Bock-Harvey Preserve

 Gail and I visited another new spot for both of us.  The Bock-Harvey Preserve was gifted to the Finger Lakes Trail Conference in 2013. 

They've built a lean-to for campers, mainly people backpacking on the FLT.  It is known as the Locust Lean-to.  It is made out of tamarack logs.  The privy is said to have the best view of any on the FLT.

There is an incredible stand of sugar and black maples.  They are thought to be over 300-years-old and were never tapped for maple syrup.  I've been wondering if there is a way to know the age of the organisms that co-exist in the soil with ancient trees.  Do mycellium last many centuries too?

We also did the road walk over to the Land Trust's Stephenson Preserve.  It sure would be nice if a neighboring property owner would allow the FLT to route between the two, but there are some nice open views along the road.  The preserve provides a nice view too, without cars and trucks flying past.  The hills behind us are across the county at Hammond Hill in Dryden.

 

On the way home we stopped to check on the progress of a friend's new house.  We just missed Jim and learned later in the day that he got his occupancy permit.  If he's lucky, maybe Gail will show up at his stove again.