Redwater Brook Trail - Part 1

We were surprised with another day above freezing. I couldn't stay indoors brooding all day, so I took the dogs back to the trail we'd discovered in the autumn. It began with this bridge, spanning Redwater Brook. There may not have been much snow, but the ice was treacherous in places:

I stood on the bridge and looked out over wild, beautiful Redwater Brook, which inspired me to give the trail its name:


There were still patches of green, like this fern, which I believe was a Christmas Fern:

 And this fern, which I believe was a Hay-Scented Fern:

The dogs joyfully explored a side trail, but we didn't go far:

We did, however, leave the trail and enter the forest to do a bit of exploring. I was always careful to keep the trail in sight:

It was clear that deer frequented the forest:

We came to a grove of magnificent White Pines:


And the dogs seemed dwarfed as they raced between the big trees:

Seamus has trouble stepping over fallen trees, so he was hesitant. But when we kept going on without him, he hurried to catch up with us:

We passed by a number of blow-downs such as this one with its roots exposed, still clinging to the soil and rocks which once anchored it. I wouldn't want to be in the forest during a storm wild enough to take down tall trees:

I had intended to continue on, following the trail but not on it - until we came to this ravine, with a creek and lots of brush. That's when I decided the trail was looking mighty good again and we headed for it. I'll post Part 2 tomorrow:

On The Eastbound Rutland Trail - Part 1

My sister arrived for a visit and of course we wanted to take the dogs out for a hike. The weather was still cold and I figured any forest trail would still be covered with snow and ice, so we went to the nearby Rutland Trail, the eastbound section which is an old, elevated railroad bed through wetlands. It didn't begin well, however, when we found this headless deer skeleton near the trail head. There was also a pile of garbage someone had dumped:

Just to the right of the deer skeleton were two porcupine carcasses. I wondered where all this had come from but there was nothing we could do anyway, so we began our hike. Alas, Clover later began limping and I found a short piece of porcupine quill stuck between the pads of one of her paws. But it was easily removed and we went on our way:

And the dogs were ecstatic. With water on both sides and a level, straight trail, it was easy to keep them in sight:

My sister and the dogs walked on ahead while I checked something out:

Most of the adjacent wetlands on our left were still covered with thick ice. The water on our right was mostly clear of ice. I never did figure out why, unless perhaps one side was deeper than the other:

It was chilly, but not too much so to have a happy experience. The sun was shining and the sky was blue:

There were both patches of ice and deep puddles, but the dogs didn't mind. My sister and I had on rubber overshoes, so we were OK as well:

Daphne, Seamus and Clover stopped for a breather:

There was beaver sign all along the water. We also saw a number of beaver lodges out in the water, but none of those photos were usable:

Both sides of the trail had been brush hogged, which seemed a shame but I must admit it opened up the views:

We came to a large body of water which was filled with Canada Geese - thousands of them:

Most of them moved away from us or flew away when we got too close. There were also ducks mixed in, but none close enough to tell what species they were:

We had the geese on our right for a considerable distance because there were so many of them - some swimming, some resting on gigantic sheets of floating ice. They were fun to watch. But there was more to see on this section of the Rutland Trail. I'll post Part 2 tomorrow:

Canton Countryside

I had to drive to Ogdensburg, New York to have my braces adjusted. It's an hour and a half each way, but my appointment went so well that I left in a good mood and decided to do a bit of touring on a few country roads on my way home. I think they were all within the township of Canton:

This was beautiful farm country and these colorful cattle looked happy and healthy:

The farm houses looked old but prosperous:

The farms and barns were scenic, good enough for a calendar or postcard:

A curious doe stopped to watch me, and I watched her right back:

There were hay fields all along the road and looked about ready to cut:

This lovely old barn was in excellent shape:

Most of the barns seemed to be well cared for and in active service:

This old barn had be re-purposed as a garage:

As I approached the end of one road, I saw this abandoned, low-rise barn, perhaps a former chicken coop, off in the woods:

I also stopped at the Grass (also often spelled Grasse) River fishing access site:

And the Grass River was every bit as scenic as I'd hoped:

I followed a dirt road along the river's edge for more beautiful views:

But of course I had to get home, so I put my camera away and got back on the main road. I had to make one more stop, though, at this giant, painted rock at the edge of a farm field. At least six feet high, it had been decorated to amuse passersby, probably by State University (SUNY) students. The entrance to the campus was directly across the road:

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: