Monthly Archives: July 2013

West Hill Preserve, July 14, 4 PM

Posted on by

This Sunday, We’re going back to the Bristol Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail, continuing from where we left off, well, almost.  We’ll skip the dull road walk on Clement and Seman Roads and hike the Nature Conservancy’s West Hill Preserve, to Naples.

We’ll meet, at 3:45, at Naples Community Park.  From Naples, go north on SR 21 and turn right on SR 245.  The park entrance is about 1/2 mile, the first right turn after a DEC service garage.  There’s a big brown sign on the left, just after the entrance.  Follow the entrance road around to the left to the parking lot by the athletic field.

Climbers and Tourists will get together and form car pools.  First decide whether you want to end your hike at the park by Bob and Ruth’s (about 4 miles), or walk down 245 to the meeting place (about 5 miles), and organize car spotting and pooling.  To get to the starting point, go north on SR21 and left on CR12.  Take the first left, Rhine St., to the 4 way  intersection.  Go left onto Seman Rd.  Trailhead is about 1/2 mile, by a big sign on the left.

The trail is well marked and easy to follow.  If you go to a Wegman’s before Sunday, pick up a Nature Conservancy passport.  There’s a rubbing spot down the trail.  About 1/2 mile later, you’ll come to a fork.  Here, the tourists will go right, staying on the main trail.  The climbers will go left, on a side trail, that isn’t marked, but looks like it’s easy to follow, eventually rejoins the main trail, and adds about another mile to the hike.  Warblers and bluebirds have often been observed on this trail.  There is a game fence on the main trail, which is electric so, be aware of it, especially with your metal hiking poles.  There are some raspberry bushes on the trail, with ripe berries, for your snacking pleasure.  The trail has mud, poison ivy and probably ticks.  Pants and gaiters offer some protection from all of these.  Good luck, if you do this hike in shorts, even though some of you chicks have nice looking legs.  Bob and Ruth’s has a good ice cream window.  If you have any fresh raspberries, they might taste good on a dish of vanilla ice cream.

Any old pokies, I mean Naturalists, who don’t want to do this hike, can enjoy the trails at our meeting park.  This park will be loaded with ripe raspberries and I can show you where they are, so bring something to collect them in.  We also have a boating option on Canandaigua Lake, for those who would prefer that.  There should be a place in Woodville, where you can put your boat in.  Just be back to the park by 6, for the social.

After hike social will be a picnic at the park where we met.  2 portapotties there can provide welcome relief, if needed.  There are picnic tables, some of which are under cover, in case it’s raining.  Bring a dish to pass or make a donation.  Wouldn’t hurt to pack lawn chairs, if needed.

Finally, this message is for Duffy.  Your daddy can read it to you.  Sorry, little buddy, but Nature Conservancy rules don’t allow you, or your kind, on their properties.  If your daddy would like, I can take you for a walk on a leash, in the village park.

 

Canadice Trimodal

Posted on by

Watching the radar screen all morning, Ann gave us a clear “heads up” for our 2nd attempt at the Canadice “Trimodal” this past Sunday on Canadice Lake and within the Hemlock/Canadice State Forest.  24 members choose to participate in 3 different recreational events:  hiking the Canadice Trail, kayaking/canoeing on the lake, or bicycling around the lake via Canadice Lake Road and the Canadice Trail.

Wendy Stevenson completed all 3 events

Wendy Stevenson completed all 3 events

Wendy Stevenson, an original board member of Springwater Parks and Trails, completed all three events, first biking 8 miles, then walking a mile with her bike, and finalizing the event with a kayak trip across the lake and back.  Family members greeter her at the completion of the trimodal.  Congratulations Wendy!

The hikers identified chantrelle Cantharelles_cibariusmushrooms along the trail, wild black raspberries, along with summer wildflowers, blossoming rose beds around old foundations, sweet peas, yarrow, oxeye daisies, day lilies and more.  Tourists and Climbers hiked the entire trail of 4 miles, but of course that was too easy for the climbers, who continued another 4 miles back to our starting point for a total of 8 miles.  Although warnings were issued about a rut on the trail, bikers unexpectantly came upon the same narrow north/south rut again near the 1 1/2 and 2 mile mark on the west side of the trail, and a near fall was experienced.  We hope this identified hazard will be fixed so that no one else will get seriously hurt.

Four kayakers and Pati’s 10′ canoe explored the west side of the lake, traveled north, then crossed the lake with a little wind and rain to return to the launch.  Watching the dark clouds carefully, Pam’s new speedy Calypso kayak got a chance to cross the lake in a mad rush to reach safety on the east shoreline.  Wave conditions can be a lot different in the middle of the lake compared to the protected shorelines, especially for a beginner. Luckily the weather held out despite the unpredictable storms that have hit the Little Finger Lakes in the past week, dumping tons of water on already saturated ground.

Congratulations to Georgia Binder Georgia Binder who completed the entire 500 mile Finger Lakes Trail.  Although she indicated it took her 7 years to complete, we all honored and toasted to her diligence and success.  After hike social along the road displayed a large array of fresh fruits, wild black raspberries, greens, salads and desserts, and every hot dog was eaten! Thanks to everyone who provided a healthy and delicious meal to pass!

 

Celebrating Our Independance

Posted on by

What does July mean to you?  We certainly recognize it as the middle of the summer season.  On the 4th day, we celebrate a mid summer holiday.  For most of us, it’s a day off work, dinner on the grill, maybe fireworks, without a thought of why.  Most people seem to call the day, the 4th of July.  Sounds like just a day on the calendar.  What do you know about the day that this date celebrates?  Have you ever read the Declaration of Independance?

In July of 1776, a group of men assembled in a building in Philadelphia, with a single purpose.  They represented the colonies that were formed by the British crown on this side of the Atlantic, with the purpose of forming a self governing united nation, free of the Crown’s will.  But, there was something different about this revolution.  Most revolutions, in history, have been organized by representatives of the poorer, lower classes.  But, these men in Philadelphia were men of means.  They owned established and successful businesses and were some of the wealthiest men in the colonies.  In most revolutions, the leaders had nothing to lose and everything to gain.  These men had everything to lose, and nothing to gain, exept one thing.

Virginia representative, Thomas Jefferson, presented the assemblage with a draft of a document for their consideration.  As often happens, disagreements ensued over petty points in the document.  These arguements might have lasted for quite some time, if external conditions had not conspired to end them.

As July came to Philadelphia, a severe wave of mid summer heat and humidity descended upon the city.  With air conditioning not yet invented, the only releif from these conditions, inside a building, was an occasional merciful breeze through an open window.  Another factor added more to the misery.

While we may complain about exhaust from automobiles, the “exhaust” from the major mode of transportation at that time, laying in the streets, formed a breeding ground for certain flies, the females of which use blood as a rich protien scource for the developing embryos in their eggs.  High temperatures shorten development time.  Remember the open windows, and screens weren’t invented yet, either.  As the 4th day of July dawned, between the heat, humidity and biting flies, one can only imagine the conditions inside that building.  Think such conditions might induce one to put petty points aside, go up and sign the document, and go out to try to get some relief?  That’s exactly what happened in that building, that day.

If you didn’t read the Declaration, do you remember the last sentence?  “We solemnly pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honour.”  This was not an idle pledge, for the British Crown came to consider the document an act of treason, a capitol crime, and all who signed the document, guilty of it.

As the men in the newly declared country fought the well organized British army, some army units were assigned the mission of seeking and capturing the declaration signers.  The soldiers succeeded in capturing a few of them.  They were then shipped off to England, where they were “tried” and hanged.  They paid with their lives.

Some others, finding out about the advancing British army units, fled their homes, thereby avoiding capture.  However, they couldn’t take with them, the businesses they had built.  The British burned down everything on their property, destroying everything they owned.  These former wealthy businessmen lost all they had and, although they escaped capture, they lived the rest of their lives and died in poverty.  They paid with their fortunes.

And so, as we wake up on this Independance Day and start getting ready for our barbecues and other activities, perhaps we can also give a fleeting thought to that hot, sticky July day, when a group of devoted patriots walked up to the podium, to pledge their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.

And a nation was born.

Canadice Lake Trimodal Event – July 7, 2013 4:00 (*note arrival times)

Posted on by
Canadice Lake

Canadice Lake

Planning a hiking event around and across Canadice Lake on the 4th of July weekend can be a challenge with the recent rain storms that have flooded many of the creeks in the area and effected trail conditions.  And including options for three ways to enjoy this lake have increased those challenges. But come enjoy our Sunday event with a relaxed hike, kayak or biking around Canadice.

Participants should note that weather patterns can significantly change our events in the Little Finger Lakes area and we will keep you updated  as much as possible up to 2:00 on the day of the event,  Before you head out, check our website or call 245-1252 for update on this event.

We will meet at the south end of Canadice Lake at the Kayak/Canoe Launch on Canadice Lake Road.  This launch is .7 miles south of the motor boat launch.  Look for the Springwater Trails Hike sign which will be posted along the road. Note  if you are kayaking/canoeing we will meet at 3:00 for unloading and set up.  Bikers will arrive at 3:30 for set up.  Hikers will arrive at 3:45.  All events will begin promptly at 4:00.

Springwater Trail Sign

Springwater Trail Sign

Participants may choose from a variety of options for the event.  You can choose to travel in all three modes, beginning with biking 8 miles, then hiking, and ending with kayaking. This event allows you to enjoy Canadice from the land and the water and to leisurely travel with a group. Participants in the trimodal event will receive a food gift from Canadice Kitchens.

canadice-triathlon-028If you wish you can choose only one or two activities and leaders will be assigned for different skill levels.  Hikers will hike along the Canadice Lake Trail on the west side of the lake for a distance of 2-4 miles depending on skill level.  Bikers will travel along Canadice Lake Road and along the Canadice Lake Trail (depending on trail conditions) for a distance of 8 miles.    Kayakers/Canoers will travel along the south end of Canadice Lake depending on wind conditions.  canadice triathlon 006

After hike social will be at the kayak/canoe launch at 6:00.   Tables will be set up along the side of the road.  Hot dogs will be provided and please bring a dish to pass and your choice of drink.   Propane grills are allowed (no fires or charcoal).

Directions:  Click here for directions to the Canoe Launch.  Due to road construction, it is advised to take Purcell Hill Road, off Rt 15A, turn right on Canadice Lake Road and travel 3 miles to the kayak/canoe boat launch.