Waterloo NY; the New York Finger Lakes Region

Relocation and Travel

This was a low miles/stress travel day at 93 miles from Ives Run COE park in Tioga PA to Waterloo NY.  It was a little rainy at first, but it turned out to be a very nice day.  Due to some start and stop driving through some small towns, our fuel mileage was only about 9.5 mpg, and at $3.59 the cost was $35.  Not too bad.

Our RV friends, Bob and Lois Nies

We actually selected the Waterloo Harbor Campground based on our friends recommendation.  It was a very nice, quiet park located centrally to all the attractions in the area.

Bob and Lois Nies outdid themselves in showing us around the area and extending some warm New York hospitality.  Thank you very much!  I don’t know how these guys have so much energy as they are a few years older than us.  We had a wonderful time getting to know this area of the US.

When we arrived amidst a June snowstorm, they had a great lunch ready for us after the pleasant drive.  The snowstorm, as Bob explained, is the result of the Cottonwood trees at this time of year.  They shed these 1 inch cotton balls that are loaded with seeds.  The ground was covered!

Bob and Lois have been full-timing in their truck and 5th wheel setup for a number of years and have a wealth of knowledge to share.

The NY Finger Lakes

If you are like me, I had heard of this area of New York, but really did not know anything about it.  So, when Bob and Lois said it was a must do when we met them in deep Louisiana (Betty’s RV Park), we set this area into our summer plans.  They are locals from here, so some great advice.

The area gets its name from the series of long, narrow lakes that run north-south for about 10 miles.  They are the result of glacial action and are unlike any lakes that I have seen before.

The surrounding hills are quite high and have a gradual slope down to the lakes, allowing a wonderful view.  And there are literally hundreds of wineries and breweries atop the hills to view the lakes.

As you drive along the lake shores, there are many homes and summer cabins all along the route.  Some have level access to the lake while others have a steep incline.  Either way, they have some beautiful views.

Bob said that he would stay here year around if it were not for the winters.  Yep, it gets cold this far north and they have a lot of snow.  Although, between the lakes have a microclimate that helps due to the deep lakes giving off warmer temps than the air and the long valleys must block some wind.

The result is some favorable climates for growing grapes: vineyards.

Wineries and Vineyards

Finger Lakes Wine Country, New York is home to more than 100 wineries, breweries and distilleries centered around Keuka, Seneca, and Cayuga Lakes.  This is a world-class wine producing region that specializes in aromatic white varieties like Riesling and Gewurztraminer.

Over a few days, we were able to sample several of these fine wineries, all of which have world class views of the lakes.  It was very cool indeed.

Seneca Falls

This is a very nice village of about 9,000 people located right at the top of the Finger Lake area.  Seneca Falls is believed by some to have been the inspiration for the fictional town of “Bedford Falls”, portrayed in filmmaker Frank Capra’s classic 1946 film “It’s a Wonderful life.”

It has much history and the old Erie Canal runs right through the town and is still in operation.  We actually watched one of the massive canal locks in operation as a couple of small pleasure boats came through.

The water is all gravity fed into the double set of locks.  The entire operation takes about 20 minutes.  The Cayuga–Seneca Canal connects the Erie Canal to Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake. It is approximately 20 miles long.

Home of the It’s a Wonderful Life museum

We toured this museum in town, the only museum dedicated to preserving artifacts from this movie.  The story is that Frank Capra was staying in Seneca Falls when he wrote the story including many details of his fictional Bedford Falls that match up with Seneca Falls, including an exact replica of the metal bridge and many people from that time.

If you have not seen this movie, rent it now!  On Netflix, Hulu, or whatever.  It is a must see.  We watch it every year at Christmas.

Taughannock Falls State Park (link)

We took a day trip driving down from Waterloo, NY to this state park near the bottom of Cayuga Lake.  It is a 1 mile plus hike up to the spectacular 215 waterfalls past the rocky cliffs that are 400 feet tall.

The hike was a gentle slope and well maintained ending in a large paved open area to view the falls.  It was a cool day in the shade and a good day for a hike.  The weather up here does not get very hot, except for maybe a handful of days per year.

It has been mostly in the 70’s during the day and cool at low 50’s at night.  Good sleeping weather.

Well, that wraps up the Finger Lakes.  Another great find!  Next we are onto Boston Mass for a 10 day stay.  Thanks for riding along with us!  Until next week, take care and God Bless.