I’ve had on my bucket list to visit the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour in Ticonderoga for a long time. Every time I think I’m going to have a chance something happens to throw a spanner in the works. MINI Takes The States allowed me the opportunity so I jumped at it before anyone could stop me.
If you read the last post about MINI Takes the States New York You know we had a great time during the short event (we dressed for the weather). After checking in we heading across the boarder to Canada to wander around. We eneded up in Niagara-on-the-Lake a place we discovered early on in our marriage. Sue wanted to go someplace and I had no clue where to go, so we headed here for a long weekend and the Shaw Festival. It was blissfully quaint and a place we swore we’d return to sometime. The few times we were in the area we’d at least drive through. This time was no different. We stopped for lunch and wandered the streets a bit. I even bought a vintage hat (which I think makes me look rather dapper). Then MTTS started and we were off on the route stopping for a geocache along the way.
When the big goodbye was said and everyone headed home we still had an extra day. We had reserved a cabin near the venue that required a two night stay (darn!) so we didn’t have to rush. First stop- Ticonderoga.
Ticonderoga, New York is home to a full reproduction of the sets used in the Original Star Trek Television Series. So as a longtime Star Trek fan (I have scars proving my devotion to the original series) I had to at least see it. Also being a Whimventurer® and one to do silly things that most “normal people” don’t understand this was perfect. I ordered tickets months in advance and when we arrived, checked to see if we could get in early. We could (SQUEE!).
The tour itself takes you through the sets and the history of the series. It takes an hour and, for the most part, you are not allowed to touch anything. It’s treated like a museum. I asked multiple times if I could put Cecil on things and was politely told “No.” I understand, since if they let me, they’d have to let everyone who came in with a stuffed monkey in a captain’s uniform. I was only an ensign anyway, so I was out ranked.
After checking off #65 from my bucket list we headed back to our lovely little cabin and prepared for the drive home and a detour to go troll hunting.
Trolls in New York
Yes, Thomas Dambo had his traveling exhibit “Save the Humans” at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, NY. While we had already seen the exhibit he did something wonderful by adding Troll #191, Patrick Sapling, to the area. Of course this was a nonnegotiable. The wild center was amazing I even without the exhibit I highly recommend it if you are in the area. Since the exhibit was coming to an end tickets (especially with MTTS) were scarce. We actually stayed an extra night in order to be able to wander a bit and see them. The Save the Humans exhibit was placed along the walking trails throughout the area, one trail was just amazing. The Raquette River Roll where placed along the trail are ball runs. You can borrow (or purchase) a wooden ball about the size of a billiard ball that you then run along these runs.
They varied in complexity but it was a great way to take a short break while walking. Yes, I bought a ball to support the cause.
After this we headed home listening to Fred, The Vampire Accountant by Drew Hayes. Milestones for this trip- 20,000 miles on Smudge, bucket list #65, and checking off another troll.
So another Whimventure® is in the books. Next comes more with Parade Balloons.