Grand Canyon of the East (Letchworth State Park, NY-6/17/11)

    We made reservations at this park based on a recommendation from a couple we met in PA, and it is a great park (although the “real” Grand Canyon has nothing to be worried about), but I thought it was much closer to Joe and Judi in Rochester than it actually was.  It took us about an hour and twenty minutes to get to the boat on Saturday.   Also, I had to cheat the system.  They had no more “pet” sites available so I said I had no pet.  Poor Dozer had to stay inside, with the shades down, the whole time we were there. Not an ideal situation, and I don’t think I’d do it again. 
   

  The Park was partially built on land donated by William Letchworth after his death in 1910.  He was a conservationist during his lifetime and spent a lot of time and money collecting artifacts to preserve them for future generations.  The land is along the banks of the Genesee River and includes 3 major waterfalls.  No one is allowed along the riverbed unless they are part of a group rafting trip, however, which is very odd, except in most places the gorge is a few hundred deep anyway.    Things really got built up here in the 1930s, when the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) came in and built most of the structures, trails and picnic areas.

  

       One of the longest and most popular trails here is the Gorge trail but at 7 miles long (with a 7 mile return), its a bit much to do in one day.  The ranger suggested starting at one end one day, hiking halfway, returning, and then doing the other half another day.  We took the advice and ended up hiking about 7.5 miles the first day.

We also saw all 3 major waterfalls the first day.  Hiking here is pretty easy- the trails and waterfall views  are pretty accessible by road, all along the way, so we didn’t really have to hike as far as we did, but we wanted the exercise anyway. 

    We spent one day exploring by truck, driving down tiny little dirt roads that we probably shouldn’t have been on, and we found a trail that follows an old canal that was built in the 1800s to carry lumber and materials to distant towns. The canal was used, by a series of locks, to raise and lower barges over 900 feet in elevation. Not much of the locks are left, but it was still an interesting day.  Our travels also brought us past a small town that didn’t have many stores, but did have a great place to get ice cream!

2nd Love revisited (06-18-11)

   When we sold our house 2 years ago, we also sold our 39’ Sea Ray, 2nd Love. We sold it to Joe and Judi, a couple who live outside of Rochester NY.  We have stayed in contact with them and have actually met up with them to go hiking.  We all have similar interests and conversation never seems to lag.  On this trip through New York, we were close enough to visit them and they invited us to go out on the boat for the day on Saturday.  Well, they didn’t have to ask us twice!  We got up early Saturday and drove to their Marina, which is essentially on Lake Ontario.  As a bonus for me, Ontario is the only Great Lake I haven’t seen yet, so I have officially seen them all now.


Officers saluting as we go by

     Saturday was an action packed day, since it was the “annual inspection” day.  A parade of boats from the yacht club snaked past the Officers of the club, who were standing at attention on a sail boat, all decked out in officer garb.  After the parade, each vessel was boarded and “inspected” by the Officers, to see which ones were decorated the best.  Really it was more a question of who bribed them with the best food and liquor.




  Lunch was served by the Yacht Club after the contest.  After grabbing a quick bite, we left the dock again and took 2nd Love out onto Lake Ontario for a ride.

Joe seemed to enjoy having a chauffer for a change of pace and left most of the driving to Paul. Meantime, Judi and I just relaxed in the cockpit, enjoying the picture perfect day.

After our ride we anchored outside the harbor and several other boats came along and tied up with us, and the afternoon was spent partying.  A typical boating day!  We headed back in once it started getting dark, and just made it to the Yacht Club restaurant in time for dinner before they closed up for the evening. A very full, and very fun day!