Our day began at Watkins Glen State Park, one of the Finger Lakes region’s most breathtaking treasures. Entering through the main entrance, we set off along the Gorge Trail—a path that winds its way through towering cliffs and past a series of waterfalls that seem almost too perfect to be real. Every bend in the trail revealed a new surprise: cascading falls, mossy stone bridges, and pools carved smooth by centuries of rushing water. It felt like walking through a natural cathedral, with sunlight streaming in to illuminate the gorge walls.

After soaking in the views, we looped back on the North Rim Trail. This route offered a higher perspective of the gorge below, giving us a chance to look back at the beauty we’d just walked through from a different angle. The contrast between the lush forest above and the rugged gorge below was striking.

All that walking left us ready for a well-earned lunch, and pizza proved to be just the right reward. Few things taste as good as a hot, cheesy slice after a morning of hiking.

With energy restored, we drove on to Ithaca for a leisurely afternoon of window shopping in the Commons. The pedestrian street buzzed with its usual mix of students, locals, and travelers, and we enjoyed browsing through the unique shops and taking in the relaxed college-town atmosphere.

As the day wound down, we returned to our Airbnb in Cortland, content and a little tired from our adventures. It was one of those days that felt both full and restorative—a perfect blend of nature, good food, and a little city wandering.