Rensselaer County

Geo: 42.6514, -73.7553

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We are finishing Day 2 in Albany, NY. Gorgeous day. 77 and blueskies. Perfect. We started at Maid of the Mist. I was forewarned to start out early to miss the crowds and lines. We in fact missed the lines. The ride was amazing. I always wanted to go on the Maid of the Mist. It was really a breathtaking experience. We passed the American Falls first which are smaller but no less amazing. The boat then takes you right into the mist of the Horseshoe Falls. It is like being in a torrential rainstorm. Super fun and super cool. The kids loved it. They each have water cameras. There will be a lot of the same pix of Mist. Ha. [PHOTO_ID_R=maid-of-the-mist.jpg]

[PHOTO_ID_L=water-of-the-winds.jpg] Then we hiked over to the Cave of the Winds though there is no cave. There is lots of wind and water though. It should be called Winds of Water or for short, Hurricane. This was really an awesome thing to do. You literally hike up a wooden staircase built over and around the falls. The water pours onto the decks in some spots. You can feel the rush and power. At the top is the Hurricane spot. Holy Crap! You've never done anything ike this or seen anything like this unless you stood outside during Hurricane Sandy. You are as close as you can possibly be without being crushed by the water. I can't post pictures right in there because I was protecting my cameras...and clothes. All for naught. Thank goodness I thought to buy water proof bags for cameras and wallets for Paul and I. They worked. We were soaked even though they give you rain ponchos and water sandals. Pretty nice shoes for giveaways. A MUST DO!

[PHOTO_ID_L=quarry-mining.jpg] So we headed out to make it to one of our Roadtrippers.com odd locations before it closed. We went crystal mining. A little place an hour outside of Albany. A nice lady greeted us, gave us our tools and sent us off to a quarry field or many different quarry fields to dig away. We found little bits of crystals. It was fun and a neat experience. [PHOTO_ID_R=diamond-mining.jpg]

Last stop for the night, Albany, New York. GPS directed us via the colorful route through the city which slightly concerned us. We aren't too obvious in our whooped up van. We made it to the Capital Building but at dusk, we weren't too certain we should be dancing around the capital grounds. We decided morning would be better. We got ourselves to our hotel in a much better part of town lively and hopping. We pulled into the hotel driveway only to find we had a fast leak in our tire. Seriously. Hey we are not happy but going with the flow. It was right at the hotel. Good news. We have road service with our new van. Good news. They have room service. Great news. The spare tire in our car is a regular size tire. Great news! Especially since tomorrow is Sunday. Amen! Hallelua! [PHOTO_ID_R=our-little-bedbugs.jpg]

In bed now. All three kids are sharing a bed and I haven't heard a peep. Happy happy joy joy.
Tomorrow off to Burlington Vermont through the Adirondack mountains. Ben & Jerrys here we come.

Good night.Les mer