Along the Erie Canal: The Polar Express

After one night on the road we still had a few days for exploring the area near Buffalo New York before heading to Toronto. We decided to give HipCamp a try. It’s a little like AirB&B, but for camping. We chose The Tortuga so we would be close to the border crossing.

We were both a little speechless as our host, Thomas gave us the tour. Clearly a do-you-see-what-I-see visionary. There were 2 campsites. If you booked #1 you also got #2. If you booked #2 you also got #1.

We chose site #2. It had a flat grassy area and a nice fire pit. There were train tracks to one side and the Erie Canal to the other. We could sit by the Little Guy and watch sailing ships, kayaks, joggers and bikers along the canal. There were no trains at all.

But in December the Tomtuga becomes a major stop for The Polar Express. Thomas ( a great name for a train enthusiast, right) explained the giant plastic cubes that lit up at night. They are big oil vats that look like huge night-lights until December when igloos and skating penguins take form. There was the Terrible Tomtuga Tree that served as Rudolph’s sleighless zip line flight to the hot chocolate cart. And the future sight of the Snowflake Castle. We stretched our imaginations to visualize what Thomas described. What a treat to hear stories of the railroad, fishermen and the canal locks. Our host was a great storyteller and truly gifted in the art of displaying one mans trash was definitely another’s man’s treasure. Here’s a glimpse of The Tomtuga by day and by night.

And if that wasn’t enough childlike joy for us Thomas told us about a small beach town nearby with an antique carousel, kiddie rides and a super-cute and totally free Magic Show