Two years after Lake Dunmore we decided to once again venture forth int to the wild as a group. This journey took us to Lake Keuka, the finger lake that doesn’t look like a finger. More like a Y. Ken found a 6 bedromm place right on the Lake and we headed up on July 24th, 2009.
July 24 (Friday)
Ken, Chuck and Maury left in the morning and stopped at Ken’s place in the Poconos to pick up his Kayaks. They picked up the house key at the real estate office in Penn Yan (at the top of the lake) and arrived at the house at about 5:00 PM. Alan flew from Paris to Montreal but realized after landing that he didn’t have his driver’s license. He headed to his home in upstate New York by train and obtained a new license from his local motor vehicles office, rented a car and arrived at about 10:30 PM. I picked up Rob after work at his home and we arrived at about 10:45 PM.
The house is very nice. More impressive inside than out. Very modern. Large bedrooms. Nice furniture. Modern kitchen.
July 25th (Saturday)
All awoke early. Rob and Alan took off for a walk. Maury went for a run. Ken and Chuck set off to circumnavigate the lake on a 60 mile route. I was feeling like I should just do a “get comfortable” ride on my new road bike. First 15 miles were very easy. Kept going and when I hit 20 miles I figured that I might as well finish the 44 mile lake circuit since retracing my route would be about the same milages. Ended up doing a 45 mile circuit in about 4 1/2 hours. Last 5 miles were tough since I was on the verge of some leg cramps but they never developed so I ended feeling tired but very satisfied. Rest of the day was spent hanging - talking - watching the Phils beat the Cardinals. Chuck cooked a dinner of spanakoepedia (traditional) and a sausage/onion variation he called a Chuckekopeda. We had fresh corn on the cob, potatoes and zuchini as a compliment. I was wiped and retired by 9:30 deciding to take a bicycle rest day on Sunday.
July 26th (Sunday)
Day of rest for me. Ken, Chuck and Alan set off for a ride to Watkins Glen. Maury went running and Rob went for a walk. The plan was to meet Ken, Chuck and Alan at Watkins Glen Gorge at 11:30. I decided to scout out our Monday ride which was to be around the peninsular that juts into Keuka lake. Looked about 90% ok with one scary hill (at least to me). Rode home and Rob, Maury and I set off for Watkins Glen. Met Ken, Chuck and Alan and had a nice lunch at the Watkins Glen Family Restaurant then headed back to hike the gorge. Watkins Glen gorge is truly beautiful and amazing. High shale walls - lots of narrow passages and numerous waterfalls - some of which you can walk behind. The hike to the end of the gorge is about a mile and a half with a steep climb up steps at the end. We were in multiple cars so near the end Ken, Alan, Maury and Rob decided to head back. (Ken wanted to get a start on preparing his Cuban rice and black beans specialty. Glad he had the time since it was delicious!). Chuck and I finished the walk and climbed the steps at the end, took a short rest and then headed back out the way we came. Really nice day. Evening was capped off by Ken’s great meal and the beginning of our bi-annual Hearts tournament. First round to moi!
July 27th (Monday)
Up early. Ken, Alan, Chuck and I took off on our planned ride. Maury wanted to ride as well but not do the entire distance so the plan was for Rob to drive Maury to meet us near the halfway point. We headed up the east side of the lake to the town of Penn Yan then west to Keuka State park which was the beginning of about a spectacular water’s edge ride around the peninsula. Midway was my hill challenge which chuck said was about a 4-5% grade but it felt like straight up to me. Maury, not having biked for quite awhile walked most of it but I was able to suck it in and (while moving slowly) make it to the to without debiking. Alan and Ken climbed a 13% grade (crazy steep) 3/4 mile additional section at the top (which was nice because it gave me about a 15 minute much needed rest). We then headed back arriving a about 4 1/2 hours after starting. I clocked 46.54 miles (think that was my second longest ride). Sore but satisfied. Lunch was a replay of dinner (Cuban rice and beans). Rob cooked tonight’s dinner - African peanut chicken soup and salad. After dinner two more rounds of Hearts. Maury took the first game and I took the second making it 2 out of 3 
July 28th (Tuesday)
Day off from biking for me - ass recovery day - so Rob and I decided to take a road trip. Chuck and Ken off on another 60 mile ride to Geneva near the top of Seneca Lake and Alan and Maury are headed to Fingerlakes Racetrack for the day. Rob and I headed to Ithaca where I gave Rob a quick tour of the Cornell Campus. We then set out to hike Cascadilla Gorge but there were lots of signs to stay away due to a broken trail so we just got a nice look at the falls and then walked the flat wooded part across the street. Had lunch at the Asian Noodle House and decided to head up Cayuga Lake to Taughannock Falls State Park. We hiked the 3/4 miles to the falls which are about 215 feet and quite spectacular. Walked back to the lake where we hung out for awhile and then decided to hit a couple of wineries. We stopped at a hard cider place first and bought a couple of bottles then stopped for a wine tasting at a vineyard. Not that impressive. We headed to the top of the lake and then headed home through Seneca falls and Geneva. We all went out to dinner in the evening - The Switzerland Inn - just average - but a nice setting on the lake and a nice end to the day.
July 29th (Wednesday)
The thought today was to take about a 30 mile ride but after about 13.5 I decided not to push it. The ride we did do was quite beautiful along a trail called the Outlet Trail which is next to a creek/canal that connects Keuka Lake to Seneca Lake. At one time this was a commercial thouroughfare but no longer. Lots of old mills and a couple of falls. Very narrow graven trail along the creek for about 7 miles. Returned via Route 54 - mostly uphill and strenuous for me. I decided to head back when we got to the car but Chuck and Alan biked for almost three hours more. Rob and Ken took a kayak trip on the lake. Afternoon was spent reading and relaxing. Alan prepared a great dinner. Steak (with cajun rub), sausage, corn on the cob, potatoes and salad. Very excellent. Evening spent playing hearts. Maury and Rob each won a game making it Marc (2), Maury (2) and Rob (1). Finals tomorrow.
July 30th (Thursday)
Five of us left for an early easy bike ride by the lake. Traveled 18.5 miles making my total for the week about 123 miles. Chuck did his 250 as was his plan. After lunch Maury, Ken and Alan kayaked and Rob went walking. Chuck and I took off to the town of Naples at the base of lake Canendagua in search of some waterfalls. Found Grimes Glen with two very nice waterfalls after a walk by a stream with frequent crossings. On one crossing I slipped on a loose rock and landed face first in the water. I was fine but my camera failed to survive the plunge. Oh well - it was a couple of years old. My pictures all survived and my cell phone was also unharmed so all in all not too bad. On the way back we stopped for some great ice cream in Hammondsport (town at the base of Lake Keuka). Dinner was pasta and Rob’s leftover African peanut soup. After dinner Alan and Ken went for a walk while Maury, Rob, Chuck and I sat down to crown the 2009 Hearts champion. Rob won the first game making it 2-2-2 (Chuck claimed a victory as an advisor to Alan in a shortened game). The rubber match went to me after a hard fought and very close final game. Maury will have to wait two years to regain his crown.
July 31th (Friday)