Larry A. Smail's Blog

     The waterway is always beautiful. I try to walk the parallel trail or walk along the creek several times a year. Monday, October 10, would, once again, prove to satisfy my need for a nature hike.  

I chose to walk along the creek’s banks as much as possible. The terrain will not easily permit walking at several points. The surrounding slopes are rather steep and choked with rhododendron and hemlock. this makes for difficult travel, however, these conditions allow for the dark green colors to greatly contrast with the waters and autumn foliage.

      Cowanshannock is, of course, an English translation to a Native American name for the stream. The Delaware Indians, more appropriately known as the Lenni-Lenape Tribe. The most well-known years in this area of Pennsylvania occurred during the 18th century. The area I am hiking flows into the mighty Allegheny River.                 

Sycamore Leaf

Big rocks, and plenty of them, create the beauty of this waterway. They abound everywhere. The water surges around and over and under the boulders. The interesting aspect of the rocks is, the fact, that they are found everywhere, but, only for approximately one and a half mile stretch. After one travels this distance the rocks rapidly begin to become fewer in number.

       The creek has many specie of fish. One can easily find trout, bass and suckers here. Other specie swim upstream from the river too.   

A trail follows along the stream for about one mile. This is a great place to hike and observe nature. A well-known local site known as the “Buttermilk Falls” is located on the stream. People like to swing from ropes into the fast and cold waters.  

I saw a few squirrels and kingfisher during the walk.   

Buttermilk Falls

    Recently, friends Ruthann and Larry along with, wife Laurie and myself visited some property they own near Dayton, Pennsylvania. We hiked in the woods enjoying the cool morning taking some time to watch for any wildlife activity along the way. Although wildlife was scarce on that particular morning we did have an enjoyable time together.          

The primary points of interest were the many varieties of fungi. The recently spell of rains seemed to grant the forest floor with ideal conditions for the growth of these exciting tidbits of nature so often overlooked by the casual hiker. However, we observed many specie with dramatic contrasts of colors and shapes. I would , someday enjoy a through study of this  part of the natural world we live.

After the hike we all sat down in a rural restaurant in Dayton for a hearty breakfast!

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Tost Acres

    My friend, Randy Tost suggested we spend some time walking about Tost Acres this fine morning…and quailit time it was! As usual, this gracious man supplied great conversation on many of our most enjoyable topics, mainly nature and wildlife. We discussed habitat improvement possibilities along a recently constructed right-of-way within his borders.

We discussed various tree and shrubs that he may plant to benefit wildlife and diversify the food choices. We saw a couple of deer and a red-tailed hawk while walking about this late summer morn.    

White Snakeroot

Randy and I returned to the house where he checked out my box call collection supplied by mutual friend Kip Feroce of www.ferociouscalls.com . Randy wished to look at the various woods used in the making of Kip’s fine calls. (Kip, if you read this we both believe you should update your web site…just saying!)

Randy and I discussed another project he wished help from me with. However, I am reluctant to write of this project since someone will be receiving a gift later this year!!!

We set awhile talking over various subjects with some refreshing apple cider to cool our throats.

  (We discovered a gobbler feather on the same trail we had earlier walked along…sneaky birds!)

Gobbler breast feather

Thanks Randy for putting up with me from 8:30 A.M. until 12:30! Time always flies during our visits.