Allegany State Park - July 31
Today we had made plans to spend the day with Tom &
Cathy. We met Tom & Cathy on the 2017 World Cruise and we both were on the
2019 World Cruise as well and we did some tours together on both trips. They
are such a great couple and it was so nice of them to travel from Erie to spend
the day with us.
We went hiking in Allegany State Park and we had researched some
easy trails. Trail descriptions aren’t always very accurate and I’m afraid we
dragged them on more of a hike than they bargained for. They were up to the
challenge and we had a great day.
We stopped at a viewpoint and then at the Stone Tower. Stone Tower overlooks Salamanca to the North and Red
House Lake to the South. All stone used to build it was collected and cut in
Allegany State Park.
Stone Tower
Tom & Cathy
The Osgood Hiking Trail was 2.5 miles and was rated easy,
but there was a lot of uphill and then of course downhill and it was muddy in
spots and lots of tree roots. Cathy was a good spotter and saw these cute
lizards and in one area we saw quite a few of them. Then she spotted a frog or
toad. It looked more like a toad, but when we looked it up later it was a Wood
Frog. The lizards turned out to be Red Spotted Newts.
There is an annual amphibian migration where the Red Spotted
Newts (after they spend 3 years in the forest) go to the lake as adults. The
park employees help salamanders, newts and frogs make it safely across the road
during the annual amphibian migration.
Red Spotted Newt
mostly I found lots of mushrooms
Wood Frog
There weren’t many birds to be heard or seen and it was a
strenuous hike, but we had a great time catching up with each other. We brought
a laser pointer to help with finding the birds, but we heard very few. It is
common that in the dense forest we don’t see very many.
We finally made it back to the parking lot and headed for
lunch at the Park Restaurant. The Red House Area is known for the historic Tudor-style
Administration Building located by the Red House Lake.
We had lunch outside on the patio of the restaurant with a
nice view of the lake. The sun finally came out and I of course chose the one
table without an umbrella.
my burger
Greg's wrap
After a long lunch we walked over a covered bridge
and part of the way around the lake.
Groundhog
Thomas L Kelly Covered Bridge
Administration Building & the Administration Building & The Park Restaurant - there was supposed to be a museum on the first floor, but most of the building was under renovation.
Canada Geese
Song Sparrow
After we got back to the hotel we sat & chatted in the
lobby for a while. How nice of them to drive here to spend the day with us.
They truly are great company.
Tomorrow, we are off to hike some more on our last day here.
Hopefully, the weather holds out like today with no rain.
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