2019 06 03 - 06 09 Finger Lakes Region of New York

Watkins Glen, Finger Lakes Region, New York - 3 June 2019

At the southern end of Seneca Lake is the Village of Watkins Glen. Seneca Lake is one of western New York's deep, glacial lakes. The village is home to the race track Watkins Glen International, host of NASCAR Cup Series, IndyCar and a former host of the US Grand Prix of Formula One. Surprisingly, the first road race was held in 1948 on public streets in and near the village. To look at the village today, with it's B&Bs, ice cream shops and other tourist stores, it's hard to imagine a road race speeding through. Passing through the center of the village for 6.6 miles, the streets used for the original course remain intact and a checkered flag marks the start-finish line on Main Street and names of (what we assume are) racing royalty along the sidewalks. We had a few days before my sister and her husband arrived so we found other interests in the area.   

Women's Rights National Historical Park, Seneca Falls, New York - 4 June 2019

On 19-20 July 1848, some 300 women and men gathered in the Wesleyan Chapel to hear the first formal demands for women's rights. While most believe this was a call for the vote, in fact, the convention would include the demand for inheritance and land ownership, custody of children after a divorce, the right to file for a divorce, a right to speak in public, hold office, attend college, make contracts and be free of domestic abuse. 

The First Wave Statue represent those who attended the Convention including Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who gave the keynote address, Lucretia and James Mott and Mary Ann and Thomas McClintock, all well known Quaker abolitionists, Frederick Douglas and Mary Wright, sister of Lucretia and others who attended the convention. 

The Wesleyan Chapel held a standing room only crowd of about 300 locals, abolitionists, temperance workers and reformers debating the wording of the "Declaration of Sentiments" which was based on the Declaration of Independence, demanding equality in property rights, education, employment, religion, marriage and family, and the vote.  

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal". It was over 70 years later before women were allowed to vote in Federal elections. Today, many of the convention's most radical demands are taken for granted. And in danger of being suppressed.

On our way, we thought we would check a local farm for some regional cheese. Not too far off our route we were right in the heart of a farming community. Things were looking good. By the time the GPS said, "You have arrived" my only comment was, "No, we haven't". A tiny house and out back was an arched thing covered in ripped plastic. Nothing to indicate there could or should be any food products being made under sanitary conditions. We turned around and kept driving. 

Montour Falls, New York - 5 June 2019

 "Montour" is derived from Queen Catherine Montour, a prominent Native American woman of Seneca Indian heritage who lived in the village. Her father was a Mohawk chief and her mother was the daughter of an Oneida chief. Catherine would marry a Seneca chief whose tribe was a member the Iroquois Confederacy. Kind of awesome to have such a beautiful falls in the residential neighborhood of the town. The falls are named Shequaga which means "tumbling waters". The notice states "A sketch now in the Louvre made about 1820 by Louis Philippe, later king of France. 

Ithac, New York, Scenic Drive - 5 June 2019

The artistic paintings on the buildings and sculpture on the roofs give Ithaca a whimsical feel.

Taughannock Falls State Park

Taughannock Falls plunges 215 feet past rocky cliffs that tower nearly 400 feet above the gorge. We decided the over 8 mile hike was a little more than we wanted to attempt. 

Cayuga Lake State Park-East

Osprey (and Bald Eagles) are very prevalent along the lakes in this region. And, of course, the well known mallard. Cayuga Lake is the longest of the glacial Finger Lakes at just under 40 miles and approximately 435 feet at its deepest point.

Just outside of Seneca Falls is a huge driving tour of the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and its Wetlands. We were just hoping to see anything on this cloudy, rainy, blustery day. 

Looking rather ferocious but it's just a wooden sculpture of the National symbol.

Bob and David climbed up the tower for a bird's-eye view. Seems Bob was looking in the wrong direction for this picture. We had better luck later on (with four pairs of eyes) and can tick off the American Wigeon, Eastern Kingbird and Common Moorehen. We may never complete our birding list but we enjoy the "hunt". 

On our return trip home we found the local Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Shop. Some pretty wild flavor combinations and at this time of the season we could actually get into the shop without having to stand in line. 

Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York - 6 June 2019 

One of our favorite artists, Dale Chihuly, had several installations at the Corning Glass Museum. We became aware of his work at the Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus and can easily recognize his pieces. 

We watched a couple demonstrations of glass blowing. 

And Bob participated in a demonstration of different types of glass - regular, tempered, shatterproof. 

There is an entire floor dedicated to science and innovations in glass including a special plate at the back of the furnace which allows the audience to see the glass as it is being heated and shaped. 

1. Portrait of King Amenhotep II ?1426-1400 BC. 

2. Morgan Cup, example of Roman cameo glass. 1-50 AD.

3. Venetian, wine glass. about 1650–1700

4. Asian, Snowflake Warrior Vase. about 1825-1875

5. New York, claret decanter. 1892

The Museum's Glass Collection showcases more that 35 centuries of glass production. As far back as an image of an Egyptian Pharaoh, through Renaissance Venetian glass and American Tiffany. The galleries showcase Near Eastern, Asian, European and American glass and glass making from antiquity through present day. Special sections show examples of stained glass and paperweights from around the world.  


Harriet Tubman National Historical Site, Auburn, New York - 7 June 2019

This property was purchased in 1857 by Harriet from an acquaintance, William H. Seward, later the Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln. They had become friends stemming from the Underground Railroad. She moved here with her parents from Ontario where she had travelled after self-liberating from her master's plantation in Maryland. Cathy and David check out the progress of the renovations. 

The Tubman house and barn are directly across from the Home for the Aged. The House is closed and under extensive renovations. Before walking the grounds, we had a delightfully entertaining talk from from one of the tour guides recounting the life of "Moses" who guided escaped slaves through the Underground Railroad, served as an armed scout and spy for the Union during the Civil War and was an activist for women's suffrage. 

The Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged sits on a second parcel adjoining her first purchase. There are enough bedrooms to house 20 people, a living room, dining room and kitchen. It is thought that these side doors led out to the summer kitchen.   

Muranda Cheese Company is a raw milk cheese producer. The Holstein cows have been producing milk on this farm since 1991. They only started making cheese in 2007 and now have 17 artisinal cheeses. Behind the home is the barn built in the late 1800s, recently refurbished and now housing the tasting areas, refrigerators of cheeses, jams and jellies, sausages, cutting boards and knives and other products. For $5 we sampled 15 different cheeses, from mild cheddar to bold blue.   

On a recommendation, we chose to have a wine tasting at the Thirsty Owl. Idealic setting of acres of vines along the driveway. We each got to choose five wines (though I think David wasn't really into it as he was our designated driver). There were many of the wineries right on the banks of the lakes making for some very nice scenery along with the wine tours.  

Watkins Glen State Park, Watkins Glen, New York - 9 June 2019

Bob hiked the iconic gorge trail while Carol took the dogs on the upper rim trail as dogs are not allowed on the gorge trail.  The beautiful scenery  met my expectations based on the descriptions.  It was a bit more crowded with people than what I would have liked, but it was the weekend. The 400-foot gorge has been cut through rock by the Glen Creek that was left hanging when the glaciers deepened the Seneca Valley.

Carol and I met up back on the rim trail for the return trip. We came upon this area with a multitude of stacked rocks that appeared to be cairns of all shapes and sizes. We assume it continues to grow and spread as tourists add to it. 

Watkins Glen KOA, Watkins Glen, New York - 9 June 2019

Last day at Watkins Glen KOA. A long walk, some play time at the K-9 Kamp and outdoor resting before moving on.