I still haven’t heard from the guys at BlogRush– I’m not listed in their links and not included in their new TrafficJam site, even though I am a registered member and have the widget in my sidebar. I browsed around the travel blogs a little. Here’s a title that caught my interest: Five Great Gifts for Travellers. The list was for travelers travelers– you know, full-time Tibet-climbing travelers (video camera, high-tech digital camera, airline tickets). I love travel supplies just as much as anyone, but I doubt I’d need airline tickets for my limited travel itinerary. But the list was interesting, and blog had some punch to it. And the title to this blog I’m a Seoul Man in Tokyo made me laugh. The blog isn’t as entertaining as the title, however.

As far as our car trip yesterday, it did not go as planned. We had planned to attend the Rubinstein Museum of Science and Technology (the MOST, as it is called). As I drove through downtown Syracuse (which was packed), down toward the Armory on Franklin Street, there wasn’t a parking space to be found anywhere. It was a N-I-G-H-T-M-A-R-E. And when we passed the entrance to the MOST, we saw a crowded line of people from the inside ticket office to the exterior doors, down the long stairs, onto the sidewalk, and into the curb a litte. The line was moving slowly and the temperature was 15 degrees. No way were we going to park five blocks away, walk to the MOST and wait half an hour to get inside. I was very disappointed, because I knew the kids would love the place.

We weighed our options, and decided on visiting the Erie Canal Museum nearby. I hadn’t brought my paper of addresses, so I drove up and down Erie Boulevard (and around and around the endless stream of one-way side streets), looking for the familiar weighlock building. As I tackled the traffic, I overheard one of the kids saying to another, “Hey, look at that mule statue.” I screeched to a halt! That was the landmark! I remember reading it at Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree. I wish I had remembered her parking tip. I found it today.

A tip if you plan to go. Look for this statue across the street from the museum. There are a few free parking spots in the lot behind and under the highway. The entrance to the lot is off of James St. There is also metered parking available on the streets surrounding the museum.

I wish I’d remembered that tip. No, instead I drove ’round and ’round downtown Syracuse, looking for a place to park, again. Finally, frustrated, I parked in front of the museum and walked in. I asked the gentleman at the desk if I might park there. He smiled and said “no” (with that smile that makes you wonder how many millions of times visitors have asked him about parking there). He directed me to pull in to the Senator Hughes State Office Building parking lot, across the street. “Ignore all the warning signs about towing and permits only,” he said, “just drive to the back of that parking lot, toward the short brick walls, and parking for the museum is allowed there.” He said that he has asked the State numerous times to get some better signs to inform visitors about the available parking, but “they haven’t gotten around to it.” If I was from another state, perhaps I would have been startled; but I am a New Yorker, and I just nodded my head in understanding, lol.

Well, we did park and we did make it into the building and we had a terrific time! But I haven’t compiled the photos nor have I done the research into the historical aspect; all that is forthcoming. I have to put up a story about our trip to the local newspaper building, too. But first I must finish my coffee!

Update: I blogged about our trip to the Erie Canal Museum. It was a wonderful visit. Part One is here, and Part Two is here.

The Day After

New York Traveler.net This post is from New York Traveler.net and is copyrighted material.

My own blog is supposed to be buried in TrafficJam’s listings, too. I didn’t go through all the travel blogs. I believe they are listed according to when they are updated. There are a lot of categories already– blogs on history, education, news and art, blogs by real estate agents, by lawyers, and teachers… there’s a lot!

I’m impressed with founder John Reese’s efforts. Keep it up, John! And here’s hoping my blogs get to the top!

Other Travel Blogs: TrafficJam Edition

New York Traveler.net This post is from New York Traveler.net and is copyrighted material.