12-20-24 Mystery Tour

Yep, it’s Mystery Tour time, again! You know I love these very special day trips…..we pay a fee – in today’s case: $169 – and are only told what time the bus will be departing, that we won’t be more than four hours away, that we’ll have a delicious lunch, and what time we’re expected to return….the rest is a mystery!!! I try to go every time First Choice Travel offers one…..this year, they did three with this being the third and last one for 2024 and I participated in all three of them.

So, sit back and enjoy the ride….here are all the mysteries of the day for December 20th:

The weather forecast was a bit concerning for me….my weather app said the snow fall prediction was “51% for 2-4 inches” and “49% for 1-3 inches”…..so, sounded like a “your guess is as good as mine” prediction! But….I wasn’t the one driving and it didn’t sound like it was going to be that much of an issue for a big motor coach, so I made a joke about it on Facebook and moved on! As it turned out, it was just fine….the weather cooperated! It did snow, but lightly….it was enough to make everything “Christmas-y” – a nice Winter Wonderland so to speak, but not enough to hinder any activities at any of the mystery stops and certainly didn’t make driving or visibility difficult for our capable driver, John!

The motor coach pulled out of our meeting spot in Batavia at the planned time of 7:30 am (which means I was up at 5:30 am so I could get ready and make it to Batavia in time for everyone to begin boarding the bus at 7:00 am). It was a slightly smaller group this time – probably due to the time of year and unpredictable weather – there were, I believe, 28 on the motor coach ready and excited to find out where our wonderful tour manager, Kathy was going to take us and what we were going to see!

OK, so two mysteries solved – we knew snow would be involved and we got on the Thruway going EAST!

We made a quick rest stop at the Fort Byron Service Area on the Thruway for those who needed coffee, potty breaks, or other sustenance….I picked up the Breakfast of Champions offering and we got back on the road.

MYSTERY STOP # 1

Our first mystery stop was in Cazenovia, NY at the Lorenzo House – a State Historic Site overlooking beautiful Cazenovia Lake. In 1790, John Lincklaen, an agent of the Holland Land Company, planned a village on the shores of what was then known by the Oneida as Owegehaga lake and name the village and lake Cazenovia. After his first home was lost to a fire, John and his wife built this 1807 Federal style home he named Lorenzo – it is now a stunning museum available for our enjoyment. Since it was built, the home was continually occupied by the Lincklaen/Ledyard family for five generations until the property and it’s contents were transferred to New York State in 1968. So, it is filled with many original pieces of furniture and décor that remained in the home and was passed down along the generations, greatly reducing the need for those who restored the property to search for and solicit important artifacts that had been removed over the years.

We arrived at the Lorenzo House about 10:15 and spent about two hours touring the home, Carriage House (now the Welcome Center), and a small gift shop. I understand that during the warmer seasons, the grounds are a maze of stunning gardens and lawn with breathtaking views of Cazenovia Lake. The property spans about 80 acres and there is also a school house on the property that we did not see. Click here for their website to get more information.

Here are the photos I took of the mansion and grounds….each room was beautifully decorated for Christmas!

The staff throughout the tour were extremely knowledgeable and helpful. The director said a few words of welcome and then another staff member gave us a brief history of the family and their home.

There were a few jokes throughout the day about putting snow tires or chains on the walkers used….but, I did just fine with mine!!! My trusty travel companion never fails to assist me when there is a lot of walking or standing involved…..I take it with me on trips like these where I can just leave it on the bus if not needed, but have it available if my back needs a little help!

MYSTERY STOP # 2

After taking in all the magnificence of Lorenzo House, we were ready for lunch! So, the second mystery of the day was where we headed next – a fabulous lunch at the Lincklaen House in downtown Cazenovia! And if you picked up on the name connection with Stop # 1, you’re right…..same historic family from the early days of Cazenovia! The Lincklaen House – an historical landmark – is the oldest grand hotel in Central New York. It has operated for more than 180 years – built in 1835 and opened in 1836. 

We could choose between petite filet, chicken, or fish….I had the petite filet! YUM!!! I have actually eaten here once before — at another mystery tour, in fact! It was the lunch stop on the Fall 2023 tour where we went to the Chittenango area to visit the Land of Oz and other cool mystery stops. The lunch and venue was so awesome that the planners of this tour decided to book lunch there again – repeat venues are rare on these mystery tours, but if you find a great place to eat, you keep it in mind!!! I even chose the same meal option that I chose last time…..and it did not disappoint!!!

I didn’t think to take a photo of the building this time, so this is the one I took when we were there in the fall of 2023….notice there is no snow! hehehe And, actually, it would have been hard to get a good shot even if I had thought of it this time because the bus was parked right there on the street!

Petite Filet with a béarnaise sauce, mashed potatoes, and green beans

The meal began with a HUGE and deliciously “eggy” warm popover with honey butter – OMG – YUM!!! Some asked for seconds…..I resisted, but it was a terrible hardship to do so!!! Then we had a salad and the meal was finished with an apple crisp type dessert with vanilla ice cream. Everything was absolutely delicious – including the mint medley tea I chose as my beverage!

MYSTERY STOP # 3

After lunch we drove to Seneca Falls where we spent about an hour at Sauders – an Amish grocery, deli, bakery, crafts, etc…..cool shopping experience! It was huge and full of the most amazing baked goods, homemade candy, fresh meats and produce, and beautiful works of art in the form of quilts, furniture, craft items, etc. We were there from about 3:30 to almost 4:30 and everyone on the bus left with something they just had to have!

I left thinking, “WOW – this is Miller’s on steroids!!!” I am both sad and happy that they aren’t close enough to visit more often….if you get my drift!!! But, if I’m ever in the area, I will definitely stop in again!

As for my purchases at Sauders: I bought a small tray of fudge and this nativity scene that I just knew would be perfect on my hearth — I’d been looking for a nativity this year and couldn’t find anything I liked that was even close to being affordable……then, I found this one for $14.95 and it’s hand crafted, unique, and lovely!!! SCORE!!!

MYSTERY STOP # 4

Our final mystery of the day was a Christmas delight! We arrived in Liverpool, NY a little before 5:30 and drove through the Onondaga Lake “Lights on the Lake” presented by Wegman’s! We drove through about two miles of incredible Christmas light displays – most were animated scenes!!! Spectacular!!! There were various themed sections – like “Under The Sea”, “The Land of Oz”, animals, fairy tales, and holiday delights. It took us about a half hour to drive through and I was sad when we got to the end and had to leave!

Unfortunately, because of the glare on the bus windows and the fact that we were moving (albeit slowly) these are the only photos that came out decently…..so you’ll need to take my word for it…..it truly was simply amazing!!! If you’re looking for a light show, this one is WELL worth the drive to the Syracuse area!!! I think it is about a two hour or so drive….so worth it!!!

On the way home, we watched “The Christmas Chronicles” with Kurt Russell — fun movie – I’ve never seen it, before, but always wanted to – not sure why I hadn’t, but now that I have, I’ll need to find the sequel and watch that….and, we also discovered there is a third in the series that has just recently been released!

We made a final quickie stop at a thruway service area for a break and some grabbed some dinner at the Shake Shack that was inside the facility – I had a chicken sandwich that was amazing!!! I’m not sure I’ve ever eaten at a Shake Shack, but will if the opportunity arises, again!

We got back to Batavia right about 9:00 pm…..it was a long, but wonderful day! Another great Mystery Tour in the history books!!! The weather on the drive from Batavia to my home was slick and a bit tense….I didn’t drive above 40 the whole way and mostly under 40! But, I made it home safe and sound and happy to have shared the day with my fellow Mystery Tour enthusiasts! Can’t wait till they announce the 2025 Mystery dates so I can get my name on the lists before they sell out!