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. 

HEROES, SEXY TRACTORS, & "WRASSLIN'"

Usually we stay at a campground within close proximity to several cities such as we did when we arrived in Iowa.  Iowa is a beautiful and historical state.  We stayed in Center Point which is centrally located to Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Dyersville, Anamosa, and The Amana Colonies before moving further south..

"Fields Of Opportunities" - Iowa

Beautiful Iowa!

Waterloo, Iowa, located alongside the Cedar River, is such an interesting city. We visited the  John Deere Factory and Engine Museum, and, believe it or not, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame/Dan Gable Museum and the Sullivan Brothers Veterans Museum. Each museum visit could have taken much longer, but you have to choose what you think is most interesting and historical.

The John Deere Tractor and Engine Museum
Waterloo, Iowa

John Deere Tractor
Waterloo, Iowa

Before you think we were nuts to go to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, just know we have fond memories of wrestling in Jacksonville at the Beaver Street Arena and the  Coliseum since we were very young.  Names like Lou Thesz, Haystacks Calhoun, Andre The Giant, Eddie Graham, Mike Curtis, Argentine Rocca, The Von Brauner Brothers and Gentleman Saul, their manager, Primo Carnera, Gorgeous George, Buddy Rodgers, etc,, The National Wrestling Hall of Fame is as importantly a museum to honor an Iowan, a great Olympic wrestling champion, Dan Gable. The museum had so many wrestling items on display, as well as a wrestling arena.  RV enjoyed the entire experience and recognized so many of the former champions and superstars.

National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Dan Gable Museum
Waterloo, Iowa

Andre The Giant ....Do you know the others?

We always have time to honor our vets, particularly since RV is a vet, so it was appropriate our first stop would be to the Sullivan Brothers and Veterans Museum, built to honor the five Sullivan Brothers, all serving together on the USS Juneau (CL-52), who were killed in action on November 13, 1942. The brothers had an only sister, Genevieve, who was in the WAVES.  She was the girlfriend of Bill Ball, whose death in Pearl Harbor, prompted her five brothers to join the Navy to avenge him.  After the deaths of the Sullivan Brothers on the same ship, the U.S. War Department began enforcing "The Sole Survivor Policy," so this would never occur again.

Sullivan Brothers
Iowa Veterans Museum
Waterloo, Iowa

 

Five Sullivan Brothers
Waterloo, Iowa

Statue of the Five Sullivan Brothers
Veterans Museum - Waterloo, Iowa

USS Juneau - CL- 52

Another interesting exhibit at the Museum was a special travelling Viet Nam exhibit in a special wing of the museum.   Emphasis was given to honor each branch of the service and recognize how they gave the ultimate sacrifice to their country.  To put it into perspective, this is what was listed:

Navy -            1.8 million served  throughout the conflict in Viet  Nam             1,631 killed in action
Army -            more than 4 million served during the Viet Nam conflict          38,224 killed in action
Coast Guard - 8,000 served throughout the Viet Nam conflict                           7 killed in action
Air Force -      1.7 million served throughout the Viet Nam conflict                   2,586 killed in action
Marines -        800,000 served throughout the Viet Nam conflict                      13,095 killed in action