Fall Road Trip

By Karen Hewitt

Fall is here, and it’s time to appreciate Upstate NY as one of the most beautiful places on earth, basking in all of its Fall colors and scenery. Get in the car and take a day trip to experience some of the best things this region has to offer. Gasoline is expensive, but I think the following activities are worth the extra $5.00. Plan your route or just meander country roads, deciding where to go as you drive. Breath taking scenery awaits you, no where one drives in Central New York.

Visiting antiques and specialty shops along the way is interesting and rewarding. Shop for accent pieces to decorate your home this season and next. Find the perfect rocker to cozy up on in front of the fireplace, or seat a scarecrow or witch on. An old cart or wagon on the front lawn looks charming with a pumpkin or two in it. Look for the perfect old container for a dried arrangement for your front steps. Find a vintage sled to decorate with greenery and a bow. Shop for vintage Christmas ornaments to bring a unique look to your Christmas tree. For inspiration, look at what others have done with their house décor, as you drive about.

Visit a winery or cider mill to sample some of our region’s best products. Select the perfect pumpkin at a roadside stand. While there, buy some harvest vegetables and fruits.

Since most shops don’t open until 10:00, get an early start and drive to the farthest point you plan on going. Take the day and work your way back home. This will allow the maximum amount of time for exploring.

Here are some suggestions for a road trip: From Homer, take Rt. 41 north to Skaneateles. Stroll Main Street with its myriad gift and antiques stores. Drive Rt. 20 west to Waterloo. Visit the Montezuma Winery. Head south on State Rt. 90 to King Ferry. Pick up a snack at the Man in the Moon Bakery. Head further south to the King Ferry Winery. In Genoa, take Rt. 34 South to Dance Hall Antiques in Locke, just over the Tompkins County line. Continue on to Baker’s Acres for apples and pumpkins. Take Rt. 34B east to end your day at Barn House Antiques in Lansing, a multi-dealer shop with something to everyone’s liking.

For a southern route trip, take Rt. 81 to Greene, NY. Visit Brookside Gardens Antiques, and Pheasant Farm Antiques. Take Rt. 206 to Rt. 79 in Whitney Point. Visit Piccadilly Lane, a nice shop which carries antiques, country items, primitives, etc. Continue on to Marathon, NY on Rt. 11. Visit Riverbend Antiques. Continue north to Rt. 392. Make a left and continue on to Virgil and Hollenbeck’s Cider Mill. Return to Cortland or continue into Dryden. Visit The Second Knob Antiques on West Main St., or head to Dedrick’s on Rt. 13 for pumpkins, fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

As you travel, be sure to savor the beauty that is reflected in the golden stalks, the lush tweed of the hillsides, and the glorious colors everywhere. It will be months before we are treated to these sights again.