In June, most of the Cascadian Nomads spent some time thousands of miles from Cascadia. While we were away, we took a break from blogging so we are sharing belated adventures from the East coast.
 The yard at my grandparents lake house, littered with tuckered dogs, just like I remember it! | Typist: Bethany Cascadia is my home and always will be, but I spent all most all of my summers as a child on the shores of Chautauqua Lake with my family and a lot of dogs. Going back there does kind of feel like going home. And sharing such a joyful homecoming with Wilhelm, Brychwyn and Huxley was worth all of the traffic, ticks and sleepless nights along the way. The dogs ran in the grass at my grandparents former home where I remember running with my parents first dog, Nicky, and my first husky, Tasha, as well as numerous dogs of my grandparents, aunts and uncles. The dogs and I walked the driveway I remember shakily riding my bike on, waded in the lake where I gained strength as a swimmer and we all watched the sunset over where I learned to sail. This was a truly a magical visit to a beautiful and historic part of the country. We started at The Midway, of course. Midway State Park is one of the oldest |
continually operating amusement parks in the United States. The dogs are not allowed in the ride area or the buildings but we all enjoyed the gorgeous lakeside grounds together. Jason and I played in the arcade and rode some rides without the dogs. It was tough to do something without them... only ski-ball and bumper boats can draw me away from quality time with 'R' Blood on the Tracks Boys.
The horse restoration on the Carousel was not finished but it was still open for rides.
Next we wandered the small town of Bemus Point, New York. It is fascinating to wander a town that was settled 45 years before a settlers ship even landed in our neighborhood. The dogs loved the breeze blowing off the lake and the large, old trees lining the streets. We were thrilled to find out that the historic Bemus-Stow Ferry still allows dogs. I remember riding the Bemus-Stow Ferry with my family and childhood dogs as a child. So we walked-on, rode to Stow, took a short walk there, and rode back. Ferries in Seattle are commonplace but the one on Chautauqua Lake was operating 40 years before settlers colonized Seattle!
The Hotel Lehhart, in Bemus Point, New York, has been in operation since before Washington was a state.
Waiting for the Bemus-Stow Ferry in Stow, New York
Three dogs ride an old ferry on a long lake
 Enjoying the ride |  Bemus Point from the Bemus-Stow Ferry |
The Chautauqua Lake Bridge from Bemus Point, New York
Our last stop wasn't quite on Chautauqua Lake but it was over the bridge just a few miles from the lake, Southern Tier Brewing. Southern Tier beer is the only beer brewed on the East coast that wows Jason and I, and, even better, their lovely new brew pub in Lakewood, New York, has a dog-friendly patio. We all enjoyed the live music while Jason and I snacked and sipped delicious beer.
 The comfortable patio at Southern Tier Brewery  Jared Cooney on Guitar |  The dogs did get some snacks but no beer  Music soothes the savage beast |
Not only was Southern Tier Brewing good to us but the whole southern tier region was epically wonderful. Chautauqua Lake truly does always live up to my childhood memory expectations. Plus this time I got to appreciate what feels like ancient history to someone from Cascadia. And best of all, I enjoyed it with my trio (and Jason) of best friends by my side.
Chautauqua Lake was very full due to all of the rain and the Midway State Park dock was closed.
Watching the sailboat on Chautauqua Lake from Midway State Park, Maple Springs, New York.
Follow on Instagram
