Trout Lake State Forest - Part 1

The dogs and I had just hiked up to the Cedar Lake Overlook (see yesterday's post) and were now embarking on a longer but flatter trail to a picnic spot on the shore of Trout Lake:

 All along the way I saw White Baneberry plants with ripe berries. They are also called Doll's Eyes for obvious reasons - white orbs with a black dot (pupil):

This trail was more comfortable walking for the two old codgers of the group, Seamus and me. Although there were some muddy spots, at least there were no hills to ascend or descend:

There was a dizzying array of wildflowers, especially Asters and Goldenrods - so many, in fact, that I gave up trying to photograph and identify them. I already knew False Solomon's-Seal, however:

The dogs were having a grand time but I'd forgotten bug spray and kept swatting at gnats and mosquitoes:

There were lots of mushrooms but I only stopped to take pictures of the really colorful ones. This ruffled yellow mushroom was sure a beauty:

I tried to avoid the muddy spots but the dogs delighted in traipsing right through them:

And then we arrived at the picnic spot. It had a small, sandy beach, where folks landed their canoes, and a picnic table. I sat at the table and watched Seamus wade out into the cool water and lie down. Daphne soon joined him:

Daphne began bouncing around, splashing and playing, so Seamus stood up. We stayed for awhile but then it was time to begin walking back:

We walked uphill into the Hemlock forest to get back on the trail:

And then started our journey back. When I saw another water access, however, I led the dogs back downhill to see it:

 On the way, I saw this strange fungus. I searched for an I.D. when I got home and finally learned that it was Yellow Finger Coral Mushroom. The name perfectly describes it. I'll post Part 2 tomorrow:

Northward Bound, Another Trip Up To The Farm

Another Sunday morning had dawned where I was heading up to the farm. The dogs and I drove as far as exit 30, got onto Route 73 toward the High Peaks Region and stopped at the Ausable River for a rest stop:

We'd been spending so much time at the Schroon River in Frontier Town that we hadn't been to the Ausable River in a long time. We parked and all headed down the steep hill toward the river:

The Ausable River looked inviting. The water level was low, the banks were covered in emerald moss and large stones practically called out for a bit of exploring:

The trail alongside the river was flat and easy, meaning that the younger dogs ran forward and back, putting a great deal of mileage into their rest stop. For them, it was an exercise stop. As for me, I walked down to the river and began hopping from rock to rock. But a rock rolled underfoot and I went down suddenly and very hard. Luckily I was not seriously injured, but I was wet, with bloody gashes on my arms and bruises the size of  footballs all over my body. I ended the rest stop and hobbled painfully back to the car:

We drove on toward the farm, stopping one more time at New York State land just off of Route 458:

There were White Baneberries, also known as Doll Eyes, in fruit:

Here's a close-up, which will make it clear why people call them Doll Eyes:

And White Wood Aster. Yes, autumn was surely arriving:

And Milkweed pods:

And exquisite New England Asters:

Joe-Pye-Weed had by then all gone to seed:

Many varieties of Goldenrod were in full, glorious bloom:

We then continued onward toward the farm, but I couldn't resist one more stop in Santa Clara at the St. Regis River. It's just too serene and beautiful to be ignored. I was in much pain from my earlier fall and, to be honest, still quite disturbed by how close I'd come to truly hurting myself. I was worrying about being all alone with no one to help and needed a bit of serenity along this lovely river before I traveled on to the farm. But I'll post more tomorrow: