• About
  • Calendar
    • Ride into History
  • Library
  • In The News
  • Membership
  • Contact

Friends of the Mohawk Towpath Byway

~ …a bridge to our communities

Friends of the Mohawk Towpath Byway

Monthly Archives: March 2015

Migration

30 Monday Mar 2015

Posted by Eric Hamilton in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

The ice on the Byway’s water bodies is starting to yield to the warm spring sun. It is said that one of the reasons that the Erie Canal was constructed on the north side of the Mohawk River was because the spring sun warmed the waters on the north side of the valley first. Even though it has been a cold, snowy winter and our vegetation is at least two weeks behind the usual, there are larger areas of open water becoming apparent.

As these open areas of water grow the spring bird migration starts. Today’s beautiful azure skis provided a unique backdrop for a flight of snow geese high over the Byway corridor. I have only seen such a sight once in my life as I happened to be traveling down the Lake Champlain Valley one fall day about 15 years ago. I saw a flock of snow geese lit by the setting sun against a grey sky. That flock, as impressive as it was, was southbound and warned of the coming Arctic Air. I was also viewing the flock from a moving vehicle which muffled any sound they made.

Today I was on foot and heard the flock before I saw their majestic flight. I got the whole show with the warming sun over my shoulder. I know a picture is worth a thousand words, but no picture could capture this experience.

As the remaining accumulated snow drifts continue to melt and the surface ice continues its retreat I will be looking for the red maple buds to open, skunk cabbage to emerge, and the promising yellow coltsfoot. Get out there and see what is emerging today even if it’s just the moss in the sidewalk joints. Don’t forget your boots as you step off the sidewalk. Trails are muddy as they melt the frost beneath.

Spring is coming to renew us all.

Telling the Byway Story

09 Monday Mar 2015

Posted by Eric Hamilton in Telling the Byway Stories

≈ Leave a comment

One of our more successful events for attracting attention to the Mohawk Towpath Byway is at the Adirondack Sports and Fitness Summer Expo. Held the first full weekend in March, as people are making plans for the warmer months, the Expo attracts many regional recreational enthusiasts. This past weekend was no exception.

Byway Booth

Harold and Henrietta O’Grady answer questions about the Byway’s events. Photo by Paul Olund


Many thanks to Maryanne Mackey, Susan and Alan Lasker, Henny and Harold O’Grady, Joanne Coons, and Paul Olund for their excellent and enthusiastic help this weekend!

Looking to Warmer Weather

03 Tuesday Mar 2015

Posted by Eric Hamilton in Historic Assets, Recreation

≈ Leave a comment

Look for the Friends of the Mohawk Towpath Byway this weekend at the Adirondack Sports and Fitness Summer Expo at the Saratoga Springs City Center. The Expo is open from 10 AM until 5 PM on Saturday, March 7 and from 10 AM until 4 PM on Sunday, March 8. Features will include all kinds of ideas for summer fun from kayaking and cycling to birding. Find out where along the Byway you can take part in all of these activities.

We will also have a calendar of major festivals and events during the summer months, a brochure describing the Byway’s self guided tour, and membership information if you’d like to join the dynamic organization that is bringing major recreational improvements to the Mohawk Towpath Byway.

Our Booth

The Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor visited the Byway’s booth in a previous year.

Officers:

Paul Olund, President
John Loz, Vice President
Maryanne Mackey, Treasurer
Eric Hamilton, Secretary

Board Members

Mary MacDonald
Jeffrey Slater
Lawrence D. Syzdek

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 524 other subscribers

Previous Posts

  • December 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • June 2020
  • March 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • December 2015
  • October 2015
  • July 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • August 2014
  • May 2014
  • November 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • March 2012

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • Friends of the Mohawk Towpath Byway
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Friends of the Mohawk Towpath Byway
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...