A Beautiful Day

Tree Bumps & Moss ~ I lichen!

It looks like the weather has finally taken a summery turn. It went from cool to hot and while I know it will cool down again we did get a chance to go out and enjoy this weekend.

A great place on even a hot day is Pack Demonstration forest very close by. The walk/hike is about a mile along wheelchair accessible paths which means the trail is stroller friendly. Even though it was hot out we were in the shade of an old growth hemlock and white pine forest.

About half way through the mile long trail is the Grandmother Tree, a huge eastern white pine. This tree is listed in the New York state historic tree register and is about 175 feet tall and at least 315 years old.

The story behind the tree is that it belonged to the Woodward family. John Woodward planned to cut the tree down and sell the wood so he could buy his wife a set of dishes for their anniversary. His wife, Margaret, was so upset by his plan that she said she would rather do without new dishes than lose the tree. (Yea Margaret!) Family tradition protected the tree until 1927, then the property became part of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

There was quite a bit of water on the sides of the paths today, perfect for kerplunking some pebbles!

Um... not quite sure what he's thinking (he did have fun though)!

There are a couple of large uprooted trees along the way, so interesting to look at.

Despite her efforts to push the fallen tree off the path,

we did wind up having to lift the stroller over the tree!

Looking forward to summer and more outdoor fun along with the opportunity 

to share nature in all her glory with my children.