An Evening of Kayaking in the Finger Lakes Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

I traveled up to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge to enjoy an evening of kayaking and dinner at Rosalie's Cucina in Skaneateles, NY. The weather was not the best but I was a determined Innkeeper who needed a wonderful evening to escape. I would like to recommend this itinerary.
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge.
The Refuge is a large area of land North of Cayuga Lake. It is the marsh land that Cayuga Lake empties into. Cayuga lake runs North. This refuge has a drive-through road for cars to quietly move along stopping to observe all of the migratory and local birds who live there. It is usual to see cars pulled over and binoculars attached to all faces in the car. If you don't know much about birds, just stop where everyone else is and you should be able to enjoy the refuge.

The visitor center is near the entrance off of Route 20/5 just East of where Route 89 meets it. Stop at the visitor center to get first hand information of what birds are visiting, see photos of these birds and descriptions of them so you can look for them during your car tour. I have done this a number of times and have seen many awesome birds but the most memorable and most exciting to me, are the bald eagles. Yes, there is a population of bald eagles at this refuge and other large waterfowl.

Yesterday, I did not do the car tour, we did the kayak tour. Across the street from the Main entrance is a boat launch which is free. I found some people fishing off of the canal. The boat launch was easy and in good condition. Soon after I launched off, I was greeted with an Osprey who was perched in a tree by the waters edge. It must have just dove prior to me coming because it had a fish in its talons. It spread its wings, gave its distinct call, flew over me and came around for an encore. It was magnificent. I did not need to see anything else that evening. These birds are as large as eagles and just as skillful. The water was murky but later in the season, I believe there would be something more to see under my kayak as well. I also saw the salamander that is a foot long with a flat tail and little feet called a mud puppy. This trip is not difficult but the stream does have a current so choose your route keeping in mind you will need to paddle upstream. I did not find it difficult and it was high water.

After a fine kayak trip, I continued east to Skaneatele, NY to enjoy the cuisine of Rosalie's Cucina. I have gone for the entire dinner experience but decided on appetizers, salad, and dessert. The two appetizers were grilled prosciutto wrapped shrimp served with sauteed spinach, bacon, and an Italian white bean and the second one was thinly sliced roast beef rare served with capers, salad and shaved parmigiana on top. The Caesar salad was good but not as good as Simply Red Lakeside Bistro, hers is the best so far. For dessert was a chocolate and hazelnut creme brulee. I were very happy with my choices and the wine was also very nice, a Chianti bin 77. Service was exceptional and overall this is a fancy restaurant with most patrons dressed to the hilt and adorned with jewels. I was dressed for kayaking and the staff did not treat me any different than anyone else. I highly recommend this itinerary whether you are driving or boating the refuge. Don't miss Rosalie's Cucina just on the left as you drive into Skaneateles. This is about a 40 minute drive from the Inn and well worth it. If you are visiting and are looking for lodging in the Finger Lakes Wine Region, Google my Inn, I have a lot of itinerary ideas for a successful vacation in the Finger Lakes.

Innkeeper Rose Hilbert
POB 95, 112 E. Main St.
Trumansburg, NY, 14886
info@gothiceves.com
www.gothiceves.com
1-800-387-7712
607-387-6033
fax 607-387-4035

What the Heck is a Snorkel Hot Tub and What is it doing at this Bed and Breakfast in Ithaca NY?

My guests love to use the Snorkel hot tub at my bed and breakfast, Ithaca, NY. But I am sometimes asked to explain where I found a wood-fired hot tub, and why I would choose to use one.

First, the body of the tub is made of cedar, a beautiful and fragrant wood whose natural essential oils make the tub both long-lasting and water-tight. I also chose a wood-fired tub to make better use of local natural resources rather than paying for electricity from non-renewable resources. I am often able to fuel the tub with downed limbs, leftover (untreated) wood from carpentry projects, and fallen trees that people wish to have removed. In addition, because I am not tied to a power line, I was able to situate the tub outdoors, tucked into a private spot behind the barn surrounded by stacked wood on the 2-acre lot.

What is the “snorkel”? The snorkel is the special aluminum air stack that regulates the air intake to the firebox. This helps the wood burn as efficiently as possible, while also providing a toasty warm water temperature for soaking. I have evidence of the tub’s ability to stay warm and comfortable in the coldest part of the Finger Lakes’ winters – see how much my guests are enjoying themselves? This is just the remedy to follow a crisp day of cross-country skiing. Trust me.

A private soak in the hot tub can be scheduled at the same time that you make a reservation to stay at my Inn near Ithaca, NY. If you make your reservation online, click on “Enhance Your Stay” to add a session in the hot tub. There are year-round activities for Finger Lakes’ visitors to enjoy, from antiquing in Ithaca NY, to skiing at Greek Peak, to wine tasting on Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, to hiking at Taughannock Falls State Park, to sailing on Cayuga Lake, to simply moseying around town. And what better way to cap your day than a nice, relaxing soak? The comfortable plush bathrobes help facilitate you coming and going from the hot tub. I selected gray bathrobes so you blend into the darkness for your privacy. I will be pleased to host your stay, and to offer you a chance to appreciate the hand-crafted hot tub.

Innkeeper Rose Hilbert
POB 95, 112 E. Main St.
Trumansburg, NY, 14886
info@gothiceves.com
www.gothiceves.com
1-800-387-7712
607-387-6033
fax 607-387-4035

The Inn at Gothic Eves serves Gimme! Coffee Fans of Ithaca NY

Coffee. Warm, fragrant, comforting is produced nearby Ithaca NY. I love it, and my Bed and Breakfast guests, do, too. But you may not realize that most coffee is grown on large plantations that required the clearing of acres and acres of rainforest or other native habitats. That’s not so comforting.

However, folks who care about both sustainability and coffee have figured out a way to keep us feeling good about our morning brew. And our local baristas at Gimme! Coffee are among those who support sustainably-produced coffee. As much as possible, they choose beans that are certified as Fair Trade, Organic, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, and/or Rainforest Alliance. What does this mean to you? Fair trade means that the workers who actually tend the coffee plants that produce the beans earn a fair wage, while also promoting better social and environmental standards. Organic products are produced without pesticides or chemical fertilizers; the Smithsonian certification indicates both organic and shade-grown, which means that the rainforests are not cleared for these coffee plants. Shade-grown coffee is thus bird-friendly, as well as environmentally sound for all living things. The Rainforest Alliance also certifies coffee that is grown under certain environmental conditions, including a proscribed minimum number of trees per hectare; no alteration of natural water courses; and an attempt to limit child labor.

The overall impact of choosing sustainably-grown coffee (and other products) is an increase in biodiversity, preservation of natural habitats, and the support of living wages and better social conditions for the farmers who grow these crops. Over 90% of coffee production takes place in developing countries, while most consumption occurs in industrialized countries, such as the U.S., so making positive choices about where your coffee comes from can have a real impact on our planet and its inhabitants! If you know anything about the Ithaca NY region, you know that we care about our environment.

Because the U.S. doesn’t have the proper climate for coffee-growing, it must be imported. However, once the beans reach the U.S., there is a great variety of roasting and/or blending skill that goes into producing your morning cup. Gimme! has its own roastery on a small farm right just South of Trumansburg, NY in the Finger Lakes area. Each small batch is given personal attention as it roasts, after which samples then proceed to the cupping room, where tasters as serious as any sommelier make the final determination as to the blends and roasts that are allowed to be packaged for Gimme! customers.

If you haven’t guessed yet, the coffee at the Inn is sustainably-produced, locally-roasted, Gimme! Coffee, and I am proud to be able to support their efforts. Because of the personal touch given to all decisions about Gimme! Coffee, their locations are limited to New York City and the Finger Lakes area. So book your stay at the Inn, and be assured that you will be greeted each morning with a steaming cup of coffee that will make you feel good in every way.

Innkeeper Rose Hilbert
POB 95, 112 E. Main St.
Trumansburg, NY, 14886
info@gothiceves.com
www.gothiceves.com
1-800-387-7712
607-387-6033
fax 607-387-4035

5 Breakfast Items this Bed and Breakfast in Ithaca NY Will Not Serve You at Breakfast

The five things you will never find at a Gothic Eves breakfast table is a topic this is not meant to dis those who do serve these things, but to give you a clear idea of what you will be served when you stay. These things were served to me recently when I went away for two weekends in a row. These things were not terrible or inedible but were not very tasty or healthy. I thought it would be helpful to people who were considering an Ithaca NY getaway. So here goes. Drum roll please!

1. You will never see anything on your plate that will look like a casserole or have a name that contains the word casserole. It will not be all mixed up and baked for an hour and sit for another hour before being plated. Your breakfasts are made right before you are expected to be at the breakfast table. You are asked at check-in time when you would prefer your breakfast and whether you like coffee, tea or another beverage. I want you to come to the table with one of my hand-thrown mugs full of something steamy to start your breakfast which is being prepared just for you.

2. You will never be served 'plain' anything. Waffles would have orange zest with pecans. Pancakes would have walnuts and blueberries with spices added to the batter. I enjoy serving crepes with two different kinds of fruits and nuts. We also serve souffle-like french toast with two fruits and nuts. Also, your plates are not plain either. I garnish all plates with edible flowers and herbs during their seasons and supplement with fruit out of season.

3. I would never serve a breakfast that would require a can or box of this or that to be added to anything. Breakfasts at the Inn start with fresh ingredients that are grown here at the Inn, or by nearby farmers. My first priority with produce is for it to be local, and then second for it to be organic. I harvest and process my own fruits, pestos, salsas, jams, mushrooms and veggies. I am proud to serve our guests the fruits of my labor in season and also through the winter.

4. I never serve Spam, Eggos, and Pop Tarts unless requested. Processed foods are not good for guests or the environment. The chemical lists found in the ingredients list is usually very long. These foods are also transported over long distances to get into your local grocery store. My efforts in the kitchen are to produce flavorful, healthy breakfasts without all of the chemicals and the cost of supplying them.

5. You will never see Maxwell House, Eight O'clock, Sanka coffee being served from a drip coffee maker. I only serve Gimme! Coffee. that has been brewed using a french press. This small business is owned and operated by local people who value the coffee farmer, customers and a quality cup of java. They buy direct from the farmer, they buy organic, and they strive to acquire the rights of the entire estate so to insure consistent coffee characters and a dependable supply. They have won lots of awards. They started in Ithaca NY and have 5 locations including Trumansburg and Manhattan.

When choosing a place to stay consider the experience. Consider staying with a bed and breakfast who will strive to serve you fresh, local, organic, creative, flavorful breakfast without the chemicals.

Innkeeper Rose Hilbert
POB 95, 112 E. Main St.
Trumansburg, NY, 14886
info@gothiceves.com
www.gothiceves.com
1-800-387-7712
607-387-6033
fax 607-387-4035