Upstate New York: Gorges, Waterfalls & Mystical Beauty

Mention New York, and what first comes to mind??

Skyscrapers as far as the eye can see?

Yup ... same here!

But as we turned away from the southern shore of Lake Erie and headed east, we soon discovered that the Empire State has a whole other personality. Imagine rolling hills, dramatic gorges, cascading waterfalls, and mystical beauty around every bend.

 Who knew New York had so much natural awe to offer?

Letchworth State Park

Known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park owes its “gorge”ous beauty to the carving skills of the Genesee River.

As the river flows through the 17 mile long park, hiking trails along the rim offer scenic views of towering rock walls and magnificent waterfalls. This mystical beauty draws visitors year-round, and with the autumn colors just beginning to pop, we could tell that this state park would be a very popular place in the upcoming weeks.

In addition to a full-service campground tucked into the surrounding forest,

Letchworth State Park also gave us ...

hiking trails with a bit of elevation to get the heart pumping (note to self: what goes down has to come back up),

quiet river views perfect for soaking up the serenity,

and a glimpse of the bygone days when a man-made canal hugged the upper ledge of the river's cliffs linking the Allegheny River to the Erie Canal.

Watkins Glen State Park 

Our next stop was the Finger Lakes region where Mother Nature certainly outdid herself once again! With eleven long, narrow lakes carved by glaciers, this region is a natural haven for water lovers.

Numerous waterfalls,

deep gorges,

and natural beauty

... especially as the fall colors start popping out, make this a popular vacation destination.

 Beyond the lakes, waterfalls, and gorges, the Finger Lakes have another claim to fame. The rich soil and favorable climate make this region ideal for growing grapes, creating a thriving vineyard and winery scene. And, of course, there's a close cousin we couldn't ignore ... the craft brewery!

But we came to this area to check out a state park that has popped up on more than a few "Best State Parks" lists during our years of travel "research" ... Watkins Glen. We were happy to secure a campsite reservation for three days and discover its mystical beauty for ourselves.

 A short distance from the campground we found the trail that led us down into the gorge where towering rock walls and whimsical waterfalls could be found around nearly every bend.

Layers of mist hovered over the gorge after a brief rain shower.

Delicate greenery decorated the surrounding layers of rock.

Graceful waterfalls continued to weave their magic throughout the gorge, adding yet another layer of charm to Mother Nature's majestic work of art.

As we quickly discovered, Watkins Glen State Park didn't just live up to its reputation, it far exceeded it!

From the towering cliffs of Letchworth to the winding gorge and magical waterfalls of Watkins Glen, Upstate New York certainly surprised us! Add in the colorful Finger Lakes, charming little towns, and a few stops to sample the local craft brews, and we quickly understood why this corner of the Empire State draws so many visitors. New York, you've shown us a whole new side of yourself ... and it was pretty awesome!

Change of Seasons, Change of Scenery

At the end of every summer we spend in the Midwest, Doug is faced with a Herculean task ... convincing me that with the change of seasons, it is time to start thinking about a change of scenery. Apparently, these beautiful colors mean the white stuff can’t be too far behind.

It didn't help his cause that the mega-dose of summer we enjoyed while visiting Honolulu and American Samoa in late August continued into early September. After completing our national park quest, we spent ten days in Kona, Hawaii. Hot, humid weather and fragrant flowers kept summer firmly planted in our minds.

While we hoped to explore more of the Big Island this time around, it turned out to be a more laid back vacation for us as Doug dealt with some neck pain. Apparently, red-eye flights and "too soft" Airbnb beds don't agree with him. But while in Kona, we were both happy to enjoy ...

Evening swims with sunset views from our condo's pool area,

Mornings in Kona coffee heaven,

Walks to our favorite dinner spot overlooking the Pacific,

A sunset catamaran cruise,

And the mega-wave effect of Hurricane Lowell as it approached Hawaii's western islands.

When we returned to Minnesota after Labor Day, it seemed like the summer vibe was still hanging on. We returned to our old stomping grounds for a few weeks while Doug rehabbed his neck.

Walks in the woods,

along the river,

or with our favorite pooch while doing another short pet-sitting gig,

combined with some physical therapy, will hopefully keep Doug pain-free for another 60+ years or 100,000 miles.

But the signs were popping up around us ... and it was time to start our winter migration south.

This winter, our "big picture" plan is to head toward Florida and launch some international travel from there. With six weeks to spare before meeting up with some friends in Gulf Shores, Alabama, we mapped out a route that would connect us with family, friends, and a few favorite cities along the way.

First stop ... Minneapolis where we savored a few more days with family.

Next up ... Wisconsin where hikes through the woods and around massive glacial boulders

are fueled by cheese curds, craft beer, and a good old Friday fish fry!

Followed by ... the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where Thomas Dambo's "Benny the Beard Fisher" troll greeted us,

roadside views of Lake Michigan delighted us,

and Mackinac Island's Victorian architecture and old-fashioned transportation intrigued us!

Next up ... the lower peninsula of Michigan and northern Indiana where scenic hikes through pine forests,

 young smiles,

family gatherings,

and a full moon rising over an Amish farm reminded us of all the things we love about the Midwest.

A new route for us along the shores of Lake Erie brought us views of Cleveland,

as we overnighted in our nephew's new hometown.

And as we crossed into Upstate New York, a stronger hint of fall colors and some amazing scenery made us realize that a change of seasons and a change of scenery ... can actually be quite enjoyable.

So, once again, we have begun our great fall migration ... a migration that will continue to lead us to beautiful new places. And, if Doug has anything to say about it, a lot less snow!