MAY 7, 2016 STEWART FOREST

      It was overcast and gloomy with the promise of showers but it wasn't raining in Circleville so I headed for the walk.  I understand there was some rain as the four others left Dutchess County but they came anyway and we managed the whole walk without rain, thankfully.  There were quite a few quail hunters and their dogs in the area.

      It's quite a long way to the boardwalk and we walked down the rather wide Maple Lane to the boardwalk and then decided to take Scofield Lane on the way back.  The sign said it was 1.4 miles back to the parking area.  It was muddy and winding but it sure seemed like it was a lot further.

      Four of us had brunch at the interesting, tiny Iron Cafe in Montgomery.

Maple Lane on the way to boardwalks

white dogwood

a goose family

the first and shorter boardwalk

marsh view from the boardwalk

As always, some flowers

A wrecked boat by a small pond

Some fungi

A group of 3 trees that blew down.

 

     

Unusual plant grouping.  They looked kind of like bamboo.

APRIL 30, 2016 POUGHKEEPSIE CEMETERY

      There was some sun and then it clouded over for a large part of the walk; although the sun came out again toward the end.  There were fourteen of us and, as usual, we ended up walking in separate groups enjoying different areas of this beautifully planted and interesting place. I took too many pictures and am posting far too many of them.
      Six of us had brunch at Table Talk.

This was strange.  John thought it might be sap oozing from cut limb area.

There was discussion re red maples and Japanese maples.  Still being researched.

APRIL 23, 2016 PEACH HILL

      Although the afternoon was lovely, the morning was overcast and cool.  I had hoped to catch the apple blossoms in bloom this year but we were a week too early.  There were a few appearing but not that many.

      There were sixteen of us at the walk and nine of us adjourned to the Acropolis Diner for brunch.  Congratulations go to John & Deirdra who announced that they will be getting married this summer.

some "wildlife"

The invasive Japanese plant. I think it's called kudzu.

A good place to rest before completing the climb

Some of the scenery as we climbed.

Mary is closing in on the sign we were seeking.

The first of several blossom pictures