Last week our very on Char joined a hike across Antarctica to the South Pole.  She was able to send us one image of the desolate landscape.

Char points out that it is summer in Antarctica so the sun is up 24 hours each day.  But it only gets about 30 degrees above the horizon.

As the tour headed south toward the pole, Char says they all wore the same snow clothing so it was only with great care that they could tell who was in the lead.  We were fortunate to find a satellite image of the troop taken just a few days ago and show the two lead hikers.  Unfortunately Char doesn’t think she was in this picture.

Char expects to be back and at our Springwater Trails hike on Sunday.  So stop and ask her about her trip!

Since I have Char’s pictures from the last two hikes today, you will get two hike reports in one – sort of a two for one sale!

On Oct 18th, 15 hikers enjoyed the Erie-Attica trail and the Genesee Valley Greenway near Avon. It turned out to be a nice day with a dry trail.

The day started with a presentation sponsored by the Avon Historical Society, discussing the renovation of the Opera Block building on the circle in Avon by the Town Government.  They now are assessing the community interest in renovating the third floor stage and multi-purpose room of that building for community events.

The town hall in Avon uses the renovated Opera Block building.	The original stage still waits to be put back in use.
Even the old ceiling is interesting.	There is plenty of room for an audience.

On October 25, sixteen hikers met at the Wayland parking lot to car pool to the Finger Lakes Trail north east of Hornell. Thanks to volunteer drivers and careful attention by everyone, we were able to carpool in six cars.  Two were left at the end points of the hike (C and D) and the others transported everyone to  the start points (A and B).

The Climbers and Tourists started up hill through a Hemlock woods and then a Red Pine plantation. The Red pines were a very clean woods, with almost nothing growing at ground level.  The occasional tree making it way certainly stood out.

The naturalists started at the top of the hill for a road walk.  The rest of the hikers caught up to them and enjoyed the views across the valley.

We re-entered woods to follow an abandoned town road past an old barn and down the Katherine’s waiting car which transported the Naturalists and Tourists back to cars parked at the start of the hike and then to the Country Kitchen for our social.

Meanwhile, the climbers crossed CR 70A and continued over one more hill to the Hornell Water Filtration plant.  John’s car was a two small for all of the climbers, so Char and Linda and one dirty dog walked to the social.

	John convinced us that this tall pole with a large light and two small antennas is a navigation aid for the Hornell Airport.