This is MY New York!
I’ve seen something like this before……
So, you’re from New York? When people ask, they think of New York City.
But, when I tell them, “Yes, I’m from New York. THIS New York”……
This is the gorge in Watkins Glen, located at the Watkins Glen State Park. Watkins Glen, NY, is about 45 minutes from Pennsylvania, and about an hour and a half from Syracuse. It’s located in what is referred to as The Finger Lakes Region, with many wineries along both sides of Seneca Lake, which is where our little town is located. Watkins Glen is at the very southern point of Seneca Lake. Around Memorial Day begins tourist season, and people come from all around to visit. Watkins Glen is home of Road Racing, and hosts Watkins Glen International. There is always something going on at the track, because we constantly hear cars racing around the track from our house. July has the annual Finger Lakes Wine Festival at the track. August is when NASCAR comes to town. September, right after Labor Day, the village hosts a reenactment of the road races that used to happen after WWII.
My wife and I have lived in Watkins Glen, NY, for 21 years. All three of our kids went to and graduated school here. Two of our kids still live locally, just outside of Watkins Glen. Our daughter prefers the city life, and attends college about an hour from The City.
Yesterday (7/21) I decided to walk the gorge. It’s been about 4 years since I’ve done that, and I quickly remembered just how much work goes into hiking the course. There are other man made steps the peel off the main gorge trail, but I chose to stay on the main course. I believe it’s a little over one mile, but there’s a lot of stairways and it made for a great cardio workout! The last part of the gorge will definitely keep you honest! Several steps up to the top left me winded!
I really enjoy my walks outside! I talked to a few people while on my hike who were from bigger towns, and they all said the same thing: You don’t have beautiful scenery like this back home! I’ll more than likely walk the gorge again at a later date, as it’s wonderful exercise. I look forward to when Fall arrives! I love the brisk, Fall air, the color changing of the foliage….It’s a wonderful time of year!
A little side note…..Since I’ve began working out 3 weeks ago, I’ve lost 7 pounds, and I’m beginning to notice some of my clothes are not as snug! All the hard work and making better eating choices are paying off!
I hope you enjoyed my little tour through the gorge! Have you ever went hiking through a gorge? What was your experience?
Until next time…..Stay hydrated!
That looks like the perfect spot to enjoy.
Yes indeed! Part ways up the main trail there’s a bridge that connects with another part of the state park. Becky and I got married at the pavilion there. If you take the main trail all the way to the end, there’s another section of the park. That’s the north end. Both sections have playgrounds and such. I do believe there are concession stands at both. I do know the north end does
I love this! I have some friends who live in New York, and they always say it’s so much more than just NYC.
And they would be correct! If you ever plan to visit Upstate NY, pack your hiking shoes and take to our gorge for some peaceful hiking!
The gorge looks beautiful. Definitely not what I think of when someone says New York.
To be honest, before I moved here, I thought all of New York was like New York City. Certainly not the case!
Wow, that is absolutely beautiful. You are right. When I think of New York City I imagine the first image you posted.
Thanks for sharing another view!
You’re most welcome! I love to show people not from here a little taste of our little town!
I think when people think of New York all they think of is New York City. New York City is such a small portion of New York. I know other parts of New York are just beautiful. I would love to explore all of upstate.
If you love wine, save your money and come next July to the wine festival! It’s a huge event, that they host at the race track. There are a lot of other great places to see in Upstate too.
It is so nice to see New York is more than city lights and sounds! I have never been hiking in a gorge, but it looks so exciting!
It’s beautiful, but it can be a workout too! Taking your time is also an option, for relaxation.
I’ve never walked through a gorge before, but this place looks like it’d make a beautiful day trip. I didn’t release how mountainous and scenic certain parts of NY were until we moved to NJ from FL, and soon drove to visit family in NY. There’s definitely more to NY than the busy city scene.
I would much rather take in some of the sites that Upstate has to offer, than the chaos of the City!
New York is one of my favorite cities to visit. I would love to go on this hike. I will have to check it out the next time I am in town.
If you’re ever in Watkins Glen, NY, look me up and I’ll go with you if you want!
We love to go on hikes. I have never hiked a gorge before. These are fantastic photos. I am excited to be going to NYC this winter.
If you’re ever in the Finger Lakes region (Ithaca or Watkins Glen), you’ve got to hike a gorge!
This is an absolutely gorgeous part of New York! I drive through New York every year when I drive from Indiana to New Hampshire and there are so many gorgeous areas that no one talks about!
About every 3-4 months I travel downstate to get my daughter from college and you can definitely see the difference between upstate and when you’re getting close to the City!
Definitely sounds like a great place to exercise! Congrats on your achievement on your weight loss!
I think there’s information to just how many steps there are on the main gorge trail in a brochure at the state park. Thank you for your kind words and support!
You are so right, I grew up in the NY area too. For sure the Finger Lakes District is one of the most beautiful areas not only in state of NY, but also in the entire USA. All our great photos make me want to come back and visit this summer.
I meant to say, all of YOUR great photos make me want to visit this summer
Come on down! If you like camping, there’s a great KOA campsite just down the road from me! It’s well kept, they offer cabins also, if you’re not a tent or RV camper type. Cabin would be my style!
I kind of think it gets overshadowed by the magnitude of NYC, and all of its splendor
Those are some very nice photos. I’ve never actually been to New York before. I would love to go there sometime though. It always sounded like a beautiful place to be.
It is definitely a beautiful little piece of heaven! It reminds me of those calendars I used to see of places around the U.S., and they always had somewhere in NY
I am from NYC, and most of us don’t live in that version of NYC – it’s mostly filled with stressed workers just passing by and tourists. LOL BUT I have to say I love your NY, looks like my kind of a good time these days!
Watkins Glen is not hard to find! You should take a long weekend and come up! I could be your tour guide!
Very cool experience. Love the photos
Thank you!
I like your New York much better than the crazy city version you automatically think of. The gorge you hiked was beautiful! I wish I lived closer so I could check it out for myself.
I love our small town, even with the increase in people and traffic during the summer. That means people are putting money into our local economy!
That is definitely a lot of stairs and quite the workout. What gorgeous scenery though.
That final section of stairs will keep a person honest, I’ll tell you that! Definitely a thigh blaster!
The Stairmaster has nothing on these stairs. I would love to see this in person.
Yes those stairs are pretty intense!
I love this post coming from a New Yorker myself! We do live in the city but tend to escape whenever we can to experience all of this!
That’s really awesome! These smaller towns, you never know what you’re going to find!
I have always wanted to see the country side of New York. All I have ever been in is the city. This is beautiful and breathtaking.
One of our many scenic areas of our little town!
Watkins Glen seems so charming, Rog! I’d really love to visit it one day!
It’s a very charming little town. I hope you can make it some day too!
I enjoyed your little tour through the gorge! Love the photos and videos, BTW.
Thanks Veronica! I’m glad you enjoyed it ?