Kidtracks after the snow day

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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? 

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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Little Pond

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

...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

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

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

RiverDogging Fitch's Bridge Access Site

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

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. 

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. 

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? 

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

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

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

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. 

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

Ladies and Gentlemen, we thank you and salute you! 

The Palisades

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

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.

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.