Another Last Waltz

 

  The MacGillicuddies had another farewell show at Bike Bar.  This one was extra-special as Richie Stearns opened for them and then sat in with the band.

  

  Amy and Jason held down the beat on bass and drums, and their son made a guest appearance on flute for "Low Rider."

Friends and Family

 

 

The ENL team is back together.  A setback is keeping us apart, but we persist.

  

  Connie turned 70.  I was doing a radio show and they sent video of her reaction when I wished her a happy birthday, it was priceless.

 

  Many McMahons and spouses got together in Chris and Darryl's garage on a cold, blustery Easter Sunday.  Good food and good company.

  A request for a picture of our family dog, Jumper, turned up this shot by Colby from a dog judging show at Welch Field.  That's Pat on the left, Jumper in the middle, and Jim with his back to the camera doing the measurement.

  Pat and Jinny listening to the radio by the crick.

Not Winter Camping

  The regularly scheduled camping trip to Pharaoh Lake didn't come off as planned this year.  The warm-up just before it meant we couldn't get there unless willing to wade chest-deep water.  The guys overruled me so we spent the weekend at Glenn and Mary Ann's on Lake George.  It wasn't all sitting around by the fire time, we got out on a good hike too.

   Glenn was happy to put some toys to use to hook Roy up with a new exhaust pipe for his generator.

   The best hiking was to be done on and across the lake.  I just needed a cheater to get over the open water.

 

At least the Lake George and the Tongue Range offered a final taste of winter.

I decided to see how much of the Tongue I could cover in a couple hours before having to head back to Ithaca.  I made it past the higher hump in the middle, but not quite to the little one to the left beyond it.

Sunrise from up on the Tongue.

 Looking back to Bolton Landing.  That white line is Up Yonda Farm just up from their house.

   Maybe next year we'll get back out in the woods for a couple days.

Out on the Trails

 I took Bailey's dog, Lola for a walk out in Caroline where there's always some snow hanging on even after several days reaching the upper 70s.

On the section of the FLT I maintain, there was a stretch that was 100% puddle.

 

I got the go-ahead to cut back the vegetation off one side where the ground is almost a foot higher.  This is a long term project, but improving significantly after two years of effort.

 Hey!  That's no trail.  But Bailey's driveway needed some brush cut back as well so people could have enough room to turn around when getting in and out.  Lopper Man doesn't just provide services for pedestrians, though it often seems that way.

  The Coddington Valley Trail is another step closer to being passable.  A workday with about 20 people cleared half the section between Middaugh and Beaver Creek Rd.  Another effort this spring should have it completely passable.

   How have I managed to cross this state highway for over 20 years and remained alive?  The traffic light a block away is only slightly more absurd. 

 

Spring Time

 The ice and snow let go, but some persistent overnight cold created dramatic scenery around town.

  Once it switched to all rain and stayed above freezing, we got some intense downpours.  This one happened on an evening I was heading to the radio station to do a show.  I had to delay my departure for the lightning to let up, and then it, and the rain returned when I successfully crossed the raging streams coming down East Hill streets.

 

  This is the worst effect I encountered the next morning.  It has benefits though, as this is a good source for stones to use in steps on a trail along this stream and some nice ones turned up.

 

 Just downstream from the culvert.

Six Mile Creek took in all the feeder streams, and then some.

   The creekside trail in the wildflower preserve lost a little more ground.

  

Gail and I made a quick stop at Taughannock on our way to Buffalo for Easter.
 

   Just a reminder of one of the many reasons dogs are supposed to be on leash in the wildflower preserve.  But sure, tell me again how it doesn't affect anyone.