Imlebideli

Two weeks ago tonight, I was happily standing on the balcony of a condo a stone’s throw from Lake Chautauqua in New York. I spent a week there as a part of a “girls’ time away” vacation. I wish I could go back.

The area is simply beautiful. We explored most of the Lake Chautauqua region while we were there, from Jamestown to Mayville and on to Westfield, to Lakewood, via the village of Busti (home of The Happy Hooker Bait & Tackle) and beyond. It ranged from small villages to downright rural, and all of it was lovely. And the people were all incredibly friendly. We were amazed as everyone we encountered, from librarians (I’m jumping ahead of myself here, but bear with me) to postal clerks to grocery checkers smiled and treated us very warmly. It isn’t the kind of thing that we experience often in Pittsburgh. Not to say that Pittsburgh isn’t friendly, but to go an entire week without experiencing one surly or dull person isn’t very likely here.

We arrived on Saturday afternoon, and once we were all moved in, we essentially decided that our entire goal was going to be relaxing. We took walks around the area surrounding our condo, and explored the Institution grounds. Oh, did I mention that part? We stayed within the grounds of the Chatauqua Institution, which is a really interesting community. Their website can explain what they’re about better than I can. What I can tell you is that we were really impressed with the homes, which are mainly Victorian in style and many of which sit right on the lakeshore. I was also enthralled with the self-contained community idea. During two months of the summer, there are educational and cultural activities at the Institution, and the rest of the year, it’s a very quiet residential area. They have their own library, post office, drug store, cafes, a movie theatre and so on, and everything is put together in walking distance. It’s perfect for someone like me who doesn’t like to drive.

We spent most of the week simply enjoying the local area, enjoying the lovely weather, enjoying the sunsets on the lake. We had no particular agenda other than enjoying ourselves, and that’s what we did. Then, on Thursday, we drove up to Niagara Falls. I hadn’t been there since I was a young girl, so I enjoyed myself a great deal. I also won about three dollars (Canadian) in the slot machines at the Casino. Go me! After lunch and some souvenir shopping, and a quick jaunt around town looking for a Canada Post office (and wow, is Niagara Falls a gritty, depressed little town once you get a block away from the tourist junk!) we headed back to the lake in time to watch Mark Greene die a pathetic death on ER.

The week went by far too quickly. I’d really like to go back up. I could stay for a month or two and not tire of the place. I think I’d enjoy the activities that happen at the Institution during the summer, as well. I could use more time away in a peaceful setting.

More later…