CNY Jeep Fall Foliage Run - Sept. 26, 2009

Vic has joined the CNY (Central New York) Jeep Club. They advertised a "1st annual fall foliage run" to the Adirondacks and the 2800 acre Ranger School. This land is held in trust by Syracuse University and is not open to the public. Jason, a member of the group, is a graduate of the school and made the arrangements for the club. Feeling this was an opportunity that we should not miss we signed up to go.

Sometimes I think we may be a card or two short of a full deck and, to prove the point, yesterday we began our day at 4am. The group was to meet at a Pilot station in Syracuse at 6am. Daybreak heading north.........

and passing Oneida Lake

This is one long string of Jeeps stretched out in front of us with even more following.

I'm unsure of the total but believe it was 31 or 32. Jason giving us a great introduction

First stop was a bog - interesting terrain on which to walk - squooshy and bouncy. Jason showed us pitcher plants which are carniverous and are only present in bogs. Double click for the full view. They are difficult to see with surrounding plants taking on fall colors.

Usually the last week of September and first week of October are peak color times in the Adirondacks. This year fall colors are late but we enjoyed a good beginning.

Interesting shadows cast by the ferns

Only 72 steps to the top of the fire tower

This is the Ranger School which turns out approximately 50 A.A.S. grads each year. This building houses the classrooms, labs, offices and dorm wings.

Directly across from the school. It sure would be difficult to concentrate on classes with this view.

The school is in Wanakena, NY which has an approximate population of 50. With students in residence the population doubles. This is the Wanakena Bridge which crosses the Oswegatchie River. It was built in the planned hamlet in the early 1900s.

from the bridge....

This uprooted 18" diameter tree grew for years and years on nothing more than a big flat rock

Last stop was at Lampson Falls

Leaving the North Country

Maybe getting up at 4am isn't so bad after all.

Jeep Trail Building, 101

Vic has found a Jeep club that covers the Central New York region. October 10 he plans to host a "play day at the farm". There are several great areas to challenge these fellows (and gals) but, naturally, a few more can't hurt. Thus he is working to clear more trails. And, also naturally, he must be the first to negotiate each area to see if it is doable. I was with him the first time over this dirt pile. Limbs and leaves were all I could see from that angle!

Fall at Casowasco, 2009

Last week I shared three wonderful days with 18 other quilters at our annual fall retreat at Casowasco. We work like women possessed on a number of varied projects, eat and chat up a storm. We all love doing what we think we were born to do while not having responsibility for anything else - like cooking and cleanup. It's sheer Heaven!

Wednesday evening we have show and tell, an auction to raise money for Casowasco and an otherwise fun time. Our auctioneer is one of us - she can be seen in the background in her nightie and other gear - this year dressed as a bag lady. We raised an all time high - $415. Each of us brings items for the auction for which we no longer have a use - and that are quilting or sewing related. It's too much fun acquiring new treasures from others' castoffs. And sometimes we get good natured bidding wars going!

Show and Tell

Almost three years in the making......whew!

And this one took even longer. There should be an award for the quilt that took the longest to complete. The new dining hall with an outstanding view of the lake

Wednesday morning fog on the lake

Clear and beautiful just a few hours later Sooo-o colorful!!! What a nice time of the year to be here!

Not Your Average Summer..........

We got out yesterday afternoon for a nice ride through some of our local statelands. We surprised these turkeys and, as we passed, found that it was a flock of at least 40This is the summer that wasn't. We have had rain, rain and more rain and lower than normal temperatures most of the season. This is one of many ponds of water that we passed through. The deepest water was at least 2' and we were making small waves going through slowly. The ferns love the moisture and humidity and are thriving.

Tricia's Visit - August, 2009

Our granddaughter, Tricia, is from the Austin, TX area where she holds a fulltime job and is a nursing student. Her summer course ended and she had a few days vacation from work that she was able to coordinate to come visit with us.

The first full day Grandpa gave her offroad lessons letting her drive the toys around the property.

The morning hours were spent getting the hang of the 1955 M38 military Jeep. No top and the windshield folded down - what could be more fun? Of course it's a manual transmission and there are no shocks worth mentioning plus no power steering and no power brakes.....

Where is everything?

And off they go

Who's having more fun?

Now this is a hill! Mostly what one sees while climbing this hill is sky - a strange sensation.

She made it!

After lunch they took the Rubicon out on much the same territory.