While we were in Watkins Glen, we took a short 20 minute ride to Corning, the Glass Manufacturing Capitol of the world. This quaint town, rich in history has done a wonderful job at self promotion and tourism. At the start of this trip, we parked in the massive parking area which was designed to keep traffic away from downtown shopping. A tourist visitors station served as the first of three bus pick-up and drop-off areas.

We took the free bus to the Museum first. A massive multi-level building dedicated to the wonders of all glass products awaited us. It was incredibly state-of-the-art in layout. There was an introduction film explaining the history of glass molding, manufacturing, fiber optics, lens and every imaginable use of glass. We made our way to the first of three distinct museum sections which demonstrated glass production for containers and insulators. Complete mock-ups of the entire factories, furnaces, multant glass, forming and storage. Hundreds of examples of early glass blowing techniques too.

The Next Section of the Museum was use of glass in communications. Seeing films and examples of fiber-optics is intreging, almost mystic. I often think how a million life times would go by BEFORE I would come up with some of our modern inventions. Even determining the actual length of a Year, which has been know for thousands of years - would NEVER come to me if all I had to use as a guide were stars. There really are some amazine people out there.

The last section was the history of glass collection. A huge collection of beads, paper weights, crystal, China and artwork from around the world and throughout mans history.

 After the Museum we took the bus to the second stop, the historic town of Corning. I really liked the rotating bus service between the stops. The buses come every 15 minutes and the quickly shuttle you from stop to stop. The town is quite old, but very nicely kept. It was very much like Madison, Wisconsin in many ways. Although Madison has literally hundreds of eateries to choose from - Corning has dozens and all within easy walking distance.

We stopped at a pub which offered a collection of house brewed beers and many spicy sandwiches from a complete menu. Lots of curly fries and some special Jamaican specials that will make you run for a thirst quencher. I liked corning, actually - I liked Upstate New York, as did Tracey.