TAKIN BETZ: WATKINS GLEN BEAUTY

I now know what “I LOVE NY” is all about. I thought it applied to New Yorkers who loved their state with prejudice. I even thought it referred to NYC. But now I understand it applies to the whole state and the State of New York is absolutely beautiful. Unbelievably so.

This area of the Finger Islands is beautiful. If it was closer to Florida I wouldn’t hesitate to have a second home here. As we drive around the vistas abound.

We left Romulus and headed down to Watkins Glen which is at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. Since it was only a 30 minute trip, I drove the Caddy behind the MH and what a ride it was. It was hard to keep your eyes on the road with the exquisite scenery passing you by.

We are staying at a KOA outside of Watkins Glen, not very far from the Watkins Glen International Racetrack. Our first choice was the Watkins Glen State Park but our rig is too big for their sites. This KOA is great with lots and lots of things to do for families. Even an indoor swimming pool for rainy days. It's very large and spread out and we're in a nice wooded spot. Thankfully so, because the cool Finger Lakes weather has turned to HOT - 90 degrees - and the trees are helping to keep the MH cooler. Tomorrow it's supposed to go back into the low 70's again.

We took a drive around the area to scope out the racetrack. Watkins Glen Raceway is located at the top of a crest overlooking the valley and Lake Seneca. As we drove around, we spotted one of these.....

It was behind a small ranch house that sat at the top of the ridge capturing all the wind as it swooped down. I would have loved to talk to the homeowners about this wind generation capability. This is the only one I found so it's not a common practice here.

We drove down into Watkins Glen town to the harbor.

The pier goes out and around to a break wall. Inside is a fairly large marina with plenty of sailboats.

Wonder how Spindrift wouild like being up here!

They appeared to be having races out on the lake.

Watkins Glen is located at the southern end of Lake Seneca with over 30 miles of coast so there is plenty of sailing room.

Sitting along the pier was True Love an 80' yacht designed by yacht designer John Alden, his Malibar VII Schooner True Love is a classic wooden schooner.

It was built by Pendleton Brothers Shipyard in Wiscasset ME in 1926 and is one of the few remaining wooden schooners left. This boat is available for charter.