Rudy, Rudy, Rudy...

...I used to respect you. I used to think you'd be a darned good candidate for President. After last night I want to be rid of you and the rest of your Republican cronies. I happened to be driving home and heard your convention speech on NPR. Less than 5 minutes in you were dissing Obama. Snide, catty remarks to which the crowd responded in supportive laughter and boos aimed at the Democratic nominee. That's when I turned off the radio.

The fact that Obama was a "community organizer" seems to be a big joke among the RNC - Sarah Palin mentioned it again when she compared her experience as a small town mayor to Obama's stint as a community organizer. Again laughter and taunts came from the crowd. It reminded me of a room full of adolescent boys or a bunch of redneck cowboys.

The Republicans seem to be taking great joy in Obama-bashing. Obama, on the other hand, has taken the high road for the most part. When asked about Palin's pregnant daughter "scandal" he firmly replied that a candidate's family - and especially her children - were off limits. As they should be.

Now I'm not saying that the Dems have not slung a little dirt. I'll be honest and tell you that I didn't hear the speeches from the Democratic Convention. I don't know if they acted as rudely as the Republicans. I do know this. If for no other reason than his unwillingness to take personal pot shots at the opposition, I'm voting for Obama.

All's Fair/Adieu Mon Ami

Days 9-10: Wednesday August 27-Thursday, August 28

Wednesday I took GT to the Great New York State Fair for another taste of an American tradition. We toured all the buildings and visited the Indian Village where we watched some Native American dancing and GT bought a dream catcher for his mum. We were home by 4 and enjoyed a relaxing evening watching old tv shows.

On Thursday we made one last visit to William Park and then drove to Brewerton for lunch and wandered around Oneida Shores Park, stopping to chat with a fellow from Ontario and his dog, Evander. And then, all too soon, it was time to take GT to the airport. We had a great 10 days as always - enough time to enjoy each others' company but not enough time to get tired of one another.

Next time it's my turn to travel. I'm hoping to see Scotland and more of Wales. Guess I'd better start saving my pennies.

Happy (Wine) Trails

Day 8: Tuesday, August 26

We ate a hearty breakfast with Sistah Kate this morning at the local diner in Hall, NY and set out for Route 14 and Seneca Lake. We were a little early for the wineries but did stop at Heron Hill and bought a great dessert wine and some wine glasses. GT will be the taster today - Susannah is driving. On down the lake shore until we get to Watkins Glen. What a gorgeous day it is! We see several wading birds including a solitary sandpiper (below) and two pectoral sandpipers - lifers for both of us. From Watkins Glen we head up Route 414 along the east side of the lake, stopping at Hector Falls to enjoy the view.

Did you know there's a National Forest in New York? Indeed there is - Finger Lakes National Forest, near Hector. We stopped at the Ranger Station for maps of the hiking trails and drove the back roads to the trail head. Although we saw nothing new in the way of birds it was a nice hike and we're pretty sure we heard a bald eagle but couldn't see it. (BTW - the bug is a female American Pelicinid wasp (thanks, Dave)

From FLNF we grabbed a cheeseburger at McDonald's and stopped in at Goose Watch Winery for some of my favorite wines: Snow Goose and Red Fox. Then a quick stop at Montezuma where I got a not-so-great photo of a green heron. By the time we got home we were ready for a light supper and a glass of wine. Another great day!

On the Road Again

Day 7: Monday, August 25

Monday morning we're off early after consulting the map and deciding to see Chimney Bluffs near Sodus Bay (Lake Ontario). It's a place I have visited often as a child but it's been a good 35 years since I've been there. The bluffs have eroded a lot in the past 3 decades but they are still an amazing sight. We walk along the lakeshore and then climb up to the trail that rises above the bluffs. We see lots of birds and some interesting flowers. I need to get a wildflower identification book!

After the bluffs we stop at a winery to sample and purchase a couple of bottles. Then we have lunch at a little restaurant at the mouth of Sodus Bay. From there it's down to the other end of the bay where we see several mute swans and a black tern.

We arrive at Sistah Kate's house late afternoon bearing fresh fruit from one of the local orchards. Tomorrow will be our last travel day.

Gimme a Break!

Days 4-6: Friday, August 22-Sunday, August 24

Funny how 4 hours of hiking and 3 hours of driving will wear you out...Friday all I want to do is sleep but I don't want to disappoint my guest so we stay local, deciding to visit Pratt's Falls and then lunch at William Park down the street from me on Oneida Lake. We manage to see several kinds of gulls and terns including Bonaparte's and ring-billed gulls and common and gull-billed terns. An afternoon nap perks me up a bit and we dine at home then watch some westerns -- GT's favorites.

On Saturday it's a family cookout at my brother's house. We treat GT to a typical central New York picnic: Hoffmann's dogs, burgers, salt potatoes, baked beans, and sweet corn. A little swim, a little hike and we're good to go.

Sunday since rain threatens we decide to postpone our trip west for a day, instead strolling the Creek Walk at the Inner Harbor in Syracuse where we see a greater black-backed gull and a double-crested cromorant, and then heading to Brewerton for a lunch on the river.

Okay.....'nuf slouching! Tomorrow we're off again!