You will recall I posted Sunday that we had taken a drive with the beagle, 11ish hours, nearly 500 miles to western NY and back. twas awesome! We just packed a pizza and left....
The idea came about because we were both reading a novel by a novelist and teacher the wife knows, Stewart O'Nan who wrote, among other books, WISH YOU WERE HERE which is about a family vacationing at Chautauqua Lake in far western NY. We both enjoyed the book so much we wanted to SEE the place, and we were delighted--the Book Barn he writes of..is there! The restaurant, the fish hatchery! All these things. We had a blast, but that turned out to be the shorter part of our trip.
In looking for our route on the map we noted that we would be passing Allegany State Park, New York's largest, in the mountains of western NY. The highway goes right past, and I remembered visiting there once as a kid and being amazed at the beauty--wooded mountains, valleys, lakes, miles of trails....we spent most of the day there, hiking nearly 6 miles for the day and seeing both lakes and also driving through most of the park. It is open every day of the year, any sport you can imagine, it is beautiful it is clean, it has the prettiest MANSION you have seen on the lake for the park office...mindblowing place and we will go back soon and again and again (Chautaqua Lake is further from our house, Allegany a lot closer).
this is pretty amazing http://exploreamericasparks.org/ny/redhouse/vt/
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8 comments:
Road trips are awesome and that park is beautiful (I've been there years ago). What a great way to spend the weekend.
I love literary tourism! How great that y'all took the time to do that! Fun stuff!
Penny looks like she was full of beans- straining her leash at every opportunity! What a fun day! I read that book, too, when we lived in Ohio and drove by Chautauqua everytime we went home to visit the parents. I've never been to Allegheny park, though- I think that should be a "must."
what fun to take a trip inspired by reading a book! jeff and i need to take more time out like this for ourselves. thank you for reminding me!
Great pics!! Glad you had such a nice trip!
Brilliant idea for a road trip! Love the scenery. I think Penny wanted pizza too :o)
I love the fact that you not only took great food, but also beautiful pottery plates! You could start a new blog about when potter's travel. Gorgeous pictures. I'll have to add that park to the ever growing hiking wish list.
Was there when Shaggy Haired Boy was small. Will never forget thet he left his bear in the mini bar fridge and we got 40 miles away before we realized. Yes, we went back, luckly could spend another .When we found THE Bear we asked the wacky 4 year old why he was in the fridge.Answer? He's a powar beawr!? Guess it made sense to a four year old, but we have never forgot our stay there, it was lovely and most relaxing, with the exception of what came to be known as the Great Missing Bear caper! Glad you two had a nice time too! Bramble
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