Finger Lakes Fossil Hunting at Staghorn Point

The unique geography and geology of the Finger Lakes make it a Fossil Hunter’s dream. I often sit at the shoreline by our cottage, and sift through handfuls of shale. Most of what I find are little stone clam shells and little stone curly worms, but other locations around the Finger Lakes have very unusual fossil finds.

Finger Lakes Summer Climbs in Grimes Glen, Naples

At the southern end of Canandaigua Lake is the town of Naples. This charming little town is branded around grapes. Even the fire hydrants are purple. Right in the center of town is Vine Street. Follow vine to the end and you’re at Grimes Glen. Bring water shoes or sneakers that are good for walking on a slippery creek bottom AND hiking up the steep cliff walls.

Finger Lakes Summer visits Moro’s Table

Street view of Moro's Table

Moro’s Table in Auburn New York is a fabulous new restaurant. Not only was the food delicious, but the service was very attentive.

The menu specializes in seafood, including a selection of sushi, seared rare sushi grade tuna, east and west coast oysters, house smoked salmon and tuna tartar. I enjoyed  the Absolut Peppar Oyster Shooters, which came in shot glasses.  I also enjoyed the Butter Fish & Avocado Roll, and Mussels with Parsley and White Wine.

View from the inside of Moro's Table

Other items we enjoyed were a Spicy Tombo Tuna Roll, the Lobster and Seafood Bouillabaisse, and the Beef Brisket Bordelais. There are lots of other great menu items available in small and large servings.

The dessert course included the Pear Tart, a Creme Brulee, and a Nutty Angel Rail, while I enjoyed a delicious port.

I was impressed by the knowledge our waitress had of the menu items. We received complimentary Limoncello between courses because she felt like we were waiting too long.

While we were enjoying our meal, Edward Moro came out to meet us and told us about his previous position as head chef at Mirbeau. He was hoping to open his first restaurant in Skaneateles, and there is an awning with the restaurant’s name on it along the main street, but lease issues forced him to look elsewhere. I expect with the popularity of the 1 East Genesee Street location in Auburn, and the stunning interior, that Moro’s Table will stay in Auburn.

Entrance to Moro's Table

Ed Moro says on his website:  “I always loved to cook.  As soon as I could, I started a 5 year apprenticeship with a Sous Chef, Heintz Huttle, at the Hotel Hershey.  The work was challenging and I had to put in very long hours.  To pass the time, I would imagine someday owning my own restaurant.  I envisioned a small and intimate space that would enable me to cook with local products, come out of the kitchen and get to know my guests.

I worked my way through some of the most beautiful places in the country, including California’s Napa Valley and the Oregon wine country.  Over 10 years ago, I felt ready to take on the role as Executive Chef at a new spa and resort nearby.  I was immediately drawn to the spectacular scenery of the Finger Lakes region.  I remember sitting by the lake sipping coffee when my thoughts of opening my own restaurant were rekindled.  I knew I found the perfect location to put down roots.”

That tells all. Welcome to Auburn. Moro’s Table.

Barrow Gallery: A Finger Lakes Treasure

Finger Lakes scene looking similar to today

One of my favorite Finger Lakes Treasures is hidden right in downtown Skaneateles. It is the John D. Barrow Art Gallery.  The Gallery is a red brick building attached to the Skaneateles Public Library,  located at 49 East Genesee Street. (Route 20).

This tiny gallery contains around 300 paintings — all by John D Barrow, and has been open since 1900.

Who is John D. Barrow?

John Dodgson Barrow was both a landscape painter and portrait painter.  Born in New York City, he moved with his family to the small, central New York town of Skaneateles in 1839.  This moved was important to Barrow, since the majority of his paintings are of people and places located in or near this Finger Lakes village.

Shortly after this move, Barrow was sent to England for his schooling, where he began his lifelong study of painting.  On his return, he moved to New York City where, in 1856, he opened a studio. Barrow was influenced while in New York City by George Inness (1825-1894), who encouraged Barrow’s new interest in landscape painting.  Inness was a member of the Hudson River School, and later Barrow’s art was classified as “second generation” Hudson River School.  Barrow landscapes glorify nature, especially in their use of light.

Winter scene from the Barrow Gallery

Between 1852 and 1879, Barrow’s works were included in nineteen of the Annual Exhibitions at the National Academy of Design.  His paintings were also exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the Boston Athenaeum, and the Union League of New York.

Barrow returned to Skaneateles in the 1880’s and remained there for the rest of his life.  He continued to paint, taught art at Syracuse Univeristy, and wrote both poetry and art criticism.  In 1900 he designed and built, at his own expense, the John D. Barrow Art Gallery in order to best display his paintings. A unique feature of the gallery is the wainscoting display of many of these paintings.

A view of the John D Barrow Art Gallery

In addition to the more than 300 paintings in the Gallery’s collection, Barrow’s works hang in the Onondaga Historical Association and in the main Onondaga County Public Library in Syracuse.

hours (subject to change) : January-April Thursday & Friday 10-3
May-Labor Day Monday-Friday 1-4 Saturday 11-4
Labor Day-Thanksgiving Thursday & Friday 10-3
Thanksgiving-Christmas Thursday-Saturday 1-4

Private hours by Appointment 315 685-5135