a Rooster…

Speaking of eggs…and rocks…

Speaking of roosters…

And chickens…

Isn’t this farm just ducky?? (HAD to do it)…

Oh, and did we mention the farm was at a market? Or rather, the market is at a farm?

Dispenza’s is a rather unique, family owned market that sells meat and dairy products, as close to nature as they are practically able to do. If you are interested in such things, it would be a good idea to visit them. https://www.facebook.com/DispenzasMeatMarket/?fref=ts
They have farm fresh milk and eggs and other locally sourced food items, along with some standard, popular Western New York fare. We chicks certainly enjoyed the items we purchased! Best milk we ever had…

Then, we made a quick stop over, Youngstown way to Sanger Farms for some fresh baked goods, like cherry pie and banana pineapple bread. The aroma of fresh baking hit us right in the nose,when we walked in the door. https://www.facebook.com/sangerfarms/?fref=ts

There’s no place like the country for good eats! Niagara County is just really good at it…

Your farm friendly chicks…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Easter!

 

Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica

I couldn’t wait to post this one…a day early.

A popular pilgrimage and destination, and close to Niagara. If you enjoy glorious old churches, made in the grand way of by-gone days, and you’re visiting the area, you will want to add this to your itinerary. If like me, you’re from around the area, please take the time to visit. It will be worth your while.

Have a blessed and Happy Easter!

Delaware Park ~ Olmsted’s Buffalo Paradise

One of the great things about living or vacationing in Niagara, is it’s proximity to some pretty outrageous scenery, cities, parklands and more. Delaware Park, in nearby Buffalo, is one of our favorites! It was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, and mainly completed in 1876. Olmsted is of Central Park reknown.  https://www.bfloparks.org/ and http://www.pbs.org/wned/frederick-law-olmsted/learn-more/olmsteds-buffalo-park-system-and-its-stewards/ *Also, keep in mind our previous posts regarding America’s Oldest State Park, the Niagara Reservation State Park http://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/Americas-Oldest-State-Park.aspx

At the beginning of the park is the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. The Greek Revival structure was dedicated in 1905. This is a spectacular building, adding to the ambiance and beauty of the park.

Let’s stroll the perimeter of Hoyt Lake together…

There is nothing like a bike ride around the Lake on a lazy summer day.

Marcy Casino is open to the public as a beer garden and also for private events. http://marcycasino.com/historic-location/

Lovely flowers are placed around the park, especially by the entrance to Hoyt Lake, by the art gallery, and the beautiful rose garden as well. Japanese gardens are on the other side of the park. (Another post, yet to come).

Reading lake-side.

Shakespeare in the Park, a summertime Buffalo tradition.

Weeping willows are an art unto themselves.

Olmsted’s glorious vision.

The end of the park gives way to less manicured gardens, and more natural growth.

Silver light slicing through sky and water as the sun begins its descent.

The sun setting over the statue of David.

A stunning replica of Michaelangelo’s classical statue of David. It stands 17ft high x 5.17ft wide x 3.5ft of depth, not including the base.  http://buffalovr.com/david/

Arriving again at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery.

The sun getting low over the museum.

The Buffalo History Museum ‘bookends’ the Albright-Knox on the other half of Delaware Park.

http://www.buffalohistory.org/Visit/

We hope you’ve enjoyed your visit with us, and plan to come back again for a tour of another of our area’s jewels!

The Parks of Niagara – Part I

Devil’s Hole State Park

The Niagara region is rife with vegetation and life. It’s beaming with beauty and verdancy.  So much is accessible to the public for viewing, some in a natural state and some in more manicured park lands.

Here is a quick overview of a few of the Parks Niagara has to offer, featuring Devil’s Hole, Whirlpool State Park and Niagara Reservation State Park.

Devil’s Hole State Park has been a great source of Inspiration for our family. With it’s changing moods, with the seasons, diverse paths and trails, it seems to always present something for each of our tastes. Mom likes the above trail and the creative opportunities a stroll affords. The rest of the family likes the hiking down the cliff to the water’s edge: destination ‘wild water’ and unique rock formations.

 

 

No pictures of the lower path. Sorry. Everyone was too busy having fun! You’ll just have to come and experience it for yourselves.

And on a practical note, there are picnic tables, so bring a lunch.

Whirlpool State Park and Devil’s Hole are ‘next door’ to one another and accessible via a trail that runs along the top of the gorge. It is not a difficult connection, but it is not easy either. If you are looking for an easy walk, the Devil’s Hole trail is the easiest. Whirlpool’s has a hill you need to navigate and the connection between the parks has a stony and hilly trail.

Whirlpool State Park

Whirlpool Park has a lovely view of the Whirlpool, below on the Niagara River and of the Aero car that crosses the gorge, over the Whirlpool, from Canada to Canada.

Lovely stone building and look-out.

We would be remiss if we did not turn the spotlight toward Niagara Reservation State Park. A constant beauty, showcasing the Falls, renowned world over, this Park is the number one destination of all tourists visiting from across the globe. A four-season reservation, no room for any hesitation, this is the ultimate destination! 😉

Niagara Reservation State Park – America’s oldest State Park.

The water crashing on the rocks below. Always magnificent.

On Luna Island, between the Bridal Veil and American Falls…up close and personal.

In the heart of the City, Niagara rings true with paths and walkways, assured of natural beauty.

You never know what you’ll find around the corner at Reservation: Buffalo Philharmonic performs.