W. W. Clute Memorial Campground is a pretty nice city park in Watkins Glen, NY on the south end of one of the Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake. Its the largest lake, about thirty-eight miles long and nearly two miles wide. Its the deepest lake in the US that is entirely within one state at a bit over 600 feet. We were told that because of its great depth it doesn't freeze over in the winter.
Watkins Glen might be more known for its race track up a hill from the lake. Everything is up a hill from the lake. We found out that for a nominal fee we could get out on the race track with the dually at highway speeds." We drove up to the gate and the attendant told us he'd take our money but that the track turns would no doubt cause the dually to skid and that we'd be pushed by the BMW car club that was on the track going at "highway speed" comparable to what I experienced in Nevada in the 60's (no speed limit.) We chose instead to take his offer of watching the BMW car club make a few laps at no charge.
When we arrived at the stands there was an old race car in the parking lot set up so people could get in and take pictures. There was a couple there ahead of us and the wife was squeezing through the passenger window as we got there. Then it was our turn.
Oh...and just as the wife squeezed out of the passenger window a guy came by and showed us an easier way.
The town of Watkins Glen is touristy quaint with older buildings and nice shops about a mile from the campground.
The sidewalks have lots of plaques with many names I don't know and many that I do.
...and a nice mural.
The city dock, marina and a kind shopper volunteered to take our picture on the streets.
While we were at the dock we noticed a schooner that had been featured in the 1956 Movie "High Society" with Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly.
The next day we took a two hour cruise of the lake on it.
At least the lakes and surroundings we saw look about like bathtubs carved out of the land. Coming in and getting out involves climbing some pretty big, steep hills. Maybe that's why there's so many waterfalls. We saw this one on our cruise.
The next day we drove just up the road to Taughannock Falls State Park.
And we found a good winery to end the day.
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