My Weekend at Humphrey Lake Lodge

Being almost 49 years old, I realized I had never travelled alone. Even when I travelled for work, I always went with someone.

How Appropriate.
This print hangs in the bathroom at Humphrey Lake Lodge.

I searched online and found what appeared to be the perfect place for a single chick to chill for the weekend.  Almost too good to be true.  I did a little research, checking out the location by google mapping it on the satellite setting.  Just wanting to make sure there wasn't a factory or some other industrial place lurking close by.  Didn't want to get "catfish"ed, I guess you could say.

Well, the more I looked, the more I was convinced I had found THE perfect place for a few days of solitude.  Booked it.  But then panicked.  I can't go alone.  Called my two friends that I know would enjoy a weekend in the woods and as fate (luck?) would have it, both were busy that weekend.  So I took that as a sign.  I was going away alone.  Gulp.

I meet the owner, Bette, at her home and she led the way up the hill to the cabin; picture her flying up this 'driveway' (more like a dry creek bed) in a golf cart, and me carefully picking my way around the rock filled ruts.  I felt like a City Slicker (but I swear I do live in the country!) and wondering if I had lost my mind doing this alone.

As soon as the cabin comes into view, I know I'm never going to want to leave.  This place is

P E R F E C T

I spend the first hour or so getting acquainted with what will be home for the next 72 hours.

Pretty comfy.   I believe I could live here year 'round.

My high hopes of hiking for hours and then coming back to get some beading projects done, quickly melted away in the heat and humidity.  And I became addicted to the view.  Heavily addicted. 

I spent the majority of the day watching the fish jump in the pond and eavesdropping on the birds. 

I read.

I stared at the view.

I made friends with the tadpoles.

I felt like a peeping tom watching a turkey take a dust bath and then down to the pond for a drink. Wish I had my camera handy, but it was in the cabin and I didn't want to take the time to go get it.

 I held my breath when a fawn made its way along the pond edge before disappearing into the meadow.  So silently, had I not been looking, I would have missed it. 

I practiced yoga.

I ate.

 

 I smiled every time a fish would jump and send ever-widening ripple rings across the pond.  It was so fun to hear the splash and then quick look across the surface to see where it had jumped.  Silly, but fun.

I ate some more.

I walked the perimeter of the pond and enjoyed the view from a different perspective.

I did a bit of beading on Twigs, who has now been officially renamed Humphrey.

And while I sat there basking in the glory of it all, three visitors came.

And stayed near me most of the day.  Oddly enough,  on my feet, but occasionally sharing my chair.

I've never experienced butterfly love before, but its an amazing thing to have such a delicate creature share your day.   Fluttering around, landing on you, tasting you.  Beautiful.  I lost myself watching them. 

After an over the top day that was beyond my expectations, I will admit I was a bit apprehensive as dusk settled on the hill.  Even with a gargoyle on duty...

I'm not much of a night person.  But I was brave enough to venture out and  catch the almost full moon reflecting off the pond while hundreds (thousands?) of fireflies blinked everywhere.  Pure Magic.

The morning dawned with the valley covered in mist.  So serene.

 I decided to  walk in the woods a bit before the sun rose fully and the heat convinced me to lounge on the porch all day.

I saw enough of the woods that morning to know I will most definitely come back in the Fall and hike hike hike.

Today, though I will feed my addiction to the view.

I headed home feeling like a new person....and looking forward to returning.

 Two minutes at Humphrey Lake Lodge. 

Enjoy.

 

Niagara Gorge at Low Water

I always try to go to a few of the hikes organized by the New York State Parks Department. 

Morgan at the Whirlpool

The NYS Parks Department works really hard to get these hikes together and I'm so thankful they do.

Me and My Shadow :) in the early sun

I always learn something new. Like the fact that at this time of year, so much water is diverted for power that the whirpool no longer exists at the bend. It's still a great spot, even without the swirling whirlpool.

Especially on a day like this one.

And although I've hiked this gorge many times, it never ceases to amaze me all the hidden treasure I somehow missed the last time through. 

This time around I learned that one of the workers engraved the year along the pathway beyond the whirlpool flats.  Keep your eyes open next time you hike that ledge and see if you can find it.  Pretty cool.

And we came along these remnants of a by-gone era:

Heaps and Heaps of cast off hardware from a long gone factory that was at the top of the gorge some time ago.  All melded together.  Forever.

Pure Art if you ask me.  Fascinating.  As mezmerizing as those rapids.  The more you look, the more you see.

 

Very Cool Indeed.

Golden Hill State Park

 I'd been to Golden Hill once before years ago on a rather too-hot day to tour the light house, but wasn't even aware of the extensive trail system that traverses the grounds.  Luckily a friend (thanks Morgan!) clued me in on this, so Pete and  I packed up the dogs and headed for Lake Ontario.

 Heading south on the trail directly off the parking lot, I wasn't too enthused with the trail.  HoHum, kind of dull.  We came across an opening to the west, so we headed in and immediately were on a trail surrounded by fairly dense underbrush.

 We could see a stand of pines ahead (and I love pines), so we continued on until....

 Ahhhhh,  a cathedral of stately pines.  So quiet and dark and mysterious.

 That trail led us back to the main roadway into the park so we turned back around and went back to the original  (what the park calls the "Interpretative Trail") trail.  A little ways down, we came across a trail marking that links into another trail heading west.  Since we had just come from that area, we stuck with the Interpretative Trail.

 We eventually came to Golden Hill Creek and a sweet little bridge.  I could listen to the gurgling of a creek all day, but we pressed on.

 There were some topped off huge trees right at the bridge.  They reminded me of totem poles.

 The trail follows the creek and led us into a more heavily wooded area (yeah!)

 All along the trail we kept noticing these pink splotches of color but no indication of what was causing it- then I came across this one - mystery solved!

 A smaller tree blocked the trail for us, but the dogs had no trouble getting through.

 Almost to the lake, we came across this monstrous tree - huge!  Look at the size of that trunk!  I couldn't  resist hugging it - Pete just rolled his eyes!

 A little further along and we came across some evidence of beaver. 

 At last we came to Lake Ontario.

 So unbelievably quiet.  It was snowing slightly, but a very light wind.

 Some really interesting snow volcanoes.  They are deceptively small in these pics - but they were actually pretty deep.

 Look at these fun ice circles that formed.  Too funny!!

It looks like they are all doing the hula dance ;)

Even though it would be brutally cold to be there on a windy  day, I would like to see the waves crash into snow volcanoes and spray up.  That would be a sight to see.

 I understand this park is a great place for birding.  We didn't see any except these little guys feeding.  Not sure what they are; finches maybe?

 Came across this sign on our way out.  The Interpretive Trail is shown in red/orange.  Next time we'll try the green hiking trail.  Can't wait!