DAILY DISPATCHES
Follow the Journey
Local history, veterans, food, and miles walked — direct from the trail.
DAY 3 — MEDINA, NEW YORK
Today's Highlights:
Miles walked: 15 | Town: Medina, NY | Local food: Murphy's Tavern — best fish fry in Orleans County | History: Medina sandstone — quarried here and used in the U.S. Capitol
Lockport to Medina 17 miles. The path through here is truly stunning beautiful farms with crop fields spreading out as far as the eye can see. Lots of wildlife- saw a bobcat and watched a bald eagle catch a fish. This is New York State at its most beautiful. A fantastic day’s hike, it's worth every mile.
Downtown Medina was a revelation. I had no expectations but what a beautiful looking village! The downtown looks like the real version of Main Street USA, American flag buntings, beautiful flowers everywhere. Great architecture everywhere. This is the epitome of a beautiful American Village. I’m definitely coming back to this beautiful place. This is why I'm walking.
DAY 2 — LOCKPORT, NEW YORK
Day Two brought me from Tonawanda (Ellicot State Park) to an area just north of Lockport. The walk was all along the Erie Canal tow path. Walking distance was about 19 miles. Lockport is famous for the five-flight locks that were built to raise boats 60-70 feet over the Niagara escarpment, a ridge of limestone that was the most difficult and costly portion of the canal to build in the 1820’s. I was in Lockport on July 4th but unfortunately their big fireworks celebration is on July 5th! Very good ice cream at “Lake Effect Ice Cream”
DAY 1 — BUFFALO, NEW YORK
First step taken. The Empire State Trail begins at Buffalo Harbor State The Empire State Trail begins at Buffalo Harbor State Park. I started later than expected and it caused me to be walking during the hottest part of the day. I covered almost exactly 20 miles. The Trail is tough to follow through the first 4-5 miles and could use some better signage. The walk ended at Ellicot State Trail and Preserve. Seems strange but the entire day the trail leads AWAY from Montauk Point. The first 16 miles was walking north and sometimes west. Finally at that point the trail starts to head easterly along Tonawanda Creek. overnight in Amherst, NY. Buffalo is a really nice clean city. Nice people. Great infrastructure (who knew they had a subway?) nice architecture and lots of museums and fun things to do.