Wednesday June, 23
Our day started off with bacon and eggs made by Dad to fuel up for our adventures. About 9:00, we drove about 30 minutes to Watkins Glen State Park in New York.
We reached the south park entrance and headed straight to the trailhead to hike the Gorge Trail.
The trail itself is a 3-mile loop (in and out) that features 19 waterfalls and 800 stairs. It begins with a suspension bridge, giving you a view of the canyon below. It was amazing to see how the water had carved out its own path through the rocks over time.
As we hiked up the trail, you could see waterfalls of all varieties. Some were falling off the left and right sides of the canyon wall, but most were flowing downstream. Some were more of a trickle, while others were roaring. You are directly facing the waterfalls as you walk up, so it definitely makes for unforgettable views! When you start your day listening to the birds chirp, hearing waterfalls roar, and watching the chipmunks scurry, it makes for a pretty great morning.
At one point, we even got to walk behind one of the falls!
We made our way to the top, where we took the South Rim Trail back down. The walk was more wooded, with views of the canyon along the way. There was also a cemetery where my dad and Anna stopped, but my mom and I kept going.
Once we were at the bottom, it was time for a picnic lunch. We ate our sandwiches under the shade of the Watkins Glen trees.
Afterward, Anna wanted to look at the campsites so she could RV shop and scope out her future home. There was a mix of primitive sites and sites with water and power hookups. They also had tiny cabins that looked like they would make for a peaceful stay.
On our way out of the park, my dad dropped us off at the gift shop so I could get a sticker and Anna could upgrade her wardrobe…. I just can’t help but laugh. We’re so different from each other.
I wanted to see the town of Watkins Glen, so we headed to the Seneca Lake Pier. It was absolutely beautiful.
There was a rock path you could walk along to get a better view of the lake, so we walked out and watched the waves crash and the sailboats pass by for a few minutes. It reminded me of Itea, an oceanside town in Greece.
As we made our way back down the pier, my mom and I decided to go get a coffee while Anna went back to take a nap in the car with my dad.
The town itself had a historical feel, with several quaint restaurants, shops, and coffee shops. It’s home to the Watkins Glen International Raceway, so the town really showcases that.
One stop was the Watkins Glen Visitors Center. I thought it was really creative to use an old phone booth to display brochures.
Then, it was time for our coffee from Central Sip, a locally owned shop. We ordered three different iced coffees, and they were all good. My mom said it was the best iced coffee she had had in a while.
Once we were back in the car, it was time to decide what was next. We decided to spend the afternoon at the Corning Museum of Glass from 3:00 until they closed at 5:00. The drive was beautiful as always!
The first part of the museum featured contemporary art. While some of the pieces were a little different, most of them were really fascinating. My mind couldn’t quite comprehend how they could make such intricate shapes out of glass. It’s definitely an art!
My favorite section of the museum was the 35 Centuries of Glass exhibit. This area had everything from early pottery to cut crystal glassware and mosaics.
The most fascinating piece I saw was this miniature mosaic. At first glance, it looks like a painting but it’s much more intricate. Each piece of glass was intricately placed to create a picture. I’d never have the patience to do something like that.
One of the best collections was the Crystal City exhibit. There was a 12-gallon, 50-pound crystal punch bowl. Talk about a centerpiece!!
For the last few minutes, Anna and I went to the gift shop to pick out our souvenirs before coming back tomorrow.
By 5:00, we were pretty hungry, so it was time to find some dinner. We landed on a Thai restaurant called Nine Elephants. The staff was very welcoming, and the food was great! The crab Rangoon was some of the best I’ve ever had.
On the way back to the house, we stopped for ice cream at Riverfront Scoops and then Dollar General for some essentials.
Back at the Airbnb, Anna went on a run, my mom worked, my dad watched a movie, and I blogged. We loved this Airbnb, especially my blogging chair!
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