Finale zoom

We ended where we began two months ago.  This time the West Hill Preserve was awash with warm sun.  A lot changes in a short period of time.  Life. We went left at the fork this time around.  The trail is over grown and the markers faded, but once you get into the woods that path directs you across the landscape and up to the Finger lakes Trail.  We hiked quickly and with nostalgia - talk of what the trail was covered with snow, anticipating the steep climb, looking for a red mitten, and remembering our favorite picture books.

We arrived at the overlook - now the view obscured by foliage - and began an investigation using Istvan Banyai's wordless picture book, Zoom.  A great story on changing perspective.  The group task was to sequence the story through verbal communication.   A 'go fish' type game was used to try and get three similar pages to sequence.  Then a sequence of six until all thirty pictures are organized.  "Ah-ha" moments.

How do the pictures relate?

We then searched and old dump at the bend of an old grape road.  Pottery shards, iron implements, broken bottles - piecing together history. All hidden under a blanket of snow two months ago.

Shards

Basketball was on my mind during the first hike, so it was appropriate that our last one included a five versus five game.  Our picnic was a nice ending.  I am thankful for the opportunity to get to know these young people.    

Till next time...Zoom.   

West Hill Loop Markers

Always fun to climb a tree

Zoom Circle

Zoom discussion

The story comes together

GS vs CLE?

Old finds...

On the fast break

East Hill Challenges

The ancient Roman writer Publilius Syrus said, "It is a bad plan that admits of no modification".  after thinking and changing the plans for this week's hike more than a few times - a question in the parking lot changed the plan again.  Thanks, Christine.

So instead of taking a right and heading up onto Brink Hill and following the Orange trail down, we went left and headed up and over to East Hill to find ropes and adventure challenges.  It is so much fun finding new things in an area you thought you knew.

The hike turned into a series of group challenges, some self initiated, some directed - a 4 minute rock tower challenge, untangling of a human knot, a team bridge crossing...rope swinging challenges, and getting a person up and over a wall.

The only down side was that we ran out of time for a little basketball.

4 minute rock tower challenge

The rock tower

Red newt

Human Knot

Untangling

"Don't touch the ground"

Up & Over

Waterfalls of Naples

What a day to explore the streams and waterfalls in Naples. Without having to leave the village we visited five major waterfalls.   Naples is in the heart of the Finger Lakes waterfall map. We set off from Joseph's Wayside Market - a great place to visit - and headed up to Tannery Creek.  Tannery was peaceful as always and we enjoyed the solitude to ourselves.  A nice pool at the base of the waterfall invited swimming. That water is cold.  We meandered out and walked through town to trek up Grimes Glen.

Tannery Creek

Grimes Glen is a very popular hike - a hot summer day and you will see dozens of folks finding respite from the heat.  Our Tuesday morning was quiet - we crossed paths with three other groups.  Most stop at the second falls to enjoy the scenery and wide pool.  We decided to take the challenge of ascending the second falls to see the third falls.  The path is worn, steep & narrow with ropes in places - do not trust ropes that are not yours.  We went together and supported each other as we made our way up.

Third falls is worth the challenge.  The stream narrows and creates a long deep pool at the base of the falls.  Normally there are natural steps and benches surrounding the pools, but with the rain the water was high.  Unfortunately this is also where the 'pack in/pack out' mentality is lost.

A great way to spend the morning and well worth the return trips in the summer heat.

First Falls in Tannery - cold water.

Second Falls in Tannery Creek

Group Juggling

Group Juggling

Crossing the bridge to hike Grimes Glen

First Falls

Devil's Bedroom

Second Falls

Third Falls

Third Falls in Grimes Glen

Top of Second Falls - looking down

East Hill Chase

A summer like morning.  Bright sun radiating warmth.  You can feel the heat coming. A peaceful morning for a hike - little do we all know of the chaos behind us. We began at the FLCC East Hill campus which now links the campus to Hi Tor and the main FLT trail.  The blue blaze trails are wide - double track, designed for cross-country skiing.

wildflowers are out

Four of us set out to enjoy the day.  The trail starts up through a field - often swampy - and then up East Hill, a steep switch back climb

20 minutes later the chase begins.  While we are meandering through the woods - two others arrive at the trail head and begin trying to track us down and join us.

Our hike was highlighted by birds, wildflowers, and a series of ponds.  The chase group moves a bit more frantic pace - covering a lot of ground, calling out, but alas - not finding us until we all meet up at the park for a game of bocce.

Bocce was the order of the day - we had four in our group and Latin was a topic of conversation.  Here is all you need to know about bocce from the World Bocce League - starting with its history.

All's well that ends well.

Signage & parking area on East Hill Rd.

Double track trails

Blue trail pond

One of High Tor's biggest ponds

Caught up to catch a game of bocce

Measuring bocce distance...with his feet.

wildflowers are out

Blue trail pond

One of High Tor's biggest ponds

Caught up to catch a game of bocce

Measuring bocce distance...with his feet.

Nundaweo, The Great Hill

It is not often that one gets to walk into the birthplace of a people.  We explored the Great Hill Nature Reserve and the entrance to Clark's Gully - the site where the Seneca Nation emerged. This week's hike has also been a New York Times feature article.  This is our back yard.

Hiking up to Clark's Gully

We walked up to the new look out - a hard to find chipped pathway that leads to three information signs and bench.  The field has been sown with native plants - birds abound.  Following Sunny Road we hiked up around South Hill to enter the Great Hill Nature Reserve.  This marked trail is a loop that takes you above the south end of Canandaigua lake.  Here we found what looks like an Seneca rock mound.  

View south 

Farther up the hill are the Bare Hill sacred sites.Saint George, Serpent, and the Seneca Indians. We headed down the hill to wander up into Clark's Gully.  Water flowed and we picked our way up the narrow gorge.  Not far in is a waterfall coming down into a pool.  Here we stopped to take the scene in - a natural sitting spot.

The best part of the day may have been the 'found' fishing experience...a bobber in a tree, old line & hook on the ground, and a stick - go get a worm!
                                   

Rock mounds

First waterfall in Clarks Gully

Scrambling down

Communication...

...and trust.