Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Fall continues to advance slowly but surely at the Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary.



I have to remind myself that Manomet and White Horse Beaches are barely a mile away from this spot - it seems so inland rather than coastal plain, so rural rather than the densely populated southeast coast of Massachusetts.



Goldenrod still making a stand for summer.



I love the look of the sassafras leaf - like little extra-terrestrials (or escapees from the Mr. Bill Show for those of you old enough to remember) raising both arms in surrender.

Country Living, Ithaca, New York, USA

Although Ithaca is a hip and modern town with a wide range of activities, ethnic restaurants, neighborhoods, accommodations, and services, it's in a fairly compact area. In very short order, one can be in the countryside. For example, this driveway is only six miles as the crow flies from downtown Ithaca. If that's your preference, one can find the peace and quiet and pastoral beauty of country living fairly easily.



The colors of fall are starting to peek out.



Low sun angles at mid-afternoon herald the shorter days, longer nights, and colder temperatures.



And at the end of that driveway and many like it, a beautiful custom house sits in the woods.



Warm wood walls and floors and a wood stove for warmth - how perfect is that.







Of course, having a screened-in porch is a wonderful feature for all year around enjoyment. Be ready though, the acorns and raindrops falling on the top of it, sound like small fireworks celebrating nature.



And guess what? If you lay a piece of sheet metal at the edge of the woods in the warm sunshine, when you lift it up there are many writhing little garter snakes whose heated nap had just been disturbed.

Yep, Ithaca is a pretty special place. This is my last post from that journey. It's back to Massachusetts and home tomorrow.

"Porchfest," Ithaca, New York, USA

Imagine wandering around your neighborhood and hearing and seeing live music on dozens of front porches. Well, that's exactly what Ithaca’s 13th annual "Porchfest" brought to the porches of the Fall Creek and Northside neighborhoods recently. This year’s edition featured 171 performers at 102 locations, primarily porches but also including Thompson Park and several local businesses and churches.

The first "Porchfest" was founded in Ithaca in 2007 by two Fall Creek neighbors. The idea has since spread to more than 130 other cities around North America.



Many different styles and genres of music were available. At some locations, the musicians sprawl out into the yard and sidewalk. I like the quote on the orange t-shirt, " Music exists for the purpose of growing an admirable heart - Suzuki."



Focus.







Feeling.



Intensity.



It is a magical thing to wander throughout the neighborhood, streets closed to automobile traffic, and hear music everywhere. It was a beautiful last day of summer, a bit too hot for my preference and I had to leave early to avoid the heat but, clear and warm is better than cold and rain.

The Deer Whisperer, South Hill Recreation Way, Ithaca, New York, USA

A 3.4 mile portion of a former railway route, the South Hill Recreation Way, is now a trail very near where I am staying in Ithaca. The railroad was built in 1849 to haul coal from Pennsylvania to Ithaca for transport on the Erie Canal. It was abandoned in 1957. It a delight to walk on it as it has been graded for a train and in the otherwise steep terrain around town, I enjoy that feature.



This is my fourth day walking it, and each day more leaves are on the ground. On each walk, I have seen a deer family of four in about the same place munching away. They run away when I approach. Today, I became the "deer whisperer" - as I approached them and they saw me, I stopped and started speaking in a calm and even voice. Then I gently moved toward them still speaking. At about 30 feet away I stopped again and kept speaking. They watched intently and then THEY moved toward me while continuing to eat greenery.



Unfortunately, a jogger came along and frightened them away but, it was remarkable and special while it lasted. Now I can add "deer whisperer" to my retiree's resume.

Cascadilla Falls, Ithaca, New York, USA

This trail connects the heart of the Cornell University campus to downtown Ithaca. It winds through this lovely gorge filled with gentle riffles, calm spots, and raging falls. An allegory for life, perhaps?



The retaining walls, trails, steps, and bridges were built in the 1920's.  I only traversed about 1/2 mile or so up with a vertical climb of about 400ft.



Commonly as I have aged, it seems easier going up than going down - go figure.



In this midday walk, I encountered students and professors and random others mostly walking downhill. Some in suits, some in shorts, some dressed up, some dressed down.



The steady crash of water is mesmerizing.



There are other easier ways to go either up or down the hill to/from campus - these folks chose the more beautiful and delightful option.



For you photographers out there, the two blurred water images were handheld shutter priority at about 1/4 second, aperture and ISO floated to support the shutter speed.

South Hill Recreation Way, Ithaca, New York, USA

A delightful 3.4 mile gently graded trail south of downtown Ithaca.



These folks overtook and passed me like I was standing still - I didn't like that - and with tongue in creek, I told them so.



No vehicles are permitted but, they do allow this type.

I've seen this family of four on every walk in roughly the same place.  More about that in another post.......

Downtown, Ithaca, New York, USA

The pedestrian area of downtown Ithaca slowly comes to life on a weekday morning. Ithaca is a college town.  It's normal population of about 30,000 doubles when the students are in town - Cornell University and Ithaca College.



It is delightful in the warm summer weather - it looked much different last time I was here (at this link).



Just a block off the Commons is the Moosewood Restaurant, one of the most important influences in the growth of vegetarianism and veganism beginning in the early 1970's. For more than 40 years, the restaurant has been in business and during that time also authored 14 internationally acclaimed cookbooks. Their website also says, "Moosewood was named one of the “thirteen most influential restaurants of the 20th Century” by Bon Appétìt magazine."

And yes, of course, I had a delicious lunch there!

Ithaca Falls, Ithaca, New York, USA

A moment's pause to consider nature's grandeur amidst the thundering crash of falling water.



Skippin' stones on the flat water below the falls.



These falls are in the downtown area of Ithaca. Hard to believe a vibrant downtown could also have such beautiful natural features.

Wells Falls, Ithaca, New York, USA

What a difference a season makes - above view in September 2019.



Same view in April 2018.

Also in April 2018 right after a rainstorm.

South Hill Recreation Way, Ithaca, New York, USA

I am back in Ithaca, New York, for a short visit and my accommodation is very near this trail. On a beautiful end-of-summer morning, the long shadows and clear light made for a great walk on the level graded surface of the South Hill Recreation Way.



The sign above is at the east end of the 3.4 mile trail.



At the west end of the trail, the border fencing provides artist canvases.















Nature's art is spectacular, too. Not much color but the leaves are starting to fall.



Not too many other folks besides me are out on a weekday morning.



I couldn't tell if the spider web was spun around the opening or the bird just punched through the web.



A nice place to walk or, sit in nature and listen to the world.