FINGER LAKE'N GOOD!

If you've been following our recent blog posts then you can see we are moving at a snail's pace in a northeasterly direction.  This post is about our two week stay in the beautiful north-south valleys of the Finger Lakes region of central New York.  Now we understand why people love the Finger Lakes with its rolling hills and sparkling lakes.... we did as well.  Our next discoveries will be continued in another region of the Finger Lakes....we just couldn't get enough!

The Finger Lakes Region of Central New York

The Finger Lakes Region of Central New York

The Finger Lakes Region of Central New York

We spent 2 weeks in a very lovely old town in Phelps, New York, at a well-cared-for campground called Junius Ponds.  Like so many campgrounds in this area of the country, most Junius Ponds residents clear out by the middle of October.

  

Junius, New York

Small Pavilion at Junius Ponds Campground
Junius, New York

Gnome display at Junius Pods ("Senior" art)

Another "Senior" Artistic Display at
Junius Ponds Campground - Junius, NY

There are lots of little old towns in NY.  Many of them have retained the old architectural downtown buildings.  Cities like Waterloo, NY and Seneca Falls, NY have historical meaning but most of the little towns seemed to run together and we had never heard of many of them until this trip.

Waterloo, New York

Seneca Falls, New York

Scenic Skaneateles Lake, Skaneateles, New York

The Finger Lakes are Skaneateles (which is pronounced "skinny atlas"), Owasco, Cayuga, Seneca, Keuka and Canandaigua.  This region was the home of the Cayuga and Seneca Indians of the Six Nations whose lands were devastated by the Clinton-Sullivan Expedition of 1779.  After this Revolution the area was opened for settlement.

Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes Region
central New York 

View of Watkins Glen, New York
Seneca Lake, New York

Seneca Lake,  New York

Seneca Lake, New York

Farm located near Geneva, NY

After 1830, with the linking of the Cayuga and Seneca Lakes with the Erie Canal, population grew and industry flourished.  

Fertile lands and natural resources developed important products.  Salt is manufactured from brine pumped from wells on the shore of Seneca Lake.  The good soil and gentle winds have combined to make the Finger Lakes outstanding for growing grapes from which are produced champagne and other fine wines.

Reisling Grape Vineyard - Finger Lakes Region
Central New York

Hops Farm - Finger Lakes Region
Central New York

Prejean Winery - Seneca Lake
Central New York State

Fox Run - Seneca Lake
Central New York State

Worthog Cidery - Seneca Lake
Central New York State

Holstein Farm in Central New York State

Pick Your Own Apples and Tasting Room
Central New York State

Canandaigua Lake - Finger Lakes
Central New York State

ART Festival on Lake Canandaigua
Central New York

Picturesque Boat House Row in Canandaigua
Central New York State

Picturesque Boat House Row in Canandaigua
Central New York State

Picturesque Farm in Seneca County
Central New York State

Our visit to the Finger Lakes region was long enough to make many new friends (lots of snowbirds), buy locally grown products in farmer's markets, go to festivals and art shows, and understand why New York is so very proud of such a beautiful region.