Visiting The Wolf Mountain Nature Center

The Wolf Mountain Nature Center

For a long time now,  I have followed The Wolf Mountain Nature Center on Facebook. I wanted to go there so bad. Yesterday, my friend took me there. It was such a relaxing place to spend a warm summer Sunday. Due to the hot sun in the afternoon, not many residents of the center were out and about. We managed to see a couple though. Spent some time chatting with the husband of an employee under the shade of a tree. Most animals are not active in the hot afternoon and I expected we may not see any wolves. It wasn't crowded though, so we had a most enjoyable afternoon there.

Welcome To Wolf Mountain!

The Wolf Mountain Nature Center is located at 562 Hopkins Crandall Road in Smyrna, New York (13464 zip code). It is about 20 minute ride from Norwich, New York, where I live. Their telephone number is (607) 627-6784. Email is twmncwolves@yahoo. com. 

The summer hours through out July and August is: Fridays 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Saturdays Noon - 3:00 PM Sundays Noon - 4:00 PM. It is $5.00 per person admission and kids under 5 are free. They have restrooms, a gift shop, picnic areas throughout, but you need to bring your own picnic. No animals are permitted, even in the parking lot, including service animals. This is because the wolves are territorial and it would cause them stress, even if a dog was left in a car they would know.

There are 12 various enclosures on the grounds for the animals. They are securely fenced so you can feel safe, but they feel safe too. These wolves are used to people but the public is not allowed to pet, touch, feed or go inside the enclosures. NY state law says that only the certified workers can do that. Look at the photos of the workers in contact with the wolves on their website. You will see a closeness such as most of us have with our cats, dogs and rabbits.

Solar Array

The Wolf Mountain Nature Center runs 100% completely on solar power! The volunteers are more than happy to explain to you how their solar power works to  power the center. Since they run on donations and the money they make on the admissions and events and the gift shop, I am sure not having an electric bill is big help to them. 

Tipi Village

The Wolf Mountain Nature Center has a number of events for you to take part in through out the year. One is camping with the wolves which has a $75.00 fee. Of course, the wolves won't be staying in your tent! They have special Saturday evenings with the wolves teaching wolf communication skills. Check their site for the current events as those change over time. 

This wolf came right up to the fence for me!

For a chance to take some outstanding photos of the wolves without the fence, sign up for their photography session with either the wolves for a $75.00 fee or the arctic fox for a $50.00 fee. The wolf photo session is a 2-3 hour session and the arctic fox one is 45 minutes. It sounds like a awesome opportunity!

Hunter's memorial

A peaceful setting in the middle of the center for a proper burial for a beloved wolf who had passed away at the center. 

Taking a rest!

 I was able to use my walker to get around but had to be careful. The ground is not flat and there were many tree roots and rocks to maneuver around. A wheelchair would probably have to be pushed by someone else. They had ramps and special fences to let you by instead of taking any stairs. You just have to ask them, they are very accommodating. I was very comfortable there and enjoyed the day. It is a good place to be outside in the fresh air. I can't wait to go back!

Copyright © 2018 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2018 Kathleen G. Lupole

The Loomis Cemetery In Tyner, NY Is Full Of History!

I loved this old tree in the cemetery!

A few days ago, my husband and I took advantage of the beautiful weather we are having, to spend a recent morning in a local cemetery. It is one of our favorite activities! I wanted to add a picture of a grave to the FindAGrave website. People request photos of stones for various reasons. Then a volunteer will go to the cemetery and try to find it. So I planned on fulfilling a photo request. Chenango County is full of those little rural cemeteries. We have always enjoyed reading the stones, and letting the people know they are not completely forgotten. Even if we did not know them.

Some of the trees have grown too close to the stones!

Chenango means "pleasant river flowing through the land of the bull thistle". Chenango County was established March 15, 1798. The Chenango River flows through out our county and neighboring counties. It is located in the northern edge of the Southern Tier Of New York. So there is a lot of history to be found in reading the old grave stones or researching the people buried there.

Along North Tyner Road

The Loomis Cemetery is located on North Tyner Road in an area identified as Tyner, even though the addresses of the homes in the area is Oxford, it really is in Tyner. That is only for the postal or telephone service. In the 1800's that area was quite a bustling community. Now it is just homes and camps. No businesses, schools or churches any longer. And most of the homes are sadly gone too.

Found It!

The stone I was searching for is the tall one leaning against the tree in this photo. There are more grave stones behind the trees seen in the picture. Most are unreadable, many are broken or have fallen over. Unfortunately, I could not read the inscriptions on many. The most recent burials in this cemetery were in the early 1900's. I have been researching our house's history, the people who lived here, and the area around us. Especially trying to find who the builder was of our house that was built in 1850. I have found that browsing the local cemetery has proven to be a valuable tool.

Copyright © 2013 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2013  Kathleen G. Lupole

The Wind Farm In Madison County

Wind Farm In Madison County, NY

Today my husband and I went on a road trip. Drove up through Hamilton, NY, after we had breakfast in Norwich. I have always wanted to find the famous wind farm out past Sherburne, NY, but wasn't sure exactly how to find it. Then all of a sudden, we saw them! Or at least we saw one of the turbines. As we got closer, we saw more than one. Then we saw even more! As you looked at these, way out across the area on the other side was two or three more wind farms. They dotted the whole area! Beautiful!

They are BIG!

We stopped along the side of the road so I could take some pictures. Since we are in the process of installing our own wind turbine, which is no where near this size, my husband was getting excited about seeing these babies up close. So on we drove, hoping to get a closer view. We got up as close as we could and I took pictures like crazy. They are silent and move slow. Today these turbines were not moving. The other ones on the other wind farms were moving. Slowly, silently.

Wind turbines all in a row!

We located the farm where they now reside. And this was as close as we could get. What is pretty awesome, is that the wind turbines are beautiful to look at, as well as provide power to a lot of homes and businesses. And maybe even the nearby Colgate University in Hamilton, NY. I'd be proud to have this farm in my backyard! I loved it that my husband and I shared the excitement of this adventure, finding this wind farm in the middle of a farm area, among tractors, barns and hay wagons.

Generating power slowly!

Now before anyone makes a comment about the wind turbines killing all those birds.........first and foremost, I AM a bird lover myself, but.........do some reading on the subject yourself BEFORE you make a judgement. Read; Common Eco-Myth: Wind Turbines Kill Birds or Do Wind Turbines Kill Birds? What I have learned is that my own 3 cats are more a hazard to the birds than the wind turbine will ever be. I can't tell you how many birds have flown right into my glass sliding doors and one bird death we had here was when a dove slammed into the side of our house. Not just cats, but cars, as well as airplanes and pesticides kill more of them than a turbine. So don't go blaming the wind turbines for killing the wild birds unless you are willing to give up cats as pets (the biggest killer of birds), motor vehicles or airline trips. They are much worse by major statistics.

Copyright © 2013 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2013  Kathleen G. Lupole

Went To A Wedding Yesterday!

Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Dran

Yesterday, my brother, Mickey, married his long time girlfriend, Cindy. My husband and I stood up for them at the Justice of the Peace office. It was very nice and the judge did a wonderful job. I know my father liked Cindy a lot and if my mother knew her, she'd have loved her very much. I know I do!

Mimi's in Greene, NY

Afterwards, the happy couple, their friend, Pete, and my husband and I, went to a local restaurant and had pizza. It was nice and simple. A special end to a year that was especially hard on us. I am happy to see 2012 end, but now I have one happy memory of the year.

This morning........

This morning we woke up to a major snow storm. It just keeps snowing more. My husband and son go out and shovel and then a little bit later it is all back again. A never ending job!

Copyright © 2012 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2012  Kathleen G. Lupole

My Favorite Shopping Spot On Wordless Wednesday

PD's In Otego, New York

Copyright © 2012 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2012  Kathleen G. Lupole

Fruits That Grow In My Area

Fruit is one food group I could overdose on. When I was growing up, my parents always had bags of different fruit in the refrigerator for our snacks. I did not grow up eating candy, chips and soda. Not that we never had it. Potato chips was a side dish to a sandwich meal. Soda was a treat. My parents would buy the soda at a local store that was 12 cans for $1.00. Yes, really! On week-end nights my father would make us ice cream sodas with the well known Neapolitan ice cream and our choice of soda flavor. No two liter bottles back then, which was in the early sixties.

In Florida, we had an orange grove, but it was young trees. So we were lucky when we got one orange. Our kumquat tree was more productive than any of the orange trees. Living in Florida though, we had no shortage of oranges or grapefruits since most people had groves around their houses. Watermelons back then sold for little money too, a few for a dollar I believe. Big contrast from when my husband and I lived there in 1994 and paid $5.00 for one watermelon.

Living in New York state you may think it is too cool of a climate to grow much fruit. That is wrong. I think we have a plentiful growing season here. Combine that with our rainy weather and it is perfect for fruit. My grandmother had a peach tree in her yard and I remember picking peaches from it every year. She also had 100 acres of blueberries and that was a gold mine. Berries grow abundantly here. Raspberries, strawberries, elderberries, you name it and they probably grow somewhere here. Learn how to grow your own fruit here!

Our state is also well known for grapes. A little farther north than where I live, is NY wine country. Wineries dot the landscape traveling off the main roads in Ithaca, Watkins Glen and surrounding areas. Grapes are a good crop and easy to buy if you don't grow them yourself. My father has always grown a good crop of them in his backyard. I learned to can from him, canning grape juice and jelly.

Other fruits that grow easily here in NY are apples, pears,plums and others that I have probably missed. Apple orchards are all over the state. You can easily find a U-Pick apple orchard in any county. They also grow in residents' yards and through out the state forest lands. Nothing beats a New York state apple! My father also has a couple of apple trees and a pear tree that bear fruit yearly. The apple trees in my own yard have produced apples every year since we moved here. Even the year one of them that was loaded with apples, fell over from rot! Our horses love the game of me gathering apples and tossing them out in the paddock for them to chase after. What kind of fruits do you grow? Or what kind of fruit is your area known for?

Copyright © 2012 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2012  Kathleen G. Lupole

Spent My Day With My Big Brother!

Mickey and Dakota

Today, my husband and I spent most of our day at my brother's house. He lives about 16 miles from us. I wish I had remembered my camera! I'd have gotten some awesome shots of him and the long rifles he builds. They are beautiful and he makes them all by hand. He sells some, but only if someone orders it first, then he makes it for that particular person. Otherwise, he makes it for himself and wants to keep it.

My Big Brother!

He was in a band when we were kids back in the sixties living in Flagler Beach, FL. He played the rhythm guitar and keyboards. His band did pretty good, playing at all our community dances. It was cool, having a brother who was in a band! Now he has a corner in his house that is for his collection of guitars and his new Fender amp.

The Spirit Of The Old West in New Milford, PA

Now though instead of being in a band, he has had a wild west show called, The Spirit Of The Old West. Presently, he has been doing his shows mostly in Cooperstown, NY, catching the outlaws who hold up the train. Using blackpowder guns and authentic clothing for the time period. He has been doing this for a long time now, years.

Mickey, Me and our neighbor

Well, I promised myself that I will go back over there and get some photos of his leather work, his guns, guitars and historical books. Maybe if I am lucky, I can get some shots of his girlfriend, Cindy's beautiful sewing projects that he wears proudly, especially a beautiful hunting shirt.

Copyright © 2012 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2012  Kathleen G. Lupole

Setting Up My Amazon Store - Homesteaders' Marketplace

Yesterday I spent most of my day setting up stores on my blog. They are from Amazon. I handpicked the products that go in each one. They are products for the homesteader. So if you are planning on shopping at Amazon please go through my links on this site. They are on the side of the blog. Where it says PRODUCTS I LIKE. Homesteaders' Marketplace. I don't make much, a few cents to a few dollars. If you have an Amazon link on your blog, let me know and I will use it next time I shop. You can't use your own link to shop and make money off yourself. Too bad! I shop at Amazon a lot. Note: I have stopped being an affiliate on Amazon due to the fact that you have to make $100.00 before being paid. And they do not pay enough for the sales you bring them.

Today we are having rain. It rained all night, as well as giving us plenty of wind. Wind is good now. Soon wind will be powering our wind turbine after we get it installed. The rain washes our snow away and into the ground (for our water table). Then the wind will dry our mud up. We always have a mud season. As much as we don't like the mud, it leads to the grass coming up. Can't wait. Though I hear that snow is in the forecast for tonight.

So we are on our way to my father-in-law's house today. He lives about 35 miles away, in the city of Johnson City, NY. He is 91 and can't drive anymore. His eyes and ears are bad. I haven't been to see him in the winter. One of us had to stay here to keep our wood stoves going since it was cold. It'll be good to see him. Have a great day wherever you are!

Copyright © 2011 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2011  Kathleen G. Lupole

Small Town USA - Oxford, NY

Canal Street Hardware, Oxford, NY

The little town of Oxford, NY is about six miles from our house. We go there many times a week for quick errands. It is a small country town. Surrounded by farms. So to say it is a farm town is an understatement.

The grocery store that we used to have went out of business, and I have missed that store immensely. It has been replaced by a Dollar General. I appreciate them and they are cheaper. But I still miss running to a real grocery store to get fresh meat or produce. Now I have to go to Greene, which is 10 miles away, or to Norwich, which is 13 miles the other way. I know that is not very much farther, but Norwich is a bigger city and is busier. Greene's grocery store is pricey since it is the only one in town. Their meat is great! The produce is horrible. 

There are more than a few restaurants and places to pick up fast food. The convenience store, Nice N' Easy has been our choice for pizzas. They are very good and I like it since everyone there knows us. They are friendly. The other convenience store is almost right next door, but we don't go to that one much since it is in a spot that is harder to get out of into traffic. We have a Chinese and an Italian restaurant and a diner not to mention the bars.

There are a few bars in Oxford, though I cannot tell you much about them as I have not been in a bar in years. The one in the photo above opened up, and we thought we'd try it for dinner sometime as it is always crowded, but we have never made it yet. We are not much for going out to eat unless it is for breakfast. Maybe we should stop in and order some take out. 

Oxford Bridge

Canal Street Hardware is one of our favorite stores. It is the typical small town hardware store. The owner can often be found in the store waiting on customers, joking and discussing local happenings. As you browse the shelves you will find chimney parts, chainsaw chains, plumbing parts, granite ware pots, canning accessories, etc. as well as pitcher pump parts, among thousands of other things that you would find in any hardware store. Plus the items you would find in any typical feed store. We buy our horses' feed, as well as, accessories that are needed for their care and/or comfort..........feed and water buckets, muck forks, salt blocks, shavings, fly masks, mucking boots, etc. there.

Told you, it's a farm town!

Oxford has a high quality drug store, Bartles. It is the only drug store I have ever had the actual owner explain to me about how to use a prescription. The clerks are all very friendly, helpful and sincerely glad to see you. I would not consider going to any other drug store after having been a customer here. And Walmart is only about 3 miles down the road from Oxford. I like the small town businesses the best. What about you? Do you live in or near a small town? Do you have some favorite stores you shop regularly?

Copyright © 2011 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2011  Kathleen G. Lupole

The McDonough General Store

This afternoon I had to take a drive about 7 miles away to our little country store in the neighboring town of McDonough. It was such a beautiful drive, the leaves are turning and are beautiful shades of gold, red, green and brown. There is one farmer on the way there who lives at the top of the hill who farms with horses, and it was my lucky day as he was out there with his two gorgeous horses. I think they are Belgiums, and they are just so majestic with their harness on and hitched up to his wagon. What I especially like is that when you go past, it is so quiet, just the gentle rattle of the harness every now and then.

McDonough is one of those little towns that most people just drive through to get somewhere else. This town has many homes that are little farms with a big variety of farm animals. Most being horses and chickens, some pigs, many goats and a few with miniature horses and even a donkey or two. There are a few houses with the eggs for sale signs out front.

The McDonough General Store is the typical Mom & Pop type store with Mr. and Mrs. Gorman being the Mom & Pop. The store seems to be pretty busy when we go there. It has become our favorite place to go for what we call "fast food", which just means that I don't have to prepare and cook it. They have a nice deli and sell various sub sandwiches, we buy a couple pounds of lunch meat so we can make sandwiches at home. Also they have a old-fashioned ice cream parlor. The customers that come in there all seem to know one another and probably have all their lives. If you are new though, they will welcome you warmly and include you in their conversations.

The McDonough General Store looks as if it should have a pot belly stove right in the middle of it, and maybe one day it did. Now it is filled with a good selection of groceries that you are most likely to run out of. Except for gas and kerosene. Right now it has a sign out front on the gas pumps "Sorry, Out Of Gas". Too much money to fill it up. Besides most people probably only buy a little to get to the next big town to fill up, so there is really no profit there. Now the ice cream freezer is probably one of their best sellers! When we go there, we usually pick up a half gallon of Hershey's Moose Tracks ice cream........our favorite!

During the summer and holidays it gets alot of traffic from Bowman State Park which is very close by. The Fingerlakes Trail isn't much further than that so hikers usually end up picking up supplies there also. Many people from NYC and NJ come here to get away from the city as we aren't too far from there. So you never know who you'll meet there.

So if you ever get out this way, make sure you stop in there and say hi.

Have a good day!

katlupe