Who: Linda, Debbie, Mike Wagner
When: Sunday, June 15, 2008
Where: Bob's BBQ then Cortland/Cazenovia/Sylvan Beach/Fulton/home
Route: 690/41A/281/13/49/48/home
Weather: mid 80's and mostly sunny
Miles logged: 200
It was our first ride of the season and the first time Mike Wagner rode as one of the dollies. Congrats, Mike - good job - except for the gas.....
We rook off from North Syracuse around 11:00 and took 690 to Jordan then to Skaneateles where we picked up 41A. (Love those curves just before 41.) Before we knew it, we were at Bob's BBQ where we enjoyed a chicken dinner while listening to some tunes by JazzHappensBand. The weather was perfect and no one seemed to be in a rush to get back, so we rode into Cortland and picked up Rt 13 into Cazenovia where we took a short detour in a bank parking lot (you had to be there) before enjoying the curvy road near Chittenango Falls. We filled up in Sylvan Beach and then headed west on 49. Although the clouds began to spit a little while, we continued to Sweet Inspirations to rehydrate. We zipped home on 48 and concluded the ride with a quick chat at Linda's. When we arrived, we learned it had rained while we were gone - we lucked out. Great time - lots of laughs.
Who: Bonnie, Tom, Linda, Randy, Deb
When: Sunday, Sept 23, 2007
Where: Ithaca area
Route: 41A/34/359/90/13/home
Weather: mid 70's and partially sunny
Points of interest: Filmore Glen, Ithaca Falls, Buttermilk Falls, Newfield Covered Bridge, Lick Brook
Photos: see Rode Trips for highlights. All photos posted at http://picasaweb.google.com/RodeTrips/92307FallsInTheFallRide
Our original plan was to meet at Bonnie's house in Skaneateles and leave at 11:00. Linda, Randy, and Debbie met at Heids in Liverpool around 10:15 and headed to Skaneateles. However, when we arrived, we decided to delay our departure just a bit and enjoy some of Bonnie's fabulous potato salad that was left over from Dollybake. It was just as good as we remembered.
When we were sufficiently stuffed, we took off for Moravia. The roads were relatively quiet and the descent into Moravia especially pretty. The treed road winds gently downhill into town. We located the entrance to the Filmore Glen State Park which is on the east side of Owasco Lake and paid our $7 entry fee.
There are multiple falls in Filmore Glen, but we only visited the Lower Falls which is the smaller falls (30 ft) and is only a short walk in from the park pavilion near the beginning of the glen. The falls has worn away a large recess in the shale cliff under a limestone ledge, an area known as the "Cowsheds". There is what appears to be a swimming hole at the base of the falls. They must dam the water up during peak season as it was very low and we were able to cross over the outlet on the stones to the other side. Randy oversaw our activities perched on the lifeguard tower. We hiked a few hundred yards up the side trail to view the falls from the top.
We left the park and set on our way to Ithaca with the intent of visiting Ithaca, Triphammer and Buttermilk Falls. As we entered Ithaca, Ithaca Falls appeared suddenly on the left directly accessible from the main road. There's no designated parking area so in Debbie's attempt to maneuver the hills and turn, she dropped Peryl and was pinned to the curb. While everyone was trying to park their bikes, the overzealous patrons from the bar where it occurred lifted the bike and called 911. Fortunately, no serious damage was done and both suffered only a few minor dings. But just as she was getting ready to pull away from the curb, the police, fire department, ambulance and another rescue vehicle arrived. After a short explanation and apology, they drove away.
We drove up the hill, found a place to turn around (too many hills!!!), and found ourselves back in the parking lot to the bar we just left and crossed over to the falls. Ithaca Falls is a little more impressive than Filmore Glen with a drop of at least 100 ft and a crest of 175. You can get relatively close to the falls by following a trail on either side. The temperature was comfortable, but we still awed at the resilience of the college students in bathing suits on the other side. Youth! Before we left, we found a culvert at the entrance and couldn't resist the opportunity to get a photo of "the hole group".
Back on the bikes, we took a short ride to Buttermilk Falls. Although the overall height is approximately the same as Ithaca Falls, it's a more gradual drop with multiple levels. As such, you can take the trail on either side to the top. We walked about halfway up just to get another viewpoint. See pics posted at http://picasaweb.google.com/RodeTrips/92307FallsInTheFallRide There's also a swimming hole at the base of the falls, but the no swimming signs were posted due to time of year.
Pete had mentioned a covered bridge in nearby Newfield that was worth a little detour so took his advice and pointed south.
By this time, we were getting hungry and decided to grab a bite to eat in Ithaca but not before hitting Lick Brook Falls. We found the turn which is the road right before Buttermilk Falls. The road was narrow and there were a few turns that had to be approached with care but it was an enjoyable ride. The falls are not visible from the road, so we parked the bikes and headed out on foot. The park map indicated that it was only a short hike (1,000 ft) in so we agreed it was worth the effort. It was warming up by this time and the shade was welcome. Ithaca has many gorges and this was one of them. The trail was marked with white markers but there was no protection between the trail and the gorge. It's covered with pine needles and was quite slippery in some places. We hiked the indicated 1,000 ft, but never found the falls which was most likely dry because of the lack of rain. We were all feeling a bit hungry, so gave up our quest and got back on 13 towards town. After a fried meal at Friendlys, we set out toward home. Our original plan was to ride to Ulysses to see Taughannock Falls, but time was short and we took a wrong turn so took 13 through Cortland where we parted ways arriving home around 7:00.
