Letchworth State Park 2017

Letchworth State Park was awesome. We visited last Wednesday. It's a large state park with three large waterfalls — the Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls — on the Genesee River.

Our family at the Middle Falls

 

Near the park entrance

James taking pictures at the overlook

Upper Falls is blocked off by a fence because it's they've had issues with people falling in. It's basically out-of-order for the time being. I had my zoom lens though and I got an almost-decent picture through the fence while my children looked on and shook their heads.

Upper Falls

Next, we went to Middle Falls which were the best I saw in the entire Finger Lakes.

James enjoying nature, his youth, and the security of parents who love him

Middle Falls!

My loved ones have SO much personality

Next, we went to the Lower Falls which Kevin told us would involve a short hike.

James reading the signs.

Miranda decided she didn't want to hike.

This is when James told us he saw a sign that said to stop. We basically ignored him. I noticed that we could get kind of a good shot here though so I took this picture.

James, telling us to stop now.

Continuing the hike

Still hiking

Finally, Miranda and I stopped, James and Kevin went up ahead and discovered that the views didn't improve but the hike got too steep for kids. In other words, James was right about where to stop. I told him he was right and that next time we'll listen better.

Going back to the car. Children being crazy.

Then we left the diaper bag in the middle of the road. We didn't realize we did that, so we drove to Penn Yan and went to a bookstore. After the bookstore, we realized we were missing the diaper bag which had James's Kindle and various toys. Disaster. We looked around while growing more panicked and depressed, and then found an information center, and they had the bag! Happy happy day!

Burlingham Books in Penn Yan

Finally, we went to dinner. We saw the 3-Legged Pig and we couldn't resist BBQ, It was so good! Especially the brisket. And they gave the kids piggy noses. Hilarity ensued.

3 Legged Pig BBQ

Cheers to an awesome vacation in progress!

Canandaigua Lake at Finger Lakes 2017

Last Tuesday, after Kevin had written and edited for some hours, we explored the Finger Lakes for a little while. We tried the Canandaigua area first.

On Canandaigua Lake at Onanda Park

We visited the Heron Hill Tasting Room on Canandaigua Lake, Onanda Park for the view and the playground, and then Cheshire Farms Creamery for ice cream. Finally, we walked around the Canandaigua Pier and the house boats there. 

 

Heron Hill Tasting Room on Canandaigua Lake

Trying the famous Finger Lakes Riesling!

Tasting grape juice!

Onanda Park

Playground at Onanda Park

Hello.


Ahhhh.

Cheshire Farms Creamery- delish!

Houseboats at Canandaigua Pier

Houseboats at Canandaigua Pier

Houseboats at Canandaigua Pier

Houseboats at Canandaigua Pier

The Pier

I've passed on some habits apparently.

Kids at Gell House 2017

I had to entertain the kids while Kevin was writing all morning. Despite having a router we no cell connectivity and a very slow nearly non-existent wireless connection.

Eventually, we developed a routine. Their bedroom was in "Suite A" a smaller area divided from the rest of the house with a bedroom, bathroom, and small living area. I started mostly keeping them there except for meals in the big central kitchen. After breakfast, they'd spend a little time in Suite A playing, until I had coffee, read a little and showered. Then I'd take them outside to run around and burn energy. Lunch. And then back outside.

We stayed at the Gell House; Gleason Lodge was closed

 

In front of the Gell House where we stayed

Inside Suite A:

Watching their kindle on the floor of Suite A

The room they shared

Picnic table in Suite A where mostly I worked on this puzzle


We packed a bunch of toys and books

Breakfast, snacks, and lunch in Suite B:

Panorama of very big kitchen in Suite B

Great views from the kitchen

Fancy snack time

Both the house itself, and watching the kids run around outside reminded me of all my trips to Upstate New York (Lewis, NY) as a kid. It's bittersweet.

On the little deck playing "Follow the Leader"

Off to the bridge

On the bridge

Running around singing

If cuteness could kill, I'd be so dead.

Laughing hysterically because he thinks spitting in the stream is funny.

On the Gleason Lodge deck for view

Running downhill

Squeal!!

I finished the puzzle but not too many books this week

Sometime after lunch, Kevin would come back and we'd go explore the Finger Lakes (then he'd go back to work). More on our Finger Lakes explorations in the next post.