Roadside treasures

Though we did experience extreme precipitation, I wanted to take a minute to describe the beauty of upstate New York; unlike its counterpart to the south, upstate New York is filled with vast fields and amazingly well-kept farms. I'm sure I have never seen so many silos in a 100-meter radius. Even in the fog, pouring rain, and menacing clouds, the rolling hills and grassy meadows were a refreshing sight. I was thrilled at the amount of cows, horses, sheep, and buffalo we saw as we trolled along the Oregon Trail--I felt a very mild kinship to Lewis and Clark.

Other than natural beauty, the roadside offered a glimpse of old small-town America--something I find myself increasingly attracted to--and its many treasures. We stumbled upon The TePee in Cherry Valley, which has been attracting travelers since the early 1950s. In it: amazing Indian crafts, quirky gadgets, and delicious Indian taffy.

If you ever find yourself in the area and want to take a look around the family-run TePee, make sure you try the "hot shot." It's a real zinger!