We’re renting a two bedroom apartment in Caywood, a tiny country town on the Seneca Lake wine trail. The apartment is large, light, and airy, with 1000 square feet, an open floor plan, high ceilings, and a skylight. It faces west, with a nice view of the lake and beautiful sunsets.
One of the tenants
It has two bedrooms with good closet space, a full bathroom with stacked washer and dryer, the living room opens out to the deck overlooking the lawn and the lake...
...and a kitchen that overlooks the living room and has an adjacent dining area.
The kitchen looking toward the outside
The kitchen looking out to the living room
This apartment has historically rented to people who work or study in Ithaca but who want to live away from the crowds and the student lifestyle. From this apartment, you can walk through the vineyards; grow your own food in the backyard; shop at the local Amish market; drink local wines made next door; splurge on nearby restaurants like Dano's and Stonecat; walk to the lakeshore at Caywood Point; eat the grapes that grow on the back porch; have picnics, barbecues, and bonfires in the backyard. You get the picture.
A summer picnic on the lawn
The back yard and garden
The building is an old freight railroad station that has been converted into two loft apartments. Both apartments are on the second story; the first story is unfinished space. The apartment for rent is on the north end of the building. The building sits on an acre of land, and is adjacent to a horse pasture and two large vineyards.
Caywood is about 40 minutes (25 miles) from Ithaca, about 20 minutes from Trumansburg, and about 20 minutes from Watkins Glen. This apartment is not right for a lot of people, especially those for whom the commute over country roads would be a burden. But it tends to be self-selecting, and the people who live here love it. The last five couples to live in the building have eloped during their stay in Caywood. Including us. So be forewarned.
Please contact us if you have questions or would like to schedule a time to view the apartment.
More photos:
The neighbors
Grapevines next door
The building dates back to 1899, when it was the freight station and warehouse for the fruit that was grown in Caywood. Here it is as it looked in the early 1920s. This is the side that faces the lake and the old tracks, where the railroad cars were loaded full of fruit. The building reads: E.G. Porter Peaches Grapes.
A historic view
This photo was taken from the front of the building. Its caption reads, "Porter's hired hands." The door on the second story in the center of the photo is now the entrance to the foyer for both apartments. A stairway has, of course, been added!
The hired help from days of yore
