A Walk in the Park, Watkins Glen State Park, Watkins Glen, New York, USA

Watkins Glen State Park features a raging torrent that has spent the ages cutting its way through the rocky ledges to create a delightful series of cascades. The stone work on steps and railings is pretty impressive, too.



The Gorge Trail features 19 waterfalls and 800 stone steps that make a visit good for both exercise and spectacular visuals.



Although the village of Watkins Glen is today mostly known for its racetrack (and this park), that same track was the scene of a 1973 music concert that was attended by an estimated 600,000 people - nearly twice the crowd at 1969's Woodstock Festival held about 175 miles east of here.



It is quite a photographer's paradise...... with tripod and full frame camera........



....or, more popularly with a smartphone.



Dramatic views are around every corner as you walk through the 400-foot deep gorge.



































The lower end of the gorge has a parking lot and is just outside downtown Watkins Glen (population about 2,000) and Seneca Lake. Seneca Lake is the largest of the Finger Lakes stretching for 38 miles (61 km). The area features over 50 wineries, too. Watkins Glen is about a 30-40 minute drive from Ithaca. The two lakes in Ithaca and Watkins Glen are the largest of the 11 lakes that comprise the Finger Lakes.

Watkins Glen State Park, Watkins Glen, New York, USA

Located a stone's throw from downtown Watkins Glen, the Watkins Glen State Park in the Finger Lakes region of New York is always a popular destination - even on a gray, damp, cool fall day.

A spectacular series of waterfalls course through the gorge and stone steps and trails make visiting a wonderful outing.

Did I mention there are a lot of steps?

At this popular spot, the stream cascades over the trail with a deafening roar.

It's a nice spot to contemplate the world of water......

... or pose for a photo. 

A variety of cultures made up the tourist base.

The trail gets very wet in places.

 And the rush of the river is ever-present through the gorge.

Nearly everyone was taking pictures, mostly with cellphones.

There are also trails through the woods that parallel the gorge......

... like through this yellow forest.  

But on the drive back to Ithaca, I partially answered a lifelong question.........

.......all my life I've heard about "Podunk," what I thought was "an imaginary small town considered typical of placid dullness and lack of contact with the progress of the world." (source: Wikipedia). Now, I have found the road that maybe leads to it. Who would have thought.

Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes Region, Watkins Glen, New York, USA

The almost 40-mile long Seneca Lake, the largest of New York state's Finger Lakes, is a popular summer destination. Cottages and homes line the shores where generations of families return again and again each summer. This pier and breakwater is at the southern end of the lake in the town of Watkins Glen.

Though best known today as an auto racing location, back in 1973, Watkins Glen held a Woodstock-like music festival that at the time was the largest music festival gathering ever.

Sailboat ownership - many different required duties.

A boathouse framed by a copse of grand weeping willows.

One of the waterside bar/restaurants is a popular destination for the weekend motorcycle crowd.

Just south of town is the Catharine Creek Fish and Wildlife Management Area, a popular location for birders and other nature lovers. This observation deck is nicely sited to afford an expansive view over the marshland.

As I've said on this blog in the past, if it's raining carry a red umbrella - add to that if it's hot and sunny wear a red shirt - photographers always like the contrast.