From botanical gardens at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
Buttermilk Falls near Ithaca, New York.
Taughannock Falls, main waterfall on the river.
Wine country on Seneca Lake, New York State.
Watkins Glen State Park near the town of Watkins Glen.
(Monday 8th, July)
Hot and humid. Leaving Syracuse
around 8.07 am. Heading to Ithaca. Stop along the way to see
Ludlowille Falls. Small park in the middle of the village, pretty
impressive (helped by recent rain). Ithaca, the home of Cornell
University. Some lake views, stop for the coffee close to the campus
area. Stop after seeing a waterfall, parking and walking along the
creek. It was a gorge trail bordering one side of the campus (about 2
miles long). Just few minutes as we did not park properly. Nice
start. It looked like really great walk, maybe next time. We drove
through the campus, stopped to tour the botanical garden – nice.
The whole campus of Cornell was interesting and pretty. Some more
driving around, lost a bit and then driving through part of Ithaca to
the Buttermilk Falls State Park. Pretty small town, we saw “modern
strip mall” sad part. Smaller fall within the gorge and the trail
following the creek up (a lot of stairs). We walked the short loop
and could not believe how beautiful it was. Taughannock Falls, about
12 miles from Ithaca, huge 200 feet drop (saw it from the distance
view point, did not walk to it – 1 mile). Cross Finger Lakes
National Forest. Seneca Lake – stopped at three wineries where half
of our group did wine tasting. Pleasant country. Almost 5.30 pm when
we were approaching southern tip of Seneca Lake (Watkins Glen town).
We were debating if we should stop and at the end we stopped at
Watkins Glen State Park – most amazing natural site – relatively
narrow gorge with small creek, it was really deep and incredibly
carved. We saw small part of the gorge and were more than amazed.
Dinner at Switz Inn – average fish and chips. About 8.00 pm at our
bed and breakfast close to Hammondsport. Heavy rain. Movie. Sleep.
###
(Tuesday 9th, July)
Small breakfast. Small detour
to the fish hatchery near by – some small fishes, interesting. Town
of Hammondsport – small and fine, nothing special even it is
advertised as the coolest small town in the US. Who knew? Canandaigua
– pretty long drive to this town on the top of the lake with the
same name. Few stops along the way but nothing very significant. Hot
and humid. Bigger town, pretty nice – Sonnenberg mansion and
gardens. Interesting and well done mansion from the “golden times”
in the US history. As well pretty gardens around, rain. Luckily
almost done. Taking it easier after very busy and active yesterday.
Slow drive from Canandaigua to Syracuse on smaller roads on the top
of the lakes. Driving via Seneca Falls, Auburn, small detour to
Montezuma Refuge – horribly hot and humid to take a walk. Small
stop at Skeneateles – walk along main street and sit down for a
while on the lake – pretty and peaceful. Home – family time. ###
Sonnenberg mansion and gardens, Canandaigua, New York.
Driving home - Montezuma Wildlife Refuge.
