In mid-June, we started a month-long exploration of not-New-York-City with a visit to Letchworth State Park (often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the East) followed by several days with our friends Sue, Dave, and Lewis at their lakeside retreat in the beautiful Finger Lakes region.
Visiting the Grand Canyon of the East
Calling Letchworth State Park the Grand Canyon of the East may be stretching things a bit. But even if it is an exaggeration, it’s still a beautiful place. We lucked out visiting in mid-June following a wet winter and spring, which made for an enormous amount of water thundering over the falls.
Middle Falls; this was a good year for the waterfalls at Letchworth State Park
Admiring the dense forests, it’s hard to believe that this area was once heavily logged, with a lumber mill at the base of beautiful Middle Falls. The land would have surely been destroyed were it not for William Pryor Letchworth, a successful Buffalo businessman who bought Middle Falls and the surrounding area as a country retreat in 1859. A Quaker, philanthropist, social reformer, and conservationist, Letchworth restored the land to its natural beauty and eventually gifted it to the state of New York in 1906, with the provision that it be a park. I often wonder what would happen to our world without the vision, hard work, and generosity of a relative few.
Exploring Letchworth State Park
We hiked miles of trails in the park, mostly along the gorge where we could enjoy the river and the waterfalls; toured the interesting little museum devoted to Letchworth; explored the beautiful new nature center; and had a picnic on the veranda of the Glen Iris Inn, Letchworth’s former home that overlooks Middle Falls.
Click on any photo for a larger view
A relaxing evening at Letchworth State Park, site 237
Despite the fact that we reserved a site in one of the “pet loops” by mistake, we scored a beautiful, private site and enjoyed a peaceful four nights at the campground. (Three nights would have been enough, but it’s always nice to have a day for laundry and catching up on life.)
Letchworth State Park offers electric hookups with water faucets conveniently located throughout, nicely redone new bathhouses, and a large, clean laundry. Most of the hiking trails (including the Gorge Trail) are 14 miles from the campground.
Hanging Out Lakeside With Sue, Dave, & Lewis
Those of you who know Sue, Dave, and Lewis or who read their blog Beluga’s Excellent Adventures are familiar with the relaxed and delightful pace of their travels and lives. Spending time with the Banks is exactly as it appears in their blog.
We were lucky enough to spend three nights with them at their lovely summer cottage on Lake Conesus in the Finger Lakes. Despite a patch of rainy, cool weather, we luxuriated in the Banks’ rituals of late morning Second Cup on the deck and afternoon Happy Hour.
Our time together flew by with delicious meals (including dinner at the Rabbit Room, a special local place open only on Thursdays), a leisurely tour of the Erie Canal on a replica 1800s canal boat, and an evening boat ride on Lake Conesus. Sue even shared Mr. Dave’s A-1 Fix-Everything Service to help us with a few minor issues. Nothing like a full-service resort!
Lunch at Olive’s with Sue and Dave
It was a delightful weekend of good friends, good conversation, plenty of laughter, and of course, Lewis, who makes any party better. And he’s very warm and cuddly, which is especially nice on a chilly evening boat ride.
Until next time!
Thanks, once again, for touring our local area and giving us facts that we never knew! We’ve always enjoyed Letchworth but didn’t know about the logging aspect…..I must wander about in a fog while we’re home!
We were all so happy that you came for a visit, only sad that it was so short. My, my, we were bundled up weren’t we. I don’t remember it being that chilly but evidently it was! Fun weekend, warm friends.
Sue, we had such a great time with you three! Thanks again for planning the boating excursions and dinner at the Rabbit Room. Best of all was just hanging out with you guys, talking and laughing and relaxing. I’m glad you thought our visit was too short—we did, too! :-)
Thanks! I grew up (that is, if I ever grew up) in that general area. I haven’t been back in years, so your blog post is a nice trip down memory lane.😀
Really nice scenic area….love your pictures.
Leaving Monday for 4 weeks on Highway 395 Eastern Sierras, CA.
From Fossil Falls below Lone Pine up to Bridgeport, Ca and Upper Twin Lakes.
Covering 8 mountain hikes, 17 lakes, 11 rivers, 6 historic areas, Full hike around Mono Lake, & 3 full days at Alabama Hills.
Have a great trip, Bob. I know you’ll have fun photographing that gorgeous area!
Dick, we loved the Finger Lakes region. It must have been a wonderful place to spend your childhood. (And no, don’t ever grow up. :-))
I had completely forgotten that at one time I had been to Letchworth Park. That was during my college years when I was at the University of Rochester. I distinctly remember the river pooling into the most beautiful, relaxing green, and clear. It was such a contrast to the city.
Thank you.
Sheila, I’m glad we could bring you back to Letchworth with us. There was an impressive amount of water flowing over the falls. I’m wishing we had gone rafting on the river!
We really wanted to visit Letchworth State Park this past summer, but just couldn’t make it work with our schedule. Your pictures will ensure it stays on our list for ‘some day.’ I agree, while it may not truly compare with Niagara, it’s still beautiful and the trails nearby would surely be fun to hike. Im glad to hear your campsite worked out well, too. I was worried about you guys being in a pet loop since we’ve been in a few that were really annoying, but it sounds like you lucked out. As difficult as these northeastern parks can be, they are incredibly green and lush, aren’t they?
It looks like you guys has a great time with Sue, Dave, and Lewis! You are so right: they really do know how to relax and take things easy. And while it looks like you all had a chilly ride on the boat, you were certainly fortunate to have the canine snuggle machine that is Lewis. LOVE that picture of you two!
Laura, we were relieved that even though we were in the pet loop that all of the pets surrounding us were well-behaved. And our site was so private. It would be an excellent site for when you guys make it to Letchworth. :-))
You know firsthand just how relaxing it is at the Banks’ Resort. And Lewis was the perfect furry companion for that chilly boat ride. He is such a sweetheart! Of course, you guys have Thor to keep you warm. Maybe we need a big furry dog…
Yes. You do.
:)
This is my first comment, but I have been following you since 2016. Thank you so much for the opportunity to follow your journal. It is so enjoyable! I look forward to your travel photos and tips. My husband and I hope to follow your footsteps!
Sharon, thank you so much for commenting and for following along since 2016! It inspires me to keep writing when I know that people are enjoying our blog. This is a great lifestyle (even with the bumps in the road). We highly recommend it! :-)
I was one of those who think New York City as New York, but that was erased right away when we visited that beautiful state even if we missed a lot of beautiful places such as Letchworth State Park.
I’m once again jealous that you are enjoying Dave and Sue’s lakeside resort! And you managed some front pics of Sue :) And you have aptly described their lifestyle especially when you cuddle up with the black hairy smart Lewis. He does not let me cuddle him :(
MonaLiza, maybe you guys want to travel cross-country again just to visit Sue and Dave and Lewis. :-) If you go out on a chilly boat ride, Lewis will be more than happy to snuggle with you! I think he thought I was keeping him warm, LOL.
New York State is SO beautiful. We had no idea!
We really enjoyed our long day hiking at Letchworth. What a great trail along the gorge and soooo many steps!! We drove over from Dave and Sue’s. The campground looks really nice.
Isn’t The Bank Resort just perfect! What a beautiful private spot with the best company and the cutest furry boy and a very pretty lake. Second cup and HH out on the dock is so much fun. So glad you were east at the same time they were.
Ha, you’re right, there are a CRAZY number of steep stone stairs at Letchworth! The trail along the gorge is so beautiful, we hiked it two days in a row.
I know Lewis loves you best, Pam, but he was willing to tolerate me while we were there. The Banks’ Resort really is perfect. We’re delighted that we were traveling through New York and they invited us to visit. We’d love to return!
Very interesting re New York being such a nature’s paradise. Good to know.. Love the photos and overall joyous vibe of positive energy and enthusiasm. Nothing as fun as getting together with good friends! That’s a gorgeous camp ground and cute pup.
Peta
Peta, our travels continuously deliver surprises, like the beautiful landscapes of so much of New York State. The Finger Lakes region and the Adirondacks (more posts to come!) are just spectacular.
As you know, meeting up with good friends is one of the great joys of this lifestyle.
Letchworth State Park and the falls are great and plenty of steps for those glutes… Lewis is a rock star.
Deb, yes indeed, there are plenty of stairs at Letchworth! We like our ‘natural’ workouts.
Lewis is Mr. Personality, and he’s so well-behaved.
It seems that Sue and Dave really are running quite the luxurious RV resort. Maybe they should consider advertising? But I assume it’s not the same when the people in the driveway are strangers instead of friends.
Thanks for piquing our interest in the Finger Lakes region. We lived in New York City (briefly) and the furthest north we got was the NY Botanical Garden in the Bronx. It’s great to know there are millions of acres of leafy forests to explore; it looks perfect for an RV visit (in stark contrast to NYC).
Shannon, you and Ken will enjoy the Finger Lakes region when you guys head east in your travels. There is SO much more to New York than the big city! We stayed in a half-dozen state parks in New York, and each one was beautiful.
I haven’t been to NYC in about 25 years and we’ve been considering a visit this fall…but as you said, visiting the city with an RV is less than ideal. We’ll see how brave we’re feeling, LOL.
I think Letchworth looks even prettier than Niagara! So much less populated with miles of trails. Who wouldn’t love a Lewis-blanket?! Can he also be used as a flotation device? :D Don’t listen to that Laura person. You don’t need a dog when you have so many good friends with them!
Joodie, I’m betting you guys would much prefer Letchworth to Niagara. The hiking trails were lovely and extensive, and those falls were gorgeous. And the campground!
I’m so often tempted to get a dog (and a kitty! and a goat!) but Eric and I have a pact that we’ll wait until we settle down again. We do so much hiking that it would be hard for us to have a pet—too many places don’t allow them on the trails. So for now, we have to ‘borrow’ our pets. :-)
Letchfield is so beautiful – love your spot in the trees. We’ve enjoyed New York so much, both the city and not-city, but still haven’t made it to that pretty park. Great pics of you guys and the Banks gang on the lake. It’s such a special place, with the best hosts!
Jodee, I remember that you guys really enjoyed your visit to NYC. We’re still debating whether or not we’ll go there this fall. When you guys head back to New York, definitely check out Letchworth. You’ll enjoy the little museum about Letchworth along with the waterfalls.
Sue and Dave and Lew are excellent hosts, indeed, as you know. :-)
This trip will probably have to wait until we go fulltime, but it sounds like a wonderful area to explore! I especially like the idea of going through the locks. We’ve done that in Seattle and Germany and it’s always a thrill!