Great fans of Life in the Finger Lakes magazine and especially the recent article on rural roads (May/June 2025).
My wife and I are Steuben County natives – Wayland and Cameron – and heartily recommend driving west from Addison up the Canisteo River Valley on Rt. 119 to Canisteo. Hit the Cameron Mills market for a snack (and if you’re a train fan, the road parallels the Norfolk Southern and a string of railcars could pass), then take a side trip on Rt. 10 to Bath from Cameron. It’s a roller coaster ride and fantastic in a sports car or on a motorcycle.
Backtrack on Rt. 10 to Cameron, west again to Canisteo, cross the railroad bridge, still Rt. 119, left on Rt. 36 at Willow Bend toward Jasper, where it becomes Rt. 417, and the next town is Woodhull. Stop at Golden Age Cheese and pick up some flavored curd and a brick of Jurassic Cheddar. A few miles more and you’re back in Addison. There are plenty of offshoot dirt and paved roads, some gnarlier than others. All are a good time. Happy motoring!
— Steve Dartt, Williamsburg Va
I’m writing in regards to the May/June 2025 issue of Life in the Finger Lakes which included an article on Lafayette’s visit to Geneva. It included a quote from an article by Walt Gable which wrongly recounts General Lafayette’s stopping at a tree on Bean’s Hill. The Lafayette party did not stop at this tree or visit a nearby house. The party came down Hamilton Street straight to Pulteney Park where the citizens of Geneva greeted him. He then went and had breakfast at Franklin House, then on Exchange Street.
The tree nor house (itself not built until 1834) were not any part of the original narrative published in the Geneva Palladium on June 9, 1825. It was a narrative spread by a man who lived in Geneva in the early 19th century and was a complete falsehood. Additionally, a committee was appointed to send a letter to Lafayette, not just James Rees.
— Becky Chapin
The Rochester Area Flyers website was incorrect in the May/June 2025 issue. The correct address is rochesterareaflyers.com.
Please send correspondence to mark@lifeinthefingerlakes.com
