Ithaca, New York (July 30 - Aug 2, 2015)
Aug 5, 2015 14:04:48 GMT -5
Post by GaliWalker on Aug 5, 2015 14:04:48 GMT -5
Ithaca, New York (July 30 - Aug 2, 2015)
Ithaca is located at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, the longest of New York's Finger Lakes. Home to Cornell University – about half the population is connected to the university – it is a lovely location to spend a family holiday; especially so, if you have a daughter who is busy touring universities these days. It also happens to be right up there in the scenery department: graceful and impressive waterfalls, rolling hills dotted with vineyards and of course the lake, comprise attractions that have something for everyone.
We left Pittsburgh on Thursday morning, and drove the 6hrs+ to Ithaca in relaxed fashion. We had rented a house there for three nights, so we made ourselves at home first, before walking the 5min(!) down to the start of the lovely Cascadilla Gorge. The short walk up through the gorge was superb, with cascading waterfalls at every corner. It was so nice that I returned the next morning for some photography.
After my quick photo-session in Cascadilla gorge, Day-2 of the trip began in earnest with a tour of the beautiful Cornell campus – my daughter's current favorite – before we turned our sights on Ithaca Falls. For some reason, I was unprepared for the impressive nature of this mini-monster. The waterfall was full of tumbling, cascading water, and that too during the dry summer months. I find cascades type waterfalls to be harder to photograph compared to plunge types, but this one was full of potential. In the bright sunny conditions I took some family shots, but planned to return the next morning for more serious photography.
My parents and Ithaca Falls
The afternoon was spent catching a cruise on Cayuga Lake.
Similar to the previous day I started Day-3 of the trip with a photography session, this time at Ithaca Falls. I was able to catch dawn breaking over the top of the falls, which was an added bonus.
After my date with Ithaca Falls, we all drove the short 15min to the best known waterfall in the region: 215ft tall Taughannock Falls. It was a joy to see finally this balletic, graceful waterfall. We spent quite a bit of time in Taughannock Falls state park. Afterwards, we tucked in a cheese tasting trip to Lively Run Farms, before finishing up the day with a barbecue session at Stewart Park, on the banks of Cayuga Lake.
Day-4 was spent driving back to Pittsburgh.
Ithaca is located at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, the longest of New York's Finger Lakes. Home to Cornell University – about half the population is connected to the university – it is a lovely location to spend a family holiday; especially so, if you have a daughter who is busy touring universities these days. It also happens to be right up there in the scenery department: graceful and impressive waterfalls, rolling hills dotted with vineyards and of course the lake, comprise attractions that have something for everyone.
We left Pittsburgh on Thursday morning, and drove the 6hrs+ to Ithaca in relaxed fashion. We had rented a house there for three nights, so we made ourselves at home first, before walking the 5min(!) down to the start of the lovely Cascadilla Gorge. The short walk up through the gorge was superb, with cascading waterfalls at every corner. It was so nice that I returned the next morning for some photography.
After my quick photo-session in Cascadilla gorge, Day-2 of the trip began in earnest with a tour of the beautiful Cornell campus – my daughter's current favorite – before we turned our sights on Ithaca Falls. For some reason, I was unprepared for the impressive nature of this mini-monster. The waterfall was full of tumbling, cascading water, and that too during the dry summer months. I find cascades type waterfalls to be harder to photograph compared to plunge types, but this one was full of potential. In the bright sunny conditions I took some family shots, but planned to return the next morning for more serious photography.
My parents and Ithaca Falls
The afternoon was spent catching a cruise on Cayuga Lake.
Similar to the previous day I started Day-3 of the trip with a photography session, this time at Ithaca Falls. I was able to catch dawn breaking over the top of the falls, which was an added bonus.
After my date with Ithaca Falls, we all drove the short 15min to the best known waterfall in the region: 215ft tall Taughannock Falls. It was a joy to see finally this balletic, graceful waterfall. We spent quite a bit of time in Taughannock Falls state park. Afterwards, we tucked in a cheese tasting trip to Lively Run Farms, before finishing up the day with a barbecue session at Stewart Park, on the banks of Cayuga Lake.
Day-4 was spent driving back to Pittsburgh.
