Every month, my friend Lori makes the trip to Keuka Lake for a visit.
At this point, calling her a visitor feels a little inaccurate. She's here so often that she's become what I like to call an honorary resident. In fact, she probably knows more people around the lake than I do. Everywhere we go, someone seems to know Lori—or Lori knows them.
This weekend was shaping up to be a full-on Keuka Roots kind of weekend.
We had planned a Keuka Reads Lake Meet-Up at Indian Pines in Penn Yan. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other ideas. Between the gray skies, gusty winds, and temperatures that felt more like early April than the end of May, we reluctantly decided to cancel.
Sometimes the weather writes its own chapter.
But as every good reader knows, an unexpected plot twist can still lead to a wonderful story.
So despite the chilly conditions, we set off on a little Keuka adventure of our own.
Our first discovery was Folk Bottle & Bar in Penn Yan. Somehow, neither of us had visited before, and now we're wondering what took us so long. Cozy, welcoming, and perfect for conversation, it quickly became one of those places that makes you want to linger awhile. We enjoyed a glass of wine, shared a cheese board, and discovered what may have been the star of the afternoon—the honeycomb.
Trust me on this one.
Order the honeycomb.
You can thank me later.
From there, we headed to Abandon Brewing Co., a place that never disappoints. The view overlooking Keuka Lake remains one of the most breathtaking around, even under cloudy skies. The staff and patrons are always friendly, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the wood-fired pizza may very well be some of the best around the lake.
Add good company and a beautiful view, and for a little while it was easy to forget how cold it actually was.
Our next stop turned out to be one of those experiences that reminds me why I love telling stories around Keuka.
We were invited to the historic Wagener Estate for coffee and a mini tour. Katie and her parents welcomed us so warmly that within minutes it felt less like a visit and more like catching up with old friends. Between the delicious apple buckwheat muffins her mother had baked, the coffee, the conversation, and the fascinating stories of the estate's past, the afternoon seemed to slip by far too quickly.
Some places have history. Some places have charm. And every once in a while, you find a place that has both—and people who bring those stories to life in a way that makes them impossible to forget.
What began as a simple visit quickly became one of those experiences that lingers in your thoughts long after you've left. The Wagener Estate is rich with history, and I can already tell there are stories there that deserve far more than a few paragraphs in a weekend recap.
So consider this a teaser.
I cannot wait to share more about the history of the Wagener Estate in future installments. Trust me when I say this is a story worth telling.
Our final stop of the day brought us to The Hidden Cork in Hammondsport, where friends old and new gathered to celebrate the debut of something very special—the new Keuka Roots Signature Cocktail and Mocktail.
There is something humbling about seeing a local business embrace what Keuka Roots has become. What started as a simple storytelling blog has grown into a community of people who love this lake, its history, and the connections that keep us rooted here. Raising a glass alongside readers, friends, and supporters felt like a celebration of all of that.
The weather may have been chilly, but the conversations were warm, the laughter was plentiful, and the evening reminded me once again why community matters.
Sunday found us back in Penn Yan, this time at Keuka Springs Vineyard, where we spent the afternoon overlooking the vineyards while listening to States Apart perform.
Thankfully, Mother Nature decided to be much kinder. The gray skies and chilly winds of Saturday had given way to sunshine, a gentle breeze, and one of those million-dollar Keuka Lake views that never gets old no matter how many times you've seen it.
The winery itself is simply beautiful—a perfect blend of Finger Lakes charm and understated Keuka elegance. Add in the welcoming atmosphere, rows of vineyards stretching toward the lake, and a view that practically begs you to sit awhile, and it becomes easy to understand why so many people love spending an afternoon there.
Of course, no visit is complete without food. their food truck did not disappoint. The Watermelon Feta Salad was the perfect choice for a warm afternoon—light, refreshing, and absolutely delicious.
And then there was States Apart.
If you haven't yet had the pleasure of spending an afternoon or evening listening to this talented duo, put it on your summer bucket list. Their music, harmonies, and easy connection with the audience make for an experience that feels less like a performance and more like spending time with friends. Before the afternoon was over, I had already added several of their upcoming performances to my calendar. Something tells me there will be a lot more States Apart in our future.
Ironically, in a way, they reminded me of Lori and me. One half of the duo calls Pennsylvania home, while the other is from New York. Sound familiar? Much like States Apart, Lori and I may come from different states, but somehow Keuka has become the place where our paths meet.
But let's not forget what may have been the very best part of the afternoon—the conversations.
One of the things I love most about any Keuka adventure is meeting people, hearing their stories, and making new connections. Sunday delivered plenty of all three. We met new friends, shared laughs, and had the opportunity to meet several Keuka Roots readers for the very first time.
And honestly, there is something wonderfully surreal about meeting readers who turn out to be your neighbors.
Imagine standing there chatting away only to discover that the person behind the Keuka Roots stories you've been reading for months is the same neighbor you've passed on the road or seen around town. The surprise, the laughter, and the hugs that followed were absolutely priceless. Moments like that remind me that Keuka Roots has never really been about a website or a Facebook page. It's about community. It's about connections. It's about realizing that the stories we share often bring us together in ways we never expected.
Of course, every conversation seemed to lead to another story idea, another piece of local history, or another person who simply has to be interviewed. My list of future blogs and interviews grew within minutes.
And then there was Chris B. Everyone knows Chris B and his food truck!
You all remember
Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?
I think around Keuka we may need a new version:
Where Around Keuka Is Chris B’s Food Truck This Weekend?
Everywhere we turned, someone seemed to know where Chris B had been, where he was headed next, or where he might magically appear before the day was over. One minute he's serving up great food at a local event, the next he's popping up somewhere else around the lake. At this point, I am beginning to think Chris B may actually be everywhere at once.
Honestly, I think this could become a regular Keuka Roots feature.
What do you think? You game, Chris?
And honestly, that seems like a very Keuka story.
As the afternoon came to a close, we packed up and headed toward one final adventure—a night of yurt glamping at Bobcat Bungalow.
Oh. My.
Obviously, we had seen the photos beforehand, but they didn't begin to compare to the delights waiting for us when we arrived.
For the first fifteen minutes, Lori and I sounded like two excited kids on Christmas morning.
"Look at this!"
"This is beautiful!"
"Oh, I love this!"
Every corner seemed to reveal another thoughtful detail, another cozy touch, another reason to smile.
And peaceful? That may be the biggest understatement of this entire blog.
It felt like stepping into a magical little hideaway tucked away in the woods—a place designed to help you slow down, breathe deeply, and leave the rest of the world behind for a while. Surrounded by nature, wrapped in quiet, and filled with charm, it was the perfect ending to a weekend already overflowing with memorable moments.
Looking back, our Keuka Reads meet-up may not have happened as planned, but the weekend turned out exactly as it was supposed to. New discoveries. Old friends. New friends. Unexpected history. Great food. Great music. Countless conversations. New story ideas. And a few reminders that some of life's best memories happen when you simply say yes to the adventure.
That's the beauty of Keuka.
The destination is wonderful.
But it's the people you meet along the way who make the story worth telling. Again and again.
And sometimes, if you're lucky, the story ends in a magical little yurt in the woods.
But you'll have to wait until tomorrow's blog for that chapter.
P.S. And a huge thank-you to Forest, Lori's husband and our official chauffeur for the weekend. Having him along to share in our adventures added another layer of laughter, friendship, and Keuka memories to an already wonderful weekend. After all, the best adventures aren't just about where you go—they're about who shares the journey with you. 🍷❤️🌊
Stay Rooted. Stay Keuka.
