Language of the Gorge

Lucifer Falls at Robert H. Treman State Park

 Summer! With Winter stretching long beyond its expiration date this year, many of us were unsure if we would ever be able to shed our long sleeves and boots for a swimsuit and sandals (right- Tamara, Kyle, Lizzy). However, if I’ve learned anything from my time living in the Finger Lakes, weather can change on a dime (as we all felt with the sweltering weather a few days ago). I’ve never seen a town wake up like Watkins Glen in the Summer, converted almost overnight from its unassuming stupor to become a bustling hive, the hum of it all almost palpable. 

This past weekend I led my first tours at Watkins Glen State Park. Completely free and open to all, patrons are first greeted by our brand new natural entrance. The $6.5 million dollar project completely transformed what used to be a black asphalt parking lot (bottom center) into an attractive natural landscape complete with informative outdoor displays, a new visitors center (left), an extended cafe area, and an outdoor amphitheater for educational programs (given by myself, Kyle and Lizzy). Lizzy, Kyle, and I have all been spending the past couple months working on unique programs from scratch to make their first ever debut in the coming weeks. In just 20 - 30 minutes visitors, possibly like yourself, will be given an inside look at a collage of historic photos, taken on a  journey back in time on the wings of a dragonfly, or given a close up look at the nocturnal wildlife of Watkins Glen. 

As well as programs, the three of us and a summer employee, Jane, will be leading tours through the first mile of the gorge Wednesday - Sunday at 10am and 1pm, now until Sept 9th. During the 90 or so minutes of our tour, our goal is to open your eyes to some of the native history, geology, plants, and animals and as I like to phrase it, “help you speak the language of the gorge.” We take visitors on a journey through the gorge trail which transverses 19 different waterfalls, together we unlock some of the gorge’s ancient origin secrets and recreate with our minds’ eye what the area may have looked like 100, 12,000, and even 400 million years ago. 
Cavern Casacade (left), Rainbow Falls (center- photo credit Beautiful Destinations), view from the Suspension Bridge looking down into the gorge (right).

What I find quite remarkable about this area is that there are literally these stunning gorges everywhere. And there are four state parks within 25 miles dedicated to preserving and uniquely promoting this  local phenomenon…and I get to work at all of them! Buttermilk State Park (two center) and Robert H. Treman State Park (bottom left/right) are located at the southern end of the city of Ithaca and Taughannock State Park (left) can be found 20 minutes north, on the western side of Cayuga Lake.

Besides waterfalls of all shapes and sizes, one of my favorite parts about working in these parks is getting to see all the plants and animals. At Watkins Glen, old picnic tables on the South Rim Trail rest among a bed of New York Fern (right). At Taughannock Falls, I was lucky enough to happen upon a peaceful Black Rat Snake (center left). I lost count of the number of Eastern Red Spotted Newts I found on the rim trail at Robert Treman (bottom left). And the Gorgone Checkerspot was just one of many types of Butterflies found at Buttermilk (bottom right). Some others of my favorites I have seen while working are the Gray Petaltail Dragonfly (top left), Dame’s Rocket (top right), Jack-in-the-Pulpit (left), the Sensitive Fern (top center), and Watkins Glen's 145 year old lily pond in bloom (center right). 

Besides all the magnificent gorges, the majestic waterfalls,  and the abundant examples of wildlife…besides all of that, one of the reasons I have fallen in love with this area and hope you find the chance to come visit is everything else this area has to offer. For those with exquisite tastes, the wineries along the lakes are endless, the Corning Museum of Glass is sure not to disappoint with opportunities to blow your own glass (photo credit Karl Wittman), and the number of festivals, special events, and excuses to celebrate are perfect for families of all ages. One of my favorite ways to finish off an adventurous, fun filled day is catching an outdoor movie at the Elmira Drive-in theater. But amongst all the things you could do, do not forget to check out the lakes (Cayuga Lake below). The Finger Lakes of New York State are unlike any other feature found in the country, and built up around this geologic phenomenon is a culture equally complementing its mystique.

So I hope, if you are able, that you come visit me down at the southern end of Cayuga and Seneca Lake. Whether it be your first or your fiftieth, there is always something new to experience here and it would be my honor to be the one to introduce you to the unique culture of the Finger Lakes, take you on a journey back in time with every step, and “help you speak the language of the gorge.”

Taughannock Falls, 215 foot waterfall (photo credit Philip Cohen)

*Many shout outs to Dakota Lodge, a coworker and friend, for providing many of the photos used here.