outback indiana: July 2009

We drove to Coumbus OH. to drop the dog off with Hannah. Saturday morning we headed north east to the Fingerlakes District of Western New York. Take a look at a map of Western New York State and you will see the "Finger Lakes" - 11 long skinny lakes that were created at the end of the last ice age when glaciers decended from Lake Ontario. These lakes have a created a micro-climate in a short growing season climate that makes them perfect for growing grapes. Close to 100 wineries in the area. There are also waterfalls everywhere! The flowers were incredible - must be the great soil and the climate.

The first 2 nights we stayed in the cute little village of Hammondsport on the south end of Keuka Lake in the Tavern Inn.

We drove up the side of the lakes and the views were incredible! Vineyards and hay fileds, flowers and 2 century old farmhouses. The architecture was incredible because this area was settled in the late 1700, early 1800's and it was spared the destruction of the civil war.

We ate well!!! Stopping at wineries and restaurants for fabulous gourmet meals paired with local wines. Here we ate lunch at the Bully Hill Winery. Incredible views of the lake and rolling vineyards.

We drove between lakes and enjoyed beautiful, peaceful, scenery and visited Watkin's Glen Waterfall.

We took a long climb...see the staircase to the left of the falls.

Another falls....Taughannock Falls

Graet accomodations......Geneva Rowhouses.

The Belhurst Castle in Geneva. This was the best place we stayed. Built in 1885-89 now converted to a restaurant and lodging. Our room was the round turret in the front and above the portico.

Belhurst has it's own winery and we enjoyed a lovely complimentary wine tasting and access to the wine spigot on the second floor.....free flowing wine...right outside our door!

We drove back through Rochester, New York...looked at Lake Ontario, then drove to Buffalo, New York and took a quick look at Niagra. Kevin has not been there since he was a little boy and I had great memories of when Joel and I were there in 1999 with Granny and Pa.

Next stop was Cleveland, OH and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A museum of the history of American and British Rock. Kevin enjoyed seeing the museum - I did as well.