Day 64 of our 2025 RVing Adventure with Historical & Musical Interludes

It's Friday July 4th, day 64 of our 2025 summer adventure. Happy Independence Day! This mornings walk was refreshing and peaceful. 

We enjoyed coffee around a small fire, to take the chill off of this 55 degree morning.

We had a discussion today about why this park is called Darien Lakes State Park. There is not more than one lake here? 

When you hear the name ''Darien Lake,'' you think of the sprawling Darien Lake Theme Park Resort on Route 77 or, does your mind go to a lesser thought of, scenic Darien Lakes State Park on Route 20. 

But before either of those places existed, there was another Darien Lake in Genesee County — a beach and picnic area billed as ''Western New York's Water Wonderland.'' 

Darien Lakes State Park's origins trace back to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the Great Depression. The CCC, established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, employed men on public works projects, including the creation of Hamlin Beach State Park. Relics of the CCC's work, including an old farm pond used for ice skating, can still be seen in the park. In 1963, a local dairy farmer, Henry Kohlhagen, envisioned a state park on his land, which included a ravine, stream, and woods. This vision led to the State of New York purchasing a 1,000-acre tract, which eventually grew to 1,846 acres. 

The area was initially called Harlow Lake and Park before becoming Darien Lakes State Park. In all the reading we did today, we can only come up with the S on the end of Lake, is to differentiate it from the theme park.... 

We enjoyed our time with friends today. It is great to be with them, since we only see them once a year or every other year. In a good year, we get to see them twice! 

Cherish every moment you have with the ones that you love!

Stay tuned for more Two Lane Adventures!