and found a waterway!
How I got there is a story in itself.
This journey began Monday night with a trip to the Parade of Homes on Chefs’ night. For $10 you get to tromp around 500k – 700k homes (this is Real Estate in Upstate NY, for yer 500 or so Grand you get 3000+ square feet on 1/4-1/2 an acre of land) and sample food from some of the finer restaurants in the area. Not a bad deal at all.
It was here we ran in to the Head Chief of The Gingersnap Ann Pellegrino. She was engaging and very delightful to speak with. My 7 year old niece, Emma, spoke with Ann at length about cooking, and the best techniques for a first grader to make better tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Ann’s willingness to take time out to speak with my niece, the amazing Baked Pears and this t-shirt
were reasons enough to go on a trip to Phoenix, NY and visit her shop.
The Gingersnap bakery is located on State Street, next to the Oswego River and Lock 0-1. The bakery is rather small, but filled with the wonderful scents of baking pastries, cakes and cookies. The staff was very friendly and assisted us in buying 4 cupcakes, 2 butterfly cookies and 4 fruit filled pastries. The cookies were released from their box, and were quickly consumed by my nieces, who found the cookies to be most excellent. The cupcakes and pastry survived until after dinner. The cupcakes were very good and the fruit pastries were amazing. The sacrifice of these confections was not in vain. We will remember their sugary goodness.
If you are in the area or traveling the Owsego river, I really recommend going here to stock up on some excellent desert foods, also, they cater, so keep them in mind for yor next food filled event!
I know, it seems I’m rambling. But, this seems to be the kind of path my life takes. I Start at point A intending on getting to point B and find points C,D and F along the way. Sometimes I go back and find point E, but, not always. Knowing there is something I missed keeps me going back form time to time to find it 
On the Oswego River and Lock 0-1!
The back of the shop faces the canal. If you were to get pushed out the back door hard enough you, would stumble about 6′ and go cup over tea kettle over the fence and in to the water. There are several shops located along the walkway to the lock all with equally fantastic views. There is enough room between the buildings and the water to put a table and a couple of chairs with out getting in the way of foot traffic. I’ll have to go back on a Spring Friday or Saturday evening ts see if there are indeed tables put out by the cafe and restaurant located on the water. Up further is the lock and a drawbridge for the canal.
Not only was coming across the canal fortuitous, my timing was amazing. While taking pictures of the area, The “Black Sheep” and the “Letitia” came up river to travel through the lock. I had never seen a canal lock in use before. I know the theory and have seen models, but, it was great to see it action for real. I have both pictures and video, and regret I only brought one camera. It would have been great to take snaps and done the video at the same time…tho I may have needed to grow a third eye and 2 extra, very long, arms…On to a few of the pics!
You can also find them on my Flickr account or over on SmugMug
There are 9 photos in all. The video I still need to edit it and will post it to YouTube in the next few days.
A trip to get free food and look at huge houses leads to great pastries and some nice canal shots! Amazing how some things work out
There is a lot to see out there. I’m trying to find what I can and, bring it to you Get up, get out and, get going 
Ohhh, yeah! I’m looking for an RV (and some donations or picture sales ) If you can help me find one on the cheap, please let me know! escapist@photoescapist.com
Thanks!
