Seneca Falls, NY and Women's Rights National Historical Park Site

Frederick Douglass, center, a freed Maryland slave, attended many women's rights rallies, believing that “Right is of no sex, truth is of no color,” Douglass urged an immediate end to slavery and supported Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and other women’s rights activists in their crusade for woman suffrage.

Visited the Women's Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls, New York. Was a fascinating visit, loaded with bits of information that made it more than just an ordinary historic site. Be sure to explain to the kids that before these rallies-- and for many years after-- women didn't own property, couldn't vote and had little legal power. See if they can fathom that.

 If you can't visit the numerous sites throughout  the Red Lion-sized town at the north end of  New York's Cayuga Lake, check out the historic park's website. It's loaded with biographies of men and women involved with the movement, a timeline and interesting stories. For example, only Charlotte Woodward attended the convention in 1848 and lived long enough to vote in 1920.

The Women's Rights Movement was closely tied to the anti-slavery movement at the time, but  in 1870 the Fifteenth Amendment passed, saying: The right of citizens of the United States to vote and hold office shall not be denied or abridged by any State on the account of race, color, nativity, property, creed or previous condition of servitude.

Women didn't get the vote until 50 years later. The trip to equality is, indeed, a long and slow journey. And we continue to walk it.

 From the website-- In 1848 Elizabeth Cady Stanton and four other women invited the public to the First Women's Rights Convention to discuss expanding the role of women in America. At the end of the two days, 100 people made a public commitment to work together to improve women’s quality of life. Photo above left--During a recent wind and rain storm, the Stanton House, a part of the historic site, was narrowly missed by downed limbs from a massive chestnut tree in the front yard. Stanton owned the house, something not usually done by females in the mid-1800's.
 
Somewhat overshadowed in popular memory by her long time colleague Susan B. Anthony, Stanton was for many years the architect and author of the movement's most important strategies and documents.

Martha C. Wright wrote: …We have been expending our sympathies, as well as congratulations, on seven newly arrived slaves that Harriet Tubman has just pioneered safely from the Southern Part of Maryland.--One woman carried a baby all the way and bro’t [sic] two other chld’n that Harriet and the men helped along.

Tubman's home is in Auburn, New York, about 15 miles from Seneca Falls.

New Jersey bike ride

Biked a part of  New Jersey's Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park bike path over the weekend. A perfect day for outdoor anything, probably, but the biking was superb.

The canal parallels the Delaware River on the New Jersey side, and there's another trail on the Pennsylvania side that buzzes through New Hope, a little town that its chamber of commerce calls "sophisticated yet country-casual town". There are plenty of elegant, trendy shops, a tourist train and scenic beauty along the river.  Bring your credit cards or a thick wallet.

On June 2, the New Hope Historical Society Garden Tour kicks off, with tours of six private gardens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $30.  New Hope is about 120 miles from York, and a 2.5 hour drive

Arrive early in New Hope and Lambertville, because tourist season is here, and parking is tough to find already. Unfortunately, last year's storm ripped the area, and the bike trail in Pennsylvania is still not fully repaired. Check locally for more updates.

In New Jersey, the flat trail is packed well and shaded, so even in mid summer, the ride would be a pleasant one. Like York County's Heritage Rail Trail, small towns along the trail offer a place for relief of sore bottoms and dry throats, or a place to spend the night and make the return trip the next day.

Stopped at Frenchtown for lunch, and while it wasn't nearly as crowded as New Hope and Lambertville, we paid $12 for a hamburger and fries. For anything more, I'd have to leave my bike as collateral. Lambertville is famous for its many antique shops.

On the way back, we stopped at a couple iris flower farms and bought a few to decorate the houses. Don't know why, but there are plenty of area farms that specialize in irises at which to pick your favorite color.

Take a day trip to Corning Glass

A glass sculpture, made entirely from glass fibers.

A Saturday trip to Corning, New York, to visit the Corning Museum of Glass was a colorful jaunt, first to visit the museum and next to make my own glass ornament. Sometimes it's good not to grow up.

Corning is about 188 miles from York, or a 3.5 hour drive. The drive is quick and pleasant, speeding up U.S. route 15 over the mountains through Selinsgrove, Williamsport, past Mansfield and finally to Corning.

Check the Corning web site for what to do while you're there, and don't assume it's the usual boring museum. Make an appointment to make your own sculpture, ornament or beads, (you can make appointments online) for an extra fee. Then wander the museum that explains the history of glass a lot clearer than you ever thought (excuse the pun).

 Among other things, you'll see bendable glass, fiber optics, art pieces and the invention of a particular kind of glass that came 30 years before there was even a use for it. That's a fascinating story-- hint: You're using it right now. 

There are plenty of glass sculptures that defy logic and how they were crafted. Stories of huge globes and the history of telescopes, lenses and microscopes. If it's about glass, you'll see it here.

If you want to make a longer trip of it, visit Clyde Peeling's Reptiland in Allenwood (between Williamsport and Lewisburg). Now, this is a must-see for anyone who enjoys the beauty of reptiles, or is just mystified by them. For those who can pass them up, there is 6,500 square feet in which to hide from them.

In Williamsport, check out the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum with your little sluggers or the King of Grocery stores, Wegman's. If you haven't shopped at a Wegman's, you're missing a real treat-- in a lot of different ways.

Longwood Gardens isn't 'just' flowers

Longwood Gardens is about 90 minutes from York in Kennett, Pa.,  and it's a place you'll find hard NOT to like, even if you're not a nature lover. Many years ago, I remember a friend's daughter saying our trip to Alaska was boring. "It's just trees," she said, without a note of sarcasm. With that in mind, Longwood is 'just' flowers. And trees, and fountains, architecture, waterfalls.  Here are some reviews from the website--

"It's hard to write about Longwood Gardens without taking all the superlatives you can think of and stringing them into one long sentence.  This place is incredible, amazing, stunning, fabulous, mesmerizing, and unforgettable.  All these things are true even if you are not a gardener.  This place delights just about everybody, even children."

"Amazing lily ponds.
Gigantic greenhouses.
Stunning architecture and buildings.
Friendly, helpful staff.
Gorgeous flowers, trees, greenery, landscaping.
Fountains, waterfalls, ponds, all over the place."

 Friday, April 18 is Earth Day, and visitors can go behind the scenes to see the production greenhouses that supply the gardens and its color.

On April 27 and 28, visit the gardens for the Arbor Day celebration. The first 400 visitors receive a free tree seedling.

Check the photos hanging throughout the entrance building. They make these photos look like snapshots.

Shenk's Ferry is a wildflower explosion

Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve in Lancaster County is in peak color now, with trilliums, Virginia bluebells, phlox and 70 other species decorating the hillside. Located just north of Pequea along the Susquehanna River in southern Lancaster County, the 50-acre glen surrounds Grubb Run off of Green Hill Road and is part of PPL. For more information, check http://www.pplweb.com/holtwood/things+to+do/shenks+ferry+wildflower+preserve.htm