New York's southern tier, as it is known locally, resides on the South Central part of New York State. It is on the Southern tip
of the
picturesque Finger lakes. The Terrain is low mountains that is
shared with Pennsylvania.
Many rivers drain the area and joined at the confluence of Tioga and Cohocton rivers to form the Chemung River,
a tributary of the Susquehanna, in the Town of Painted Post.
The Tioga starts in Northern Pennsylvania and with the help of other rivers drains the mountainous area before turning North toward Painted Post.
The Cohocton starts in southern part of a Western finger lake and flows lazily South through pastoral farmland.
Its namesake, the town of Cohocton, is home to a large wind farm. Someone coming from the North and choosing not to take the interstate,
is not only treated to the
Town of Naples, but also the majestic wind turbines turning slowly on
the hill tops.
The rivers, their valleys, their mountains make the area a spectacular wonderland any season of the year.
Paddler on the Cohocton River
Our
home, Campbell Campground, resides on Route 415 in the hamlet Of
Campbell just ten minutes form Painted Post.
A drive along 415 parallels the Cohocton river and Interstate 86. This writer coming from the North often skips the interstate to enjoy rural drive.
The Cohocton river flows with us and offers many fishing accesses along with our promise of eventually stopping with a fly rod.
As Route 415 and the river continue past the campground on the way to Painted Post there are many small rural communities.
The roads are flat in the river valley making it ideal for bicycle rides or an interesting walk. We are e bikers, so often we will load the bikes
on the back of the truck and head to one of these spots. Sometimes we will start our excursions directly from the campground.
On one occasion we took a 26 mile cruise up into the hills to the town of Addison. It took us through several farms, hills flats and
thanks to e bikes we made it back to camp in time for the next dance activity.
One year we rode parts of the Catharine Valley Trail. It is a long North South trail made that is in sections converted from railroad rite aways and
canal tow paths. It terminates in the North at Watkins Glenn and
passes through towns like Montour Falls.
Camp Bell is central to many Museums and tourist attractions. Painted Post down Route 415 from the cam ground is a part of Corning and
the Corning glass museum. The Museum is a living museum with a mission not only to provide exhibits including live glass blowing but also to offer hands-on
introduction instruction.
Painted Post also has some pickleball courts. There is an interest from some of our members in helping others learn the sport.
Also in the area is the Glenn Curtiss museum and workshop. Glenn was an aviator at the turn of the century and could have been a collaborator with the
Wright's had not for the secrecy of the Wrights that fostered animosity that has been well chronicled. Glenn was a colorful character that fostered well in the area.
His history is interesting and is well depicted in the museum. The museum web site contains a great bio of Glenn's life
Soaring or sail-planing began its infancy in the hills around Elmira. It began from the Mercury Glider Club progressing into a barn in the 30's
by the three Schweizer brothers producing two gliders. The company grew and eventually through acquisitions moved on but the gliding remained. T
he National Soaring Museum and soaring exists at Harris Hill East of Camp Bell
The Southern Finger lakes are hosts to many small towns not far from the camp. Watkins Glenn and the race track are probably the most famous.
It is also the busiest but there are countless other parks with water falls. Hammondsport is quaint with the Finger Lakes Boat Museum close by.
The community has ties to Glenn Curtiss and also boasts some good restaurants.
This is just a touch of the area and illustrates the many opportunities. As STW moves forward we would like to take advantage of these opportunities
through the extended weekend program our club is trying. A lot depends on the members not only as participants but as leaders and innovators in providing these events
https://www.ilovethefingerlakes.com/rivers/cohocton.htm
https://paddling.com/paddle/trips/cohocton-river-new-york-2
https://www.traillink.com/trail-maps/catharine-valley-trail/
https://glennhcurtissmuseum.org/education/who-was-glenn-curtiss/