The Great New York State Fair

So, as most people know, today was the first year anniversary of Silas and I beginning to date. To us it feels like only a week has passed, so it's amazing to us how much time has really passed. Instead of doing something that didn't quite seem "us", we decided to hit the NYS Fair in honor of the day.

We started out at around 9:15, and arrived to the Fair soon after opening, at around 10:15. For anyone considering Fair attendance - I like to pack 4 bottles of frozen water, as well as liberally applying sunscreen prior to going, which Si of course was objectionable to. At least it wasn't the ice cold sunscreen spray that we used in Cape Cod.

Of course, as we came in the main gate, I noticed my favorite fried dough vendor, right in front of the dairy building, and we started the day out right by splitting a fried dough with sauce. Simply Delicious. We then took the opportunity to wander through the buildings before the crowds got too rough, where we discovered that they had moved the sand sculpture to the Center of Progress building! Spoiler alert! Photo below:

We love the Beatles! 

After perusing the building, where we purchased these really neat things, that are intended to absorb water, and be placed around flowers to not use water - less mess! With me being a klutz, everyone knows how important this is! Pictures to come tomorrow!

After heading down the midway, it was extremely hot! Si won me a so-ugly-it's-cute stuffed dog, and an adorable stuffed bear in the games, and then we went on a few of the rides, where, I obviously beat Si up in bumper cars, even if he'll claim that he "won". What is winning in bumper cars?

After hitting the midway, grabbing a bloomin onion, drinking our way through all the water I brought, as well as some great fair sodas, we started to work our way back to the buildings, and where we came in. We picked up pickles, fudge, another milk, real NYS maple syrup, and started the trek home. 6 hours at the fair, and it was a perfect day!

Here's a photo of us on the bridge walking out from the fair, when I finally remembered to take the camera out of the backpack!

Can't you just feel the heat of the day? So hot!

Day Five - The Begining of the End

At approximately 2am this morning, I woke up feeling like something was crawling on me. How many of you have woken up with this awful feeling? The problem is - mine wasn't just a feeling. Unfortunately, this morning, I woke up to an earwig on my arm, and promptly let out a scream that I'm surprised didn't wake the camp. For those of you unfamiliar with what these disgusting atrocities look like, here is a photo for reference:

Earwig

I've been fighting the bug wars for a few days now. Our tent is pretty secure, but sometimes, things get in, just like this earwig, a few days ago, I had a fight with a daddy long legs.

Daddy Long Legs

Honestly, camping for seven days is ambitious at best. Tired of bugs, and fearful of what the next night's weather report of rain might bring, Si and I talk and decide that it might be best to abandon camp and head home. After I calm down from my recent bug encounter, we try to catch some more sleep so that way the drive ahead isn't so hard. We wake up in the morning, and I beg Si to take us to Hyannis for the morning, as it's the one place we haven't really explored, and he agrees.

Our morning is relatively uneventful, we grab breakfast at this cute little place, and then wander the shops, picking up our requisite ornament, postcards, as well as some taffy and a hooded sweatshirt for myself. Then we head out, feeling good about the things we've seen on the trip.

Click Here to Check out the Complete Photo Gallery of Our Cape Cod Adventure

[Silas]
I have combined all pictures into a final slide-show. Enjoy!

Day Four - Museum of Science

The Museum of Science was an interesting experience. I'd been there once before as a kid on a field trip with school. When we got in, we were so tired and hot after walking the distance from the NEAQ, that we just sat on a bench for a while. Inside, there are interesting exhibits to show people about different types of science, such as Physics, Mathematics, Archaeology, and Electricity. Si's favorite exhibit was the lightning demonstration, and my favorite exhibit was the Triceratops Cliffs.

Lightning Demonstration:
Inside of the MOS, there are two giant globes, surrounded by a cage like area to keep patrons away, where they offer lightning demonstrations every two hours. We were able to catch one of the demonstrations, and the presenter was hilarious. He showed us how electricity is produced, how it can be controlled, and even dispelled an interesting myth for us. Most people believe that the safest place during a lighting storm is within your car, and they will name the reason as being the rubber tires, stating that the tires ground out the lightning. This is actually untrue. If you check out the photo below, you can see a blot of lightning go into the tire and out the other side - which means it does not stop it.


The truth is, you are safe in your car, but it's not for the reason you might think. You are safe in your car because of the metal surrounding it. If you are inside of a metal instrument, the lightning will hit the metal, and not hit you. The demonstrator actually proved this by placing himself into a metal bird cage, raising it up to the level of the giant globes, and then striking it with lightning. He even went so far as to touch the metal! It will not go through the metal. The photos below show the true awesomeness of this demonstration.




Triceratops Cliffs Exhibit
The real reason I liked this exhibit is that I like dinosaurs, not for any other reason pertaining to the exhibit. They had some great skeletons of triceratops, as well as full scale interpretation of a T-Rex. Check out the photos below!