NY/Canada Trip: Part 4: Finale: Watkin's Glen

We had our very own, in-camp witch doctor! B gets very creative while in the outdoors. She came up with this idea and how to implement it all on her own. And even got her siblings to help and made one for each of them too!

We stopped at the south end of Seneca Lake (one of the Finger Lakes in NY) and camped and hiked at Watkin's Glen on the way back home. This is one of the nicer camp grounds we've ever been to. Very flat accommodations (nice for tents), nice size and decently far from your neighbors. We did have a train that was quite a bit closer than we thought but with 3 kids that's one just one more thing to add the excitement and luckily didn't wake them the once or twice Big J and I heard it early in the morning. This time around we tried putting the kids in one tent and us in the other, but little A ended up coming in with us both nights. I had highly questioned whether she was ready. The other two reveled in their independence and were only slightly terrified of the Daddy Long Legs that creeped in between the tent and rain fly at night and the one who managed to make it inside. I admit, even thought they are harmless they are still a little creepy. We had a great time here; I love camping with my family!!

This bridge crossing in the top picture is the beginning of the 2+ mile round trip hike we did down and back up the gorgeous glen. It was easily within walking distance of our tent site and a nice trail. Little A has discovered silly faces, as you can tell. :) There was hardly a spot on the trail that did not have a large or small waterfall. It was absolutely lovely!!

The glen is SO incredibly green, particularly on the south face that doesn't get as much sun. There are bridges, tunnels, and waterfalls galore and it was all amazingly scenic.

There was a lily pond at the end of our hike and we stopped to rest and have a snack and enjoy our beautiful, lush surroundings.

Fun at camp! There was quite a bit of wildlife here. Within minutes of arriving at our campsite B had found an Eastern Newt (Little A, bottom left; species courtesy of J's sister, who studies Biology) and we all got a chance to hold it before putting it back in its home. It was a brilliant red and very smooth. We also saw and caught many tiny little frogs, the size of the end of my pointer finger. I already mentioned the Daddy Long Leg spiders and we saw TONS of them--there was a play structure in the shape of one (top picture) at the playground near our campsite. Little J enjoyed hearing my stories of Daddy Long Leg encounters growing up in Texas. Bottom Right picture is of the kids putting Little A to bed--the leaves are her blanket, of course. We also drove down the hill to an on-site large pool complete with diving boards and a larger playground. What a great way to end a fantastic vacation!! I guess we are considering this our last full summer in the area and want to make the most of it!