Dedicated to the one I love most…daddy, your 119th birthday today!

I am a wild animal when I am climbing over and around gates in New York State parks near Ithaca, New York during the winter where the Finger Lakes Park Administration is afraid of litigation by those who may get injured.

Rather wild isn’t it that litigation is allowed when other trails install a sign HIKE AT YOUR OWN RISK instead of the DO NOT ENTER…VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED. Yes, I have received a ticket on occasion, and it is well worth the spectacular views of iced waterfalls. As an Ithaca bumper sticker reads: ITHACA IS GORGEous 😊!

I absorb these magnificent beauties like a sponge: greens, blues, and pink algae coloring the frozen veils, these waterfalls being barred as inaccessible. At Upper Buttermilk Falls, Carol and I hike early in February (Lower Buttermilk is gated), where we are surprised to see a three foot long white and burgundy striped, brown snake lounging at the edge of the ice-bordered creek. Our footsteps or voices do not ignite any signs of life.

I gently poke it with a stick to which a tongue shoots out with life, although its body remains motionless. We gawk with wonder, and I must take photos so you will believe us. 😊.

As we turn to leave, its head turns, looking at me as we walk by. Curious as we are.