Returning to Watkins Glen

“This is to most beautiful campground that I have ever visited,” complimented Ed after having settled into campsite #87. Pine trees towered overhead and we could see a glimpse of the blue water of Seneca Lake from the hillside overlook.

I had been to Watkins Glen State Park over 20-years ago in a silver Dodge conversion van packed to the brim with a Coleman propane stove, a refrigerated cooler that ran off the cigarette lighter, and clothes enough for two boys – Jason and Chris – ages nine and four respectively. Now the boys are 29 and 24 and that van is history. Returning to Watkins Glen in the Prevost bus conversion makes a striking contrast. Our coach was now the biggest RV in the park and fully equipped with a microwave, refrigerator/freezer, shower, and queen bed…no sleeping on reclined captain’s chairs and a folded out bench seat.

What hadn’t changed was the scenic beauty of the gorge. Ed and I walked the park’s shady and cool Gorge Trail, which follows Glen Creek past “water-sculpted rock and 19 waterfalls.” We captured the Cavern Cascade, Rainbow Falls, and Central Cascade on our digital camera and later emailed photos to family so they can trace our travels. Email replies express envy of our current lifestyle free of work and household obligations. Did I deliberately use their corporate email addresses? Oops!

Watkins Glen State Park, New York

September 17 – 20, 2007