Road Trip --- Savannah/Montezuma/Port Byron

The main goal was to participate in the Dave Spier's Wednesday guided hike at the Montezuma Aubudon Center (MAC). Arrived at 7:30 AM to find no one in the parking lot. After spending 20 minutes alone got in the car and headed East. (Checking the Calendar of Events once home - noted that the program was actually scheduled to start at 10:30 AM).

MAC - Sandpiper Shallows

Plan B. It had been some time since I have visited the Richmond Aqueduct.

Parking at the beginning of an ATV trail off Chapman Road walked east on the old towpath. The towpath was surprisingly firm and dry considering the hard winter we had.

Towpath

On the walk in birds were scarce. Saw a woodpecker and heard a cardinal.

The Seneca River was high in and around the aqueduct.





On the way out took a detour on an ATV path which cut to the North. There found a bridge made of wooden pallets, particle board and rough steps.

View from bridge

Crossing over discovered what appeared to be a well.



Back in the car drove to Port Byron. Decided to try Magdy's Eats and Sweets for breakfast. Tammy, my waitress, brought me a menu and coffee after I sat down. There were eleven customers present. Five more patrons would enter before I departed.



My breakfast of western egg and home fries (told Tammy that I did not want toast) was hot and tasty. The coffee was just right and Tammy kept my cup full.

Before paying the bill selected two donuts, a chocolate covered eclair and a glaze, to take home for Joan and Brad.

Once out on the street walked over to the mural. The mural, Tanner Dry Dock - Lock 52 Historical Erie Canal, was commissioned by Lock 52 Historical Society and painted by Dawn Jordan.

The early 1900's on the Erie Canal in Port Byron

Jordan's two sons in the foreground and a few of her ancestors in the boat

What now?

Returning to the car photographed the restored Port Byron Hotel.



The Port Byron Hotel, once called the National Hotel, was one the many public places in Cayuga County where African American men and women, many of them freedom seekers, worked on a daily basis, as an integral part of the life of the whole community. Port Byron was one of Cayuga County’s abolitionist hotspots.



Noticed a woman with her dog cleaning the small park in front of the hotel.



Introduced myself to Sue and her black Lab, Bianca. Sue has lived away from Port Byron for 30 years. Now back Sue is concern about keeping Port Byron presentable for visitors. Sue certainly made me fell welcome.

Although the road trip missed its intended goal it was a great ride.