Meet Irene, Roma, and Pete, from Upstate New York

Meet Irene, Roma, and Pete, three longtime friends from Upstate New York. Sisters Roma and Irene grew up, and still live, in Schenectady, while Pete was raised in Cohoes before later moving to Troy. The trio met as children while attending Ukrainian school in Watervliet, NY, and also spent time together at Ukrainian camp, where annual field trips to Howe Caverns, just a 30-minute drive away, helped foster their love for the caves and the area.

Those early visits with family and friends created lasting, meaningful memories, making this return to Howe Caverns especially special. During the tour, one unexpected highlight for Irene and Pete was all the cave’s nooks, joking about which ones they might fit into. Pete was particularly impressed by the Pipe Organ formation, and as the deepest voice on the tour, he even hummed for the group. Roma’s favorite moment was the boat ride, especially the segment of complete darkness near the end. While totally darkness can feel a bit scary, it left a strong impression on her.

Roma and Irene fondly remembered visiting Howe Caverns with their parents. They spoke lovingly about their mother, who they say has had the biggest influence on all three of them- even Pete. She even taught them Ukrainian dancing!

Today, Pete spends much of his time playing guitar and nurturing his love for plants. Roma works in real estate, and Irene is proud of herself for returning to school while also working in a mineral store, which made seeing the cave’s stalactites and stalagmites especially exciting for her. Irene has two kittens, Roma recently welcomed a new puppy, and Pete says he doesn’t have pets yet. but maybe someday.

The visit taught them plenty of new things. Roma was amazed to learn that Lester originally bought the cave for just $100 in cash, while Pete and Irene enjoyed learning more about the cave’s history. They all agree that Howe Caverns is a must-see as it is an informative, unique, and cool experience that’s perfect for both friends and family.

Their message to the world is simple and heartfelt: “Love your neighbor.”

Thank you so much for visiting!