Ra-cha-cha
Monday, May 1st
Thursday I went to explore historic Rochester. I headed to the part of town known as “High Falls”. The Genesee River runs through Rochester and was the early economic engine for the area. There are several series of water falls on the Genesee that made it an obvious site for all manner of water powered mills. The city has left the remains of the “Triphammer Forge” and restored a block known as Brown’s Race and made it into a mini-historic district.
Brown's Race (The race ran along the front of the buildings on the left. The building in the foreground used to be the Rochester Waterworks. It didn't draw water from the river, but the city's pumps were water powered!)
Where the street is now, there was a “race” in the 19th Century. The race diverted water from above the High Falls to a series of mills and other industries who let it run over their water wheels (and later turbines) on it’s way back down to the river below the falls. The Triphammer Forge had a giant water wheel that powered a set of hammers for the shaping of steel. It also generated enough power for several mills across the street. The remains of the building are still there. The city has restored the water wheel and marked out other artifacts (like the drive shaft that carried power under the street to the other mills). There’s also a little museum detailing the history of the area. The race was filled in as the mills closed, but part of it remains active; carrying water to the hydro-electric plant that still operates.
Just below the falls, there’s a pedestrian bridge that spans the Genesee. It afforded a great view of the falls and links the various parks that Rochester has around the river. In the summer, the city puts on light and laser shows, projecting onto the falls and the spray. Of course, April was a bit too early. The bridge was also a great spot to watch the trains on the trestle over the falls and to survey the remaining industry on the river (Genesee Beer is brewed right next to the falls and French’s Mustard is made just down-river).
Dinosaur Barbecue remained my only experience with Rochester’s night life. We went back on Thursday night for more barbeque, beer and live music. The band on Thursday was a good rock and roll cover band. I went with Francesca and several of the crew members and we sat in the bar, close to the band. Nearly the whole cast was gathered around a big table in the back, more restaurant-y, part. As the night wore on, the two groups merged and a good time was had by all! I also went back to the Dinosaur on Saturday, this time with Marijean (who came for a visit – more later). The band was more bluesy and the food remained tasty.
I’d like to take a moment to discuss ribs. I had a revelation while enjoying my second plate of ribs at Dinosaur on Thursday night. The most tasty part of the barbecued rib is the membrane on the back side (what I suppose is the inside of the pig’s ribs). When the ribs are grilled, this membrane becomes nothing more than a crispy flavor bearing device. It has no taste of its own, but all the flavor of whatever has been done to the ribs. This was the bit I was gnawing on the Rendezvous Ribs’ bones to get at. Often, you can peel it away in a big, paper-thin piece. Yum. The ribs at Dinosaur were good, especially on Saturday night (they were more crispy and almost burned), but Rendezvous still tops the tour.
Saturday afternoon, Marijean and I friend drove over from Utica to see our little show. MJ took me out for sushi between shows and then caught the evening performance. We had a great time catching up – it feels like it’s been forever since I’ve seen her! I was able to bring them both backstage after the show and give them the nickel tour of Spamalot. We were also able to have breakfast together on Sunday before I had to head off to work. I’m so pleased that the tour has given me an occasion to get back in touch with so many people and that many of those people have been willing the travel to see me!
This week, Buffalo! I have a feeling I’ll be eating a few chicken wings…
JV
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