July 8-11 Aurora Family Vacation

“Family: where life begins and love never ends.” –Unknown

Our July family vacation was at a house in Aurora, NY. Aurora is a cute little town on the east side of Cayuga Lake. We didn't have lake access with this house, but we had plenty of things to do and plenty of places to get into the water. The kids really liked the house since there was a park right behind the house and kids their age next door. Here are a few highlights of our weekend.

Friday morning we took a hike to Great Gully Falls. The gully cuts through massive layers of limestone, giving it a different look from shale-based waterfalls found in many of the other Finger Lakes gorges. The dropping and swirling water of Great Gully Creek has carved out several deep pools that are wonderful places to swim on a warm summer day. The hike was 1.5 mile and kids did great hiking through the creek to reach the 18’ waterfall at the end of the gully. There is a wonderful swimming hole under the falls and we could even walk behind the falls. It was a great place to spend the morning.

We spent Saturday at Long Point State Park. We spent the morning relaxing in the park while the kids played on the playground, rode their scooter, swam in the lake and looked for treasures on the shore. After our cookout we took the runabout out for a ride. Kyle and Brytanie took turns using the kneeboard. They were great...especially since it's been at least 15 years since either of them have been on the board.

The House

The bedrooms

The outside space at the house.

Fun at the house...sometimes just staying in can be fun.

The kids really enjoyed riding their bikes and scooters on the driveway with the kids staying in the house next door. 

Pictures from our hike to Great Gully Falls.

The falls were running nicely since we've had quite a bit of rain this past week. It was fun playing in the water.

Walking behind the waterfall...it was so LOUD.

The view from behind the falls.

The kids enjoyed finding different plants and fungus along our hike.

Core loves to look for little bugs and plants...she's our little naturalist.

What would a summer vacation be without ice cream and a fire...no fire pit at our house, but we did find one in town.

A vacation on the lake means time spent on and in the lake. The best place to do that on the east side of Cayuga Lake is Long Point State Park. Plenty of swimming, grilling and boating.

It was fun watching the kids play in the water. I decided I'd wait and give it a try on a calmer day, when no one else is around.