The Finger Lakes, NY

Internet service and the ability to post these blogs has been challenging. All to frequently, marinas advertising internet service is in name only and seldom, if ever works. Hence this post is almost 2 weeks overdue. Thankfully, we are at the Trent Port Marina in Trenton, Ontario and all services advertised are exceptional, including the internet, which works from the very far end of the dock!

The Finger Lakes, New York State

Located in west-central New York, the Finger Lakes region stretches about 80 miles east to west and 50 miles north to south. Eleven Finger Lakes range from small to large with Cayuga being the largest at 38 miles long.  Our travels focus primarily on Seneca Lake, the second largest of the eleven lakes with Geneva located at the northern tip of Seneca Lake and Watkins Glen at the southern tip.

The area is a popular tourist attraction, noted for its lakes, waterfalls, wineries, scenic drives and the local culinary scene. We very much enjoyed our drives through the picturesque, lush-green countryside and stunning vistas. 

We stayed two nights in the Lilac suite at the quaint Magnolia Place B&B in Hector NY.. 

Each morning, Ron, the proprietor served a scrumptious, gourmet breakfast. 

Hector Falls, just north of Watkins Glen.

 

Watkins Glenn NY

Countryside Vistas

Wineries

The area boasts over 100 vineyards and tasting rooms. Sadly, our visit only allowed time to visit three.

Hillsboro Vineyard

Wine & Charcuterie Followed by 4 Gourmet, Hand-made Chocolates and Accompanied by Wine Pairings.

Glen Curtis Museum, Hammondsport NY 

A bicycle and motorcycle racer, engine expert, aviation pioneer, and overall early engineering wiz, Glenn Curtiss was the embodiment of creative genius and growth mindset. He never let his inability to accomplish a project stop him from reaching towards his goals, and that determination is what led him to becoming The Fastest Man on Earth. 

Like the Wright Brothers, Glen had an interest in bicycles and started out with just one bicycle shop, and eventually opened several. His love of speed led him to work with engines and eventually built a bicycle to which he added an engine, eventually building a V8 engine, which earned him the title of the Fastest Man on Earth in 1907, when he rode 136 miles per hour.

 

His love of speed and his aptitude for invention and innovation led him to build and fly his first plane, the June Bug for his historic Fourth of July flight in 1908. 

He has been referred to as the Father of Naval Aviation, changing the world of aviation with his many innovations, including his development of the aileron, which caused a life-long legal fight with the Wright Brothers.