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. 

A GRAVE SITUATION INDEED

Before leaving Buffalo, NY, we visited the famous resting place of many of the pioneers of the Buffalo community dating back to 1849.  The beautiful setting has unmatched natural hills, valleys, lakes, streams and cultural masterpieces.

Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

The picturesque Forest Lawn Cemetery covers 269 acres and over 161,000 are buried there including United States President Millard Fillmore, Grammy Award singer and songwriter Rick James, and inventor Lawrence Dale Bell, founder of Bell Aircraft.  In its almost 170 years this cemetery has become a chronicle of local history and deserves its designation in the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places.

Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

There are over 3,500 trees in Forest Lawn, representing 100 different species and varieties making the cemetery an important arboretum.  Over 240 kinds of birds have been spotted.

Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

From the beginning there has been a policy of providing interesting and appropriate sculpture to the natural setting of Forest Lawn - making the cemetery an outdoor sculpture museum today.

RED JACKET - Seneca Indian Chief
Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

As you enter Forest Lawn Cemetery a larger-than-life statue of the great Seneca Indian Chief, Red Jacket (c.1750-1830), who managed neutrality on the part of his powerful Seneca nation in the War of 1812.  The Senecas gave him the name, Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha (He Who Keeps Them Awake).  In this sculpture he is wearing a red jacket presented to him by a British officer, and on his breast is displayed a large medal awarded to him by President George Washington.

Gravesite - Millard Fillmore
13th President of the United States of America

In 1874, the 13th president of the United States, Millard Fillmore (1800-1874) is buried.  Fillmore was probably Buffalo's most notable leader, a lawyer, Congressman, and vice-president of the United States.

Gravesite Memorial of Nelson Blocher
Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

Gravesite Memorial of Nelson Blocher
Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

Gravesite Memorial of Nelson Blocher
Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

The most lavish tribute to Victorian taste was unveiled in 1888.  The unusual Blocher memorial actually is a floor-to-ceiling glass window and marble sculpture.  The figures represent the father and mother standing and grieving over their dead son, Nelson, who died while grieving over a lover.  A female angel (represents the lover) gazes down from overhead.

Private Mausoleum and Seating area - Chester and Gloria Stachura
Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

The private art deco mausoleum of Chester and Gloria Stachura was built to also include a polished black granite sofa or an S-shaped tete-a-tete sofa for passersby to rest.

Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

Gravesite - Founder of Bell Helicopters
Lawrence Dale Bell - 1894 - 1956

The founder of Bell Helicopters
Lawrence Dale Bell

A memorial to Darwin D. Martin, friend of Frank Lloyd Wright
who designed the famous Martin Home

Frank Lloyd Wright designed a Blue Sky Mausoleum
containing 24 crypts--Broad stairs and soaring monolith
rise toward the heavens.

Memorial dedicated to those that perished aboard
Continental Connection Flight 3407 on February 12, 2009

Forest Lawn is one of Buffalo's most beautiful places and remains meticulously maintained for all to visit.    Every conflict since the Revolutionary War is represented.

As writer Mary Lou Brannon said, "A cemetery exists because every life is worth living and remembering - always."