Tag: Buffalo

Little Treasures

Posted on by Paul In The Buff

As mentioned in the previous post, one of our goals on Sunday was to find the Eternal Flame.  Quaintly nestled in a natural, shallow cave in the shale walls behind a waterfall, the flame constantly burns fueled by a naturally occurring reservoir of methane.  It doesn't look like it could possibly just naturally be there.  The entire area looks like it was professional landscaped and carved, but in this ravine of shale walls, the Earth has intricately carved what it would probably take a team of expensive designers and architects to otherwise create.

The nice thing about this little natural wonder is you can still walk right up to it.  Unlike so many other amazing natural occurrences in the world, man has not fenced it off, placed it behind glass or in any way tried to protect us from ourselves while claiming to be protecting us from it.

The whole area is left as natural as possible.  Fallen trees remain fallen and become natural obstacles in the hike.  The ravine walls are not in any way groomed or screened; the creek bed is littered with fallen rock and shale, and lined with other water fall channels where run-off naturally flows.

Unlike other natural occurrences people will travel to see, no path has been paved to make it accessible to everyone.  To get to it, it is a natural hike - 1.3 miles down a hill side and through a creek bed.  In some areas, concrete slabs have been buried into the hill side to make it easier to traverse some of the steeper areas.  In winter, as we discovered, these steps turn into hazardous slides of ice and snow, actually making it more difficult.

The fact that we either pave nature to see nature or close it off for fear of people getting hurt by it annoys me.  It is nice to be able to walk within feet of this dancing flame and enjoy the simple pleasure of it.

And the fact it exists where it does is equally as wondrous.  In an area that can see several feet of snow fall at once, that can have thousands of gallons of run-off water flowing through this area, that has at times seen hurricane strength winds blow through...  despite it all, this little flame keeps burning.

Once down to the flame, you have two choices on how to get back:

1.  Back up the same trail you just hiked down, or

2.  Up the side of a tree-lined ravine

Sarah took the path less traveled.  I hiked back up the trail.  I'll try climbing the roots in the Spring time when they aren't as icy.

As I mentioned in my previous blog entry, the trail was icy enough.  I took several good falls on my ass and slid down icy hillsides a number of times.  When we were leaving, we saw a couple getting out of a car with New Jersey plates.  Probably in town, looking for something to go see and they were told about the Flame.  They were wearing designer jeans, woolen coats, boots with heels and looked more prepared for a walk to a restaurant downtown than a hike through a creek bed.  We gave them a brief warning about how icy it is, that they will need to hike through a creek bed - through the water - and wished them luck on their adventures.

I wonder how they made out.

I wonder if they got out....

Sometimes Where I Live is Beautiful – 4

Posted on by Paul In The Buff

Sunday's hike through the newly snow-covered hills was quite the adventure.  We traversed a couple more steep sided ravines, which in the snow was quite the challenge.   We also took a more popular and marked trail to see the Eternal Flame.  If you look at the image above, you will see a tiny orange light through the fallen trees.   That is the Eternal Flame.

Click the picture to make it bigger if you can't see it.

More on the flame later.

The trail is popular and well traveled, which results in a lot of packed snow and ice on top of rock-hard ground.   The right side of my ass still hurts from multiple slips and falls!  The frozen banks of the creek present another challenge as well - but it was well worth it.

Nature has carved out quite the scenic path on this one, including multiple waterfalls and a tiered, shale creek bed.

I will definitely be heading back during the spring thaw...

Sunday Hike

Posted on by Paul In The Buff

On Sunday, the sun was shining and the temps were above freezing.  Not that these things are necessary, but they encourage outdoor activity this time of year.  We went for a hike in the state park and decided to challenge ourselves by climbing down a ravine to the creek bed.

Normally this time of year, that would be impossible, due to heavy snow.  Bu this year, the creek isn't even frozen - as you can see above.  The creek isn't even swelling from run-off.

An odd winter, indeed.

Although in the shadowy recessed of the hill side, you can see ice formations from the ground water escaping.

The second picture should give a bit of perspective - the side of the ravine is probably about 30ft down to the creek bed, not horribly steep, but you wouldn't want to just fling yourself down the side.  As we were exploring and photographing, a man yelled down to us asking how we got down there.  Not sure what he expected for an answer but he didn't have much of a reply for, "Uh... we climbed down?"

I was going to say, "We jumped, and the landing was soft. Give it a try!"  But I'm sure if he survived it, I would have gotten sued.

DON’T DO IT!

Posted on by Paul In The Buff

Go to Niagara Falls on a weekend in summer and you won't be able to throw a stick without hitting a bridal party.  It has become one of the most trite and unimaginative places to have a wedding.  When I catch them in the act of "picture taking" I often try to jump in and get some of my own.  I don't photograph weddings often and honestly, I get more engrossed with watching what the photographer is doing... and critiquing it.  I'm snobby that way.

This was a pretty unimaginative photographer.  These kinds of poses make me cringe.  Where is the creativity?  Are you capturing the moments and the love, or just taking pictures of faces with smiles plastered on them?  Yes, the background is nice.  The dress and flowers are lovely.  The bride is all made up for the day.  The groom is in his rented tux and showered and shaved this week.  All is lovely.

Now do something that will ACTUALLY be memorable.

Lame.

Sometimes Where I Live is Beautiful

Posted on by Paul In The Buff

Say What you want about Buffalo.  This region has its problems and many of them aren't getting any better.  But one thing I can say for it, it is filled with some amazing beauty.  Natural, man made, occasional pleasant surprises - what have you - I haven't found too many places that compare to here.

Despite my own struggles in living here, it will always be home....

These photos are just some of the images I've captured over the years. I have a huge collection, and will add more in my blog over time.  Hopefully they will inspire some of the love you have for this region as well as inspire others to come here and see it for themselves.