We start today out with a scenic drive to Watkins Glen. We take a slight detour through the nearby town of Newfield to see its covered bridge, built in 1853.
Our destination is Watkins Glen State Park – though I’m sure Greg would much prefer a stop at the race track. We hike the beautiful gorge (a 3-mile trail). It’s an idyllic hike – lush greenery, spellbinding waterfalls, interesting rock features, as well as tunnels, bridges and stairs. Just as we finish the last bites of our victory ice cream cones, a rain storm hits.
Jeremy’s inability to smile for pictures is not representative of his demeanor. He is no longer a surly teenager … somewhere early-on in the trip, he stopped fighting the “I want to go home” battle, and has since been surviving, and making the most out of it.
Back at camp, we try to get motivated to go to the “swimming hole”. It is overcast and hardly 70°, and the kids are running around with their friends. But we can’t leave here without visiting the pool – a dammed-up waterfall complete with a high dive! The kids wonder in 
amazement how others are swimming in the 63° water; they can’t take the plunge. Christopher is the first to muster up courage, and goes off the high dive four times before Jeremy decides to try it. “It takes forever to get down,” they both agree.
In the evening we go to “Wings over Ithaca” to try some local eats. It is up the hill near Cornell University. On our way, we pass a new fawn (Bambi) dying on the road. Fortunately only Greg and I see the gut-wrenching sight. There are many dead deer on the road in mid-state NY, and we even had to dodge some bounding across the road.
It’s time for bed, and we have to tear Kate away from her friend. She is hysterically exhausted, and devastated that she won’t see her again.
amazement how others are swimming in the 63° water; they can’t take the plunge. Christopher is the first to muster up courage, and goes off the high dive four times before Jeremy decides to try it. “It takes forever to get down,” they both agree.In the evening we go to “Wings over Ithaca” to try some local eats. It is up the hill near Cornell University. On our way, we pass a new fawn (Bambi) dying on the road. Fortunately only Greg and I see the gut-wrenching sight. There are many dead deer on the road in mid-state NY, and we even had to dodge some bounding across the road.
It’s time for bed, and we have to tear Kate away from her friend. She is hysterically exhausted, and devastated that she won’t see her again.
The All American Road Trip Show (who you saw in Phoenix) started last night. Do you guys do friendly competitions with you other road trippers (like they do on the show). On the show, the family that loses the end of the road competition has to go home. If you guys had a similar competition during your trip, I'm wondering if anyone on your family would sabotage the team so that you would have to go home (given that you are on day 40 out of too many now).
ReplyDelete