From home, this was a 6 hour trip through lots of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. The map route I chose served us well and as much as I hate driving, it was enjoyable and scenic and I was please with Tracey's little Chevy Cavalier in it's hill climbing with the AC on. It was 4th gear up most of the steeper or longer grades, but 5th much of the way as I tried to pace with traffic.

First, we arrived at the Reading house Bed and Breakfast. We were met by Bill who showed us his and his wife Rita's home, an 1820 restored farm house that has four guest bedrooms on the second floor and lots of living room and den like space on the first floor. More than anything, 

Tracey would call their home extremely clean and modestly charming. Each room had a hint of a theme and I found Rita to be genuinely friendly and both husband and wife were knowledged in local eateries, attractions and directions.

  On the morning after check in, we met Rita who sat us before a healthy breakfast and lots of options for cereals and muffins. Bill is the cook and takes great pride in his presentation and the heart healthy preparation he makes for his guests. Shown here is Tracey sitting before a wonderful french toast breakfast.

Along with great food is chatty conversation. Something that I happen to be good at :) But Rita and Bill were filled with stories and local knowledge and each day we traveled eventless from attraction to attraction, thanks to their help with mapping.

I can't say enough about the local eateries either. We were in Watkins Glen 3 days and always ate at different local eateries. We had our first Fried Pickle right on Franklin St. in downtown Watkins Glen. And we had a huge selection of soft ice cream and beekeeping supplies at Wixson's.

On the second day, we did a lot of stuff. We went to the Watkins Glen State Forest and was stunned to find the most scenic series of waterfalls and gorges. I was awestruck by it's beauty. We chose to avoid parking fees at the park and kept our car at a nearby Burger King parking lot instead. Tracey threatened to kick my butt if we were towed away when we got back. Luckily, this story has a happy ending.

We didn't pick up the map at the entrance gate to the park and thus didn't know there was an option to walk up the gorge or take the shuttle to the rear and walk down it. We walked up the 842 steps and loved every view in this magical place. 

Here are some of the photos I took of the Gorge ( actually the "Glen" is the correct term, says Inn Owner Bill Newell ) The town was called Watkins at one time and the glen was added, rightfully so to better express this unique place.

We took the Shuttle ( $2.50 a head ) out to the parks entrance. I really can't express enough that you should stop and see this wonder if you are anywhere near Watkins Glen, New York. I have been to Bushkill Falls, Pennsylvania and it no where near compares to the natural beauty of the Glen.

We had a nice lunch which included the Fried Pickle and some good bean soup. Later that evening I had reservations for Captain Bill's Dinner Cruise on the Seneca Lake. A 3 hour dinning event that was well worth the $36.00 each. 

I had a great roasted duck half with onion soup, salad, cheesecake dessert and lots of wonder views at lakeside homes. Tracey had the scallops in cream sauce which she said was good. I ate all of mine and enjoyed the great selection of mixed music styles, played just loud enough on the dinner boat. 

Day three was Museum Day for us. I drove the very steep 414 to Corning Glass Museum in Corning, New York about 22 miles south of the Watkins Glen. I was impressed at the parking and visitor management  that Corning Museum had. We parked in a small terminal area where we took a shuttle bus to the museum. The bus continued on to the Market Street area in Corning ( 1/2 mile ) where quaint eateries and discount shops are nestled together seamlessly.