Three Mile Bay New York to Woodstream Campgrounds via Cohocton

We left Three Mile Bay on variations of Route 12 until we hit Route 3. In this section, it runs basically north and south parallel to Lake Ontario. The north country of New York is rich in history. Route 3 takes you through Sackets Harbor. Located south of the village is the Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site. Two battles were fought near this location during the War of 1812. The site includes exhibits, a restored 1850s Navy Yard and Commandant's House, outdoor signs, and guided and self-guided tours. There are costumed interpretive guides in the summer months who re-enact a soldier's camp life in 1813. There is a complete trail of the important aspects of the war of 1812 in this area.

Henderson Harbor is more than a great summer vacation spot! It is deep in Native American history. Sadly, it is a prime example of how badly we treated the Native Americans. The area was originally occupied by the Onondaga people, a nation of the Iroquois Confederacy. Since most nations of the Iroquois Confederacy had allied with the British in the American Revolutionary War, after the British's defeat, the United States forced the Iroquois to cede most of their land in New York under the terms of the peace treaty. The tribes moved to Canada, where the British offered them land in what is now Ontario. New York made available for sale millions of acres of the former Iroquois lands at very low prices in an effort to stimulate settlement and agricultural development of its western and upstate territories. It offered some land to veterans as payment for their service during the war. Speculators based in New York City bought huge portions of land and sold them later for development. As a result, by 1801 the town had been surveyed and divided into lots, but settlers did not begin to arrive until 1802. Most settlers migrated from New England, which had limited lands available for farming.

If you get off Route 3 a little bit, you can camp at Association Island, which is now a KOA. A good friend of ours from our Florida home, Majestic Oaks Carefree RV resort, Paul Piske used to manager the park for the owner. Association Island is a truly a unique destination campground and marina. Many of the sites have either a sunrise or sunset view! You must drive across a 1300 feet-long causeway to gain access to the island. Association Island is rich in history, it hosted numerous sailing & wind-surfing contests and was once the training center for the US Olympic Sailing Team as they prepared for the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

There are many preserves and conservation areas along this route. The El Dorado Beach Preserve is along the beautiful shoreline of Lake Ontario. It was shaped by dramatic forces of nature, about 20,000 years ago when the one-mile thick ice sheet that covered most of New York State began to melt. Floods of melt water poured out of the retreating ice sheet and with it came sediment of all shapes and sizes. Sand, gravel, and enormous boulders that were once encapsulated in the ice were now flowing across the landscape. Eventually, the melt water pooled into a giant lake, called Lake Iroquois. This pre-historic lake was about three times the size of modern-day Lake Ontario. Over time, the lake level receded to its present size. Lake currents moved sand deposits along the lake’s southern shore toward the lake’s eastern shoreline. Westerly winds and waves transported sand from this underwater sand bar and piled it up to form dunes along the beach. This process of dune formation still occurs today. This freshwater dune barrier system along Lake Ontario is one of the Conservancy's first conservation areas in central New York, acquired in 1969.  It is now part of our Eastern Lake Ontario priority conservation landscape, a 17-mile stretch of Eastern Lake Ontario that contains the largest and most extensive freshwater dune system in New York. El Dorado Beach Preserve is bordered to the south by

The Black Pond Wildlife Management Area. Together, the two parcels contain a significant length of natural shoreline which attracts several species of migrating shorebirds during late summer and early fall. The Black Pond Wildlife Management Area is the next conservation area you come to. It is a natural wetland grouping consisting of a barrier beach, dunes, open water, growing marsh, wooded and shrub swamp. Lakeshore barrier beach and wetland area such as this are rare in New York State.

Still in Jefferson County on Route 3, you will find the Lakeview Wildlife Management Area. This area is still part of the largest natural fresh water barrier beach system in New York State. It is bordered by Southwick Beach State Park to the north and about 20 miles southwest of Watertown. This area's diverse habitat includes: open fields, shrub lands, woodlands, wetlands and a natural barrier beach. Some of the most beautiful areas in this area can only be seen by boat, as land access is restricted. There is a limit on their boat launches to canoes or car top boats with a 10-horsepower motor limit.

Entering Oswego County, you can find the Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area. It is one of the larger areas totaling 1,770 acres. Deer Creek Marsh is a combination of wetlands that include open cattails and a bog. The dominant feature, though, is an extensive barrier beach and sand dune system that separates and protects the marshland from the ravages of Lake Ontario. The water elevation in the marsh is determined to a large extent by the level of Lake Ontario and whether the outlet of Deer Creek is plugged by sand or open to flow into Lake Ontario. Wildlife associated with wetlands dominate this area as all species of waterfowl that migrate up and down the Atlantic coast occur here either as a resident species or a visitor during the spring and fall migrations. In addition, beaver, mink, white-tailed deer and even wild turkeys live at Deer Creek.

As we moved toward Routes 5 & 20 skirting around Syracuse into Onondaga County, we found Three Rivers State Game Management Area. It holds the name "Three Rivers" because of its proximity to the junction of the Seneca and Oneida Rivers which form the Oswego River. This area was originally heavily forested with mixed hardwoods and conifers but was cleared for farming beginning in the late 1780's. Farming continued until 1941 when the federal government purchased the property. The area is 3,600 acres. The Three Rivers Area is used to provide habitat for a variety of wildlife. Considerable management and development work has been carried out since the 1940's. Twenty-nine water units totaling over 250 acres have been constructed. These include potholes and small marshes varying in size. One large marsh is even over 100 acres. Over 50,000 evergreens and shrubs have been planted to improve the diversity of habitat and to provide food and cover for wildlife. The woodlands, open area, mowed grassland, brush and wetlands provide diverse habitat for a variety of wildlife species. Some 26 species of mammals, 119 species of birds, 6 species of reptiles, 8 species of amphibians and 11 species of fish have been identified within the area. There are active beaver colonies, great blue heron rookery, local populations of Canada geese, active osprey nests and an occasional nesting pair of bald eagles. Since 1950, courses for pointing and flushing dogs as well as areas for retrievers have been laid out and maintained.

We followed Routes 5 & 20, which parallel the New York State Thruway going east and west, passing through small and big towns and villages. We skirted the south side of Auburn, back a few many years … Auburn was the home to the first Bass Pro Shop in Western New York. That was a very big deal for the town!

Whether you are traveling on the NYS Thruway or Routes 5 & 20, you see portions of the Montezuma National Wildlife Management Area. Over the past few decades, the refuge’s habitat management has focused on increasing the diversity of habitats and wildlife species on the refuge. There are four main types of habitats in the refuge. All of the refuge’s pools are man-made and have been developed into emergent marshes. Keeping the refuge a productive place for wildlife is all about the water. Grasslands provide critical habitat to migratory birds and other wildlife. Whether providing a place to nest for mallards and bobolink, or feeding grounds for hawks and fox, grasslands are critical to Montezuma. The short-eared owl, endangered in New York State, depends on Montezuma grasslands and marshes for wintering habitat, using these open areas to hunt their prey. Shrub lands are dominated by small trees and shrubs, and also include grasses and other plants. These shrub lands are diverse from location to location with dominant plants including goldenrod, gray dogwood, Morrow’s honeysuckle, and common buckthorn. The refuge boasts two types of forest, upland and bottomland hardwood. Upland forested sites are mostly successional forests dominated by black walnut, black willow, and green ash occurring on former agricultural fields. Most of the mature forested sites on the refuge are wetlands. Major plant life includes red and silver maple, American elm, green ash, and swamp white oak.

We passed through Seneca Falls, Waterloo, and Geneva before turning south west on Route 245. Where we drove through Stanley, Gorham, Rushville, and Middlesex.

Between Yates and Ontario Counties, we discovered the 6,100 acres High Tor Wildlife Management Area. It has numerous ecological habitats with many steep wooded hills, gullies, eroded cliffs and marshlands in the West River Valley. The area is well named by the word TOR which means craggy hill or peak. The largest part of the area, approximately 3,400 acres just east of the Village of Naples, is primarily scenic steep wooded terrain. These areas offer a variety of wildlife, with the more important game species being white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, cottontail rabbit, grey squirrel, waterfowl, muskrat, raccoon, mink and beaver. Waters from this area drain into the famous Naples Creek, known for its rainbow trout spawning runs, and the slow picturesque West River, which provides excellent bass and crappie fishing. The wetlands offer nesting sites for the beautiful wood duck. Other waterfowl species which frequent the area include the mallard, black duck, blue-winged and green-winged teal, plus the hooded merganser which competes with the wood duck for available nesting sites. According to Indian legend, the area known as South hill is also known as the "Birthplace of the Senecas". The Seneca tribe belonged to the Iroquois Confederacy and were keepers of the "Western Door". The open areas on the top of South Hill offer excellent scenic views of the Naples and West River Valleys. Game fish common to the area are rainbow trout, bass, black crappie, chain pickerel, bullhead and sunfish. The State bird, the beautiful Bluebird, may be seen nesting in hollow snags adjacent to West River.

Soon we entered the village of Naples, the self-proclaimed "Switzerland of America." It boasts many wineries, and is the focal point of a Finger Lakes cottage industry, the grape pies. Naples is also heavily dependent on tourism, especially in the fall, when the foliage can be spectacular. The town, known at one time as "Watkinstown" (after Captain Nathan Watkins, a Revolutionary War veteran and early settler) and "Middletown," was finally given the name "Naples" in 1782. Naples was not quickly settled due to its hilly terrain. Grapes, first planted in the 1760s, led to the modern grape and wine industry of the town and also led to the annual grape festival which began in 1861, one of which was broadcast on the World Food Network. There are several larger wineries on the area, including Arbor Hill Grapery and Winery; Hazlitt's Red Cat Cellars and Inspire Moore Winery and many smaller one.

Naples is home of the Naples Grape Festival. It is proudly presented annually by the Naples Rotary Club. Since 1961, the grape festival has been held every September to celebrate the area's grape harvest. The festival includes talented artisans, wine makers and cuisine. You can bake a pie for the World's Greatest Grape Pie Contest; sample everything "grape;" or taste Finger Lakes wines. You'll find arts and crafts, and food and treats for every taste and budget.  Throughout the 2-day festival you can enjoy area musicians performing rock, blues, jazz and original music to get your feet tapping and your heart singing. Be ready for all things grape!

Outside the village is Grimes Glen. This is the first of many glens or gorges you can visit on your journey through the lake country. Grimes Glen is the best and easiest to visit of the many glens in the lake country area. About a one mile creek walk will reward you with two sixty foot waterfalls and some impressive gorge walls. If you are adventurous, there is another sixty foot waterfall further up. 

We stopped in Cohocton, to see family. The town of Cohocton was first settled around 1794, but it was originally known as the town of Liberty. I’m not sure why the name changed, but Liberty would have been a pretty cool name for a town!

Heading to Gainesville, we passed by Rattlesnake Hill State Wildlife Management Area. It is a 5,100 acre upland tract in southern Livingston County and northern Allegany County. The area is appropriately named after the Timber Rattlesnake, which may be occasionally found in the more remote sections of the "Hill". The area offers an interesting blend of upland habitats such as mature woodland, overgrown fields, conifer plantations, old growth apple orchards and open meadows. The area is inhabited by a variety of game species and is open to public hunting. The white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, grey squirrel, cottontail rabbit and woodcock are found on the area. A number of small marsh units have been developed and provide limited hunting for waterfowl. Some of the area's furbearing species such as mink, beaver and raccoon may be occasionally viewed at these marsh units.

We also passed through Portageville. Portageville is a hamlet located in the town of Genesee Falls. Never knew that Portageville is the only named community in the town of Genesee Falls. Didn’t even know there was a town of Genesee Falls! Portageville’s name is derived from the Native American canoeists who would withdraw their canoe from the river to avoid going over three waterfalls in the Genesee River gorge. They had to portage several miles to the site of present-day Mount Morris, where they could embark for the rest of the journey downriver. The Genesee River Gorge with its scenic waterfalls was formed after the original valley was buried in glacial debris from the last ice age and the river had to cut a new valley though the sedimentary rock of the area. It has also been called The Grand Canyon of the East. The site has now been designated Letchworth State Park and is a major tourist attraction, with the upper entrance at Portage.

We arrived at Woodstream Campground in Gainesville. It is a family campground for over 50 years! It is minutes from Letchworth State Park, roomy sites, with full hookups. It has trails and wooden bridges crossing the stream that winds around the campground. The stream that meanders through the campground is perfect for tubing or just sitting in and relaxing! Great place to spend a few days with friends!

We enjoyed several days here with our "cruising" friends! We can't wait to camp with them again in September! Actually, we camped with our "cruising" friends plus ... we added a few family members of the cruising group, some "fair" friends and a few more family members! It was a very large group, but it was a awesome weekend of camping!