Apple Cider Slush made from fresh apples and Apple Cider Doughnuts are sure to put a smile on your face!
We spent a month in the Finger Lakes last year and absolutely loved it (here's a link to the first of several blogs from that adventure Slippery Rock, PA to Geneva, NY ). Little did we know at the time that a year later Ben would be living in the beautiful rolling hills of upstate New York, near the Finger Lakes. He is spending some time in the four-city area of Binghamton, Johnson City, Endicott and Endwell. He will be there through the end of October and possibly longer.
We're not in Pennsylvania so this must be Punxsutawney Phil's New York cousin.
Our visit was a quick one, we flew up on Sunday and back to Florida on Thursday. What it lacked in longevity it made up for in fun from beginning to end. Here's a few of the highlights:
While Ben was working we enjoyed visiting Chenango Valley State Park. All the New York State Parks that we have visited have been really nice. Chenango Valley has camping, hiking, swimming (closed for the season) and an 18-hole golf course.
I don't play much golf these days, but when I do it's with this guy and I love it, even if I do get beat. Chenango Commons is a really fun nine-hole course. Most of the holes are Par 3's with a few short Par 4's thrown in just to make it interesting.
Watkins Glen State Park is just a short one-hour drive away. It's located on the south end of Seneca Lake (one of the "Finger Lakes"). We spent a month last year in Geneva on the north end of the 38-mile long Seneca Lake.
The Watkins Glen Gorge Trail is only 1.5 miles in length, however there are 832 steps!
There are nine waterfalls along the trail. This one lets you get up close and personal with it.
Clute Park in Watkins Glen is located along the shores of Seneca Lake.
The Binghamton Rumble Ponies are the New York Mets AA minor league Baseball team. They had a nice year and made the playoffs. We joined a spirited crowd of over 5,000 to cheer them on to a Game 1 win over the Somerset Patriots. The Patriots are the Yankees minor league team. It's always fun to beat the Yankees! The most famous Rumble Pony alumni..........many (including Ben) would say it's Tim Tebow!
It was beginning to feel like fall. High temperatures were in the 60's and pleasantly cool mornings and evenings. There are a number of farms in the area that have set out their fall festival decorations. We enjoyed visiting a few of them.
The Pumpkin Wedding Party (Iron Kettle Farm)
Little Miss Muffett
The Little Old Lady who lived in the shoe........she had so many pumpkin headed children she didn't know what to do! (Iron Kettle Farm)
There were plenty of pumpkins at Iron Kettle Farm for purchase as well!
Jackson's Farm is ready for the fall season............
and this guy is ready for Halloween!
MJ's Bar and Restaurant on the bank of the Susquehanna River in Owego. Great food with a great view!
Spending some time with our kids (and grandkids) is always great. Lucky for us we'll be heading westward to California in a few days to see Sarah, Joey, James and Emma. We're really looking forward to when we can all be together...........what a Christmas present that will be!
