Today, we explored Ithaca and specifically Cornell University and the Lab of Ornithology.
But first, we needed our morning coffee. The Inn has a cool coffee machine on the ground floor in a large conservatory-like room with lots of light and actual live plants.
Some of the other common areas at the Argos…
Today was the day we explored Cornell and nearby. First stop, Sapsucker Woods at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology! I’ve read about this place since I was a kid and it’s a place I’ve really wanted to visit.
Unfortunately, the main Visitor Center there is closed for refurbishment (due to reopen in Spring 2024) but the many trails wending through the property are still open so we did a couple of miles on them on an absolutely gorgeous Fall morning.
After Sapsucker Woods, we headed towards the main Cornell campus which was a few minutes away. Finding non-permit parking was a challenge but we were finally successful.
Cornell University was founded by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White. It received its charter on April 27, 1865. One of its defining principles was to be a coeducational and non-denominational institution, which was quite progressive for its time.
Cornell was designated as a land-grant university under the Morrill Act of 1862. This status gave it federal land and funding to support agricultural and mechanical education, leading to the establishment of the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
The university officially opened its doors on October 7, 1868, with an initial class of 412 students. It quickly grew and established various colleges and schools, including the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering, and others.
Over the years, Cornell has expanded its campuses and academic offerings, becoming renowned for its programs in fields such as agriculture, engineering, business, and the sciences. It consistently ranks among the top universities globally.
We walked a portion of the campus while studious students headed in various directions towards parts unknown…what struck us about Cornell is that it’s very large and spread out and it’s very hilly. We were expecting more flat and compact.
We hit the Cornell Store before heading back to the car. Our plan was to find an on campus Starbucks but all 3 were permanently closed – probably their contract with Cornell wasn’t renewed. So no “ Been There-Cornell” mug.
By this time, we were getting quite hungry so we drove back to the Inn and wanted to have lunch at Moosewood Restaurant within walking distance nearby.
Moosewood gained fame for its emphasis on natural, locally sourced ingredients and its commitment to vegetarian and vegan cuisine. The restaurant opened in 1973 and quickly became a popular destination for those seeking wholesome, plant-based meals.
Moosewood is also famous for its series of vegetarian cookbooks, authored by the restaurant’s staff, which have inspired countless home cooks to explore vegetarian and vegan cooking. The restaurant’s menu often features a variety of seasonal dishes, and it has played a significant role in popularizing vegetarian and vegan dining options in the United States.
Although we’re not vegetarians, we’ve owned and enjoyed their first cookbook for many years so we were looking forward to possibly eating there. Alas, Tuesday is the only day of the week that they’re closed and it was Tuesday. Better luck next time…
We finally went to the place next door to the restaurant we had dinner at last night. Put it this way, we won’t be back…
The Inn is in such a great location that we literally had to go just around the block to get back. After the late lunch, we were needing a Power Nap.
The quick nap rejuvenated us so we headed up the western side of Cayuga Lake to Taughannock Falls State Park and we were glad we did. The sun was getting low by this time so we quickly headed out on the short 3/4 mile hike to the falls. Lots of other folks had the same idea as it was a warm afternoon.
Returning to the Argos, we sat outside on this balmy night enjoying the early evening with several others. By the upcoming weekend here, the temperatures are forecast to plummet only into the 50s.
East Coast Road Trip: From Clemson to Montreal 
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