One of the larger lakes in the Finger Lakes region, Cayuga Lake extends from Ithaca at its southern end to a connection with the Erie Canal near Seneca Falls at the northern end. Another body of water scooped out by glaciers, the lake is long (38.2 miles), narrow (average width 1.7 miles) and deep (435 feet). Much of the shoreline has low rock cliffs along the edge. There is some active salt mining pulling deposits from below the lake.

Ithaca is the home of Ithaca College and Cornell University, two well known institutions of higher learning. The area surrounding the lake includes many wineries and other spots of interest to tourists.

Ye Olde Photographer and his Faire Spouse had the lucky opportunity to spend a few hours on the lake with friends. Our ride was a classic wooden cruiser, a 32-footer, built in 1934 by Richardson Boat Company of Tonawanda, NY. We left from a berth at the Allan H. Treman State Marine Park outside of Ithaca and probably covered less than 20% of the lake's length. Our skipper has been water-born most of his life, including stints in the US Navy and Merchant Marine. The day was not postcard perfect weather-wise, but we had no rain and temperatures were in the 70s (F!) We had lunch with sandwiches on YOP's homemade bread and enjoyed the day. We snapped a few shots of some of the awesome "cottages" along the shoreline.