Fort Stanwix and the Erie Canalway

In June of 2012, Lori P and I went to Fort Stanwix.  We were heading to Syracuse for a meeting and decided to do a little NPS Touring while we were there.  This is also the location where I adopted Buddy.

Lori P with Buddy

Taking pictures with Buddy at the Marquee signs became a thing. OK onto the trip.  If you are not familiar with Fort Stanwix, like I wasn't, it was built during the French and Indian war by a British General Stanwix for the purpose of protecting the Oneida Carrying Place.  Located in Rome, NY it is just a short drive from Syracuse (about an hour).  The Fort itself is located right in the town of Rome.  Not hard to miss.

The Battle of Fort Stanwix occurred between August 3 and 23, 1777.  It was the forerunning battle to the Saratoga, and an important contributor to the turning point of the American Revolution.  The star design of the fort is very familiar to anyone that visits historical forts (e.i. Fort Niagara, Fort Eriez, Fort McHenry and ever the Castillo de san Marcos).

The outside of the Fort

Lori P with some furs (traded regularly during life of fort)

Fort Barracks

There is a little museum attached to the fort at the visitors center, the walk to the fort is around the outside.  Once inside you can tour many of the older buildings, there is a film about the fort in one of the building.  You can also climb up on one of the cannon parapets. 

If you are going to be driving in the Upstate New York area, visit the many stops along the way on the Erie Canal Way.   The original canal started near current day Waterford on the Hudson River and travels from East to West until the Western Terminus at Buffalo, NY.  There are several spots along the way to stop and take pictures of the locks.  Canastota and Chittenango, NY are canal towns, where there is quite a lot to see.  Rochester, NY and Lockport,NY also have many places to stop to get information.  You can also tour the canal by boat.

For more information on Fort Stanwix visit the NPS webpage for the fort:  http://www.nps.gov/fost/index.htm.  You can also visit the Rome, NY area http://www.oneidacountytourism.com/ for more information.

For information on the Erie Canal:  http://www.nps.gov/erie/index.htm and the Erie Canal's website has information on boating the canal and taking boat tours:  http://www.eriecanal.org/.  This site also gives great information on the construction of the canal.

I forgot to give the website links for my last blog post so here they are:
Las Vegas:  http://www.vegas.com/
Valley of Fire State Park:  http://parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire-state-park/
Lake Mead National Recreation Area:  http://www.nps.gov/lake/index.htm

Well next week I will write about our time at the Hoover Dam.  Not a National Park, but a national treasure worthy of its own post.  Until next time, safe travels, enjoy life and get you bucket list checked off.