Reviewed By Sam: Travel

Fran and I decided to take our two grandsons for a couple of days and visit the Niagara region.

Our main goal was to visit Old Fort Niagara. The Fort is located in Youngstown, New York about 40 minutes away from Niagara Falls.

I had no idea that this fort even existed, and what an important role it played in our history.

This was my second visit to the fort, and I learned more history here than I did from school.

From the 18^th to the 20^th centuries the fort has been occupied by Native American Indians, French, British, and American forces. I can’t even begin to explain the history of Old Fort Niagara, so here is a link to visitor information and what you can expect to learn.

Our trip started off with a morning visit to the Falls, after all, you can’t be in Niagara without stopping to see the wonder of Niagara Falls.

The kids had a great time, and it was Tyler’s first time seeing the falls.

Then it was off to the fort, after you buy your tickets for admission there is a 15-minute video on the history of Old Fort Niagara. This video is recommended and a must-see.

Then it is off the fort grounds. Bobby and Tyler at the entrance of the fort.

This two-story structure built by the French in 1726, was supposed to be a trading post with the Indians.

The Indians later found out out it was built more like a fort.

Inside redoubts, Bobby and Tyler standing next to a canon.

Between 1770 and 1771 the British built the North and South Redoubts. They are both separate buildings and are meant to be forts within a fort.

This British soldier demonstrates how to load and fire a musket.

Did you know? That the British soldier only received one uniform per year and had to wear it every day.

Made from 100% wool, wow! Okay for the winter but the summer months had to be really hot for these guys.

There is a daily demonstration of how a canon was fired on attacking warships from Lake Ontario.

The fort is located on the East bank of the Niagara River, and the mouth of Lake Ontario.

On a clear day, you can see all the way across the lake to the Toronto skyline, and it was a clear day on the day we visited.

The pictures above, known as the Earthworks, were constructed in 1757 through 1759. Designed to protect the fort from landward attacks.

Well, I sure hope you enjoyed our visit to Old Fort Niagara, as you can see it was time well spent with the kids.

More reading you might like about Old Fort Niagara

Siege - 1759: The Campaign Against Niagara

Old Fort Niagara in Four Centuries: A History of Its Development

Forts within a fort: Niagara's redoubts

Old Fort Niagara: An Illustrated History

McConnells Mill State Park is located along Slippery Rock Creek in Lawrence County Pennsylvania. We grew up in New Castle Pennsylvania just about a 15-minute drive from McConnells Mill.

We spent many days there walking the trails and taking in all of the natural beauty; it’s a wonderful place any time of the year but especially in the fall.

Just to think about the amazing forces of nature, the bedrock was formed over 300,000,000 years ago as the mud and sand were compressed.

The layers of bedrock had different strengths some eroded quickly and others at a slower pace, as the continental plates shifted.

The geology of the park was also influenced by the glacial effects of the ice age, cutting out the gorge and leaving Slippery Rock Creek at the bottom. The creek is 49 miles long and known for its slippery rocks. It is said to be named by the Indians for one huge slippery rock near a natural oil seep.

The Slippery Rock Gorge is a total of 930 acres, and in 1974 was named a National Natural Land Mark by the U.S. Department of Interior.

You'll see rock formations as big as houses; pictured here are the rocks you'll drive by on the way down to the gristmill and the covered bridge. Every time I visit I'm in Awe! The huge formation of rocks, the trees, and the creek are all untouched for us to enjoy. All created by the forces of nature.

The Gristmill Where Nature and Man Come Together

When you drive down to the bottom of the gorge you'll find a parking area where you can park your car. Parking is very limited at the bottom of the gorge, so many people walk down from the top.

Once at the bottom, you'll see the gristmill. The mill was opened in 1852 by Daniel Kennedy; he had the foresight of using the forces of the water to process and grind oats, corn, buckwheat, and wheat and the grains sold to the local residents. The mill burned to the ground in 1868 but was rebuilt and continued processing until it was closed in 1928.

Ownership changed in 1875 to the park's namesake Thomas McConnell.

McConnell replaced the water wheel with water turbines and grindstones with rolling mills, this is known to be one of the first rolling mills in the country.

You can tour the gristmill daily, there is a schedule of guided tours daily and on weekends, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The land changed ownership several times and was formally dedicated as a State Park in 1957, and a Natural State Park in 1998.

The covered bridge:

Also at the bottom, you'll find the covered bridge. Built in 1874 it's one of two covered bridges in Lawrence County.

The bridge's construction is known as the Howe Truss, patented in 1840 by a Massachusetts millwright by the name of William Howe. The bridge is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Park is also known for its recreation:

Of course, there is fishing in Slippery Rock Creek, it's a popular spot for trout season.

Hiking and rock climbing are also popular at McConnells Mill. There are several trails to choose from. The trails are part of The North Country Trail, the nation’s longest scenic trail extending from North Dakota to New England.

For the adventuress rock climbers, there are two climbing and rappelling areas. Both are recommended for experienced climbers.

There is also canoeing and kayaking in Slippery Rock Creek, and camping in the surrounding areas, as there is no camping allowed in the State Park.

I hope you enjoyed my tour of this beautiful State Park, it really is a wonderful place to visit.

G4Free 50L Hiking Backpack Waterproof Daypack Outdoor Camping Climbing Backpack with Rain Cover for Men Women Osprey Daylite Everyday Backpack, Black, One Size