We exited the highway, followed a few signs<\/p>\n
and pulled into the empty parking lot. We were a tad early as the museum opens at 1 p.m. on Sundays. (I guess I was caught up in the excitement and missed that part of the website.)<\/p>\n It was Noon, so we wandered around town, picked wildflowers, played in leaves (we don’t have those at home),<\/p>\n took pictures of the water (We don’t have that at home, either!)<\/p>\n and then had a bit of a picnic in the parking lot.<\/p>\n Once it was open, we learned all sorts of JELL-O history and enjoyed looking through old advertisements, products and reading JELL-O stories.<\/p>\n We learned how the owner of the company finally convinced people to buy his product: He sent a team door-to-door, handing out either a box of JELL-O or a recipe book free to each home. The moms started making it and the demand at the grocery stores grew.<\/p>\n We learned that no, JELL-O is not made from ground up cow bones or horse’s hoofs and that a bowl of lime JELL-O and the human brain have similar waves on an EEG machine.<\/p>\n Our son (the one who hates writing and will do anything to get out of writing anything) enjoyed following a scavenger hunt through the museum, filling in the blanks on a sheet<\/p>\n and was rewarded at the end with a box of chocolate JELL-O pudding from the gallery.<\/p>\n We also watched a DVD journey through the 30-year history of Bill Cosby’s relationship with JELL-O and all of his silly commercials, as well as some other commercials through the years. (My, how times have changed!!)<\/p>\n We also visited the transportation museum downstairs and saw carriages and beautiful sleds like I had never seen.<\/p>\n After about an hour, we loaded back into the minivan and continued our journey to Watkins Glen.<\/p>\n Once we turned onto Route 14, we drove alongside Lake Seneca, one of the Finger Lakes, and all of us were amazed as to how long it is.<\/p>\n “It’s still going!!” my daughter marveled.<\/p>\n We stopped at Fox Run Vineyards<\/a>, a winery we will be visiting later in the week, to pick up a few bottles of wine to taste and then continued to the Harbor Hotel in Glen Watkins.<\/p>\n Once we arrived at the hotel, we were greeted with a very friendly staff. We checked in as the concierge pulled together quite a stack of literature on the area for us and then pointed out several family-friendly options. She gave a us dinner recommendation within walking distance and promised more help throughout the week.<\/p>\n Our room is amazing. I’ll try to post some photos soon (although now it is quite messy!!). We have a great view of the lake and lots of space to spread out.<\/p>\n So far, our travels here have been just what we needed: a bit of adventure and a lot of relaxation.<\/p>\n On tap for today: A winery visit to Anthony Road and potentially some waterfall sightings.<\/p>\n Later in the week we will definitely hit the Corning Museum of Glass <\/a>and some more wineries.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/jello1.jpg\" "\\"JELL-O")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/jello-exterior1.jpg\" "\\"JELL-O")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/jello-leaves1.jpg\" "\\"JELL-O")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/water1.jpg\" "\\"JELL-O")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/jello-start1.jpg\" "\\"JELL-O")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/jello-book1.jpg\" "\\"JELL-O")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/jello-scav1.jpg\" "\\"JELL-O")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/jello-bill1.jpg\" "\\"JELL-O")
<\/a><\/p>\n