The wet ground in upstate New York forested area was the perfect place for fungi to grow. On one hike here are the various fungi I observed with help from my 2 friends.
Fungi are helpful in decomposing organic material; much needed!
Fungi Galore!
Category: blogging
Fillmore Glen State Park in upstate NY
Fillmore Glen became a state park thanks to the efforts of Charles Atwood. He recognized the beauty and importance of maintaining a place like this for years to come. His efforts began in 1919; finally in June 1925 the 941 acres was recognized as a state park. It is named Fillmore Glen State Park in honor of US President Fillmore.
Visitors can hike the north, south or gorge trail and easily make a 3 mile loop as we did. On the south rim trail we observed many mushrooms … so different from my home desert environment… and completed our loop on the gorge trail.
Wow! Gorge trail is spectacular with waterfalls. Plenty of water was running and falling! We walked in a narrow, steep-walled gorge under trees and protected from the summer heat. It was wonderful and not muddy or buggy.
People can hike, camp, swim in the designated area and fish at the Owasco Lake inlet. Nature Conservancy is also involved in protecting this watershed.
If you are near Moravia, New York, this is definitely a park to visit!
Next blog post I photographed different types of fungi!!! Will share.
Labor Day 2026
September 7 is Labor Day; take a moment to honor the power and work of every American worker!
Mushrooms in New York State
Mushrooms were everywhere during our latest hike at Sims-Jennings Preserve at Cayuga Cliffs near Lansing, New York. The mushrooms took on all colors and shapes. I do not know one mushroom/fungi from another, but loved looking at and photographing them. Enjoy!
Finger Lakes Land Trust in NYS
New York State has a new trail thanks to the Finger Lakes Land Trust. Near Lansing New York is a 224 acre protected conservation area named Sims-Jennings Preserve at Cayuga Cliffs. The out and back 3.4 mile trail can be located on AllTrails app.
Ample parking is available at start, then a leisurely meadow walk and pollinator garden. Great hike for anyone wanting shade. Since it rained recently, we saw numerous examples of fungi. Plenty of black raspberries ready to pick! Further along there are vista points; cliffs over-looking Cayuga Lake; bench available to sit and relax. Four thousand feet of shoreline so better views could be from a boat if you happen to be on the lake!
A trail worth checking out if you are in the area! Bird-wise it was quiet, so I distracted myself looking at mushrooms. Next blog post I’ll share some photos of fungi!
Tucson: First UNESCO City of Gastronomy!
Did you know Tucson, Arizona was the first recognized UNESCO City of Gastronomy … part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network? I did not.
Tucson, Arizona (UNESCO designation in 2015) and San Antonio, Texas (UNESCO designation in 2017) are the only two American cities that have been designated Cities of Gastronomy. Both are multicultural communities with culinary creativeness and deep agricultural heritage. Search the topic and you’ll see an updated list with many other cities around the world with this designation!
We enjoy Indigenous and Mexican foods here at Tucson restaurants, thus I understand its UNESCO designation. The heritage crops of the past 4,000 year we’d taste: squash, chilies, tepary beans and white Sonoran wheat. Plus there are festivals such as the Agave Heritage Festival. Let’s not forget Sonoran hotdog food trucks … a must here at parking lots or some farmer’s markets.
So if you visit Tucson, zero in on restaurants featuring the foods that have long been here and enjoy! Start your meal with tortilla chips and salsa or guacamole!! At least that’s how I start my meals😀
“BirdBuddy” is Cool!
While visiting a friend who loves birds too, I noticed a bird feeder in the backyard. This one though is quite different from others I’ve seen. These bird feeders are solar-powered and with a camera. The camera captures a video of the bird(s) while they feed at the feeder. Cool!
Ruby-throated hummingbird was seen head-on as it slurped the sugary mixture. Wow, few times do we see them from that angle! That feeder is designed especially for hummers. Another feeder had seeds where sparrows and other birds frequented.
If interested in seeing more about these smart bird feeders, check out: https://www.mybirdbuddy.com (I have no affiliation with this company. Do your research to find best deal if you go the purchasing route.) It was fun seeing birds at the feeders and watching the videos on my friend’s phone app. One gets to see a bird close-up and in action! Cool!
Eye Contact, I See!
Recently I saw a new, to me, sign with an important message!
I was in Nashville, Tennessee and saw this sign while standing at a road intersection. The traffic light would soon change and the walk light will come on counting down the seconds for me to cross the road. However, this sign reminds all of us of the importance in looking into the driver’s eyes to see that he or she sees you. I came to realize that an electrical box was blocking their view of me! Glad I looked!
“Get Your Kicks” at Route 66 Museum!
Here’s a museum when you’re driving Interstate 40 east and needing a break in Oklahoma? Route 66 Museum is in Clinton, Oklahoma, a few miles north of the interstate and worth a visit!
The history about this road’s creation is fascinating and the museum shares it all. The 1920’s is when the concept of driving a road from Illinois to California comes into its own. Nine thousand registered OK drivers in 1914 grew to 144,000 in 1920, then to 576,000 in 1930. More people driving meant gas stations, cafes and motels were needed for travelers. The migration of people in the 1930’s due to the lack of rain, the Dust Bowl, increased the use of the “mother road”, Route 66, as many headed west!
Thanks to Cyrus Avery in envisioning such a road, the WPA workers building the road and the business owners along the road providing services to travelers. Unfortunately with President Eisenhower’s Interstate Plan, many towns were bypassed and Route 66 roads were not used. However as we now drive the interstate, there are some people who do drive as much of the old 2448 mile road where possible through the 8 states from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica Pier in California.
You too may stop at Cadillac Ranch by Amarillo, Texas. Cadillacs from 1949-1963 are part of a 1974 installation. The cars are nose-dived into the ground and you can walk up to them and add your spray paint or creative touch!
I have driven and cycled parts of Route 66 and love seeing the old motels, gas pumps, etc. Go out and “get your kicks” on Route 66!
Navajo County Museum – Know of It?
I did not know of the Navajo County Museum in Holbrook, Arizona. Yes, I knew Petrified Forest National Park is down the road, but this museum? No. As the local said to me, “Once you see the national park and this museum, you’ve seen Holbrook!”
We spent at least 45 minutes at the Navajo County Museum walking through rooms with different historical info. This building was the old courthouse with the sheriff’s office and jail. Other rooms included items from Native Americans, ranchers and other settlers in the county. I had never seen so many old typewriters and cameras in one place. Display cases had fossils, arrowheads, pieces of pottery and old horse saddles. One room was the old post office. There was so much to look at!
We just happened upon this place as we continue our drive east with many more miles to go in the day. Lovers of history could spend hours here with all this historical material.
So … If you are in Holbrook, Arizona along Interstate 40, visit the Navajo County Museum. And if you have not been to Petrified Forest National Park, get there also to see petrified wood and the “painted desert”. Worth a stop!!
