Finger Lakes, New York
After picking Molly back up in Buffalo, we visited Niagara Falls (much nicer on the US side, which is a state park, than the Canadian side, which is basically Atlantic City), and then headed across New York state.
Lake Erie State Park
Letchworth State Park
The “Grand Canyon of the East” has a great scenic drive and a series of stunning waterfalls. This is also the park where Molly and I realized that now that school is back in session, most of the places we visit are going to be filled with retirees and the occasional jobless idiots like us.
Watkins Glen State Park
I like an attraction like this: you walk into a stunning canyon, there’s basically one path through, and then you climb out and walk back. No decisions to make, no FOMO. Show up and walk. Love it.
Taughannock Falls State Park
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
Very few birds at this refuge (what is going on, where are the birds?), but the bees were out thankfully.
Green Lakes State Park
I forget the exact science, but this lake has two layers of water that don’t mix, so the upper layer stays very clear and causes this incredible blue-green color. The shelf you see in the left photo isn’t rock, it’s actually a freshwater reef.
