Chittenango, New York: All Things Oz Museum

Frank Baum is quite clearly the most famous person to ever live in Chittenango, New York - a village about 16 miles to the east of Syracuse. There really isn't much competition. 

Baum, as you probably know, is the author who wrote the novel, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." The book was an instant sensation, as it eventually sold millions of copies before moving into the public domain in 1956. A musical was written about it a mere two years after its publication, and it became rather obvious to Baum that this was going to be the meal ticket for the rest of his life. Not being a fool, Frank went to work and wrote 13 more books on the subject of Oz - and wrote a couple of hundred other books and short stories. 

Naturally, the highlight came in 1939, when the movie, "The Wizard of Oz," was released. If there's a more beloved movie out there, it's not far ahead of that one. Way back in the 1950s and 1960s, it was shown around Easter on network television every year - and America's families watched it together in their houses. Because, as it concludes, there's no place like home. 

Eventually, someone had the idea to start a museum to Baum in Chittenango. It is placed right in the middle of the main street, and it's called the "All Things Oz Museum." It takes up about four good-sized rooms of space in the middle of "downtown." There is plenty of memorabilia on display. The first room is devoted to Baum for the most part. The museum recently received a donation of an original copy of the first Oz book, which has a worth of something like $100,000. (The donor sent it media mail, unregistered and uninsured, from California - and made it to Chittenango in one piece.) The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. Visitors can take a full guided tour that lasts an hour, or they can simply walk around and read the information. 

As you might guess, the front door opens into a gift shop, with several Oz-related items available for purchase. There was a t-shirt for sale that had images of a certain candy treat, with "We represent the lollypop guild" written below. I wish "All Things Oz Museum" had been on the shirt; I might have bought one. 

But the highlight of the place was a personal appearance by "Toto" - the dog, and not the band that recorded "Africa." When we turned up, "Toto" was celebrating a birthday and paying a visit. There is a painting of Emerald City that is used for photos for tourists. During our visit, we quickly asked if Toto could pose with us. Toto came right over to us, as if she had jumped out of Dorothy's basket. We picked Toto up and we all happily posed for a photo. Priceless. 

 

Cazenovia, New York: Chittenango Falls State Park

During a recent trip across the state of New York, we had time for a quick - very quick - detour to Chittenango Falls. It was considered one of the top tourist attractions in the area. 

We followed the signs easily enough, and saw some impressive falls through the trees on the drive to the park. After parking the car, we took a quick walk to the fence and saw the falls from above. It was a nice view from there, as you could see the rush hurdling over the top of the rocks to the pool below. The photo here shows our perspective. 

The problem for us was that we didn't have time to hike down to the base of the falls. It was about a half-mile one way according to the sign. And that's the view that everyone wants to see. 

Happily someone else made the trip and took these photos. So we can see what we missed. And we promise to pay a longer visit the next time we are in the area.

  

Fultonville, New York: Erie Canal Lock 13

For those who need a history lesson and photo opportunity with a comfort stop, this is the place for you.

The New York State Thruway hosts a Welcome Center for the Mohawk Valley Region in Fultonville. Those who have driven on Interstate 90 from Albany to Buffalo realize that the prettiest part of the drive comes in the Mohawk Valley. Yes, there are rest rooms, vending machines, a playground, a "Taste of New York" store, and some other items of interest. There's even a Walk of Fame, which includes a variety of local personalities. Can't say I knew that baseball commissioner Rob Manfred was from this part of the world. Turns out he was born and raised in Rome, NY. Kirk Douglas is also represented there; he's from Amsterdam.

Even so, the highlight probably is the fact that you get to see Erie Canal Lock 13 from a relatively close distance. This is only accessible via the Thruway, which makes it unique along the canal. It is part of the canal system, and in this case it lifts or drops boats gently about eight feet.  By the way, it may look like a bridge on the top, but it's actually a dam. 

Here's your history/technology lesson:

"Road Trips" - The Essays

This blog started as simply a way to show photos and descriptions of attractions during our trips. But once we started traveling internationally, there was a need to write more about the experience 

And that's what happened. They've become quite popular by these standards, and it might be nice to have a place where the essays' links are available on one page. This is that page. 

Cruising the Adriatic Sea to Greece (2026)

The Other Side of the World (Australia and New Zealand -2025)

A Visit to the Rock (Newfoundland - 2025) 

A Great Visit to Great Britain (2025) 

Border Patrol: Visiting Spain and France (2024)

Ecuador: In the Middle of It All (2024)

A Caribbean State of Mind (2024)

The Land of the Midnight Sun (Finland and Norway - 2023) 

The Transition Continues (Eastern Europe - 2023)

On the Road Again ... Finally (Belgium to Switzerland - 2022)

France, 2019: Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and a Boat 

Central Europe, 2018: The Boat People  

Iceland, 2016: Where the Sun Never Set 

Northern Europe, 2015: Across the Pond 

Alaska, 2014: Keeping Our Cool 

Housekeeping Notes: I have spent part of the spring of 2026 adding videos to many of the older posts. I've also cleaned up and updated some language, and I have deleted a few attractions that are no longer with us (Boston Garden, Liberace Museum, etc.) Feel free to leave a comment if you have updated information. 

All photos are my own unless noted in the text, and there are only a couple of those.  

Use the search tool for help in looking for specific attractions. For example, plug in the city, state, province or country (in international cases) for a list of stories.  

Athens, Greece

It takes a little time to warm up to Athens.

The capital of Greece is sprawling and crowded. More than 3 million people live in in the vicinity. The driving is difficult - remember, there are some ancient streets hanging around on the grid - and the graffiti is terrible. The roads aren't great, and visitors trip on the sidewalks constantly (at least I did). Zoning is not one of the priorities. 

Yet, the attraction is undeniable. Athens is clearly one of the cradles of democracy. There are centuries of history on display, and even more worlds beneath your feet.  There's a certain energy to the place that can almost be felt. You might see a demonstration in one corner of the city, and then see a brass band parading down a pedestrian walk a moment later. 

Everyone should visit there if they have the chance, if only to see the beginnings of Western Civilization. 

Athens, Greece: Erechtheion

The Parthenon at the top of Acropolis has a neighbor.

It's the Erechtheion, a temple located on the other side of the hill from its Big Brother. This is basically known for its six unusual columns. They are designed in the shape of women. No wonder that area is called "The Porch of the Maidens." The columns are copies right now. The originals are split between the British Museum in London and the Acropolis Museum in Athens. You'd think they ought to be together. 

This building was finished in 406 BC and was designed as a replacement for another temple on the grounds. It's gone through a lot over the years. The building was burned after about 300 years of use, and it has served a great many functions depending on who was in charge at the time. Now, it is a major tourist attraction. The place went through a major revamping in the 1980s or so, the first building on the Acropolis to go through that. The restoration received high marks from everyone.