Taughannock Falls and Mark Twain Country

The tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains is Taughannock Falls. At 215 feet, this cascade is three stories taller than Niagara Falls.  It is 8 miles north of Ithaca with an impressive gorge and hiking trails.

It was interesting to note a rockbed jutted out . It was dry and the perfect spot to take photos. 

I was happy this trek did not require 1,300 steps to get close. 

Elmira, NY a treasure trove of all things Mark Twain.
Mark Twain is its most famous resident. He married Olivia Langdon, a woman from a prominent local family. They summered in Elmira for more than 20 years at Quarry Farm on East Hill where Twain's sister and family lived. His sister, Susan had a hexagon shape study built for him on the property where he  wrote most of his famous works, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn which overlooked the majestic Chemung Valley. After his death the study was moved to the Elmira College campus.

Inside the study student volunteers are available for visitors. Twain's study has been deemed the #1 literary attraction in America by USA Today and the college is the home to the Center for Mark Twain Studies. It also features an exhibit of Twain artifacts related to time he spent in 
Elmira. A pond nearby gives the surrounding area a very restful feel.

It's impressive to note Twain smoked 35-40 cigars  day and still lived to 75 years. 

Elmira College was the first institution in the U.S. to grant women collegiate degrees equal to those of men. It's one of the most picturesque campuses I've ever seen. 

Twain died in 1910 and is buried in Woodlyn Cemetery alongside his wife and children. To  be truthful after hearing all the tragic events that occurred in his life with 3 of his 4 children dying young and then his wife, one comes away with a feeling of sadness for all the events he faced. One can't help admire how he was able to continue being such a prolific writer in spite of all the adversity he faced. 

Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

Mark Twain

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CORNELL UNIVERSITY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS