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!

Can You Say "Boonies?"

Day 3: Thursday, August 21

So, where will we go today? GT wants to see the Adirondacks and I have a book of places to hike so we find a couple of possibilities that are close enough to do in a day. We choose #19, Gleasmans Falls, southeast of Lowville and close to the village of Glenfield. The directions are very explicit so even though the trail is remote, we feel confident that we will find it with no troubles.

Okay, we had trouble. The "explicit directions" did not jibe with the actual surroundings. We went mostly on instinct, ending up on a dirt road that was rutted and rocky. 3-1/2 miles later we came to a trailhead - still no marking so we weren't sure we were in the right place. GT, being a veteran hiker, felt sure we were on track so we took off down the trail. It wasn't until about 1/2 mile later that we came to the sign-in board (there is a book where you enter your name, addy, phone, etc. and a place to check out when you come back) and saw that others had been here to see the falls.

It was an interesting trek. First a marshy area, then woods. The trail was pretty easy and we figured we could complete the three miles in a couple of hours. Two hours later we heard water. Eureka! It's the falls! Within a few minutes we came to a small footbridge deep in the woods with a couple of "fall-ish" places. Could this be it? If so, it was a huge disappointment.

Taking a minute to rest, have some nourishment, and consult the book, we discovered that we were at Second Creek and had about 1/2 mile more to go. That last 1/2 mile was steep and rocky but boy was it worth the trek! These falls are breathtaking! Other than one place below the falls where we could get out on the rocks at rivers' edge it was difficult to see the entire falls. But they are beautiful indeed, even more so because of their remoteness. Being there we knew that we were only two of a relative few who had experienced these waterfalls.

On the way home we spotted this red-tailed hawk high in a tree across the meadow. I was lucky to get a clear photo before he flew off. It was a long a tiring day - 6 miles of hiking and about 175 miles of driving...I think I need a rest!

Cruisin' the Eastern Shore

Day 2: Wednesday, August 20

Destination: Lake Ontario. Interstate 81 to Mexico then Route 3 along the eastern lakeshore. There are so many wildlife management areas along the shore but most are not "visitor friendly" - no place to stop or hike. We did find a few paths to wander inclucing Colwell Pond, Deer Creek Marsh, Sandy Island Beach's South Pond, Black Pond, and finally El Dorado Beach Preserve. Lots of gulls and buzzards - we even managed to sneak up on three turkey vultures noshing on fish (see the photo of one of them below). After a long day of traipsing through the marshes we drove out to Rte 81 in Adams and headed for home. A light dinner on the patio.....a glass or two of wine....end of a great day.

The Brit Comes to Yankeeland

(Although Graham has come and gone, the next few posts will recap our adventures.)

Day 1: Tuesday, August 19

Graham (my Brit pal and hereafter referred to as "GT") arrived yesterday at about 6:30 pm. It's so great to see him again - it's been 16 months since I visited him in England. In my usual style I made tentative plans which almost immediately fell through due to my failure to book accommodations. But GT and I are nothing if not flexible - we decided to skip the B&Bs and go for day trips.

Today we stayed relatively close to home, visiting Three Rivers Wildlife Mgt. Area, Beaver Lake Nature Center, and Montezuma. GT is a lifelong birder (a "twitcher" in Britspeak) and leads nature walks back in UK so I know a hike anywhere we can find birds will make him happy.

I was dismayed to see the eagle's nest gone at Three Rivers. There was one of the 1st years in a tree on the island but he was the only remnant of the family that we saw. No eagles at Mud Lock either but there were two ospreys in the trees near the eagle's nest. We also saw a green heron standing next to a great blue, and several great egrets at Montezuma's Tschache Pool. All in all a great first day. Stay tuned for Wednesday's adventures.

Gut Reactions

I've been listening to NPR discuss McCain's choice for VP, Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin. When I first saw the announcement this morning I was excited. "Woo-hoo!" I thought, and reconsidered my decision not to vote Republican. That was my gut speaking - it needs a Republican fix. On reflection I realize that McCain made a very sly decision in choosing a female running mate. Given his past remarks towards his wife I can't imagine he is much of a feminist. Given his position on other things I can't imagine he'd welcome female input. His VP choice is another calculated move meant to sway voters.

I wonder how many on-the-fence Republicans whose guts resemble mine will rejoice at this move and go over to the dark side. I wonder how many disappointed Hillary supporters will follow. I wonder how many conservative traditional males will see a black candidate on one side and a woman on the other and not vote at all. I wonder if the minute Hillary was NOT chosen as Obama's running mate McCain (or his people) jumped for joy and rang up Palin.

I am still excited. One way or another we will break a centuries-old tradition in November. Be it an African-American president or a female vice president we will have crossed an important line. The difference is that, if elected, Obama will actually have a chance to do something.

Looney's tune

Max saw his first loon yesterday near Piseco Lake. It looked like a duck at first...until it dove and I realized it had to be a loon. The photo here isn't great because the loon was too far away, but he did favor us with a song just to let us know he was legit. Later we saw a loon chick on another mountain lake. His parents were nowhere to be found, but I'm guessing they were hidden in the reeds, watching junior learn to dive.


The trip was great...the Adirondacks are a treat any day, even with the obligatory rain (it never lasts long, but you can guarantee you will get at least a few sprinkles every time you visit). I love the smell of the air, the wildlife, the gorgeous colors. Oh...we saw a young buck in velvet and several wild turkeys including a family. Unfortunately Susannah was too slow to get pictures. Unless I can con the wildlife into waiting while I focus and frame, I'm going to have to get faster and more organized.

Nothing real special in the photo department but I'll post a few here anyway.