Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine Campground – this was a small campground adjacent to the Coal Mine Exhibition. Bonus – the coal mine tour discounts were given if you stayed at the campground. The tour was very informative, and one has to sympathize with the coal miners. Their lives were not easy, and their jobs were grueling. Visiting each building that housed the supervisor, workers, and their families was interesting.

New River Gorge Hike – Grandview Rim – this hike was the best to view the gorge from above. It was a beautiful day, but still no significant leaf change. I hope that will change once our trip continues down the East Coast.

Endless Wall Trail – Another great hike, but sometimes a little scary. One must be extra cautious- too close to the edge, and it’s a long way down. There were a couple of times Mitch got too close so he could share a video, and I, being the mother hen, was issuing warnings to him to step back. This is a popular spot for cliff climbers, but we didn’t see them today.

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Today, we visited three magnificent falls. The first was Ithaca Falls. The falls were roaring as the water cascaded down from the top. We wanted better pictures, but the morning sun was blinding and we could only catch a few good ones to share.

Our next stop was the Cascadilla Creek Gorge, which displayed 20 ft of multiple falls leading to the campus of Cornell University. There were eight decent-sized falls ranging from different heights. This hike was better than our expectations and we had lunch at one of the cafes outside campus.

The last fall on our agenda for the day was Buttermilk Falls. We almost didn’t go as the skies were threatening rain, but we decided to take a risk and start our trek. We were so glad we decided to move forward, as it was like visiting Watkins Glen. This fall had so many unique features, and we loved every minute of it. Best yet – the rain came after we got to the car for our return to Snead Campground.

Can’t forget to mention our visit to Brightleaf Winery. We stumbled across this winery after a ride around the lake. The wine and charcuterie were noted worthy, but the view was enchanting, and our time spent here was perfect.

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We had to revisit this area because we enjoyed our time here last year. Snead Family Campground was our home base for our two-week stay. We took the leisurely trail up to Taughannock Falls. It’s a 215 ft drop; however, the waterfall was not at full velocity. This time, we did get an opportunity to dine at the inn on top of the hill. The Inn at Taughannock was originally the summer home of the Jones family, and there are many original pieces from their home. The view from the dining room overlooks Cayuga Lake, and we thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience.

Our visit to the Buttonwood Winery was memorable as our host was a high school alumni of mine. We reminisced about our youth in between tastings. It was a beautiful day to relax outside and spend the afternoon. The saying, “It’s a small world,” holds true as I never expected to meet someone from my graduating class.

The weather was crisp and we ventured a drive around the lake. This area of New York is beautiful and our only regret was we were too early to catch the spectacular array of colors welcoming the beginning of fall.

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Before reaching our destination, we had an overnight stay at a Harvest Host. You guessed it – a winery. Wineries are our Harvest Hosts of choice. Courtyard Winery was a great stop. The staff was super friendly and wanted to know about our travels. The winery had an excellent selection of red wines and arranged a delectable charcuterie.

Hamlin State Park was on Lake Ontario, but unfortunately, we didn’t get to explore much. This trip was to spend time with Mitch’s brother in Rochester, and this park was close to where he lives. We spent two days of family time. One of the benefits of travel is the opportunity to visit friends and relatives when you pass through their area.

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