A slight delay in posting this blog, thought I had published it, only to find out why I am a Combat Engineer…because I would make a lousy computer programmer..as I believe Confucious once said..better late than never.

Watkins Glen State park is the last leg of our camping trip. We had also invited some friends down for a “Glamping” experience. Unfortunately the weather was not as pleasant  as it had been the previous week, we had two days of overcast and one huge down pour over night (good thing we were not in the tent) Karen and I were here tent camping last year, and wanted to return for a little more exploring. It is a beautiful park with the most incredible trail system (The gorge trail in particular is incredible)

Watkins Glen State Park is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with a reputation for leaving visitors spellbound. Within two miles, the glen’s stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. Rim trails overlook the gorge. Campers and day-visitors can enjoy the Olympic-size pool, scheduled summer tours through the gorge, tent and trailer campsites, picnic facilities and excellent fishing in nearby Seneca Lake or Catherine Creek, which is renowned for its annual spring run of rainbow trout. In 2015, the park was chosen from more than 6,000 state parks across the nation as a nominee in the USA TODAY Readers’ Choice Poll for Best State Park in the United States, and won third place! The first place winner is a park Karen and I plan on visiting very shortly..

Water levels were much lower than when we visited last year, but we read in the news that a week after we left, the rains were so hard, they had to shut down the trail.

The Gorge Trail, which is about 1.5 miles long and spans the length of the park. The gorge follows the path of Glen Creek at the base of the 400-foot-deep gorge and features 832 stone steps. Visitors typically enter the Gorge Trail through a tunnel chiseled into the rock face, one of several positioned along the narrow passageway. Visitors immediately cross the first of many stone bridges that complement the park’s natural beauty. On the trail, you’ll walk under two waterfalls: Cavern Cascade and the iconic Rainbow Falls. Our trek took nearly two hours, as we repeatedly stopped for photos and  to drink in the scenery. At the far end of the trail, a 180-step ascent on a stone staircase known as Jacob’s Ladder may leave your breathless, unless you are some kind of fitness freak..but for most of us mere mortals you will feel the burn! ….which brings me to this episodes kind sponsor…

Unfortunately Marcus could not join us on the Gorge trail, as they for some strange reason do not allow dogs. While the Gorge Trail is by far the most popular thoroughfare in the park, Watkins Glen offers two other hiking paths. The Indian and South Rim trails follow the forested rims of the gorge and offer a great way to turn a one-way hike into a more varied loop. Walking on a gently sloping path, we completed our east-west trek on the 1.1-mile-long Indian Trail. At several spots we could see the gorge below, with partial views of Rainbow and Central Cascade, the park’s tallest waterfall at 60 feet. While hiking back toward the main entrance, we came across a large cemetery with numerous graves donning American flags to honor veterans. We also came across a suspension bridge 85 feet above the creek. The bridge joins the two upper pathways at the southern end of the park. The South Rim Trail is also part of the Finger Lakes Trail, an 800-mile trail system that spans New York…and on all of these trails Marcus was more than welcome.

On both days that we hosted Bernard and Mary, we enjoyed the other claim to fame for this area, its amazing Wineries, breweries and cideries. (Not sure if the last one is a word) I was the designated driver for day one…Bernie due to some overconsumption on day one opted for that duty on the second day.

It was great having Mary and Bernie over for the two nights..hopefully the “Glamping certificate” was all the small print promised. Once they headed out and back home, Karen and I decided to visit the nearby town of Corning, to visit the famous Corning museum of glass. The museum was incredible and well worth the visit. Unfortunately being a Sunday the towns main street was all but deserted with only bars and restaurants being open. We will have to return again and explore a bit more. The following pictures were taken at the museum.

The next day our camping trip was over, so until the next adventure…..