The next day, we headed to Watkins Glen State Park (a favorite place of my friend Xavier). As you can see, it is an absolutely gorgeous place. The gorge trail is 3 miles round trip, with plenty of twists, turns and steps. And who doesn't love being able to walk behind a waterfall? We took the trail to the end, climbed Jacob's Ladder, and decided to take the Indian Trail along the top of the gorge back to the main entrance.
At first, I was disappointed because it seemed like just a walk in the woods without a view. Suddenly, a very old cemetery came into view and ran parallel to the path. We walked through it a bit. Old tombstones can be fascinating, especially when many date back to the early 1800's. Near the end of the trail, we were treated to this view of the gorge trail below.
By noon, we were ready for more wine tastings. We headed to Keuka Lake and were very happy with the wines. There were fewer wineries, and they were mostly off the main road. Our first stop was Dr. Franks, which is a favorite of most who visit the region. I can see why. Instead of just stepping up to the bar haphazardly, you waited for a host to take you in, and the tastings were done in a group. Our server was an older gentleman who was very knowledgeable about wines. He walked us through the tasting and talked about the history of Dr. Frank and his son. Our next stop was Heron Hill which is pictured below. We loved their wines and had a very fun server, a young man whose immediate family were wine makers in Germany. We ended up leaving there with six bottles, we liked it that much.
Next was Bully Hill. We had lunch at their restaurant on an expansive deck with the view below. It was beautiful. We split a pizza and fortified ourselves for more wine.
We topped off our evening with a fruit and cheese plate and two glasses of wine on the hotel patio. Here is our view.
Afterwards, we took a walk out on the dock and I took this picture looking back at the hotel.
After a few more stops around Keuka Lake, we headed back to the town of Watkins Glen for our hotel, which sat on the harbor of Seneca Lake. We were thrilled with the accomodations. Here is our room. The bathroom was just as wonderful, with a shower that could seriously fit four adults. Not that we tried.
What a great way to end the day!
Lovely stuff. We spent a week on Otsego Lake, just outside Cooperstown, some years ago. I know it's not one of the Finger Lakes, but the general ambience is familiar. . .
ReplyDeleteI vaguely recall having a bottle or two of Bully Hill wine somewhere along my way. . .
And I couldn't help wondering what our old friend FTN would've done with 'a shower that could seriously fit four adults'. . .
Thank you very much, we're planning a return trip to Trumansburgh this Fall and I'm thinking we may make the drive to those wineries. We've heard of all 3 but have never made the trip. Sad but true!
ReplyDeleteDid you know that Queenie and I (and our whole youth group) were yelled at in that cemetery? The same week we started dating the youth pastor took us there for devotions and afterwards one of the boys decided it was the perfect place for him to start a tickle fight. Folks were offended at the screaming, go figure.
Ahhh, so if you stayed at that hotel you now recognize my first couple anniversary pictures. We ate our lunch at the restaurant right at the end of the dock you took your picture of the hotel from. (BTW- that is all just a couple miles from Pompous Ass winery. I figured you'd wanna know)
It is enjoyable to hear that you enjoyed the trip ..... the stories I could tell!
BTW- You've walked behind the Falls. Now imagine leaning over the rail until your head is under the icy-cold water, then holding there for 3-4 minutes. Around midnight. Ahh to be a teen again. Ahh to be able to get away with stupid!
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ReplyDeleteHoly cow, those falls are be-u-ti-ful!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the view of the gorge trail below.
The photo of your room is faaaaaabulous! I really dig those wood floors. What a cozy-looking room
"The bathroom was just as wonderful, with a shower that could seriously fit four adults. Not that we tried."
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA!
You're right, what a wonderful way to end the day with a fruit and cheese plate, wine, and a walk out on the dock.
Sounds like you guys had a picture perfect weekend!
Thanks so much for sharing!
And btw, viewing your photos, it actually LOOKS as though your were in Napa/Sonoma. I didn't realize the Finger Lakes were that beautiful!
What a GREAT trip. Much better than mine... :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a lovely anniversary trip! I aspire to one day have a shower big enough to fit four adults. I'd likely never test the boundaries of it, but I'd enjoy the space!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful gorge. I like wineries where you get to spend sometime talking to a host. For me, I generally prefer dry red wines, but on a hot summer day, a crispy white is good.
ReplyDeleteNice trip! I'm sure the Wife and I will be able to do something like that on our 25th.
ReplyDeleteBonjour Bijoux,
ReplyDeleteThis looks so gorgeous! Yay for doing Xavier's old stomping grounds.
I just loved those trails...
If you say "old cemetery", I am most likely to say "where?". I like strolling through old cemeteries because I am a hobby genealogist.Genealogists love this stuff.
More wineries and more wine, too :)
Thank you for sharing, it was a very nice share.
Oh FADKOG, we know all about you and showers, and your 'space needs'. . .
ReplyDelete;)
Craig - Gotta miss FTN!
ReplyDeleteX - You've been causing problems for decades, haven't you? Another good place on the other side of Keuka as McGregor's. They had a sit down tasting and it was really pleasant - good wine and people.
Ron - Well, the Finger Lakes can't be that far from you, so you should give them a try! I know about the wood floor - glad hotels are finally realizing that carpeting in hotel rooms is gross!
Leslie - Any trip with wine is a great trip to me!
FADKOG - Our vacation goal is to stay in places nicer than our own home, which truthfully, isn't that hard to do!
Agent - It's always nice when the wine pourer knows their product. We've come across a number of them that are basically just there to look pretty, esp. in California.
Russ - I know you guys would enjoy that!
Barb - You and I definitely share a lot of the same interests!
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ReplyDeleteWell yes, yes I have. How is that any surprise? :-)
ReplyDeleteI was third best under the Falls. 5 minutes 53 seconds!
And, uh, I am morally obliged to confess that when the youth pastor asked us about, you know, the wet hair? We 'admitted' that we went skinny dipping. He didn't un-believe us at the time.
looks like the hike was gorgeous!
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