Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 14:31:16 -0400
Reply-To: "Cort, Joel" <Joel.Cort@USA.XEROX.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Cort, Joel" <Joel.Cort@USA.XEROX.COM>
Subject: N.Y. Finger Lake Camping ? NO VW Content other than camping!
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Frank and any others coming to NY from Ontario,
Niagara Falls is the gateway to Western NY state. But first you have to get
across a bridge to the states. The best bridge to cross is the Lewiston
Bridge because it is not as busy with the truck traffic.
OK so now you are in Niagara Falls NY and where to go? If you have already
seen the falls from the "good" side you may as well head North and visit
Fort Niagara in Youngstown at the confluence of the Niagara River and the
big arm of the Finger Lakes - Lake Ontario.
Lake Ontario is vast and like the ocean from this side of the lake. There
is a very scenic two lane road that will take you from Youngstown to
Rochester following the lake.
From Youngstown you will reach the harbor town of Wilson (with a real good
restaurant - Wilson Boat House). If you look back there is a nice view of
the skyline of Toronto across the lake. (hey was Gordon here when he wrote
those lyrics?) From Wilson you can continue along on Route 18 through Olcot
(watch the Speed limit) through some nice orchards and lots of fruit stands.
You can even pick your own blueberries near the Sommerset power station -
look for signs on the north side of the road.
Let's see continue on route 18 to Kuckville, this is your last gas station
until Rochester about 50 more miles. A few miles past Kuckville is the Lake
Ontario State Parkway, which is a great unfinished thruway. Hop on the
Parkway for 15 miles to Hamlin Beach State Park. This is a good place to
camp with nice sites, clean, organized and patrolled. This is on the shores
of the lake so there is swimming access and also a nice areas to take walks.
From there on you can continue East on the Parkway to Rochester or since you
are a train enthusiast head South to Route 104
Make your way to the Ridge Road Station The largest independent toy store in
NY state with a really cool train track system in the store that you could
get to run. Lots of neat train accessories. They are located on Route 104
in the town of Holley at 16131 W. Ridge Road (716) 638-6000
Route 104 runs parallel to Route 18 and the shoreline. Just along the ridge
of the a receding morraine of the last Ice age.
If you feel like stopping in Rochester and need advice on various ethnic
places to eat or want to have a cool beverage and talk VW and life (or is
that life and VWs) give me a ring. (716) 377-4161
Ok for a campground around the Finger Lakes, my map show a campground around
Keuka Lake near Dundee. Lakeview - Dundee 40 sites with NO dump
station/electric/hot showers/swim/fish/boating. Which could be good in a
Westy this will keep those Allegro/Winnebagos campers away. It should be
real close to Kueka lake shore so you could cool off there. Lots of great
views of the rolling hills and lots of nice vineyard visits around that
area.
The next area south with campsites are near Bath and Savena near Highway 17
heading south to Penn. Let me know and I can provide you further info if
interested.
Another really cool area is the Letchworth State Park, although there aren't
any campsites there, there are some nice hiking trails, waterfalls and river
rafting along the Genesee River. This is the Grand Canyon of the East. The
Genesse (name for the US version of beer made with the water) is one of the
few rivers that flow to the north in the US. There are some nice organized
rafting tours available with pickup and delivery. Not too difficult and
kids really enjoy it.
Let me know if I can provide you further details on any area.
Thanks,
Joel Cort
89 Syncro Westy
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 05:37:03 -0400
Reply-to: Frank Condelli <ad793@FREENET.CARLETON.CA>
From: Frank Condelli <ad793@FREENET.CARLETON.CA> | Block address
Subject: N.Y. Finger Lake Camping ?
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
I'm traveling to Pittsburgh, Pa. from Ottawa the end of July and usually go
through the Finger Lake Region of New York. I would appreciate any insider
info on "good" spots to camp for a day or two. Also if any of you list
members want to make a meet or get together let me know. I will be leaving
Ottawa on Friday, July 30th. Should get around the Finger Lake Region by
early to mid afternoon.
Cheers
Frank
* Frank Condelli * Almonte, Ontario, Canada *
* ad793@Freenet.carleton.ca *
'87 VW Westy, '69 MGB & Lionel Trains
http://members.aol.com/RAlanen/index.html
