We’ve just returned from a brief few days in Watkins Glen (WG), at the southern end of the 38 mile long Seneca Lake.
Some of us know Watkins Glen as the scene of road and grand prix racing and sports cars – first through the streets of the Town, and later at the Watkins Glen International raceway. Ironically, NASCAR was to race at the Glen the weekend after our visit – we missed the crowds but did see the track. Many NASCAR officials were staying at our hotel, the lovely and aptly named Harbor Hotel.
But we were there for other investigations: of Seneca Lake, the lovely little town of WG, of nearby Montour Falls, and perhaps most importantly, of the Glen itself.
WG is only about 90 minutes south and east of us, but we took all the back roads, arrived in Geneva, at the head of the lake, at lunchtime, and moseyed into the Glen at about 2:00 or so.
After strolling the town most of the afternoon, we settled in, then dined and retired. The plan for the next day was hiking in the Glen.
WG was once (1842) known as Salubria. Pretty terrific, yes? The place was later (1861) renamed in honor of community icon Dr. Samuel Watkins.
Aside from racing, the original attraction of the place was this:
One of 13 waterfalls in the park, which was established by the state in 1901. The trails begin in town, and rise 460 feet through the winding and gorgeous canyon. Long before racing, this natural wonder attracted millions of visitors, and it was easy to see why as we strolled.
It was goregous in the gorge. It had rained like crazy the day before (we drove through it, and almost had to pull over for lack of visibility) and the rocks were dripping and the water running everywhere.
Most of the people we passed on the trails did not speak English – clearly this place is an international destination.
After a lovely time in the canyon, we headed to nearby Montour Falls, for lunch and a stroll. At the top of the main drag is this surprising view:
And from down the main street, the falls look like this:
That afternoon, we also drove out to the race track, perched high in the hills, where activities for the weekend racing were just getting started.
Then it was back to WG for more snooping, and a lovely evening on the balcony, which gave us this view as the day faded away:
Next day we packed up and headed home, this time along the eastern shore of the lake for a different perspective:
Seneca Lake is smack in the middle of the burgeoning Finger Lakes wine region, but we left the vineyards for another trip.
After another lunch in Geneva, this time at the fabulous Red Dove
Tavern (highly recommended if you come this way), we arrived home mid afternoon.
A very nice few days seeing some amazing things, and all so close to home.
