A Ride in the Country

We set out going South on Route 12 past N. Brookfield and made a sharp left-hand turn onto Fitch Road and then aimed uphill on York Road. After we'd reached the top of the hill, we stopped to take this picture especially for Norm and Carol Tower: it shows the way in to Bascom Swamp!



Then we continued on, right through the intersection at the Skaneateles Turnpike and on to Moscow Road, finally turning left into the State Lands on Quaker Hill Road. It's always nice and peaceful, here.



The roads, 'tho dirt, are kept in quite good condition and there are seldom any other motorized vehicles.


At the top of the hill sits the historic Quaker Hill Cemetery. The DEC description of the site reads: "In the early 1800's this area of Brookfield was settled by Quaker families. It was originally named Moscow and later Delancy after original settlers. The Quakers had a large and active membership known as the "Society of Friends". This Society was affiliated with a similar group that had settled in Madison, another Quaker settlement north and west of here. Their meeting house once stood next to the entrance to Truck Trail #12 - just south of the cemetery. This cemetery is the final resting place for some of these original settlers and dates back to the early 1800's. This is private land and is being pointed out as a historical reference to the early development of this area. "


Most of the stones inside the wrought iron fence are those of the BRAND family; members of the CRUMB family - whose descendants still live on Moscow Road - are buried a bit to the East.



We'd no more than turned right on TT 13 than we came upon three horses who seemed to be having a grand a ride as did their three mistresses. We stopped to chat; asked to take their picture, and also inquired about the obviously larger steed: "She's a Belgian!" we were told. "A retired New York City Cabby horse!" (Cool!) And wasn't she enjoying a day in the woods!


And then down the road to the first of our regular Gentian sites. But Oh! the disappointment! The plants were there, as they have been for twenty-five years or more, but the evermore efficient lawnmowing crew had come along and declared "Off with their heads!"








We followed our usual route, hoping for better luck on Brown Road. YES!! The scythe had missed them! And although they were just budded and need a few more weeks to "bloom" (Bottle Gentians never actually open!) they at least were in good shape, right where they were supposed to be!


After leaving State Land on Giles Road, we wound our way along Ouleout Road to Fitch Road and stopped to see if the Fox's egret was there. No - but a small green heron was out in the middle of the pond, fishing.





Our last stop was on the West side of Nine Mile Swamp, where a wild hop vine - despite bugs! - always seems to bloom as well as those we cater to!