Chime School

Posts Tagged ‘scenic drives’

After checking out the cliffs at Chimney Bluff State Park, we’ll take a pleasant 30 mile drive to Fair Haven Beach State Park. Fair Haven Beach is a family oriented park. It’s sandy Lake Ontario beaches are some of the finest in Upstate New York and the hilly woodlands above offer excellent hiking. Inland you’ll find Sterling Pond which is surrounded by campsites and cabins that are available to rent. Along with swimming, the pond offers excellent fishing and has rowboats, canoes and paddle boats for rent. The park also offers playground and picnic facilities as well as sports playing fields. Finally, waterfowl hunting is permitted in specific places during the appropriate seasons.

Next we’ll travel another 35 miles to the historic City of Oswego. Oswego is home to Fort Ontario. The original fort was built in 1755 and was a British stronghold during the French and Indian War. The first fort was destroyed by French forces in 1756 and rebuilt in 1759. The second Fort Ontario was destroyed by U.S. forces during the American Revolution. The British reclaimed Oswego in 1782 and built the third Fort Ontrario which was given to the United States in 1796. The third fort was attacked and destroyed by the British during the War of 1812. Between 1839 and 1844, the current Fort Ontario was built because of the threat of another and a possible British attack from Canada. Between 1944 and 1946, Fort Ontario housed victims of the Nazi Holocaust. In 1949, New York State began restoring Fort Ontario as a State Historic Site. Fort Ontario is now open for tours from early May until the middle of October on Tuesday – Sunday from 10:00 – 4:30. There is a small admission fee.

Today Oswego is one of the most key ports on Lake Ontario. During the spring, Oswego Harbor’s sheltered waters offer some of the finest steelhead and brown trout fishing in the Great Lakes. During the summer, many anglers turn their attention to the fine walleye and bass populations. In Oswego Harbor, September means coho salmon. Large numbers of the hungry fish gather in the harbor in preparation for the autumn run. The local charter captains can brag about their customers who have hooked huge fish including a 33 pound coho in 1998 and a 33 pound brown trout in 1997. What ever the season, pack your favorite spices in your picnic backpack don’t forget your grill tools because you will be catching and grilling some great fish in Oswego Harbor.

In our next article we’ll spend a little more time in Oswego and then continue along the Seaway Trail to Pulaski. Stay tuned!