Year 2 Day 94 - Ilion, N.Y.

Today is Friday, June 28th.  My previous photo from yesterday showed the building on fire which was promptly put out - or so we thought.  About
11:30 PM I was about to fall asleep and Mike was reading in bed.  He thinks he hears a few popping noises so went to investigate.  He yelled out for me to
come outside and this is what was going on:

Building totally engulfed in flames

We sat outside for a long time listening to the explosions (it was a maintenance facility for vehicles) and watching for the fire to jump the road to the marina building in which case we would have to move the boat.  That never happened but it was pretty exciting!  This morning we walked over to the ruins of the building.

The aftermath of the fire

We stayed at Little Falls until about 10:30 this morning and took the short cruise through one lock to Ilion where we stopped at the marina here in order to visit the Remington Arms Factory.  This was about a 2 hour tour and very interesting.  Mr. Remington made his first rifle in 1814 and it was so successful that everybody wanted one, thus he started his manufacturing business.  The buildings encompass 29 acres and they currently employ 1200 people running 3 shifts around the clock.   We were told their business skyrocketed when Obama was elected president.  They wouldn't let us take any pictures while inside but it was impressive.  They also have a military contract and make many weapons for them.  It was so great to see a manufacturing company here in the U.S. doing so well after seeing all the ones that have been closed down.

Mike in front of the Remington Arms company

We're spending the night here in Ilion and plan to leave in the morning for Rome, N.Y. or perhaps a little further.