Week One: Gorgeous Views in Watkins Glen, NY
June 28 - 30, 2025
Watkins Glen, New York
Memory verse: “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
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After giving big hugs to family in West Chester, we hit the road heading north and west to the Finger Lakes in New York. Our specific destination was Watkins Glen, a small vacation town on the southern tip of Seneca Lake, the longest, deepest, and coldest of the lakes.
As I researched campgrounds across the Finger Lakes, this specific spot stood out to me because the RV park (Clute Memorial Park & Campground) is across the street from the lake, and a highly reviewed gorge hike is at a state park just two miles away. For our short two-night stay in New York, it seemed like we’d be able to pack a lot in.
And we absolutely did.
Boat ramp is just past the trailer, near the white tent on the right. City park is just across the street. So much beautiful recreation in walking distance.
We arrived mid-afternoon and set up camp then grabbed groceries from a Walmart conveniently located right next to the RV park.
The big park right across the street had a skate park, which Nate was excited about since that had been his favorite activity at camp. At the last minute while packing up, we threw his scooter into the truck bed to bring with us. We set out to explore the park. While he skated, I went for a jog on the lakeshore path.
Nate in his happy place
A beautiful park by Seneca Lake.
Sadie, our mermaid, was anxious to get out on the water. She asked Nick if they could try out the stand-up paddleboards. Nick was easy to convince, especially considering that on the other side of our RV park was a marina with a boat launch. They inflated the boards and walked them the short distance from our campsite to the docks.
Nick and Sadie paddling by Nate and me at the skate park. Everyone happy doing their thing.
A bit later, Nate and I went for a paddle. Then we ate dinner and enjoyed the cool evening sitting by the fire.
Not at all photo ready
Gorge-ous morning at Watkins Glen State Park
The next day we all slept in (because vacation), then drove the short two miles through town to Watkins Glen State Park. We hiked the beautiful Watkins Glen gorge hike, which has 19 waterfalls in a one-mile stretch.
As impressive as the gorge was, the way they built the hike allowing you to pass through was also impressive.
After the beautiful hike, we had a picnic lunch then swam in a huge pool at the state park. The kids didn’t want to leave until we reminded them of all there was to do back at the RV park.
Nick did a small repair on the truck (still addressing electrical things) then he and Sadie paddled out to the lake with wetsuits and masks/snorkels. They tied off and went for a swim to see if they could spot anything interesting in the clear, cold lake. They saw a few fish. I give them major props for this adventurous evolution, especially because the lake was choppy and very windy that afternoon. Sadie crushed the two-mile paddle there and back.
Nick and Sadie paddling out to snorkel in the 60-degree lake.
Nate parsing out if it’s warm enough to swim
Meanwhile, Nate and I returned to the sunny, breezy city park. Nate scootered up and down the ramps and swam in the lake (more like waded… Seneca Lake is very deep so it stays chilly—about 60 degrees mid-summer.) While he splashed, I sat on a blanket in the sunshine writing.
We met back at the trailer for dinner then built a wood fire and sat around the campfire late into the evening, us Southern-folk marveling that it was still light at 9 p.m. A family from our church in Virginia Beach (thank you Nancy!) had shared a homeschool curriculum on conflict resolution, so we worked through the first lesson by the fire (I look forward to sharing more about these lessons as we go).
All in all, it was a pretty sweet first camping stop in Watkins Glen, NY. Now a two-day drive away from home, it started to sink in that after all the planning and preparations, we were finally underway.
First official campsite of the trip!
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For those just finding us, hello! Inspired by the Year of Jubilee in Leviticus 25, our family is embarking on a yearlong RV road trip in 2025 to celebrate my husband’s retirement from 20 years in Naval Special Warfare. We hope to reset and reflect before civilian life begins.
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