Trail adventures....

June 1, 2020

Tinker Falls- 

Things in our area have slowly been re-opening. We successfully entered Phase I and II. They anticipate phase III by the end of the week. What all of that really means, is nothing to me. Sure I would like to be able to use my gym membership (I have been paying for all along), sure I would like to see about returning to the casinos, but quite honestly, I have been enjoying my trail hiking and keeping things on the down low. My friend Tammy and I took an adventure to the Finger Lakes area and found this little gem of a falls called Tinker Falls. 

The falls is an easy few steps in from the parking area so it is easily accessible, there are a few rocky areas and getting into the falls seemed a little tricky. 

But they sure were pretty

I made my way up some of the slippery steps, but decided against taking myself all the way to the back of the falls, where there appears to be a ledge to walk along behind the falls.

There is also a means to walk on the top of the falls, which we never found, but more on that later.

Its is a pretty falls.

The brook that the falls feeds.

After admiring the falls for a bit, we decided that we wanted to get on the top and headed up hill.

UP UP UP UP UP.........

This was the steepest uphill climb I had done in a LONG time. I must have stopped to catch my breath multiple times. There were no switch backs along this trail and the up was steep. I was so exhausted that I didn't even bother to take a picture. As we ascended, I kept thinking we were nowhere near the falls and must be heading someone else. Everyone who was walking down informed us that it was well worth the upward hike....they also were not very clear on just how much further the up went. It ended up being 1.7 miles directly straight UP a MOUNTAIN. But when we got to the top!

 We got the most amazing views of the valley.

 Wish we had a picnic lunch prepared....

We took in the views and had a nice long sat on a rock.

 Down was pretty stressful as well. Tammy will report down was worse then up. I'm not sure. At any rate, it seemed we made it down much quicker despite the steep sloop....

 A few pictures going down. It doesn't seem that steep here does it.

 We also found a geocashe that we were not looking for. Not much in it.

 Across the way and down the road was this wonderful area for a short hike out on a bog. A women had told us about it while we had been at the overlook admiring the beauty.

 I was shocked that we were at all up to another hike, but we figured we were not sure when we would be around the area again, so why not do it.  The picture below is from the parking  lot and if you look all the way to the top to that small area cleared of the trees. That is where we had been (on top of the mountain)

 This bog area was absolutely lovely. A boardwalk winds around the lush bog filled with spring flowers, moss and thin trees.

 Birds sing while bee's buzz as you walk along this peaceful, although popular area.

 It was an easy walk and excessable for most people. I am guessing that it was under a mile to complete the entire trail.

 Definitely pretty.

Tammy and I agreed that we were not prepared and decided that future hikes would include a picnic lunch or at least some bottled water. We were both thirsty and ready for some lunch. We stopped a a local McDonalds and had the large sized $1- soda and a couple of  double cheese burgers..hold the onions. 

What a great day trip. We decided to do these on a more regular basics. We even have a real vacation coming up later this month. (TBD).

This week was rather busy with work. I have been assisting in the interview process for my old position. We had several 1st interviews and now they want to do a second. I ended up working more hours as a result and spent most of my days at home. I did get all my flowers planted and they are starting to look nice. 

The pool is getting there too. I was really struggling to get the chlorine levels right so far this year. I am hoping that we have seen the last of that issue. I did spend one working afternoon basking in the sun cooled by the pool waters. No video meetings thank you.

Another trail adventure took Riley and me to the Camillus Forest. I have fallen in love. I never even know this place existed.

A short hike through meadows, forests and even an overlook of the town.

Fields of wild flowers brush the trails as you enter offering an opportunity to enjoy the dance of the bees.

Just don't get stung....up ahead you can just make out (if you look hard enough) a deer enjoying the morning sun.

He was certainly interested in what I was doing and stared for a bit before briskly dodging back into the brush. Riley took no notice. 

The skies were stunning as we walked along the upper trails overlooking the valley.

As we entered the forest area we were greeted with this old rusty machine. I'm not sure what it is.

A stroll along the ravine was calming....

As we continued along the trail we found that there was a small waterfall and a make shift bridge. I dared myself to cross and made it up and over successfully.

Once across we found this lonely pool overgrown with greenery and covered in graffiti. It seemed so out of place here surrounded by woods. I wonder if this was once a town park where people came to swim, or perhaps this was the pool of a wealthy home owner. It was a rather large pool, so I am suspecting the 1st guess. Either way it was an unusual find.

I wanted to continue to explore, but there was mud everywhere and I did not want to fall. We decided to return to the trail and head back over the make shift bridge. The return trip was not as successful as the first crossing. I have always been a little nervous with Riley as he tends to pull and steep stairs/ravines and the like make me nervous walking with him....not so much the up, as he helps pull me along, but the downs....well you can guess. Despite these concerns, I had no choice but to back track so off we went. I was very pleased to say that Riley walked behind me and he was extremely patient as I slowly made my way down the slick ravine to the creeks edge. Once I was standing on flat ground about to get my footing to cross the sticks making a bridge he descended the trail ahead and waited..He really did a great job of listening and waited standing in the creek for me to begin my crossing. Well...that was when I fell. I took one step forward and WOOOP!!! My butt hit the mud/creek hard. So hard in fact my glasses flew off my face...I wasn't hurt luckily...just my ego, and I was a bit muddy. Grateful for no injuries and the ending of the trail...I hurried out back towards my car, bush-waking some of the overgrown trail way. (I may have been lost at that point.) Eventually finding the trail head we headed off to the car to clean up.
Despite the fall, it was a very enjoyable hike. On our way home we had to stop as a trail went by.

Another trail adventure took us to Onondaga Lake Park. The park has several areas to enjoy, and my personal favorite is the West End trail. Its a little less crowded and there is more of a natural setting, unlike the main entrance where there is more picnic areas, a museum, a playground, store and a place to rent bikes etc. The last time I had been to this side of the park, the lot was closed. This time, it was open. I parked and began my walk. Shortly in I found this lovely lady crossing the paved walkway...

She may not look it here but she was BIG. Perhaps the biggest one I have seen in the wild. She wasn't fearful of me at all and simply made her way very slowly across the park street towards the lake. I read somewhere that you should not move a turtle from it's route. (Yes you should move them from the road as to prevent getting hit.) but you should not move him in an alternative direction from the way they are headed. Apparently changing their course will confuse them and they may never find their way home. I can't recall where I read this, so my facts may be off.

Well...it had been a nice start to the trail walk...onward along the lake...

OLP is a very popular trail and there were several people running, biking and enjoying this beautiful space on such a lovely day.

Riley and I made it about 1/2 way along the walkway before we turned around and returned to the parked car. My turtle friend was not there when we got back and a jogger who had seen me prior informed me that "she" had safely made it to the grass on the other side of the roadway.

I'd say..this looks like a nice place to head towards. Kudos to you, Ms. Turtle.

A little more exploration and an extra walk around by the now closed dog park and we were back at the car having had a simply marvelous stroll. 

Monday's have become my friend Tammy and my days for adventure...On one such Monday we headed out searching for waterfalls. We took a short road trip to this hidden gem...Great Gully.

A beautiful tree lined trail leads along a short walk to this beautiful falls.

It looks like a great swimming hole complete with a natural diving board. (dont really dive, it looks pretty shallow.)

NO swimming for me today, but certainly inviting,

After enjoying the falls for a bit we headed up the trail towards some woods, which eventually weaved into farm land. We didn't go beyond that as we were not sure if this was public space. I was told later that there is a larger falls further up but we missed this.

A few interesting signs along the road in the area read, Cayuga Castle. (It apparently is no longer there)

There was not a whole lot of information about this area, but it was neat.

Up next we stopped in the little town just down the road a bit. Very charming.

These are experimental machines meant to keep the geese away...notice.. no geese. It might just be a success. (You can see several of them down aways where these machines are not)

Gazing out over the lake (Seneca I believe) what.....what is that. YIKES.

Up next we headed to Montezuma. This wildlife park can be seen from the thruway and for years I have said...someday I want to go there. Today was the day.


We walked the trail along the overlook of the marsh and stepped along the canalway.

It was a very peaceful walk with sounds of birds surrounding us.

Once we completed the trail we headed back to our car where we began the driving tour.

The driving trail runs along the marsh allowing you to drive at your own pace and explore the many birds.

There were several we could easily see from the car, others we needed to get out and squint at.

way...way...way out there where you can see the two dark spots....(you might just need to trust me on this) are a pair of bald eagles. I cursed myself for not bringing my camera as well as my binoculars.

The only reason why I knew they were eagles was because a man with a very large camera lens informed me of such. Beautiful even if I couldn't really see the eagles.

But wait....you can't miss this guy. This big beautiful bronze statue can be seen as you pass along on I-90.

Well...it was nice. We were not able to see to many birds but we did hear them. Next time, bring something to assist the vision.

The adventures did not stop there. I had heard that the Finger Lakes Outlet mall had opened and my Husband needs new pants.Well the store was closed, but we did do a little shopping before our next to do.  Along the way we saw this auto mechanic shop and decided to take look. Looking is free, but they do ask for a donation which I felt was a great deal.

Where else can you get a great picture with the GENERAL LEE after all?

Sorry...no Bo, Luke or Daisy Duke...but there were some very interesting BIRDS.

Meet Mr. Turkey

his friend fluffy...

The crowing Rooster.....this guy had me in stitches. He would only crow when I walked away from him. I tried to get a video of him crowing and each time I shot towards him, he would keep quiet.

and Cluck Cluck the hen.

My new bird friends followed us around the property as we got a look at some of the more neat stuff to be found.

Weird....but supper COOL!

Oh...wait...one more fowl friend.

Continuing towards home, we decided to grab a late lunch and stopped to enjoy a picnic in Seneca Falls where we stumbled on to this trail. The Seneca Falls Sculpture garden trail. 

There were some neat sculptures along this trail.

and a pretty creepy SNAKE.

We walked along this trail for some time before we decided to call it a day and head home. What fun was had. We can not wait for our next adventure.

I have been finding these painted rocks for some time now, and when I found this beauty in the grocery store parking lot, I noticed that it recommended that I post on FB at 315rocks. So I joined the group and have started painting my own rocks to hide. I just love finding rocks on my adventures, now I can give back too.

More trails were had during a weekend at CAMP. I was unaware of the many trails that surround my camp, but Mark and I took some of them during our weekend at camp. Riley loved this and we ended up doing nearly 10 miles by the end of the day on Saturday just from walking in the local area, walking both the trails and the campground. Looks like I will be spending many of my days getting the steps in.

Across the way from the camp entrance is this meadow leading to some back forest trails.

We had walked a few of them, but on Saturday morning I decided to take Riley on these trails myself.

They look innocent enough....but then we got into the creepy.

I'm not sure why these stuffed animals were left in the trees along the trail...but I was NOT wanting to find out.

I ventured a little ways in along this trail before my too much paranormal tv watching got the best of me. Is this some creepy forest trail to keep the ghost children happy? Is it a stuffed animal ritual ground where they come to life and dance in the trees? Well...NOPE my curiosity is not strong enough to find out. (I'm sure I will be back with my traveling companion and husband.)

Back to less freaky trails.....

and we spot a deer.

as well as a beautiful pond.

Later that day, I searched on the alltrails app for some local hikes. I found this one called Happy Valley. Keeping up with the creepy, this trail had no parking area and seemed to be completely EMPTY. My imagination can be a killer of anything joyful sometimes.

As Riley and I walked the flat gravel road crossing these state lands, all I could think about was bad things happening....Jason Voorheese, bears, weird people living out in the woods in forgotten cabins, falling and breaking an ankle.

I'm not sure why these thoughts came to my head it was a pretty and easy walk...there was just something that was off. It was all just a little to quiet.....

The whole distance of the trail is about 6 miles, we made it about 11/2 before I decided...okay that's enough and headed back to my car that was parked carefully in the brush along the trail.

I guess, I'm still not confident enough to just walk in areas where there is absolutely no one around for miles. Or I really am a big chicken and I may never get used to such trails all by my lonesome. At any rate I wasn't done exploring so I stopped at this "park" in hopes of finding a trail with more humans around.

There were people and there was a short trail. Not really long enough to consider a "hike" but there was some pretty running water.

Back at the campground, Mark joined us for some walks around the area.

We took a back trail which took us to "Beaver Damn Falls"

The trail had both some weird findings as well as some cute added features.

Plus a waterfall....

More fun stuff...

I really enjoyed this trail and plan to take it several more times while at camp. I spent some of the weekend painting my own rocks to hide. This is my 1st attempt and I only had a few paints, one of them being fabric paints. These are sayings from The Beauty and the Beast movie.

Music was heard at camp....very nice.

And Riley was so pooped that evening he slept with me.

One afternoon, my friend Carol was off of work and we headed to Great Bear for a fun hike. 

 I had been here before, but we headed in a different direction. The place is actually pretty big. We found a beach and a pump house as well as some pretty streams.

 Interior of the pump house.

 Inside the pump house buildings.

The beach area.... LOVELY. One thing I do not like about this park is that people let their dogs run off leash. I love dogs...but when we arrived at the beach area, this guys big black dog ran at me and jumped up with his paws full of MUD. love ya fellow, but didn't exactly enjoy your dirty paws all over me. Anyway.....

 It sure was pretty.....

 and my fit bit reported an achievement when we were done.

 I also found a rock..I don't know how. This little heart shaped rock was hidden inside a tree hole....

 I love it and will actively practice the suggested saying.

Although not trail related...We celebrated Marks birthday and fathers day early, as I was off on my first real trip since the Pandemic.....Stay tuned

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mark!!!!

TTFN- Up next is a trip into some fun.