Guppy Falls Trail

Skaneateles Conservation Area

This morning Joan and I decided go leaf-peeping in the Skaneateles Conservation Area. There are 6 geocaches ( GCZ5A4 - GC111YB - GCR3ZX - GC19NAF - GCYKZQ - GC1H6FT ) to be found in the vicinity.

Using the the coordinates below, we drove from Skaneateles, out New Seneca Turnpike, Route 41, for 1.5 miles until we came to the intersection of Gully Road. Taking a left on Gully Road we went for 1 mile until we saw the turn-out on the left for the parking area.

Location - N 42° 58.095 W 076° 23.420

Note - clicking on photos enlarges them.

The trail sign at the trailhead.



Stairs to trail.



Trail sign - go left.



Proceeding along the ridge edge we crossed a wooden bridge.



View of the gully to the left of the trail.



After a moderate uphill climb came to a “Y” intersection. Went left.



Guppy Falls - extremely dry.



Photo taken standing on a geocache (GCZ5A4).



Joan and I near bench which overlooks Guppy Falls.



On the return trip when reaching the "Y" intersection you can go straight. This will take you back to the stairs.

Three photos of the Skaneateles Conservation Area taken from the shoulder of Gully Road.







Leaving Gully Falls we returned to New Seneca Turnpike and turning right onto Rickard Road we drove to Tim’s Pumpkin Patch. Mary, Cindy’s friend, waited on us. We purchased three pumkins, several gourds, Indian corn, four acorn squash, and a molasses coookie (it was quite good).



Joan seeking the perfect pumpkin.

Leaf-Peeping - The Seaway Trail

Early morning - Little Sodus Bay

Note - clicking on photos enlarges them

After spending an day at the Pleasant Beach Hotel, Joan and I decided to take a leaf-peeping trip along the Seaway Trail.

After driving through Wolcott we visited Chimney Bluffs State Park.

This is the park entrance.



Joan and I walked north on a paved sidewalk to the bluff above the shoreline and took this photo.



We drove to Connelly's Cove on Sodus Bay and took this photo from the dock.



We drove around Sodus Bay to the Lighthouse Museum.



Joan on the museum porch.



Arbor and flower garden in the backyard of the museum.



Joan and I underneath the garden arbor.



On our way to Pultneyville we scored a NYS Historical Marker.



Location - N 43° 16.837 W 077° 10.155

We stopped at the Good Old Days Country Shop in Pultneyville. Joan made a few purchases.

Then we motored to the Yellow Mills Diner on Rt-31 in Palmyra for lunch. Joan selected the Greek salad and I ordered the soup of the day (Chicken with pasta) and a Chicken Caesar wrap. As always the service here was quick and the meal tasty.

We then did three geocaches along the Erie Canal in Clyde.

First - GCY5KE - three boys were fishing from the dock near the cache.



Second - GC1GT0A - Lock E26 - there was a garter snake in the grass - fortunately it was dead.



Third - GC1GVK1 - Lock E26 - met Floyd, the lockmaster - two men were fishing below the lock.



We headed home and arrived safely.

Leaf-Peeping - Little Sodus Bay

Pleasant Beach Hotel - Fair Haven

Note - clicking on photos enlarges them.

Brad and Kim gave Joan and I a gift for a night's lodging and breakfast at the Pleasant Beach Hotel. This Bed & Breakfast is situated on Little Sodus Bay just two nautical miles from Lake Ontario in Fair Haven, New York.

On our way we stopped at an antique shop at the intersection of Rt. 38 & 104A. Patty, the proprietor, was most accommodating but since her displays were for the most part glassware we did not purchase any items. Continued on to Sterling and scored a NYS marker.



Location - N 43° 19.557 W 076° 38.682

Bonnie, the innkeeper, greeted us at the front desk.



Bonnie had reserved Room #3 for us. This is the view from the room's window.



Old style bathroom with subway tile. Joan immediately fell in love with the shelving.



After unpacking, we had a beverage on the upper porch.



This catbird seat provides a splendid view of Little Sodus Bay.



Brad and Kim joined us on the porch before we headed for dinner in the dining room.



Our dinner table was the second one behind the white pillar. Kathy, our waitress, kept us amused with her playful banter. Our meals were two Fried Haddock dinners, a Reuben sandwich and a Philly Cheese Steak. All came with a trip to the salad bar, which featured a delicious pasta salad. These nicely presented meals arrived in a timely fashion and were very tasty.



After a peaceful night's rest we helped ourselves to coffee which was on a sideboard in the hallway. Then went down to the docks.



Land peninsula directly across Little Sodus Bay from the end of the dock.



Looking back toward the shore line to the left of the hotel.



Canoe moored at the dock.



Breakfast was served at 8:30 AM. We had fresh squeezed OJ, French toast with maple syrup, and crispy bacon. We sat at the table with the view of the bay.



We looked at the old harbor log in the lobby.



While packing the car we noticed H and Bonnie playing with their three dogs near the parking lot. They cordially posed for a team picture.

Charlie Major Nature Trail

Mottville Arch Bridge

Today since the weather is Indian Summer perfect, I decided to use Rich & Sue Freeman's Take Your Bike! Family Rides in the Finger Lakes Region as a guide and walk the Charlie Major Nature Trail. Using the converted Old Short line rails, this trail is a 45-minute hike runs from Old Crow Road right behind O'Neil Lane in Mottville to the east side of Mill Road just north of Old Seneca Turnpike.

This land was donated to Town of Skaneateles by Jack and Irene Bryant who were both murdered while hiking in North Carolina. Jack was Skaneateles town attorney for 26 years.

There are 4 geocaches ( GC17Z7B - GCPVKM - GCNRRF - GCG3F4 ) to be found along this path. Actually found the Mottville Arch Bridge cache (GC17Z7B) after walking the trail.

Using the the coordinates below I drove to the parking area.

Location - N42° 58.386 - W76° 26.640

Parking - A parking area on Crow Hill Road near the corner of Railroad Street and Skaneateles Creek, marked with a wooden "Charlie Major Nature Trail" sign.

Note - clicking on photos enlarges them.

The trail sign at the trailhead.



From the parking area on Crow Hill Road, headed southeast on the trail.



The Skaneateles Creek was on my right running parallel to the trail. Skaneateles Creek flows northward from Skaneateles Lake into the Seneca River.



Crossed a wooden/steel bridge over the creek.



There is a deep water hole to the right of the bridge.




Before coming to a brick shed took a side trip on a trail to my left. This trail heads uphill to O'Neil Lane, passed a dam, and crosses the old mill race of Mottville Woodworking Factory.

The dam in the creek to my right.



This is the original site of saw and grist mills. In 1857 the Earll Tallman Distillery was built to produce cologne and alcohol. In 1882 the distillery was converted to a paper mill and became known as Lakeside Paper Company.

The spill way at the Lakeside Paper Mill.



This paper mill (the Little Mill) was connected by a railroad to the Big Mill and concrete supports that once supported huge steam pipes between the mills still stand in the creek.



Returning to main trail passed the brick shed and reached a "Y" intersection.



Went right on another side excursion. This brought me to the remains of the dam and headrace from Mottville Woodworking Factory.



View of Skaneateles Creek.



Crossed a third bridge.



Reached the end. Location - N42° 57.777 - W76° 26.464. Turned around and hiked the dirt and crushed stone trail back to my starting point.

The serene Skaneateles Creek.