Happy Halloween, You Pumpkinheads

Proof of Wind

Ginko in Lower Onondaga Park

Court House in Binghamton

Solo Brant Traveling With Canada Geese

Oak Leaves in Front of Our House

Nothing added, nothing taken away...just orange.

Kasey and Jimmy - October 23, 2010 - Congratulations!

My Newest Cousin

Or first cousin twice removed, to be more exact. What a sweetie is Gavin!

Black River at Watertown

This rapids at downtown Watertown is the first challenge on any Black River rafting trip. When we went a few years ago there were several kayakers playing at this spot. Our raft leader demonstrated that even a raft can surf, ferrying sideways and balancing in the disturbance right at the foot of the falls shown here. 

That July day was cool but the water was warm, and we swam and were able to enjoy the gorge of the Black River all the way out to around Dexter. The river is swift and there is enough white water to be interesting for thrill seekers. The gorge is very beautiful and deep; often the walls are vertical.

Stillwater's Beaver River, along with the Moose River, flows into the Black, and all that Adirondack water proceeds to Lake Ontario.

Shorty's Place in Watertown

St. Lawrence River at Clayton

Chaumont Barrens Preserve

Chaumont Barrens Preserve, north-west of Watertown, is a Nature Conservancy site. A very thin layer of soil sitting on a bed of limestone has created a prairie-like environment rich in birds and flowering plants in springtime, becoming draught-like during the summer, and full of golden light in the fall.

You can find more information and how to visit at:

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/newyork/preserves/art11823.html

Rap-Shaw: The Next Time We See You We Will Come Over the Ice

Rap-Shaw: Jerry and Marie are Married!

The day before was so rainy and windy that the plans seemed almost hopeless. Saturday broke calm but still socked in. The sun arrived just as the wedding got underway. Ed married Jerry and Marie, his first wedding and a very pleasant experience for him. 

As for Jerry and Marie, they were grinning from ear to ear! All the best to you both in the many, many years to come, congratulations and good luck. And lots of hugs!

Richard Golding's Glass at Corning Museum of Glass

Richard makes unique and lovely glass pieces in England. We have known the Goldings since we were all children in Kenwood. 

View From Sugar Hill Toward Seneca Lake

Sugar Hill is state forest west of Watkins Glen.  The stairs up the tower, but not the cabin at the top, are open

Hornby Park in Steuben County

This well-built stone wall is near the eastern edge of Hornby County Park near Corning. The homestead is nowhere in evidence and the forest is maturing. This is fossil country!

New Thruway

I am not sure why this seems like such a big deal, except that we were just kids when the NYS Thruway was built. At that time, in the 1950s, it was huge! It was going to mean that Routes 5 and 20 would become secondary roads. I remember before the toll booths were opened, we were allowed to drive on it, and it was thrilling. The progress! The newness!

Now, this summer and fall, in two sections westbound between Syracuse and Weedsport, the Thruway Authority has taken it down to the dirt and put down two pristine lanes of concrete. They did similarly on eastbound lanes last year. 

It is a Tonka lover's dream... cement plant, the big machine that applies the cement, big trucks upon trucks, graders, steam rollers, shoulders and landscaping, and many jobs.

How am I supposed to hold this goodness with the fact that we must reduce our dependence upon gasoline over the next very few decades?

Stillwater Fire Tower

The abandoned Stillwater Fire Tower is getting a new life. A band of Stillwater residents have initiated repairs. Wonderful! To see their website go to: http://www.stillwaterfiretower.org/

Sillwater: Esker and Floating Mat Bog

This is the esker pictured with Ed and our canoe in September. The floating mat was probably raised from its boggy bed when the reservoir was flooded many years ago.

Hamlet of Beaver River

Six-tenths of a square mile in the middle of the wilderness, this is Beaver River. The train tracks go right through town.

Stillwater: Looking Up the Flow

Thompson's Barge at Stillwater

The barge is the only way to get a vehicle to Beaver River.

Jerry at Rap-Shaw

Jerry moves a boat toward the boat house for winter storage.

Joli at Rap-Shaw

Happy dog on the last warm day at Rap-Shaw.

Squirrel Meets Wet Cement

Our little buddy crossed the self-leveling cement beneath our new deck. We think there were no ill effects on the squirrel; the tracks are permanent though covered. 

New England Aster

Our garden has several hues of aster, with Aster novae-angliae  (Asteraceae) or New England Aster, giving us the finest burst of color, welcome as we head toward winter.  

E

NFL Supports Breast Cancer Awareness

Pink chin guards, shoes, towels, hats, gloves, banners, pink ribbons on the footballs...what a sight! These guys have moms, sisters, wives, girlfriends, daughters, aunties...and they know what it means. What a feeling! What a message! Thanks a million to all of you.

One Nation . October 2, 2010 . Washington DC

Hundreds of thousands working for peace and justice here and around the globe.

Theme Day: Graffiti

City Daily Photo's October First Theme Day is Graffitti. This was created under a bridge connecting two halves of a park in Corning.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants