Finger Lakes Getaway

Thanks to the Labor Day holiday we got a three day weekend away in the lovely Finger Lakes of NY. We've had our RV for two years now and we all agree that this was the best camping we've been on since we bought our RV and we are planning on returning next summer for a week long stay.

We chose the Finger Lakes for the Labor Day weekend because its a longer drive than most of our camping excursions. As soon as Chloe got out of school on Friday and we got the car loaded we headed out. We still got to the campsite after dark so Friday was a wash. On Saturday, we made the most of our day by waking up early and visiting the sight Matt wanted to see first---Watkins Glen Inter*national Raceway. A Ferr*ari Club had rented out the raceway so it was closed to the public but we were told we could return on Sunday to drive the course. We then headed to the town of Watkins Glen, walked the town and did a little shopping and got some information before we made the round to a couple of wineries.

There are numerous wineries on the lakes so we took the easy way out and visited the wineries that won top honors at the recent NY state wine competition. After driving up the western shore of Seneca Lake and visiting a winery that took top honors for its Reisling, we drove over to Cayuga Lake to visit another award-winning winery. We then stopped at cidery before heading to dinner. We made a quick run through with only 3 stops but somehow managed to buy 2 1/2 cases of cider and wine.

The rest of the evening was all about Chloe. We went swimming at the campsite and then Chloe got to spend her first night sleeping outside in a tent. She was so excited! She and Daddy camped out all night while I spent the evening in the RV with the two dogs.

On Sunday, we went back to the raceway to drive the course. For a $25 fee, you get to do 3 laps on the course in your own car. Before we went out on the course we got to watch the Ferr*ari's race around the course. Chloe didn't care for the noise and was convinced that the top of the bleachers was quieter than any other part of the grandstands.

Chloe watching the Ferr*ari's race and covering her ears.

When the Ferra*ari's broke for lunch, we got to line up and do our 3 laps. There was about 15 cars total and you line up and follow the pace car around. After the first two laps you get to stop at the stop/start line and take photos before completing your last lap. Matt did the first two laps and I did the final lap. We were driving the blunderbus Navigator but it was still fun. Chloe enjoyed it so much that she fell asleep.

Mommy & Chloe at the start/finish line with our race SUV in the background.

After the raceway we let Chloe choose the rest of the day's activities. Chloe had been wanting to see the waterfall in the state park at Watkins Glen but after reading that there are over 800 steps to see the waterfall we decided to visit another waterfall that was a little more child-friendly. I just knew if we attempted the 2.5 hour round-trip hike to the falls that Matt would bear the brunt by carrying Chloe on his shoulders (in fact, Chloe used that as an argument why we SHOULD hike to see the falls, that she "could ride on Daddy's shoulders and wouldn't get tired.")

The lady in the camp store recommended we visit the falls at Robert *Treman State* Park. The falls are by the parking lot and you can swim below the falls. Chloe thought it sounded like a great idea so we made our way to the park. It wasn't until we arrived and paid our park entry fee that we found out the water temperature was 55 degrees.

Before our swim, Matt and Chloe by the waterfall.

We had second thoughts about swimming, but Chloe kept urging us to swim. We changed into our swimsuits and Matt and I decided the only way to go into the water was to take the plunge off the high dive board. Matt determined that I had to go first since I tend to opt out of swimming when the water temperature doesn't meet my liking. So, I took my place in line and did and running jump off the board into the frigid waters. It was cold. Seriously cold. Matt went next off the board. When Matt says water is cold, it's cold. He will swim in temperatures I wouldn't stick my big toe in. Chloe was still eager to swim despite seeing her parents come shivering and laughing hysterically from the hypothermia that was setting in. She did a jump off a nearby walkway and promptly popped up to the top screaming, "I want out!! Its cold!!" She scurried up the rock wall, unsuccessfully trying to claw her way out where she was rescued out of the cold water by Matt. We covered her in a towel and when she warmed up enough her first words were, "I want to go back and swim at the campsite!" Matt and I couldn't leave until we had taken another plunge off the diving board. At least the second time we knew what to expect so the shock to the system was less.

People swimming at the waterfall. The diving board is in the background.

We spent the rest of Sunday swimming at the campsite and then relaxing around the campfire. It was a great getaway. We look forward to next year when we can spend a little more time in the area and Matt can bring his Por*sche to the raceway with the club and let it rip for real.