chapter 437

7/5/2016

Finger Lakes Tour

bucket list item

Always wanted to kayak on the Finger Lakes. Difficult to get the right weather window but we managed to squeeze it in on July 4th weekend. Was a little sporty with the wind gusts but exhilarating challenging and confidence building. Yes we conquered them. An hour and a half was sufficient before we could get into trouble.

Some think I'm just a yahoo, but I have a Coast Guard Certificate in Safe Boating from my DEC days when I navigated all over the state from the Atlantic Ocean to the Niagara River. The aid to navigation for mariners (NOAA chart 10) on the left is a flashing red light buoy #142 as seen on the starboard side when returning from the sea. That is from the northern outlet or Seneca River to the left of photo.

The Sheldrake Point Winery (center) had let us launch free from their beach on 40 mile Cayuga Lake so we felt "obligated" to sample a few wines afterward. Bill Hecht captured this rainbow on an aerial flyover.

Wild Willy always causing disruption, here obstructing the winolimo.com trying to bring tourists into the winery dock. The captain signaling his intentions.

After a little visit with Aunt Carol we hit this Ventosa Winery for lunch overlooking Seneca Lake. Had some great world class semi sweet Riesling and a delicious Prime Rib panini. No, we are not wine snobs we just like getting high on life.

It's a beautiful setting and a great spot for a wedding reception. 

Colleen snapped this wedding party limo as we drove down route 20 in Geneva on the way to Ventosa.

Plan was to walk up to to Taughannnock Falls State Park afterward but opted for just a quick stop at the overlook.

During our Riedelbauer's German Summerfest in the Catskills the prior week we squeezed in a challenging hike up the inspiring Kaaterskill Falls. This is merely the middle falls whereas the upper falls is taller than the Niagara Falls. Subject of the Hudson River School of Art. This another of Colleen's shots here. Needs a separate future chapter. Proposed upper Extension is underway.

Must include the latest Cooper's Hawk shot as he visited the tree overlooking my bird feeder. Active sight: the art of seeing what you are looking at.

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