August 24, 2013 Pelton Pond at Clarence Fahnstock Park

     It was a perfect day for a walk.  Sun, blue sky, pleasant temperature and low humidity.  We numbered 13.  It wasn't a long walk; [only 1.5 miles] but the scenery was nice and the walk enjoyable.  We found a great spot for next year's picnic.  Rich checked at the office and it will cost us $35 to reserve it and the club can afford to do that...no problem.

     After the walk, with future walks in mind,  our group of five decided to check the beach parking lot at Canopus Lake.  There was a $7 vehicle parking fee, however, so we didn't go in.  Next we decided to check out the camping area behind Pelton Pond.  WOW!  We couldn't believe how many sites there are and there were scads of campers there.  It's very extensive.

     On our way back to Fishkill, we spotted the sign for Stone Crop Gardens and decided to check the site out.  It's very large and beautiful with a wide variety of plantings.  After leaving the gardens, three of us lunched at the Red Line.

first view of the pond

it's a pretty place

beaver house in center of picture

they were almost through and then stopped for some reason

this one is recent - note the big chips

looking back toward the end where we started

the outlet

spotted mushroom

we trek onward

pretty pattern of moss and roots

we encountered two furry friends

bridge on the left - love the moss

crossing the bridge

new life on an old stump

almost back to where we began

the pavillion

how about a picnic here?

gotta get at least one flower pic in

this is our choice for a picnic site-there are tables outside with a view of the lake

and we can go inside if the weather isn't favorable

 

August 17, 2011 Roosevelt Estate

     It was a really nice day with reasonable temperature, an occasional cool breeze, sun and pretty clouds.  There were 14 of us.
     We spent quite a bit of time going up and down hill, not something I do easily, but it was an excellent walk.  There were quite a few wet spots apparently mostly from last week's big rain.  We saw quite a few mushrooms and, naturally, I took pix of most of them.  We also saw a frog [we really are desperate for wildlife] and John tried to help me get its pic.  Sorry John, I got nothing.
     Five people went to the Palace Diner in Poughkeepsie after the walk.  I wanted to check out the Beatrix Farrand garden which is on the estate grounds.  It supposedly is open daily from 7 to sunset but there didn't seem to be anyone there.  Maybe next time.

after walking down the hill and past some fields, we arrived at the woods

we saw a lot of running water

big, unusual mushroom

one of many pools of water

and there were waterfalls

there were two types of mushrooms here

another mushroom

and another

this spiderweb was almost perfectly round

woodsy scene

another pool

crossing a bridge

just a bit of algae here

there were a lot of boulders too

grass lined trail

and another waterfall

this waterfall is from the ice pond

wild geranium [I think]+ 2 others-found by waterfall

touch me not?

the ice pond