Day 59, Wednesday, August 4, 2021, Evangola State Park, Irving, NY
If there is not much to see in this area, why did we come to Evangola State Park, a park just south of the towns of Evans and Angola but located in the town of Irving? We came to see Graycliff, a Frank Lloyd Wright designed estate. We like to visit Wright buildings when not viewing waterfalls. The estate built between 1926 and 1931 contains a two story house of approximately 6,000 square feet and a separate building housing the garage and servants quarters. It was built on a 65 foot cliff overlooking Lake Erie and is one of the most ambitious and extensive summer estates ever designed by Wright. Built by Darwin D. Martin as a gift to his wife, Isabelle. We went on the extended tour for vaccinated and masked persons only. The tour guide did a fine job especially when describing the design requests of the Martins and the disregard of those requests by Wright. The tour concluded about 3 pm and as we sat in the parking lot without any plans for the rest of the day, we decided Niagara Falls was calling us from only 50 minutes away. As impressed as I was at the spectacular falls we have seen on this trip and thinking Niagara has nothing on them, I was mistaken. Although this was our fourth visit to Niagara over the years it is just outstandingly spectacular which probably does not begin to describe it enough. The only downside is the crowd so we kept our masks on and kept our distance. Another great day!
Day 58, Tuesday, August 3, 2021, Evangola State Park, Irving, NY (75 miles)
We departed Letchworth State Park with full water and empty gray water and headed to Evangola State Park which borders Lake Erie. We checked into the park’s campground (50 amp only, DS). The temperature was a bit warmer with the lower altitude and a sunny day. We drove around the park, walked around the lake shore which they call a natural sandy beach. In Florida, we call this “sand” dirt, and when wet, mud. We drove out of the park north along the lake but there is not much to see in this area. I think I am having waterfall withdrawal! An after dinner walk around the campground allowed us to view the sunset over Lake Erie.
In the morning we hiked from Inspiration Point to the Middle Falls (107 feet tall) and onward to the Upper Falls (70 feet tall). The hike was mostly easy but we walked 3.6 miles. Each of the falls are spectacular. The weather was great being in the low 70's but it was even cooler as we walked in the mist of the falls. After the hike we stopped at each overlook for a different view of the canyon. The canyon walls are up to 600 feet from the Genesee River. In the afternoon, we hiked the Lower Falls trail, another 2 miles. The Lower Falls (70 feet tall) was likewise spectacular and included a bridge over the river allowing a view of the falls from the middle of the river. Heading back to the campsite we made one last stop at Wolf Creek where we found another waterfall, albeit a small one relative to the falls we saw earlier in the day. A truly fun, exciting and wonderful day! I rate Letchworth State Park a must see.
Day 56, Sunday, August 1, 2021, Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY (110 miles)
Leisurely travel day with some rain. Checked into the Letchworth State Park Campground (50 amp only, DS) and found our campsite 722 is next to one of the few water spigots so water is within reach of my hose without moving the coach. We are here two days so probably no water needed until we depart at which time I will fill up. Did some work in the afternoon while Rosemary played dulcimer. After dinner we drove to the couple overlooks on the north end of the park. We saw 6 or 7 deer on the drive. The park claims to be the “Grand Canyon of the East” and admittedly the canyon is quite large. Tomorrow we will hike the gorge trail and view more waterfalls.
Day 55, Saturday, July 31, 2021, Enfield, NY (Ithaca)
A morning of relaxing conversation with Aaron before he leaves us to attend his friends’ wedding and other travels. Afternoon spent shopping in Ithaca for bagels, goat cheese from the Lively Run Creamery, and groceries.
We departed Watkins Glen KOA and checked into Pinecreek Campground (50 amp, W, DS) in Enfield near Ithaca. After lunch we headed to Robert H. Treman State Park only a few minutes away from our campground. We hiked the gorge trail and returned on the rim trail. The moderate trails are 4.3 miles with an elevation gain of 820 feet. But I don’t think that factors in the many ups and downs along the way. The beginning of the gorge trail seemed like it gained 820 feet right off the bat. There are numerous beautiful waterfalls along the way but towards the end of the gorge trail is the spectacular 115 foot Lucifer Falls. Unfortunately the photos don’t do it justice, but in my opinion, Lucifer Falls made this gorge trail more impressive than Watkins Glen State Park and with many fewer people. The hike took us 3 hours and 14,000 steps left us excited but tired. Dinner was take out from Maru Ramen. The Bul-Go-Gi Ramen and Bul-Go-Gi Bibimbop were good, not great.
Day 53, Thursday, July 29, 2021, Watkins Glen, NY
A visit to Buttermilk Falls State Park where we hiked the gorge trail and the rim trail. The 1.6 mile loop is a moderate trail with a total elevation gain of 462 feet. The waterfalls all along the gorge where beautiful and in my opinion, rival that of Watkins Glen State Park. After the hike we spent the afternoon in Ithaca and had take out lunch at Poke Lava. The poke bowls were outstanding and large. Right across the street from Poke Lava was U Tea so bubble teas topped off the poke bowls. Around the corner was Collegetown Bagels where Rosemary picked up a couple bagels to take home. We then hiked around the campus of Cornell University which is very pretty and hilly and of course, it had another waterfall.
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