The sun does rise. April 4. Cold crisp air, fresh snow, and bright sunshine welcome the day. After staying up too late enduring a National Championship heart break as my alma mater loses on a buzzer beater, the hike was a perfect remedy. A great game, but the wrong side of a three point game. The setting allows one to refocus on the beauty of life.
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| Trail head on Seman Road |
I am not alone, but joined by eight young people on their own journey. Our hike begins at the West Hill Nature Preserve managed by the Nature Conservancy. The Finger Lakes Trail runs through the park on its way from Ontario County Park to the village of Naples. The preserve is an example of ecological succession - nature taking landscapes back. There is history to observe - the last section of the trail rolls down row after row of old vineyard - now covered in forest and pines.
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| Breaking trail |
We start out in quiet solitude. A spring snow storm and record cold create a winter landscape. Ours are the only human footprints. Animal tracks and trails criss-cross the forest and dry snow falls from the trees with each passing breeze. Boots sink into the semi-frozen mud of the trail.
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| Looking across to Hi Tor from overlook |
The hiking is not easy, but our pace is good. Experienced hikers on a new trail. There are steep ascents with hidden rocks and roots. There are few pauses to catch our breath. The silence of the forest is broken with pleasant conversations on a wide range of topics...pre-calculus, getting sheep sheared, staging a play, a recent vacation, mountain biking...The group is social and enjoying the time.
Three and half hours and about seven miles later we arrive at Luigi's for pizza. It has been a great morning and I look forward to another walk with nature with this group.
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir
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