I've fallen in love with the Finger Lakes. They're a group of eleven lakes carved by glaciers into the western part of upstate New York. They're the perfect distance for a weekend trip (4-6 hours) and full of wonderful places to stay, eat and relax.
That last quality is the one I like the most: relaxation. The lakes have a peaceful vibe that causes you to slow down. To savor nature. To chill. Unlike the eastern part of upstate New York (e.g., Catskills, Hudson, Lake George, Lake Placid, Adirondacks), the Finger Lakes aren't crowded with down-staters who travel north and carry an air of frenzy with them. In the Finger Lakes, you don't feel that, you feel like someone living a century in a simpler life.
Which Finger Lakes have you visited? Last year I began with large Seneca Lake (near Watkins Glen). This month I added smaller Keuka Lake to the west. I just made plans for next month to take Robin up to Cayuga Lake, the other large lake, whose southern tip is Ithaca. That will leave four smaller lakes on each side of the big three.
It's good to have goals. :-)
I've been thinking about exploring more around the Island, and visiting some of our local attractions, since our tourist season is basically screwed. These lakes look beautiful, and what a wonderful trip on your bike (or do you drive one of your fab cars??).
ReplyDeleteThe lakes are close enough for an easy motorcycle ride. I recommend you do explore your home island: there's lots of beauty near us we take for granted.
DeleteYou know, I always forget about this area of upstate NY but I'd love to visit. Thank you so much for suggesting it! I have friends who go kayaking there and rave about it; I'll have to add to my travel list!
ReplyDeleteHope all is well with you <3
It's really not far for you: just head north!
DeleteAnything with a peaceful vibe that causes you to slow down gets my full approval. That looks absolutely gorgeous! xxx
ReplyDeleteWe agree!
DeleteI get the distinction. I have one son living in the Adirondacks and the other in Ithaca. Both stayed near where they wen to college.
ReplyDeleteThe Ithaca son has a girlfriend (living together for 8 years) whose family is from Elmira but who have a share of a beautiful house on Keuka. We have stayed there and there is a calm to the lake, until the motor boats get going, but the water is clean and clear.
For 5 years he ran a winery on Seneca. He knew everyone at dozens of wineries and it was always fun visiting the 'tasking rooms' with him.
After that he spent three years running a "Glamping" operation by Ithaca. I think you may be a glamping candidate. Look up Firelightcamps.com or firelight glamping Ithaca. It is a neat operation. You stay in an "Out of Africa" style double walled tend with hardwood floors. You sleep in a hotel quality bed with fresh linens. Breakfast is health foods locally sourced. Wine and beer each evening followed by a campfire with home made smores.
It is on the grounds of La Tourelle resort and spa. They have excellent food. Also on the grounds is a top class steak house. If you go try to do the walk down Buttermilk falls. It adjoins the back of the campsite and is spectacular. I am sure I don't need to tell you to take your camera.
He no longer works for the winery or Firelight but he knows plenty of places to eat. There is a great German restaurant right on Seneca Lake. Great food and views. His old winery had a great restaurant. When he worked there his boss's wife ran the restaurant. She was a contestant on "Chopped", came in second. Sadly she died in a car accident.
Make sure you see Montour falls, just south of Watkins Glen. I think Watkins is nicer than Ithaca. I know that they have open days where car buffs can take their cars out on the backwards running race course. They may even have times where bikers can run their machines.
Let me know if you need more info.
Pat
Thanks for the recommendations, Pat. Seems you know the Finger Lakes better than anyone else.
DeleteI only scratch the surface. The Finger Lakes are beautiful but my wife and I are salt water people. Both my sons ended up as 'lake' people. I had to learn about the area since I started sending money up to Cornell all those years ago.
DeleteHa! We plan to visit Cornell when up in Ithaca next month. Despite living near the Atlantic Ocean, I never gravitated toward salt water. Too rough and wild. I like the calm and beauty of lakes.
DeleteFinger Lakes do seem like a great place to explore. I always say that nature is good for the soul.
ReplyDeleteIt is! Everyone should learn to enjoy nature.
DeleteWow, this seems a great project to work on in terms of visting all the places! We did this with the Roach Valley way near us- we did all of it in stages during lockdown. It's been really nice to get to know where we live. We also started to do the Saffron trail a few years ago and we need to do more! I wish we had done a bit more walking in these past 2 weeks at home!
ReplyDeleteYou get it. Exploring places close to us is the best thing to do right now.
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