Signs of Spring

The first signs of spring. These wonderful bits of nature's color began to appear just a few days ago as the day time temperatures began to break the 70-deg F mark. I'm always amazed at how once they get going, how rapidly the various flowers begin to appear and how swiftly the leaves return to the trees. I was fortunate enough that these blossoms appear along the small path to my small furniture-making shop. I was able to see them out of one particular window and they were a nice treat each time I looked up. One day it would be interesting to know the names of some of these flowers. But for now I just enjoy them and that's just fine too.

One of the forgotten feats of early American engineering was the building of the Erie Canal in the early part of the 19th century. Built as a barge canal it opened up the fertile fields and agriculture of the upper western part of New York state and provided an easy cheap means of bringing the bounty of the agricultural harvests to the large cities and marketplaces to New York City and the eastern seaboard.

The canal winds its way for several hundred miles through farmlands and towns. It is a navigable waterway and during the summer many pleasure boats will cruise its entire length. Along its route there are many places to dock overnight with facilities available and it is easy to stop along the way to refuel and resupply at hundreds of small charming towns and villages along the way.

There are a number of bridges that must be raised for travelers in larger boats. A quick call to the bridge operator is all it takes and often when there are a series of bridges the same operator will raise and lower one and then you will see this same person drive down a connecting road ahead of you to raise and lower the next one.

In the town of Lockport, NY one must pass through a series of locks (hence the town name) in the same manner as you would passing through the more famous Panama Canal. It's quite a thrill to be in your boat as it is raised (or lowered) the eighty-feet or so in the lock.

One thing most people aren't aware of is that the Erie Canal is drained during the winter time usually around the end of November and is refilled with water from Lake Ontario sometime the following April.

Of course the defining difference between urban, suburban and rural life is the level of open spaces. And rural life means there's a lot of room to spread out. It's early spring now and the fields are being prepped for planting. The weather patterns still cling to the remnants of winter but also provide the hints and scents of spring as the landscape awakens from its winter slumber. The fields lie in wait for their spring turning. In the meantime for this one, all is quiet for now. 

This is the central business district of our village. We still refer to it as "downtown." It encompasses approximately two blocks starting at the general store, The Pennysaver, which is the brown building closest to you on the right and continues towards and ends at Crosby-Whipple Gas & Oil (Citgo) gas station.

As you proceed from The Pennysaver, which has always been a dry-goods store of some sort with the former opera house and dance hall on its second floor, one will pass a consignment store, a real estate office and a bank.

Crossing the street you'll pass the Hair Villa (haircuts), a pizza-and-sandwich shop, a tavern which regardless of its  current name is always referred to as "The Hotel" as there are rooms for rent above it, until finally arriving at Crosby-Whipple Gas  & Oil. There is a small coffee-and-danish cafe in the parts department of the gas station.

Across the street one will find the post office (the brick building), the village hall and the town hall. For legal reasons the village and town halls had to be separate. There is also a small library just beyond and out of view.

And thus the center of commerce in a small rural village in the country. Looking back at old photos of this business district from 100 years ago and comparing them with today, not much has changed. We prefer it that way.

This blog presents photos of small town country life. For any of you city-dwellers (as I once was) out there these photos may provide a moment of respite during your hectic day. For us country people, please enjoy. With any luck at all I will try to provide a new photo every couple of days featuring the landscapes and seasons of rural Orleans County in upstate New York.
And thus we begin. And the perfect place to do that is in one's own backyard. This one is mine. There is a small bench that looks out over a beautiful pond. It's peaceful, quiet and serene, just what life in the country should be.