Travel
International Year Of Glass
The Corning Museum of Glass is full of different artworks, including decorative wineglasses.
On May 18, 2021, the United Nations General Assembly formally declared 2022 as the International Year of Glass, celebrating the role glass has played in society. This celebration focuses on the history of glass, including how it has advanced civilization throughout time, aided research, and impacted the arts. New York state in particular has many great glass-related attractions to check out during this celebratory year.
Glass has been incredibly important throughout the development of modern society. In fact, you use glass every day — from your cellphone to your vehicle windows, it’s everywhere. One great way to celebrate glass is simply to admire it.
The Corning Museum of Glass offers classes for those interested in glassmaking.
The Corning Museum of Glass in the Finger Lakes opened in 1951 and is a not-for-profit museum dedicated to exploring glass in all its forms. Not only does it hold the world’s most comprehensive collection of glass, but it also boasts one of the top glassworking schools in the world. One of the more popular exhibits for visitors is Make Your Own Glass — no experience is necessary, and projects can last from 15 to 40 minutes.
Emerson Resort & Spa in the Catskills is home to the world’s largest kaleidoscope, according to Guinness World Records. The kaleidoscope was designed by artist Charles Karadimos and is housed in a former farm silo. A great way to experience this artistic feat is through the Kaleidoshow, an artistic visual and sound experience.
The Neustadt Gallery at the Queens Museum in Queens features a collection of Louis C. Tiffany’s leaded-glass lamps. The lamps are crafted with a copper foil technique typically used for creating stained-glass windows, making them unique. Other Tiffany exhibits include the Neustadt Tiffany Glass Archive in Long Island City (guided tours by appointment) and displays at the Corning Museum of Glass.
To learn more about the UN International Year of Glass 2022, visit www.iyog2022.org. For info about other New York attractions, visit www.iloveny.com.
Accessibility
Park Accommodations: Information And Resources
Many hiking paths are accessible for wheelchair users and can be located by visiting certain government websites and online maps.
If a site is accessible, it is able to be used by everyone regardless of disability status. The United States Forest Service (USFS) has different accessibility guidelines and standards for its various facilities. At times, it can be difficult to find accessible hiking paths, campsites, parking lots, or beaches, since facilities may not always be able to accommodate people with certain disabilities. Fortunately, the USFS has tools and resources to help visitors find this kind of information.
*Use the Forest Service Interactive Visitor Map to pinpoint the locations of accessible sites and trails by visiting www.fs.fed.us/ivm/index.html.
*More than 4,500 miles of short trails in national forests comply with accessibility standards. Many, but not all, have firm, stable surfaces with a width that’s generally 36 inches. The USFS has a list of these hiking trails by state on its website: www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/national-forests-grasslands/accessibility/forests-grasslands.
*Those with permanent disabilities are eligible for free, lifetime Recreational Lands passes, covering entrance fees to over 2,000 sites. The Interagency Access Pass can be issued to U.S. residents medically determined to be permanently disabled. Learn more at www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/national-forests-grasslands/accessibility/access-pass.
*To find accessibility information specific to U.S. national parks, you can use the National Park Service’s interactive map: www.nps.gov/subjects/accessibility/plan-your-visit.htm.
*If you have questions about a site’s accessibility or need to request reasonable accommodations, such as sign language interpretation services, you can always call the park ahead of time.
App File
RVing Essentials For The Road
Finding the best route to your destination and locating places to stay are key to trouble-free RV travels. These apps can help.
CoPilot GPS Navigation & Traffic: This app is built for RVers, truckers, and anyone traveling the United States by road. Based off your personal needs, vehicle, and traffic, the app will provide a custom route to your destination. It keeps your vehicle size and class in mind, so you don’t need to worry about run-ins with low bridges or propane-restricted tunnels. You can plan a road trip with up to 50 different stops and easily find places along the way — even without internet or a wireless connection. A 14-day free trial is offered, and afterward it costs $29.99 for a 12-month RV navigation subscription. Available on iOS and Android. www.copilotgps.com
RV Parks & Campgrounds: Using its own local database, this app from ParkAdvisor enables RVers to search for more than 40,000 RV parks, campgrounds, and other stops in North America. You can search for private and public RV parks, U.S. military campgrounds, KOA and Jellystone sites, Thousand Trails resort locations, RV-friendly stores and stops, rest areas, and much more. You can open the map to find locations in your vicinity and view pertinent information about each spot, including reviews, websites, and phone numbers. Free on iOS and Android; a Pro version is available for $7.99. www.parkadvisor.com
The Dyrt: Finding a campground that suits all of your wants and needs can be difficult, and booking your stay at a site sometimes comes with its own challenges. The Dyrt combines booking and searching into one convenient, easy-to-use app. You can search for any type of camping throughout the United States, including RV accommodations. Users can filter campgrounds by rating, type, and distance to find their ideal site. PRO members have access to many more features, such as trip planning, offline capabilities, and discounts. Free on iOS and Android; a PRO membership is $35.99 per year. www.thedyrt.com