Saturday, November 21, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
We CANNOT let this happen to Allegany State Park!!!
Please take a moment to read this article, watch the video, and then contact Assemblyman Sam Hoyt and let him know how important it is that we do everything we can to prevent this drilling within Allegany State Park:
http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/811067.html?imw=Y
Contact Assemblyman Sam Hoyt: http://www.samhoyt.com/index.php?submenu=ContactUs&src=forms&ref=Contact
Please! and Thank you for your help!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Cave of the Winds - Niagara Falls, NY
One interesting fact -- these walkways are taken down every winter and rebuilt in the Spring.
My second favorite Niagara Falls attraction is the Whirlpool Jet Boats which run out of Lewiston, New York, just a short 15 minute ride north down river from the Falls. Stay tuned for more details on that!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Oak Orchard Canoe Trek
About 20 canoes and kayaks paddled off surrounded by the songs of warblers, finches, and red wing blackbirds.
A sun-worshipping turtle stuck around to watch us leave.
I love this creek because there are spots that are wide open and areas that are narrow; completely wooded sections and others that are almost barren. And through it all, the birds just sing and sing and sing.
We saw quite a few blue herons. They are the most prehistoric looking bird - I just love them!
This is the section where I was so happy it wasn't windy! In other treks, that wind would be full force in your face and it's just paddle, paddle, paddle to keep moving forward.
Here's the view from Sour Springs Road where we end the trek. And below is the other side of the road. We were going to continue on, but a kayak scout told us there was too much 'creek crud' to get through.
The whole paddle only took us about an hour and 45 minutes. Much too short, if you ask me! The next trek is scheduled for October 4 - I've already got it on my calendar!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
have to be a grown-up today :(
I miss you Sabre
Under the arbor and through the gate into the yard. The gate was salvaged from a beautiful brick home that was torn down on West Avenue. The credit union's drive thru was constructed on the site.
Wild roses grow along the back fence. No matter how I try to fix that area up, these girls just take over the place.
I do have a 'vegetable' patch, but I just am not a good veggie farmer. My plan is to fill the majority of the spot with rhubarb. I had some rhubarb plants along the fence line that were here when we moved in, but over the past few years the plants got smaller and smaller, and now are gone completely.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Watch the Eagles!
You too can watch them grow, thanks to the Hancock Wildlife Foundation live camera.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Bond Lake
For years I only knew Bond's Lake to be a sledding hill on the north of the road and a lake that comes right up to the edge of the road on the south with a few picnic tables and shelters scattered along its shores. Never really thought of it as a place to take a hike,until we went beyond the obvious lake in the front of the park. That's where the real treasures are!
This time in, we passed the main entrance and continued up to Blacknose Spring Road which brings you into the Tuscarora Indian Nation lands. There's a place to park to accomodate a fair number of cars and today there were quite a few trucks in the lot. To be expected, I guess; it was a great day.
The path is very wide - large enough for a vehicle to drive on although the entrances are all blocked with either downed trees or chain, etc. so that's not going to be a problem. In short order, we came across one of the 'back' lakes. I'm not sure exactly how many bodies of water are in this park, but I think there are at least 5 or so.
The main path will lead you right past the lake and it goes to the back of the park which opens up into a huge field.
The trail is not marked in any way, just an obvious walkway that hikers have worn down. It meanders out onto a somewhat steep, narrow peninsula and the views are just beautiful on either side. A few Canada Geese kept us company along the way.
Portions of the path are steep and narrow; I would not recommend bringing small children.Once on top of the peninsula, the views from both left and right are equally pretty. On the left is the large lake and to the right a small cove.
Toward the end, a nice open flat spot appears which offers a great view of the lake. A leftover campfire circle proves I'm not the only one who thinks this is a nice spot to take in the view.
This is the view from the tip of the peninsula looking east, away from the large lake. So tranquil compared to the 'lake side'.
Love the way this huge slab is balanced on the small boulder along the far shore.
After leaving this area, we cut through the woods further and came out on the other side to a large wide path/roadway. This path cuts between the cove area you can see from the peninsula on the large lake and another smaller lake filled with coves and islands that just beg to be explored. I don't know if canoeing is allowed; I've never seen anyone in the water.
Here's the view from the same spot looking west.
A view to the east into one of the many cove areas tucked in along the shoreline. The Canada Geese obviously preferred this lake as opposed to the larger lake. Probably because it was much smaller and not as 'exposed' as the other lake. They certainly were vocal - watch the video to hear them chattering on and on.
Although the scenery in the park is a sight to behold, I will admit there are a few drawbacks. First and foremost - litter - I have never seen so much garbage; from beer bottles, coffee cups, cans, food wrappers, etc. all over the trails. Horrible. The worst I have ever seen. The other issue is the Niagara Sportsmen's Club has their shooting range either in the park, or right next to it. For the majority of the hike gunshots were a constant interruption. Maybe during the week it would be a quieter hike.