Finger Lakes Kayak Commute

Living in the Finger lakes region gives us the distinct advantage of having a variety of wonderful water routes. Besides the most beautiful fresh water lakes in the world, we are bordered by Lake Ontario along the north and we have an incredible natural watershed of rivers, creeks and streams. Allen’s Creek is one of these natural beauties, full of herons, kingfishers, turtles, ducks, even pileated woodpeckers (I saw them ALL) — which originates just south of where I started, and winds north to Irondequoit Bay. It has been a “water fixture” my back yard my whole life, over several moves.

Finger Lakes Antiques: Amazing Treasures to be Found

My Finger Lakes Treasure from the Teller House: a painting of their summer home.

The Finger Lakes area is loaded with antique stores and antiquing events. Should you vacation here, you may find yourself sucked in to a nearby town to hunt for a military trunk that can double as a coffee table, as I was recently, with my niece from Brooklyn. She said the prices were much lower than anything she had seen in the New York City area. We did not find a winner, but I think I might have about 6 different options for her in my attic.

I have six different military trunks in my attic

All were purchased by my Dad after WW2, and sent us all off to camp and college

I confess, I am NOT an “Antiquer.” I grew up in a house and cottage FILLED with antiques that I assumed were hand-me-downs from our many Finger Lakes relations. It did not occur to me that these were valuable or collectable.

My Grandpa had inherited the contents of 2 large estates in Auburn, New York in the early 1950s and most of us grand kids have furnished our homes with the furniture that came out of the summer and winter homes of Judge Teller and his spinster sister.

My oldest brother is the only one who can remember the process of having to empty the contents of the two homes. There was a horse drawn sleigh in the barn, civil war uniforms in trunks, and fruit preserves, in the basement, over 50 years old! Much of the furniture from these homes has made its way into the homes of my 4 siblings and me.

I remember the antiques in my Grandma’s house on East Lake Road in Skaneateles. Her house was where I spent my youthful Sundays with my big brother, both of us bored to death while the grown-ups were visiting, so we would explore, discovering the 50-year old Life Magazines in her attic, or climbing the long-since productive fruit trees in the orchard leading from her house to the lake.

This was one of the trucks we played with

My brother and I found metal toy trucks big enough for us to ride down her pitched driveway. He remembered this coca-cola truck.

Sunday afternoons at Grandmas House included these tiny classics

We also found “Big Little Books”upstairs in her guest bedroom that we devoured.

Here is a partial listing of some of the Finger Lakes antique stores:

Bloomfield Antique Mile — You’ll find plenty of antique shops representing more than 175 dealers! Beautiful Bloomfield, NY, is flourishing as an antique mecca: we’re home to a generous country mile of quality shops dotting the old Seneca Trail (now known as Routes 5 & 20)

The Carriage Factory Antiques contains 3 floors of old “stuff”  Located o between Canandaigua and Geneva, on 2348 State Route 5 and 20 in Stanley, NY 14561-9540, (585) 526-6076, Open Daily 10am-5pm

Country Reflections Antiques and Gifts — Located on 83 Cayuga St. in Seneca Falls at the Northern end of Cayuga Lake.

FOUND in Ithaca is a multi-dealer antique and vintage marketplace.  Located in the Cherry Street Industrial park just two blocks from Wegmans. FOUND’s 7000 square foot space has room for over 40 dealers. The website shows images of many items. 227 Cherry St, Ithaca, NY 14850, Open 10-6 every day, EXCEPT TUESDAY, Phone: 607.319.5078.

The Ithaca Antique Center – This “mall” is a lot more than a shop, but it has a more than 75 dealers  under one roof. Located at 1607 Trumansburg Road, Ithaca NY 14850. Hours Mon-Sat 11-6 and Sun 12-5. P:  607-272-3611.

Ontario Mall Antiques — Largest antique mall in upstate New York. Located on Rt 332 in Farmington (North of Canandaigua).

The Paris Flea — Located in downtown Skaneateles, on 23 Jordan St.

The Skaneateles Antique Center — 2 East Genesee Street, In the Village of Skaneateles, NY 13152, 315-685-0752. Hours:  Monday-Saturday 10 to 5:00, Sundays 11 to 5:00

Some good links:

Finger Lakes Antiques

I Love the Finger Lakes

Finger Lakes Marketplace

Also a listing of antique shows

If you like antique wooden boats, there is an Antique and Classic Boat Show every July in Clift Park, downtown Skaneateles. This year’s show is July 29, 30,  & 31, 2011.

Mountain Biking is Tops at Ontario County Park

There’s no better place bring your mountain bike than the highest point in Ontario County, Gannett Hill Park, in the scenic Bristol Hills.

Lockwood Farms: Lavender Capital of the Finger Lakes

Prepare to be educated about Lavender. There are 18 varieties and over 1800 plants on the farm. The plants originate in France and England, but all these plants have originated from Washington State. Besides being known as a fragrant dried flower, Lavender is also used in cooking. If you go to the Festival there will be a chef preparing recipes featuring Lavender. You can also pick your own Lavender.