Dear readers,

    I decided to take a trip up to New York State while summer still lingered. Turns out, I made a wise decision since I got to see a beautiful, stunning side of nature.

    Venturing to upstate New York by car from New York City takes about four hours. The drive itself was a scenic trail. We passed through hilly towns and mountainous regions full of dense forests and open, golden hayfields. The neighborhoods were suburban; houses were generously spaced along the highway, and on occasion we could see cows and horses scattered around barns. The view was picturesque — a straight highway extending into hunter green mountains, white fog blending into the edges of the blue sky, and quiet towns of red and white houses appearing in the corner of your eye; quite a contrast from the bustling city of New York.

    Our destination, Watkins Glens State Park, was no less breathtaking. The park is one of the Finger Lakes parks near Seneca Lake. En route, we saw Seneca Lake sitting above the road ahead of us. At the foot of the gorge, a small bridge, behind which lay the first of 19 waterfalls, greeted us. From far away, we could already hear the gushing sound of the water. After passing through a tunnel near the entrance, we began our two-hour voyage along the gorge, enjoying the multitude of waterfalls and creeks. Some of the falls were steep and wide, splashing downwards with tremendous power and speed; others flowed softly and smoothly, more or less touching against the rocks. The most unique was a small waterfall running right beside the trail. The waterfall was as thin as a pane of glass, but no less mesmerizing. Standing behind the water curtain felt like being in a mini “Shuiliandong,” and getting my clothes wet from being so close to the water was definitely worth it. We took the Gorge Trail up, which was sure gorgeous, and the Indian Trail back to enjoy a different perspective. We even came across a small lily pond; a dragonfly rested above the water.

    They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but I feel that even pictures or videos can’t deliver the experience in its full. The wonder, like many others created by the powerful forces of nature and time, sure left me in awe.

    Sincerely,

    BingyinLi Bingyin is studying finance at the Stern School of Business at New York University.