The Beauty Around Us

An Afternoon of Autumn Leaf Peeking

By Linda G. on October 11, 2014

Bob and I spent Friday afternoon checking out the Autumn colors at Allegany State Park near Salamanca, NY.

It was a little after noon when we left home, so our first stop was to get something to eat.  Lunch was at Miller’s Grove “Shorty’s” in Fentonville, just over the New York border. Bob and I are members of a Facebook group called “You grew up in Warren, PA if …”.  The primary purposes of this Facebook group are “to bring back memories and stay connected with our roots, connect with friends from our past, and to reminisce and talk about fun and positive things that we knew growing up in Warren.”  Soon after we were seated, Bob took a picture of the restaurant interior and posted that photograph on the group site.

Bob expected (and received) lots of commentary from his “You grew up in Warren, PA if…” group post.  At last count, Bob’s post had 112 likes and 93 comments.  A group member named Garry shared a link that provided a historical account of the restaurant.  According to the link –

“The Coconut Grove Restaurant was built in the time of the Model T Fords, in 1927, by Carl and Sam Lupica. It was operated as a gas station at first, this was the time of prohibition when alcoholic beverages were prohibited for sale by the Federal Government, but “rumor” has it that alcohol could be purchased not only for the car but also for the driver. This was the time of Al Capone, Dutch Schultz and many other bootleggers, who were peddling illegal beer and liquor all the way from Canada to Miami, Florida. So in 1933 they repealed the law and made beer and liquor legal. The Coconut Grove then started selling food along with the new legal beverages and soon became a popular dining establishment, famous for steaks and spaghetti. Because of the short stature of the owners the place soon became known as “Shorty’s” a name that has stayed with it to this day, though the right name is Coconut Grove.”

I ordered  spaghetti. My meal included Italian bread and a tossed salad. Bob ordered two Parmesan meatballs. Each Parmesan meatball was the size of the one meatball on top of my spaghetti. Bob finished his lunch. I couldn’t finish mine. I brought home spaghetti and meat, enough to feed two people!

After lunch, we drove to Allegany State Park. Our first stop was at Quaker Lake.

After taking a picture at Quaker Lake, we drove through the park gate.  No vehicle admission fee was collected.  Since after Labor Day weekend admission fee is collected only on weekends and holidays. If I read the park’s rules correctly regarding admission fee, after October 14th no admission fee will be collected anytime during the week until Memorial Day weekend next year.

Our next photo stop, after Quaker Lake, was at Bridal Falls.

I would like to visit Bridal Falls sometime, when there is more water cascading down to the creek below!

Our last stop before departing Allegany State Park was at the Stone Tower. Right before we reached the Stone Tower, we came across a scene that made me say “Wow!”  After parking at the Stone Tower, I walked down the road a short distance and took several pictures of the view I saw as we were approaching the Stone Tower.

I returned to the Stone Tower, climbed the steps, and took a picture of the same view atop the Stone Tower.

I walked over to the railing and took another picture of the view.

While standing atop the Stone Tower, looking in the opposite direction, there is another view not to miss!

We departed Allegany State Park via the Salamanca entrance and took Interstate 86 East to the U.S. Route 219 exit. We followed U.S. Route 219 to Bradford PA and then followed Pennsylvania Routes 346,  321 and  59 back home.  What a wonderful afternoon we had in the great outdoors!