Happy, Wet Dogs In The Benton Road County Reforestation Area

If you read yesterday's post, you know that I promised myself to return to Benton Road with the dogs. Well, I did so the very next day as our non-wintry winter continued to break all warmth records. Alas, it began raining, at times quite hard, but we got out of the car anyway and hoped the pines would shelter us:

The ground was covered with pine needles and many species of moss and Reindeer Lichens:

But for the dogs, running through the trees was the big attraction. Clover and Daphne led the way:

Jack and Clover explored, giving everything a sniff test:

I stopped to photograph this old log with many varieties of lichen on it. My favorite, as always, was the perfectly formed little Pixie Cup lichens:

This was indeed a beautiful area, but not very large. So we left the trail and began exploring in the forest on our own:

Clover was much better behaved this time and didn't run too far ahead - at least not too often:

This sawed off tree trunk had a full head of hair, comprised of ferny moss:

We continued on through the forest without concern. The area wasn't large enough to get lost in. The rain stopped and the sun came out as we walked:

I stopped to photograph this Reindeer Lichen:

It was a fun time for the dogs and for me:

But it was quick excursion and soon we found ourselves back at the car. We may come here again sometime when we want a short walk in a lovely pine forest:

Benton Road In Rural Stockholm, New York - Part 2

I was touring rural and scenic Benton Road (see Part 1, yesterday) and enjoying the sights. This old wagon sat in a field alongside the road:

An old tractor, wagon and firewood aplenty:

Farm fields, partly hidden behind a screen of trees:

I got to a section of Benton Road where both sides of the road were forested and stopped to photograph this doe, who watched me with as much interest as I watched her:

There were pine forests on the right hand side of the road with signs declaring it a County Reforestation Area:

The pine forest was inviting, and the mosses and lichens added interest. I saw several lanes off into the forest and decided to come back with the dogs sometime and explore:

A farm house with a big front porch and barn:

And an even bigger barn - actually, a whole series of barn:

I was about at the end of the road when I saw this rather large boat, parked off in the forest. I don't know why, but it's been there for years:

There were several large, modern homes near the end of the road and it was no wonder. This location was quiet, rural, scenic - and an easy commute into Potsdam:

The last house on the road. My tour was finished. I reminded myself to come back soon with the dogs as I put away my camera and headed for home:

Benton Road In Rural Stockholm, New York - Part 1

I had some extra time, so I took a driving tour of rural Benton Road. I'd been here before, but so long ago that I didn't remember much. There were woodsy homes:

And woodlands alongside hay fields:

Farm houses, surrounded by trees and bordered by split rail or barbed wire fences:

This front porch had been enclosed as protection against the winter weather:

A magnificent old barn, surrounded by cedar fencing:

Hay fields and pastures, with forest in the background:

A very large and historic barn. Since I got home and noticed the black coating partially up one wall, I've wondered what it was for. My best guess is that it was tarred against rotting wood caused by snow piling up against the barn wall in winter:

And a comfortable, friendly looking farm house:

Lots of split rail fence and cedar trees:

An old shed with apple trees and farm equipment:

An equipment shed and tractor. Benton Road was interesting, rural and scenic, but there was more to see. I'll post Part 2 tomorrow:

Wintertime On Benton Road In Stockholm, New York - Part 2

I was taking a driving tour of the very rural and picturesque Benton Road in the town of Stockholm. There were old barns and many Eastern White Cedars:

Spectacular old barns, set off in farm fields behind split rail fences:

And pine forests. This forest had a lane into it which was inviting. It was private property, though, so I'll never get to see where it leads:

There were also newer, large, beautiful homes:

And this cheery house and garage, up on a hill:

This old farm house had been fixed up beautifully:

And its barns, right across the road, were also in beautiful repair:

This smaller home looked happy and comfy, set back into the pines:

And other homes were set so far back into the woods that I had to use my zoom lens to get any useable image of them at all:

This lovely home was for sale, and it was expensive, at least by north country standards, at $339,000. On the other hand, it came with waterfront access on the St. Regis River and 28.5 acres. It had 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, an attached, double garage - and a spectacular covered porch:

The last home I photographed on Benton Road was this charming place, also with a great porch and attached garage. Benton Road was very close to Potsdam and, I suppose, will become more suburban than rural in the future. But it was a beautiful place to live and I was glad that I'd taken the time to see it:

Wintertime On Benton Road In Stockholm, New York - Part 1

I decided to take a driving tour of a wintry, rural road on the way home from the dog groomer in Potsdam. I chose Benton Road in the town of Stockholm. It was indeed quite rural and picturesque:

Many, perhaps most, of the homes were set back into the woods, and looked homey and comfortable, all dusted with snow:

There were old farmsteads with split rail fences:

And classic, old barns:

This is the same barn as the above photo, but taken from a different angle. It was a beauty when seen from any direction:

This old barn sat right up alongside the road and hinted, like so many, that green was the most popular color for local barns once upon a time:

Another old farm house, or so I assumed. It sure looked inviting, a nice place to come home to:

The above farm house, seen from a different angle. It sure looks different, doesn't it?:


A small shed at the edge of a field:

Old farm equipment, all covered with snow:

Tractors, also covered with snow, beside an equipment shed. But there was more to see on Benton Road, and I'll post Part 2 tomorrow: