Most Americans like to travel. It is part of our DNA. We have a big country, and it has always been accepted that we can cross state lines without customs barriers or border controls.

This has changed with COVID-19. Now, you have to be careful if you leave the state and travel to a state with a higher rate of COVID infection. You may need to quarantine when you return. From a public health standpoint, it makes sense. But, it grates against the American notion of traveling without restrictions.

Recently, we took a three-day road trip with another couple. In order to avoid any quarantine restrictions, we limited our travel by staying in New York state. It was a really beautiful trip. The weather was great and the leaves were at their top color.

We started at Letchworth State Park with lunch at the renowned Glen Iris Inn. We knew what to expect and entered the restaurant with our masks on until we were seated. The tables were properly distanced and the Glen Iris had provided for additional seating in a tent outdoors so that more guests could be accommodated. Lunch was followed by the oft-seen photo-op of the gorge with the waterfall in the background.

We then traveled cross-county on two-lane state and county roads over the ridge to Nunda, then on to Dansville, and after that across through Naples and Italy Hill to Keuka Lake. From there, we made the spectacular drive to Hammondsport along the lake and then over another large ridge, past Waneta & Lamoka Lakes, and down to Seneca Lake and Watkins Glen.

One forgets how much countryside and raw beauty we have in New York. Disney couldn’t make it better! The Finger Lakes have also become a huge center for grapes and wine making. Vineyards are everywhere. We did a wine-tasting at one vineyard along Seneca Lake. It was magnificent and, as you looked out, you could imagine yourself in Napa Valley or Tuscany doing the same thing.

We have been impressed with the new hotel in Celoron, the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, and so wanted to stay at one of their other hotels located in Watkins Glen. We were not disappointed. Like the one in Celoron, it is located on the water with a spectacular view of Seneca Lake. The only “wrinkle” we found is that we had not made a reservation for dinner. Because of COVID restrictions, the restaurant capacity was limited and we couldn’t get in. We had to enjoy our meal through room service.

The next day, we drove east over another massive ridge and down into the valley which is home to Cayuga Lake with Ithaca and Cornell University situated at its southern end. It had been years since I had been there, but the magnificence of the Cornell campus housed there on the big hill overlooking the lake is still overpowering. Having a large, Ivy-league school hidden here in the middle of Upstate New York is a special thing. As a kid, I would visit here with my Dad to participate in events at the Ag and Veterinary School. Cornell was, and still is, at the cutting-edge center of science as it relates to the dairy industry in the state.

So, the lesson, I guess, is that if you feel constrained in your travel because of COVID-19 … that doesn’t mean you can’t go places. You may just have to travel within the state or to places from which you can easily return. Traveling can still be part of your American identity, but you may have to do it closer to home.

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.