France Bicycle / Velo Tours

After checking out the cliffs at Chimney Bluff State Park, we’ll take a pleasant 45 minute drive to Fair Haven Beach State Park. Fair Haven Beach is a family oriented park. It’s clean Lake Ontario beaches are some of the finest in Upstate New York and the hilly woodlands above offer outstanding hiking. Inland you’ll find Sterling Pond which is surrounded by campsites and cabins that are available to rent. Along with swimming, the pond offers excellent fishing and has rowboats, canoes and paddle boats for rent. The park also has playground and picnic facilities as well as sports playing fields. Finally, waterfowl hunting is allowed in designated places during the open seasons.

Next we’ll drive another 35 miles to the historic City of Oswego. Oswego is the home of Fort Ontario. The original fort was built in 1755 and was a British outpost during the French and Indian War. The first fort was destroyed by the French in 1756 and rebuilt in 1759. The second Fort Ontario was destroyed by American forces during the American Revolution. The British reclaimed Oswego in 1782 and built the third fort which was turned over to the United States in 1796. The third fort was attacked and destroyed by Great Britain during the War of 1812. Between 1839 and 1844, the current Fort Ontario was built in response to the threat of another and a possible British invasion from Canada. Between 1944 and 1946, Fort Ontario housed survivors of the Nazi Holocaust. In 1949, the State of New York began developing the fort as a State Historic Site. Fort Ontario is now open for tours from early May until the middle of October on Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 - 4:30. There is a minimal admission charge.

Today Oswego is one of the most key ports on Lake Ontario. During the spring, Oswego Harbor’s sheltered waters offer some of the finest steelhead and brown trout fishing in the Great Lakes. In the summer, many fishermen focus on the fine walleye and bass populations. In Oswego Harbor, September is coho salmon season. Large numbers of the large fish school in the harbor to get ready for the fall run. The local charter captains can brag about their clients who have hooked giant fish including a 33 pound coho in 1998 and a 33 pound brown trout in 1997. What ever the season, pack your favorite spices in your picnic backpack don’t forget your barbecue tools because you will be catching and eating some great fish in Oswego Harbor.

In our next installment we’ll spend a little longer in Oswego and then continue along the Seaway Trail to Pulaski. Stay tuned!

Technorati Tags: picnic, picnic basket, picnic baskets, scenic byways, scenic drives, scenic travel, Seaway Trail, travel

The Port of Rochester (also known as Charlotte & Ontario Beach) is located at the mouth of the Genesee River at Lake Ontario. It is one of the most important outdoor recreation areas in Western New York. There is a sandy beach with a large picnic area and ample playground equipment for the kids. The focal point is “The Dutchess”, an antique carousel built in 1905. Still in original condition, this piece of Rochester history is one of only 14 antique menagerie carousels still running in the United States. The park also has a pier that extends about half a mile and separates the Genesee from Lake Ontario. It offers excellent pier fishing off the river side. Here’s an idea for you: While you’re at the Port of Rochester, make sure you stop at Abbot’s for a frozen custard. I think Abbott’s custard is the best frozen treat in the world. Abbott’s is located at the end of Lake Ave. right at the entrance to the park. If your in Charlotte, you can’t miss it.

Okay, it’s time to pack the family camping tent and say goodbye to Rochester and get back on the Seaway Trail. Our first stop will be at Sodus Point, about 40 miles east of Rochester. The two biggest attractions at Sodus Point are the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum and the fantastic sport fishing. The lighthouse was originally opened in 1824, and after it fell into disrepair, was rebuilt in 1870-1871. It was replaced by a less picturesque but more practical beacon in 1900 and the original lighthouse became the home of the lighthouse keeper until 1984. In 1984 the Sodus Bay Historical Society leased it and they still maintain it today. Climb the circular staircase to the top of the lighthouse and enjoy the view as you overlook beautiful Lake Ontario and the Sodus Point piers from a height of 70 feet. The museum also offers several displays, including one on the amazing fishing in the Sodus area, a small library and a gift shop. The lighthouse grounds are a great place to unpack your picnic basket and enjoy a great lunch. There are plenty of tables and grills for your use so don’t forget your grill tools. If you happen to be at Sodus Point on a Sunday in the summer, make sure you plan to stay for their entertaining Sunday concert series. Sodus Point is also the home of many fishing boats that you can charter. Whether brown trout, lake trout or coho salmon are your game, you will be able to find a boat and captain who will take you to the big ones.

From Sodus Point, we’ll continue to Chimney Bluffs State Park near Wolcott. Though it doesn’t have as many facilities as most of the other parks on our route, I chose this park because of the amazing geographic displays that mother nature has graced us with. The clay cliffs were originally formed by a glacial drummond and are now eroded and re-shaped every day by the movement of Lake Ontario. The park has four miles of trails that offer many outstanding views of the cliffs. Make sure you wear the right shoes when you hike the trails because theground can be treacherous. Climbing the cliffs themselves is very dangerous and is also illegal. When you visit Chimney Bluffs State Park, please don’t take anything but pictures and don’t leave anything but footprints.

In our next installment we’ll continue our drive along the Seaway Trail and check out Fair Haven Beach State Park, Oswego, The Selkirk Lighthouse and end the day at Selkirk Shores State Park. I hope you’re enjoying this series about some of the attractions along New York’s Seaway Trail.

Technorati Tags: picnic, picnic basket, picnic baskets, scenic byways, scenic travel, travel

Today we’re going to begin our Seaway Trail trip in Western New York and go from Niagara Falls to Rochester.  Our trip will cover 107 miles and take a little less than four hours of actual driving time.  That will leave you plenty of daylight to see the scenery and enjoy a great picnic lunch.  I’d strongly recommend that you take this tour during the warm months as icy roads make the drive dangerous during the winter.

Hundreds of people have written thousands of volumes about the beauty and splendor of Niagara Falls so I won’t even try and describe them in this article.  I will, however mention my favorite way to see the Falls.  The Niagara Falls Observation Tower in Niagara Falls State Park provides two amazing and contrasting views of the falls.  First walk out to the end of the tower and look to your left for an unbelievable view of the the American and Horseshoe Falls.  Next take the glass elevator down to the base of the falls and take the stairs up to “The Crows Nest”.  You’ll truly feel like you’re part of the Falls.  I warn you that you will get soaked as you walk up to “The Crows Nest”.  Admission to the Observation Tower is $1.00 and it is open from Spring to Fall.

From Niagara Falls we’ll travel north to Old Fort Niagara.  Old Fort Niagara has stood at the mouth of the Niagara River, 15 miles north of Niagara Falls since 1726.  As a gateway to the Great Lakes, the fort was a very important French stronghold until overrun by the British during the French and Indian War.  Britain held the fort until after the end of the Revolutionary War.  You’ll have the opportunity to see some of the best standing examples of 18th and 19th century military architecture. The French Castle, built in 1726, is the oldest remaining building between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River.  There are also lots of documents and artifacts depicting the almost 300 year history of the fort for you to check out.

Next we’ll head east to Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse and Golden Hill State Park.  The park, located along beautiful Lake Ontario has been in the New York State Park system since 1962.  It has several picnic areas, hiking and biking trails, hunting, fishing and boat launches.  The camping area has tent and trailer sites and is open from mid-April to mid-October.  While at the park, make sure you visit Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse.  The lighthouse opened in 1876 and was active until 1952.  It’s maintained by the Friends of Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse and has a cottage that’s available for rent.  The lighthouse provides a great view of Lake Ontario.

From Golden Hill State Park we’ll continue our trip east to one of my favorite childhood places.  Back when Lake Ontario’s beaches were polluted and closed, Hamlin Beach was the closest open beach to our house.  My family used to pack our picnic basket and spend many enjoyable days at Hamlin Beach. Today, since the water is clean and safe, it remains a favorite of sunbathers and swimmers from all around Western New York.  It also features several picnic spots, biking and hiking trails that become skiing and snowmobile trails during the winter, playgrounds, fishing and 264 tent and RV campsites that are open from spring to fall.

From Hamlin Beach, it’s just a short drive up the Lake Ontario Parkway to my hometown of Rochester, NY.  For culture I believe that Rochester is among the country’s most underrated cities.  There are several great museums including the George Eastman House (home to the founder of Eastman Kodak and one of the pioneers of photography), the Susan B. Anthony House, the world famous Strong National Museum of Play, the Rochester Museum and Science Center and the University of Rochester’s Memorial Art Gallery.  Rochester is also home to the minor league baseball Red Wings, the Amerks hockey team, the Nighthawks National Lacrosse League team, the Rhinos United Soccer League team and several other professional and collegiate sports teams.  Rochester is also the gateway to the Finger Lakes wine trails so pack your wine carrier and take a road trip to some of the many wineries in the area. Finally, Rochester is an educational center with no less than nine colleges having campuses within the immediate area.  For you campers, pitch your family camping tent in Rochester because there are many campgrounds in the area.  If you can, spend a day or two in Rochester.  You’ll be glad you did.

Technorati Tags: scenic byways, scenic travel, travel