When our Anniversary approaches, the fields, roadsides and streams adorn themselves with Dame's Rocket...often confused with Phlox which bloom much later. They look very similar, but have only four petals instead of the five on a phlox.  More importantly, as beautiful as they are, the Dame's Rocket are incredibly invasive and endanger tree seedling germination and other native vegetation. Like so many things in life, they are a study in contrast...beautiful but not so friendly to the other guys in the neighborhood...

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We usually go somewhere for a night or two to celebrate our Anniversary.  This year we found a B&B on Cayuga Lake that looked lovely on the Internet and lucked out with a reservation...  We headed out Wednesday morning.  With no specific plans, we allowed ourselves time to stop and enjoy whatever caught our interest....a mini-roadtrip.

Jim is an expert at spotting cool things everywhere... his creative outlet. Whether unique concerts, unusual stores, festivals...or interesting places...his radar beams right in. This motel  tucked back off the road had seen the last of it's weary travellers...now looking quite weary itself. We have long been interested in all those little private motels along routes 5 and 20 and other routes that have been supplanted by expressways. Sadly, many share a story with Radiator Springs just waiting for Lightning McQueen to come by. We particularly love the motels with little individual units...once cozy havens...

 

 

...another story of contrast...bitter/sweet...

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...but some of the days and ways of old thrive on...

 

 

...we were delighted to come upon a couple bringing in hay together with a team of horses...

a lovely Amish farm...

 

...and just down the road, we  headed to the Knapp Vinyard for lunch. We remembered years ago having lunch in the garden...

Just as we remembered, it was idyllic. The grounds were lovely...the waitress sweet and the food fabulous. In contrast with neighbors down the road where they were celebrating old ways, ... here they were preparing food in a whole new way...

...fried corn on the cob in dill butter with a chipotle dipping sauce...

As the waitress promised, it was delicious!

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After lunch, we arrived at our destination_ The Silver Strand at Sheldrake Point.

The location was spectacular, the hosts incredibly gracious, and the breakfasts delicious!

We highly recommend this B&B for a great Finger Lakes vacation.

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Thursday morning we awoke to rain...rain and more RAIN! Fortunately, we were prepared so it wasn't a disappointment. We had rain gear and headed out for another day of adventure.

Driving along, Jim spotted another treasure...

...and later took a random turn down Texas Hollow Road...which led to the Texas Hollow State Forest Preserve. ..

...a beautiful ride through miles of thick woods.

Given the rain, we did a little shopping in Watkin's Glen and then headed out for lunch. We had been to Dano's on the east side of Seneca Lake three times prior and weren't disappointed this time! It is very unique in its Austrian architecture, atmosphere and food. Another strong recommendation!

www.danosonseneca.com

 

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Enroute to Dano's we passed a new winery - Ryan Williams'.  We considered stopping but decided to wait until after lunch. So when finally we turned down the driveway, we were excited to try their wine. As we turned I couldn't resist taking a few photos, despite the rain. The mist was rising from the lake and the vines were lush.

Just as I snapped a last photo, a pick-up truck came back up the driveway from the winery. I smiled and waved but was unprepared for being admonished for having the audacity to take photos. "This is a working farm..." Surprised, I apologized but was further chastized and schooled on what would have been more appropriate behavior.

A working farm?...Is there another kind?

I sweetly replied that I would be happy to return to my car.

A different perspective of our get-away...we did!