Nestled in upstate New York, the Finger Lakes National Forest spans 16,000 acres of diverse terrain, combining lush woodlands with expansive pasture land. Encompassing woodlands, grasslands, and glacial lakes, its picturesque landscapes and well-maintained trails attract outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The forest’s five distinctive trails wind through the scenery, revealing stunning views of gorges, waterfalls, and panoramic vistas. The forest is also home to the celebrated Finger Lakes Trail, a long-distance hiking trail extending over 580 miles. Limited free primitive and roadside camping opportunities along the roads add to the allure, providing a chance to immerse in the natural beauty for longer periods. As the only national forest in New York State, it provides a unique space for relaxation, exploration, and immersion in the captivating landscapes of the Finger Lakes region.
Often you can get the best sunset looking down from Hector Backbone. But all week, the sunsets have been very dull, because the sun has been setting into the haze and clouds far above the horizon. Kind of a bummer, but the sun sure was red.
Muck boots help with the mud on the Backbone Trail and the pasture but it still was kind of a lame sunset again over Seneca Lake with the smoke haze. Pictures next week.
It looks like today is going to be a pretty decent day after the sun comes out which is already starting to happen. ☀ I am debating whether I should go to Trumansburg or Watkins Glen today. I would like to hike and explore the trails at Texas Hollow sometime before vacation is done, along with maybe part of Connecticut Hill.
Tomorrow looks like a good day to stay close to camp, ⛺ read and just hang out. Not that I’ve been super active or ambitious during all of vacation. I just like my hammock a bit too much. Friday and Saturday look pretty good but cold ❄. Like late September weather up here on the Backbone.
Good morning! What day is it? Halfway through vacation with a broken phone screen, of course. 📱
Clouds, drizzle, fog and 62 degrees at the Finger Lakes National Forest. ☁️ There is a west-northwest breeze at 6 mph. 🍃. The dew point is 61 degrees. The skies will clear around 10 am.
So I broke my phone yesterday. 📱 Still works somewhat but the screen is a mess. Simply fell out of my hand when I was locking my truck. Sucks but I’ll order a new one next week. I see if I order the same phone I have as now it’s as affordable as $20.
Went to Robert Treman State Park for a while for a swim 🏊🏻♂️. The water was super cold and fairly mucky, 💦 the deep end was closed due to poor visibility of the water as there was a lot of water coming over the falls. ⛈ Than a thunderstorm came through and the gorge swimming closed. I thought about hiking around Treman Lake or the gorge, 🚶🏻 but for a while in the afternoon it was raining ☔ hard.
I am still a bit pissy about my phone 📱 but this happens from time to time. I am kind of clutsy and while the phone with the case often survives falls sometimes it doesn’t. But it’s another reason to use my phone less on vacation.
Last night after dinner I heard a lot of tires squeaking and engine roaring down the road. I went down the road to check out. 🚙 A big old diesel 12 valve got stuck on the road shoulder. I didn’t have a tow rope and neither did he, so I gave him a ride into town. He got some of his buddies out including one with a lifted suburban with 4.11 gears to give him a little yank and he was out. 🔗 He said he drives semi truck for work hauling phosphorus rich chicken 🐔 manure from farms in the Susquehanna Basin and Chesapeake Bay watershed. Nice distraction for the evening.
Rain for a while in the evening and had a small camp fire 🔥 and grilled some burgers 🍔. Laid back in the hammock and listened to the radio 📻 for a few hours. Had a lot of trouble getting the charcoal going for the burgers but slowly they cooked.
