Watkins Glen

Mom and Dad took me and Craig – and maybe Scott – on a trip to the Finger Lakes when we were really little. I really only remember a couple things from the trip.

One thing I remember is the pool at Watkins Glen.

The other thing is this pavilion, that I mis-remembered as being the entrance to the pool.

I think I figured out why I don’t remember anything else about the park.

There are more than 800 stone steps on the trail that goes up the gorge. I can imagine my mother hearing that and saying “Uff da!”

I managed to get into my site with the help of Bob and Greg. Later that night, Greg came to borrow my hose to fill up their tank and he invited me to join them at their campfire that evening. They were from Toronto and would be heading to Letchworth after this. It was a pleasant evening.

The next day, I was determined that I was going to go at least part way up the trail. I packed a lunch to eat by a waterfall, but the guy at the entrance to that part of the park advised me that I should eat here at the bottom as there were no benches or tables on the trail.

I ate my lunch and chatted with the woman sitting on the next rock over. It turns out that she was in the campsite next to mine. She was waiting for her husband to return from his hike.

This is all I saw of the glen. Just as I finished my lunch, the wind kicked up and the rain blew in.

The weather wasn’t the summery day that I had counted on. On to Plan B.

Plan B was a trip to a winery I had considered for a boondock site. I emailed the owner before I left Buffalo and he said that I would be welcome. I ended up taking a different route, so I didn’t pass by before I got to Watkins Glen.

I had a lovely tasting and picked out two wines to take with me. The person assisting me said that the grapes were about ready to be picked. I stopped and checked them out as I left the winery.

Yep, they look about ready to me.

Just down the street, there was a farm stand. They had beautiful produce for sale.

I bought some great stuff, but they didn’t have any peaches.

After I got back, I checked out the U.S. Salt company. Who knew they were mining salt in the Finger Lakes? Well, I can tell you that I didn’t.

I called and asked if they give tours, but they don’t. Pretty industrial – not exactly set up for company.

The weather had cleared and I decided to check out Montour, just down the road from Watkins Glen. I had heard that they had a nice waterfall in town.

There were ducks swimming around in the pond and diving for their dinners.

It was so cool looking at the ducks feet propelling them under the water. I wish you could see them. I’d never seen ducks swim underwater like that.

Funny thing, in spite of an extensive two minute Google search, I couldn’t find a copy of this sketch by the future king of France.

The area of Mintour around the falls is known as the Big T. It is filled with splendidly preserved buildings.

This one is right next to the falls and was used as a cover photo on National Geographic.

The were big into brick columns.

And brick in general.

As I was ready to head back to the park, I noticed a street called Canal Street. I was curious about that. And then I noticed another sign:

 

What in the world? This area connected to the Erie Canal?

I have got to find out more about this!