State Park Series: Finger Lakes Area, NY

Watkins Glen State Park Gorge

When someone mentions New York, the immediate thought is to the city of New York.  Admittedly, NYC is a load of fun, but there are some beautiful places outside of the city that most people have never even heard about.  

One of the prettiest areas in the state is the Fingers Lake district.  Located in the center of the state, west of NYC, the Finger Lakes are a series of 11 long and narrow lakes.  If you look at them on a map, they do appear to resemble fingers.  It's a great place to enjoy water sports, hike or bike some nice trails, drive to many wineries, craft breweries & distilleries and visit some really quaint villages.  Whatever you fancy, the Finger Lakes will fulfill your leisure time well. 

 For me, the stars of this area are the incredible state parks. If you like waterfalls, you will not be disappointed.  They are everywhere! In a pretty contained area, you can visit several state parks.  The town of Ithaca alone has 3 parks within the city.  Watkins Glen has one of our all-time favorite state parks.  

  

As usual for this post, the park name will provide a link to more information about that particular park.  I'm also going to include some extra surprises in the surrounding area outside of the parks.  After reading this blog, I hope you will consider visiting this area.  It's been one of our favorites for a long time. 

Without further ado, let me introduce you to the state parks of the Finger Lakes.  Only pictures can truly tell their story because I think I would run out of adjectives.

The Parks of Ithaca New York:

Ithaca is known as being GORGE-ous in its tourism brochures.  It is home to 3 state parks: Buttermilk Falls, Robert Treman, and Taughannock.  But the exploration doesn't stop there.  On the campus of Cornell University is a wonderful hike through the Cascadilla Gorge.  This leads to wonderful botanical-type gardens called Cornell Plantations.  Highly recommend all of these spots. Just don't try to visit them all in one day.  Slow down, relax and enjoy the beauty.  

Buttermilk Falls State Park

Buttermilk Falls Upper Pulpit Falls

Pulpit Falls

Robert H. Treman State Park

Looking down the gorge

Lucifer Falls

Round the Bend

Taughnnock Falls State Park

Taughannock Falls

A very easy hike gets you to the roaring falls.  Just watch for the water snakes.  Non-poisonous, but a little creepy hanging in the trees over the water.

Cascadilla Gorge, Triphammer Falls, and Cornell Plantation

Cascadilla Falls

On Cornell University campus are Triphammer Falls.  The water flows into the Cascadilla Gorge.  

Cornell Plantations is a must-see for any gardener lover

Watkins Glen NY 

Seneca Lake

When we visit this area, we usually stay in Watkins Glen on Seneca Lake.  We like to go in the fall.....less crowded.  Watkins Glen is also a pretty central location for traveling around the area. Plus, it happens to be home to one my personal favorite state parks. This park is a real gem.  When you first see the park, you would never guess the beauty you are about to encounter as you approach the entrance of the gorge.  Don't be fooled that this park is in the middle of town.  The hike leads you through a cavernous area that follows a stream close to 2 miles into the gorge. Words escape me, so I will let the following photos speak for themselves.  I absolutely love this place! 

At the entrance of the gorge, a sneak preview of the beauty

Cavern Cascade

 Rainbow Falls

Most photographed spot in the gorge.

Lechtworth State Park

Lechtworth State Park is known as the Grand Canyon of the East.  It is on the western side of the Finger Lakes in Castile , NY.  We discovered it back in 2004.  So this is walk down memory lane with these photos.  I do remember the amount of water flowing over the falls was incredible! 

The Canyon carved by the water

Looked like a mini Niagara Falls

Other Sites to See Outside of the Parks:

Corning

Downtown Corning

When in Corning, be sure to check out the Corning Glass Museum

Canandaigua

Of all of the little towns we have visited while in this area, Canandaigua is my favorite.  It's a pretty town with gorgeous Victorian homes, quaint shops and a restaurant called Eric's Office that's pretty good for burgers.  One of those locals only secrets.  It is also where we discovered Wegmans.  Oh my my.  Now there's a grocery store!   

Okay, okay, back to the good stuff.  Another treasure is Sonnenburg Mansion and Gardens.  Maintained and run by 500 volunteers, it is a stunning home with gardens to rival famous estates. Another must see.

Lovely Painted Ladies

Sonnenburg Mansion Old-Fashioned Garden Japanese Garden

Italian Gardens Rose Garden Rock Garden

Keuka Outlet Trail

The parks aren't the only place to hike or in this case, bike.  In the village of Penn Yan, you can hike or bike a 7 mile trail that follows the water way which connects Seneca and Keuka Lakes.  A nice little find if you want to try something different.

Pretty easy walk

Remnants of an old mill

The trail follows what used to be canal locks.  The water now drops naturally creating some lovely waterfalls 

Miscellaneous Sites:

Hector Falls

On Saturdays, be sure to visit the Windmill Market

 Windmill Market pumpkins and gourds

Watkins Glen Marina

A beautiful sunset on Seneca Lake.  A great way to end the day and bring this blog to a close.

Happy Travels!!✈🚢🚗

Melody

State Park Series: North Georgia

On the trail to Anna Ruby Falls 

When writing a blog, it's important to keep the reader interested.  As much as we would like, Mike and I don't travel all of the time.  Work does call.  This poses a question.....in between our road trips and travels,  how do I keep you coming back?  After communicating with one of my cousins about a state park in Virginia, it occurred to me that state parks are often overlooked as a destination.  We have been to many interesting and beautiful state parks across the country.  For me, they can be just as rewarding an experience as a national park.  I am, however, a little embarrassed to confess that we have not visited many of the state parks in our home state of Virginia.  

But hey, sounds like a good excuse for a road trip!!

As a 'filler' for this blog, I thought I would take this idea of state parks and turn it into a series.  Many of these we have not visited in years, so it will be a walk down memory lane.  My hope is that when you are thinking about something different to do or when exploring an unknown area, you will consider state parks.  I don't think you will regret it because there are some real beauties out there.  Don't worry, if you aren't into camping, many provide beautiful lodges in which to stay or dine.

I'm going to begin at the beginning of Mike's and my married life.  It was in February 1986 that these two kids got hitched in Florida and traveled to the mountains of north Georgia to honeymoon at Unicoi State Park near a small town named Helen.  Why here you ask?  Mike and his family visited this area  when he was a teenager.  He always had fond memories and it sounded so lovely, that I couldn't wait to see it.  This area would grow to hold a very special place in our hearts for many years to come.  In fact, it still does.  Looking through many pictures of the area, I realized that not much has changed. 
 I like that.

Unicoi State Park

The following photos show our visits to this particular spot over the years.  It was a favorite for us not only because we spent our honeymoon there, but also because it became a tradition to visit my parents at Thanksgiving after they moved to the area in retirement.  The day after Thanksgiving was often spent, not shopping, but visiting Unicoi and the surrounding area.

Our honeymoon cabin.  Still looks exactly the same Beautiful trail around the lake and into the park.    Unicoi Lodge

View from the cabin Fall colors don't disappoint Always a favorite event:  The Festival of Trees at Christmas

Here we are enjoying the place it all started.

Not far from Unicoi are the beautiful Anna Ruby Falls.  A moderately easy walk follows the creek up to the raging falls.  

Honeymooners enjoying the falls 💑

 The falls today.......not much has changed

A little movie trivia here.  Who remembers the movie Smokey and the Bandit

with Burt Reynolds and Sally Field?  This little bridge is where they stole their first kiss.  You will pass it on the drive up to Anna Ruby Falls from Unicoi.  

A scenic drive from the park to the town of Helen will take you past some historic landmarks:

The Old Sautee Store.  A step back in time.  A museum display at the front of the store shows you how the store would have originally been set up.  To the back of the store are more modern offerings with Nordic sweaters and hiking gear.  Be sure to try some glog if they offer it.

The Sautee-Nacoochee Indian Mound with Mt. Yonah in the background.

Nora Mill.  Still produces flour products, grits, and other local specialties.

The creek behind Nora Mill

The town of Helen Georgia has seen a few changes over the years.  Some of those changes were through acts of nature.  Tornadoes have changed the landscape quite a bit.  For example, a catalog distributor business was destroyed as well as an outlet shopping center.  In their place, wine sellers, restaurants and small local shops have opened up.  It still has its alpine/bavarian theme, but that looks a little tired now.  The town still draws crowds year round.  Summertime brings families to tube down the Chattahoochee, fly-fish, zip line, hike, or pan for gold.  Fall brings leaf peepers.  In December, the town lights up for the holidays. 

Carriage rides at Christmas time

Up the road, close to the NC border lies the town of Tallulah Falls, GA.  It is here you will find Tallulah Gorge State Park.  The gorge is two miles long and nearly 1000 feet deep.  This place also has a connection to a Burt Reynolds movie.  The canoe scenes of Deliverance were filmed in the gorge.  
Who can forget that movie?  Hearing banjos yet?  

Seriously, it is a beautiful spot and a nice way to spend a day. Be sure to check out the town of Clayton GA.  Great spot to shop and grab a bite to eat after hiking the gorge. 

With a permit, one can hike along the bottom of the gorge

Tallulah River A suspension bridge crosses the gorge. Not for the faint of heart. This is an old tower used by tightrope walker Carl Wallenda to cross over the gorge.

Cloudland Canyon State Park

Nestled in the NW corner of Georgia is Cloudland Canyon State Park

This one is a hidden gem that not many people know about.  Like Tallulah Gorge, the canyon is 1000 feet deep and is on the western side of Lookout Mountain.  Hiking trails lead visitors past waterfalls, caves, dense woods and sandstone cliffs.  We discovered it right before we moved from Georgia.  That was a shame, I would have liked to have spent more time exploring it.  Oh well, at least we got to see it once.

Misty canyon in the fall Leaf-covered creek

Sandstone cliffs Waterfall was a trickle the day we visited

There are other state parks that we have visited in this part of Georgia, but I've driven myself batty trying to find our photos.  They were taken pre-digital era, so who knows where the heck they are.  In the meantime, here are the links to other of our favorites:

Amicalola State Park

Vogel State Park

Moccasin Creek State Park

Red Top Mountain State Park

GA State Parks website

That concludes this walk down memory lane and the tour of some of Georgia's state parks.  I encourage you to check out the parks in your own state and discover the natural beauty in which you live.  After all, you are paying for them, why not enjoy them?

Until next time when I take you to five of our all-time favorite parks, I wish you.....

Happy Travels ✈🚗🚢

Melody