Day 897: Father's Day

Although we are not fans of Father's or Mother's Day, this was actually a pretty nice one.  We are always soothed by walking in the Arkwright woods. Birdsong, rustling leaves and our footfalls were the only sounds, until trucks or motorcycles reminded us that we were not far from the roads.  We ambled along familiar paths, snapped a few pictures and marveled at the sunlight piercing the treetop canopy.  Since our lesson yesterday, now we spy the Japanese knotweed, periwinkle and garlic mustard everywhere.

At the end of the trail on Center Rd., we found the tree where we had gathered for a photo back in October 1996, the day before my dad died. Escaping long hours in the hospital room and Dad's deteriorating condition, we had taken the kids for a long walk.  Colin and Evan climbed the tree while Mary and I watched from the ground and Steve snapped the shot.  The happy moment was a brief reprieve from months of sadness and grief.  I still find great comfort in walking along that trail.

Dad and me in late 1949 or early 1950

I can't recall ever going for a walk with my father.  That might be because he was a mailman and he walked all day, until he got a truck route.  But he did love to be outside, especially fishing Cassadaga Lake.  He and mom spent many evenings in their small boats casting for bass.  He really hated having his picture taken, unless he was holding a giant bass or muskie.  Then he was all smiles.

My dad and mom on the left and Steve's mom and dad on the right

at our wedding on August 21, 1971.   My parents were only in their forties (Mom 43 and Dad 45) then and Steve's were ten years older.

We stopped in Cassadaga at King Kone for cherry cordial ice cream cones.  Delicious!  It's Steve's favorite way to cap off a hike or any activity!   I was able to swim a mile this afternoon since the weather was so perfect and the water temp actually moved up to 67 degrees!  It's surprising that two degrees can make such a difference in how the water feels.

Nancy and her family had a very difficult day, their first Father's Day without Glenn.  Although he was not Jennifer and Jeremy's biological father, he was the the father present every day in their lives for thirty years.