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.
It slipped out of my hands when I was locking up my truck at Robert Treman State Park. Got a year out of the phone, the screen protector case saved me many times but not this time. Shit happens, it’s a $70 or maybe less phone. Not going to bitch about it or get upset. When I get home I’ll order a new one and try not to cut my finger on the glass shards in the mean time.
I thought briefly about taking my phone somewhere to get the screen replaced but that’s not cheap. I also don’t know repairable my phone is from home, I’m not very good with very small things and I’m afraid that if I take apart the glued together case or even the clips will snap. Throw away society.
It looks like today is going to be another fairly nice day, but I’m not moving fast 🦉as I was a night owl and stayed up late hoping see more shooting stars. ✨
I did not buy enough ice yesterday and it was a warm evening 🌃 so I need to go to Dandy’s or another gas station ⛽ for more ice.
I’m thinking about going to Robert Treman foraswim 🏊🏻♂️ if gorge swimming is available even though I’m not really that big fan of it. I might in the afternoon hike at Lake Treman above Buttermilk Falls although truth be told I’m hardly ambitious. 😔 It’s vacation, why hurry? I know, I should get out and do stuff before it’s done.
Wednesday if it’s not too wet ⛈, I am thinking of hiking part of the Finger Lakes Trail 🚶🏻 through Texas Hollow and maybe over the hill to Cayuta Lake and Connecticut Hill. Never done that before. One of these days I want to get out with the kayak 🛶 maybe Seneca Lake if it’s calm.
Just another soon to be hot and possibly stormy ⛈ summer day. Very calm and quiet this morning in the woods, I was in no hurry to get up this morning as I stayed up way past midnight looking for shooting stars 🌠. Only saw one.
Sunny and 68 degrees at the Finger Lakes National Forest. 🌞 Calm wind. The dew point is 61 degrees. I don’t have cell service here at camp, but I walked down the road where I knew that I could get a signal 📶.
I decided to pitch the tent 🎪 so I have a place to store my dirty clothing 👚 and things like pots and pans 🍳. This makes it easier to move things from the front to the back of the truck.
Today I got moved into the campsite ⛺ that I’m hoping to camp in for the balance of the week. It’s a nice quiet campsite with vehicle access so I can use my camper shell rather than the tent like last night.
Stayed close to camp today, doing a lot of day drinking, 🍻 reading 📖 and listening 👂🏻 to podcasts. Burritos 🌯 for dinner tonight. No cell service here, so I won’t be playing with my phone all evening 📱 which is nice. I’d rather just enjoy the solitude. Also hiked to Teeter Pond and to one of the pastures to observe the sunset.
High level smoke haze and 74 degrees at the Finger Lakes National Forest. There is a west-northwest breeze at 6 mph. 🍃. The dew point is 64 degrees.
The sunset 🌇 wasn’t too great at all. The sun was very red and faded away into the clouds high above the horizon. I was pretty disappointed 😥 about it especially after walking down the very muddy Backbone Trail to an even muddier pasture. Really needed my barn boots 👢. Next time if I hike back for the sunset.
Today actually looks a lot nicer than I had expected but I think I still want to stay close to camp and do some hikes 🚶🏻 and day drinking 🍻. Maybe move down to the campsite ⛺ I really want for the balance of the week if it comes available.
I got the stuff for burritos 🌯 for dinner tonight and I know what I can wash that down with. 🍻 Still hoping to get clams for later in the week. I saw some clam shells 🐚 in the dirt, they must be available somewhere locally. I’m sure I could get fried clams somewhere but they sure are good in beer especially when you don’t have to drive. 🚘
Monday I’m planning on going to Watkins Glen. I will need ice ❄ by then and also ice cream. 🍧 Spend the balance of the day at the Watkins Glen Pool 🏊🏻♂️ and maybe hike part of the Finger Lakes Trail through the state park 🏞.
The second half of the week is going to be downright cold ❄. It will save on the ice but sure will make swimming 🏊🏻♂️ unpleasant. Well good weather for hiking. Where to hike is the question. Maybe the Finger Lakes trail along some of the more open sections along farm fields. I like nice views of the Finger Lakes, especially ones I haven’t seen before.
