Along the two-lane roads that ribbon around the lakes, farm stands pop up with more regularity than ice cream stands (which is saying a lot in this ice cream-obsessed region). I found good luck driving parts of Highway 414, particularly south near Watkins Glen where the road rises up and elevated views of the lake make you understand why the phrase “picture perfect” was invented.Before you get too excited I must tell you that no, there won't be any salt potatoes served. Those of you living in NYC will have to hit up Dinosaur for a sampling. And if you're flying through Rochester or Syracuse, see if you can't make a pit stop!
After the early season berries fade, the stands are filled with a summer’s worth of squash, tomatoes and peppers. Always in the late summer there is sweet corn, and lots of it. And later, apples everywhere.
The glories of Finger Lakes Food
Our wedding is an area of the country I grew up in love with, and have managed to make Kate fall in love with too. And we can't wait to share it with all of you...especially the views and the food! To whet your appetite here's an excerpt from an article in this week's New York Times titled "Finger (Lakes) Food":
Why marriage matters and what you can do
We've been asked a few times by our friends and family what our marriage means legally. It's a good question because honestly, there's a lot of confusion over this point. So here are the basics...
Just this past year, New York State's courts ruled that the state must recognize all legal marriages, including same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. Woohoo! Except we can't get a marriage license from NY. So, Kate and I will actually have to run off to Canada, where gay couples enjoy all the rights and privileges of marriage, to get ourselves that all-important document. Thank you Canada!
But here's where it gets more complicated: different states have different rules and our marriage won't legally be recognized in most of them. Regardless of the rules in a specific state, however, there's one rule on the federal level for all same-sex couples: no recognition.
Even California and Massachusetts couples cannot access federal benefits, and there are more than 1,100 of these benefits, rights and privileges. Things like: tax benefits for health insurance (my work offers health insurance to Kate but we'd have to pay taxes on the income used to purchase it as does my employer), ability to file our federal taxes together, social security benefits, etc, etc.
Of course, marriage is about a lot more than the legal aspects, and we also both feel like the laws will change in our lifetimes. We'd just prefer it happen sooner rather than later! That's why this year's election is such an important one.
As I'm sure most of you know, California recently granted marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples, but voters in November could decide to take those marriage rights away. Doing so, would be a big blow and definitely slow the day when our relationship enjoys the same rights as every other committed couple. That's why Kate and I have registered with HRC's California Marriage PAC and invite you to make a donation in honor of our wedding.
Okay, done talking politics. Thanks for listening, all!
Just this past year, New York State's courts ruled that the state must recognize all legal marriages, including same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. Woohoo! Except we can't get a marriage license from NY. So, Kate and I will actually have to run off to Canada, where gay couples enjoy all the rights and privileges of marriage, to get ourselves that all-important document. Thank you Canada!
But here's where it gets more complicated: different states have different rules and our marriage won't legally be recognized in most of them. Regardless of the rules in a specific state, however, there's one rule on the federal level for all same-sex couples: no recognition.
Even California and Massachusetts couples cannot access federal benefits, and there are more than 1,100 of these benefits, rights and privileges. Things like: tax benefits for health insurance (my work offers health insurance to Kate but we'd have to pay taxes on the income used to purchase it as does my employer), ability to file our federal taxes together, social security benefits, etc, etc.
Of course, marriage is about a lot more than the legal aspects, and we also both feel like the laws will change in our lifetimes. We'd just prefer it happen sooner rather than later! That's why this year's election is such an important one.
As I'm sure most of you know, California recently granted marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples, but voters in November could decide to take those marriage rights away. Doing so, would be a big blow and definitely slow the day when our relationship enjoys the same rights as every other committed couple. That's why Kate and I have registered with HRC's California Marriage PAC and invite you to make a donation in honor of our wedding.
Okay, done talking politics. Thanks for listening, all!
One-Night Lodging Reservations
Many of you have expressed interest in lodging reservations for Saturday night only. As you have gathered, many places in the area have 2-night minimums. However, there are 3 places we have found that accept 1-night reservations. They are all on the more affordable side and these were the prices when we called. Again, if you have any housing questions, please feel free to call or email.
- Villager Motel (Watkins Glen): Motel rooms for $90 and hotel rooms for $140.
- Relax Inn (Montour Falls): Rooms from $79-$91.
- Chalet Leon (Burdett, nearer to the wedding site): think more cabin than chalet, rooms for $99-$109
Lodging in the Watkins Glen area
As mentioned above, one option for lodging in the area is to rent a house. This is an especially good option if you want to share space with a big group and can be quite affordable. You can check this website for availability. Just make sure to consider which side of Seneca Lake you are staying on. The lake is long and skinny and can take a long time to drive around. The bottom or the east side of the lake is best.
There are not many large hotels in this area, but a lot of cheap B&Bs, guest houses, and motels. Here's a full listing. There are even campgrounds for those who are up for it! Here are some of the ones listed that we particularly thought some folks might be interested in:
* The Farm Sanctuary: They have 3 cabins which each have 2 double beds. For 2 people it's $85/night, for 4 it's $105/night. They started taking reservations for the season on March 1st. Best of all, they give you a tour of the place and a chance to meet some of the animals! (Just don't tell them you eat meat...)
* Catharine Cottages: Adorable little cabins in a woodsy setting.
Lastly, if you are interested in a hotel near the lake, we have reserved a block of rooms at the Glen Motor Inn. In terms of hotels it is nice and it's a pretty good deal: $123 for 2 people per night. The cheapest hotel is probably the Budget Inn, at $85 for a single bed. A little further afield, though closer to Jess's parents, there are more traditional hotels in Corning.
Some places may have either 2 or 3 night minimums at this time of year, so be sure to ask. As this is a somewhat popular time of year in the area, we recommend that you make your reservations sooner rather than later.
Hopefully this post covers any type of lodging that you might have in mind, but feel free to post any questions in the comment section or email us!
There are not many large hotels in this area, but a lot of cheap B&Bs, guest houses, and motels. Here's a full listing. There are even campgrounds for those who are up for it! Here are some of the ones listed that we particularly thought some folks might be interested in:
* The Farm Sanctuary: They have 3 cabins which each have 2 double beds. For 2 people it's $85/night, for 4 it's $105/night. They started taking reservations for the season on March 1st. Best of all, they give you a tour of the place and a chance to meet some of the animals! (Just don't tell them you eat meat...)
* Catharine Cottages: Adorable little cabins in a woodsy setting.
Lastly, if you are interested in a hotel near the lake, we have reserved a block of rooms at the Glen Motor Inn. In terms of hotels it is nice and it's a pretty good deal: $123 for 2 people per night. The cheapest hotel is probably the Budget Inn, at $85 for a single bed. A little further afield, though closer to Jess's parents, there are more traditional hotels in Corning.
Some places may have either 2 or 3 night minimums at this time of year, so be sure to ask. As this is a somewhat popular time of year in the area, we recommend that you make your reservations sooner rather than later.
Hopefully this post covers any type of lodging that you might have in mind, but feel free to post any questions in the comment section or email us!
Making Travel Arrangements
The ceremony and reception will all take place at one location, Dano's Heuriger on Seneca. Dano's is about 14 miles north of Watkins Glen, 27 miles south of Geneva or 35 miles north of Corning (Jess' hometown).
Flying
Driving
We'll be contacting some places to find the best options for everyone and most likely it will be in the Watkins Glen area. If you are thinking about staying at least three nights and going in with a group, a cheap and comfortable option to think about is renting a house near Seneca Lake (just keep in mind you'll want something either near the bottom of the west side or on the east side of the lake).
Flying
- Corning-Elmira Regional Airport: This is a pretty tiny airport with only a few airlines, but it is only a 15 min drive from Corning and 30 min to Watkins Glen. Car rental is available at the airport.
- Rochester Airport: This airport is much larger but further away. It's a 1hr 40 min drive to Watkins Glen or about the same to Corning. Car rental is also available here.
- Syracuse Airport: Probably about the same size as the Rochester airport and about the same distance to Watkins Glen (just a little longer), though it's about a half hour further to Corning.
Driving
- From New York City: It's roughly a 4 and a half hour drive.
- From the Canton, OH area: It's around a 5 and a half hour drive, mostly on I-90 and 86.
- From Washington, DC: If you choose to drive, it'll take about 6 hrs.
We'll be contacting some places to find the best options for everyone and most likely it will be in the Watkins Glen area. If you are thinking about staying at least three nights and going in with a group, a cheap and comfortable option to think about is renting a house near Seneca Lake (just keep in mind you'll want something either near the bottom of the west side or on the east side of the lake).
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