Allegheny State Park, NY

The day started out pretty rainy, so I got a late start, but eventually did a hike called bear's cave. The trail was quite muddy, but it lead me up hill to a grouping of large boulder rocks, several that resembled caves. I enjoy taking photographs, and each image inspires me to want to paint what I see. I love the textures, colors and contrasts. We are in black bear country. There are bear boxes at the campsite, encouraging people to place their food inside them. Part of me really wants to see a black bear on a trail, and I have in the past, and part of me does not. I guess I don't want the surprise encounter. It was peaceful walking in the woods, and the rain held off until later on in the afternoon, when the clouds became quite ominous. I was running low on gas, so I exited the park and wound up in the Seneca Nation Indian territory, where I found the cheapest gas yet at $2.75. Interesting that the exit signs, including stop signs, included a translation into the Native America Seneca language. There was also a massive casino along Highway 86.

I walked along the edge of one of the streams right next to my campsite, and there, laying all around me, were fossils. Fossils of brachiopods, and what looks like animal and plant prints. I love hunting for gems and fossils, so even in this drizzle I was enjoying the hunt right up until it got dark. At least the rain kept the mosquitos away. I have several samples now. I am thinking of a mosaic table top, to celebrate mother nature's art.

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