By Nate Feldman
It is the end of the school year, so once again I had to drive my daughters Sara and Sofia from our home in Berwyn, PA to Clarence, NY, where their mother, stepdad, and siblings live. Here is a summary of my trip:
Day 1: Monday, June 16, 2025
I left Berwyn with the girls around 9 AM. We stopped at a Royal Farms around Kulpsville, PA on the northeast extension of the PA turnpike and then went north. We got off the turnpike at exit 95 and headed west on I-80. I-80 eventually meets up with I-15, which takes you into downtown Williamsport, PA. The weather in Pennsylvania was gloomy and rainy throughout the entire trip.
In Williamsport, we stopped for lunch at a restaurant called Vinnie's Eatery. The girls ordered a hoagie with a drink and chips, and I had stuffed shells with a salad and breadsticks. Afterwards, we picked up some desserts from Le Chocolat, right around the corner.
After lunch, we continued on I-15 north through a heavily mountainous part of Lycoming county into Tioga county in PA. This area is quite pristine and unpopulated, and it's really fascinating to see a part of Pennsylvania which is so different from the heavily suburbanized area I come from. I-15 takes you into New York state.
Eventually, we caught up with I-86 west around the town of Corning and connected with 390 north towards Rochester. Afterwards, I used other routes, including route 63 and 33. We reached Clarence around 6 PM. At some point in New York, we got away from the clouds and rain and got into bright, sunny weather.
From Clarence, I went to my motel in Lockport, NY, about 12-13 miles away. The motel's rooms are very impressive and quite affordable.
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My room at the Lockport Inn and Suites |
In the evening, I went to the Erie Canal Trail and ran for about an hour. Being further north and west than my home in PA, I noticed that the sun stays out longer here. At about a quarter to ten at night, there were still shades of light in the sky.
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The Erie Canal Trail near Lockport, NY |
I got some food at the Tops surpermarket in Lockport for dinner and ate at my hotel while watching the NBA finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Day 2: Tuesday, June 17, 2025
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Downtown Lockport, NY |
I had breakfast at the Steamworks cafe in downtown Lockport. I had an amazing cinnamon roll and cold brew coffee. Afterwards, I walked briefly on a portion of the Erie Canal Trail going through the middle of the town.
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Breakfast at Steamworks Cafe in Lockport, NY |
Afterwards, I went to Niagara Falls and spent the afternoon there. I was on the American side of the iconic falls and got spectacular views. I also walked besides the rapids that head towards the falls and took a trolley tour of the entire park.
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A view of Niagara Falls
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For lunch, I went to a Nepalese restaurant and ordered steam veggie Momos, a famous dish from Nepal. I had it with naan bread and mango lassi.
After my day at Niagara Falls, I returned to my motel, and I ran again on the Erie Canal Trail before watching the Stanley Cup finals between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers in my room.
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Niagara Falls upclose
Day 3: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
I jogged in the streets of Lockport in the morning before checking out of my motel. For breakfast, I had a bagel sandwich and coffee at B&D bagels in the downtown area.
Afterwards, I took 63-S and drove through towns, such as Batavia. Eventually, around the town of Mt. Morris, 63-S connects with 408-S, which in turns connects with 390-S. This took me to 86-E, and from there I took 15-S into Pennsylvania.
In Tioga county, I stopped for lunch in the town of Mansfield, which has a university. There, I visited the Bearly Enough Quilt and Gift Shop on Main Street, where I got a get well card with golden retrievers on it. At this shop, the owner talked about notable things about the town of Mansfield.
Afterwards, I continued on 15-S through Williamsport and eventually returned to my home in Berwyn.
Highlights of the Trip:
*Visiting Niagara Falls for the first time in 31 years
*The cinnamon roll and cold brew coffee at Steamworks
*Being given free naan bread at the Nepali restaurant
*Jogging on the Erie Canal Trail
*The gift shop in Mansfield, PA |