Riverfest 2005

Kidtracks after the snow day

2005-12-17T19:38:00.000-05:00

A look over the levee, second week of December 2005. The children have enjoyed their snow day. Some skiers, too. But closer to the water, the blanket remains unbroken, clean and white. Parents surely warned their young ones about the dangers of trusting the first real freeze. The floodplain is empty and desolate. Animals must be hiding from the nippy air.

2005-12-17T19:34:00.000-05:00

Even in the bright early-morning sunlight, the Chemung looks bleak and uninviting. I want to see if HuggaMutt still loves the river in the winter.

2005-12-17T19:32:00.000-05:00

Our favorite haunt does not lure us down the slippery side of the dike. The possibility of an impassable trail worries me and even Ellie's not eager to press our luck.

2005-12-17T19:29:00.000-05:00

We've encountered two dog-walkers on the levee. Large dogs only. Ellie really has to trudge through the snow, and occasionally waits to be carried and warmed a bit.

2005-12-17T19:28:00.000-05:00

This little frog pond usually houses a gray heron. Today, only the sun peeks through the leafless trees. The snow is just deep enough to scare away petowners and their dogs.

2005-12-17T19:26:00.000-05:00

Our lovely little arbor is bare and nearly lifeless. Not even animal tracks to break up the snow. The groundhogs are hibernating. Do the river rats hibernate also?

2005-12-17T19:24:00.000-05:00

So this is it. Ellie is not reacting. The Chemung River is frozen over and has no scent to entice her. It is uninviting, and we will not return this year. Look for Ellie next year along the banks of a warmer river.

Footnote to Fall on the Chemung

2005-11-14T13:29:00.000-05:00

November 14, 2005:
The view from the levee is tranquilizing. The cold air amplifies the effect of the sun on this beautiful fall vista.

2005-11-14T13:27:00.000-05:00

Coming down from the Water Board, the flood plain is orange and red, and the Chemung River is no longer hidden by trees.

2005-11-14T13:26:00.000-05:00

The people have deserted the icy river. The puddle ducks and geese rule the place now.

2005-11-14T13:25:00.000-05:00

Never did become a swale. We had a wet enough summer to sustain the frog pond.

2005-11-14T13:24:00.000-05:00

And the lovely woods are now just a stand of bare trees, with only the autumn colors of the plain to adorn them.

The Original Access Site Found!

2005-09-05T14:29:00.000-05:00

Riverdogging!! Labor Day 2005. Took the GrandDog to find the original Chemung River Fishing Access Site. And we found it.

pb
Little Pond

When the sun's too hot on the river...

2005-08-02T13:50:00.000-05:00

...We go where it's cool. Pack a picnic hamper and head up to Harris Hill, New York. Bring the dog: Ellie will be there, too. You'll find us at the overlook, listening for the gliders and their towplanes.

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Little Pond

Another series of "Final Post"

2005-07-24T12:07:00.000-05:00

Ridiculous! I cannot stop riverblogging. Just had to go back to Fitch's Bridge for a couple of decent shots from the bridge itself. Early Sunday morning, no traffic, right? Wrong! Dodging cars, walkers and bikers left and right, quite literally. All the while, GrandDog Ellie is whining in the car. Sitting in Husband RJ's lap, mind you, whining because I'm outside taking pictures.

So I give up. There will be no final post until December 31, 2005. Chances are I'll shoot some early morning shots of the frozen Chemung that day, too. Probably Ellie will be yanking on the leash then, too. (Got some cute little sweaters for then...)

See you soon.

pb
Little Pond

2005-07-24T11:53:00.000-05:00

View north from Fitch's Bridge. Low water creates a nice launch for the waterfowl.

2005-07-24T11:52:00.000-05:00

View south from Fitch's Bridge in Golden Glow. Low water uncreates an island.

RiverDogging Fitch's Bridge Access Site

2005-07-23T16:43:00.000-05:00

Took Granddog to Golden Glow to visit and check on Willie and Bree, who are house-sitting. On the way, I let her wade the river's edge at an older access site adjacent to Fitch's Bridge to the Glow. The Chemung is very low right now, and the flats are all rocky, just perfect for a little dog to explore.

Some fishermen, but no catches in evidence. Saw lots of insects skeetering across the water, but nothing rising to them. Once again, as I often will, caught myself wishing for a canoe. Can't imagine that Ellie would be terrible thrilled with such an arrangement, though.

If you are new to this site: scrolling down will show our latest access ramp, as well as things to see around the river, itself.

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Little Pond

2005-07-23T16:30:00.000-05:00

A brief history. There used to be a huge slide, pictured in black and white. Mr. Fitch didn't own the slide or the bridge. He was an unfortunate individual who drowned attempting to ford the Chemung. This lovely river is treacherous indeed. Always was, apparently.

2005-07-23T16:27:00.000-05:00

Lovely launch area. Plenty of parking and rather well-kept. There were two fishermen, as well as a couple ladies enjoying the shade of the bridge itself.

2005-07-23T16:25:00.000-05:00

A view towards the City of Elmira. The land at right is actually an island. Ellie wallowed a bit, whining all the while. Not sure why, maybe the smell of the dried river bottom?

2005-07-23T16:23:00.000-05:00

Brand, spanking-new Fitch's Bridge. The river is very low, exposing the rocks that are usually underwater.

2005-07-23T16:22:00.000-05:00

A view upriver towards Corning, New York, on a perfect Summer's day.

2005-07-23T16:20:00.000-05:00

Wild grape is found all over the Northeast. Remember that Leif Erickson called it Vinland.

2005-07-23T16:19:00.000-05:00

Except for the road, this entire area is woodsy. Wear heavy slacks to protect your legs, the brush is quite dense. Oh yeah, and you want to listen and watch for rattlers, especially this year.

2005-07-23T16:17:00.000-05:00

It's easy to forget that the bridge is brand-new. Until I looked up from underneath. Shiny, shiny, new, new! Striking.

2005-07-23T16:14:00.000-05:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, we thank you and salute you!

The Palisades

2005-07-16T14:20:00.000-05:00

So, I'm a liar. I can't blog the Palisades, at least not with a tour you can follow. Ms. Jennifer Fais of the Southern Tier Central Regional Planning and Development Board graciously answered my request for information, providing absolutely perfect pictures.

A new look at something familiar. The Palisades have been with us all along. They can be seen from Route 352. And perhaps can be enjoyed from the overlook on Harris Hill, or perhaps the one at Gleason Meadows. I will post photos when I can take them from either of those sites. Be advised: the overlook at Harris Hill is easy and I will post it shortly, along with many photos from the park. Unfortunately, the Gleason Meadows overlook is quite a hike. Strenuous, I mean, although definitely rewarding. Still, the challenge presented by the hillside there is daunting for me these days.

Scroll down, and look at the "Cool Green Hills of Earth."

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Little Pond

2005-07-16T14:18:00.000-05:00

Many locals may recognize this setting. It is south of Route 352, headed towards Corning from Elmira, shortly before Smithome Farms. In the midst of lovely cropland. On the other side of the highway is Harris Hill.
So. Tier Ctrl. Reg. Plan. & Dev. Bd.

2005-07-16T14:15:00.000-05:00

Here they are. The "Palisades." It's no wonder where they derive their name. They do look like a fence of stakes set into the earth.
So. Tier Ctrl. Reg. Plan. & Dev. Bd.

Canal Town Update

2005-07-13T10:30:00.000-05:00

Why can't RiverFest last all year? It can. The Festival was just the beginning.

Linda Couchon at Cornell Cooperative Extension has sent a bunch of good links for anyone wanting to take advantage of our lovely River resource.

Here are the locations of the boat launches and their features:
http://www.cityofelmira.net/about/attractions_sports.html

It's an interactive site, so take a little time to peruse it.

Attention fishermen:
http://home.stny.rr.com/lively/STFishing/STFishng.htm
is for you!

This site is a natural for people like me:
http://www.chemungrivertrail.com/

I've already got a question for them: What are the "Palisades?" When I find out, I intend to blog it. (Update: the answer is here.)

See you then.

pb
Little Pond

Signage

2005-07-02T08:43:00.000-05:00

If you drive along Route 352 these days (and you're a fisherman), you'll be pleased to see the new sign directing you to the Fishing Access area. Our very own, everlovin, Fishing Access! It's more than official now. Power to the people, as we used to say in the 1960's! After living in Annapolis, where only the wealthy had decent access to the Chesapeake Bay, it's nice to live where ordinary citizens can enjoy the Chemung River.

pb
Little Pond

Kid's Derby Followup

2005-06-25T19:20:00.000-05:00

I promised a follow up. Kids' Derby has been advertised in the papers, and I'll bet on Television, too. The Star-Gazette usually works with WETM in Elmira. The Derby is slated for July 30th.

If you have children, this one's for them. Takes place at a fishing hole near you.

The good people at Nickle Creek will provide basic supplies and lots of advice to any kids for the asking. Should go in pairs, at least. Children should never fish alone. Take your little one for a real homespun experience.

Fishing is a lifetime pleasure, especially here in the Twin Tiers.

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Little Pond

Welcome to Riverfest 2005, Elmira, New York, USA

2005-06-16T09:20:00.000-05:00

The 2005 Riverfest is over. Looked like quite a success to me. I have some more photos to share at Pat's Pond, a more active site. I may transfer them to this site when I can do it easily.

But for now, this site is inactive. You may direct comments to me at my email, found by clicking on the VIEW MY COMPLETE PROFILE line in the right hand column, under the photo of my Granddog Ellie. Love to hear from you.

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Little Pond

In No Special Order:

2005-06-05T19:35:00.000-05:00

All of these photos are enlarged upon at Pat's Pond. I really enjoyed my photo-blogging on the Riverfront. Broke my heart to cull out the majority of some sixty photos. I usually am ruthless, but the Riverfest comes only once a year. Next year's events will be different. None of Saturday's moments can ever be truly recreated and relived, except in memory, so my photos are more precious than my usual blogging.

I really am looking forward to next year's Riverfest.

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Little Pond

Sign up for Kids' Derby

2005-06-05T19:07:00.000-05:00

Kids' Fishing Derby is slated for July 30, 2005. Contact Nickle Creek Bait Shop at 734-9233. Fishing is a local resource that's readily available and inexpensive. The Good People at Nickle Creek can teach the children to make it safe and affordable.

Osprey afficionados

2005-06-05T19:04:00.000-05:00

Team Osprey had an informational booth. From where we walked we could see the Osprey tower and nesting platform in the distance downriver.

Curious chat

2005-06-05T19:03:00.000-05:00

Perhaps she's a battlefield nurse, and he must be a scout or (gasp!) a renegade. Otherwise I think this would be a most unusual group of people during the time being reenacted.

Native American Placenames

2005-06-05T19:01:00.000-05:00

Elmira is recognizable on the map only by placement through the rivers and creeks. After all, "Elmira" is not the native American name.

Boarding sight

2005-06-05T19:00:00.000-05:00

Weathered side must've been the usual roadside view, back in the day. Trolley tracks still break up our roads, showing themselves especially during the pothole season in Spring.

The Elmiran II

2005-06-05T18:59:00.000-05:00

If you live in Elmira, New York, you are indeed familiar with "The Trolley" that plies our streets during festivals and weekends in Summer. It's also popular with couples for their weddings.

Ammo box

2005-06-05T18:57:00.000-05:00

The caisson goes rolling along... A real caisson with a real ammo box, lovingly restored.

Arrowhead chart

2005-06-05T18:56:00.000-05:00

Essentially arrowheads we are likely to find here in Upstate New York. Ivan's booth had amazing items.

Riverfest. The Boaters

2005-06-05T12:40:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Riverfest 2005.

Elmira, New York. The following are presented in no particular order, and do not represent all of the participants. Not by any means. The weather turned bright and sunny. Yours truly had to escape the heat.

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Little Pond

Family Day on the Chemung

2005-06-05T12:32:00.000-05:00

If I hadn't known about the Riverfest, this would have been the first clue. While families often ply the river in kayaks and canoes, it is rare to find two or three together, in any time period.

Water channel

2005-06-05T12:30:00.000-05:00

Straight line here is a channel of water. These channels are also under the surface, and can kill. Note that everyone in the boats wears a lifejacket.

Water intake site

2005-06-05T12:29:00.000-05:00

Note the water intakes. They make for a good meeting spot.

Staging site

2005-06-05T12:28:00.000-05:00

A gathering of canoes and kayaks waiting for further instruction? People shouted back and forth, making plans for landing.

Wind-propelled boat

2005-06-05T12:27:00.000-05:00

This fanboat (?) is a curious-looking craft for our area. It shuttled up and down river during the event.

Long, low ride

2005-06-05T12:26:00.000-05:00

Kayaks are strikingly sleek and seem to glide along the water with almost no rowing needed.

Green framed view

2005-06-05T12:25:00.000-05:00

The launch is close to the Walnut Street Bridge, and looking upriver is limited by all the greenery.

Kayak rainbow

2005-06-05T12:24:00.000-05:00

Colorful kayaks made the launch area festive. Many people waded and brought their dogs to escape the heat.

Cloudy skies keep things cool

2005-06-05T12:22:00.000-05:00

The first few boaters came trickling around noon. It was still very cloudy, making everything look cool and springlike.

Array of lifejackets

2005-06-05T12:19:00.000-05:00

River safety is always the last word. Never saw so many lifejackets. Glad to see them, too. Safe boating is more fun for everyone involved.

Riverfest 2005

2005-06-05T11:52:00.000-05:00

This was our first Riverfest with the new boat launch. This launch was blogged in Pat's Pond earlier last month. So now it's official.

Visited with lots of folk during the morning hours of the festival, but left when the sun came out. I must assume the thing was a hit despite the gorgeous day. Nice day gets sunny, grouchy lady takes her camera and goes home.

So the photos above were taken between 11:30 and 12:30 pm.

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Little Pond