Categories
Americana Journal

Stony Brook State Park

Once a year or so, JoAnne and I like to return to another place we remember from our youth, Stony Brook State Park.   It contains a glass-clear stream that tumbles down an impressive glen.  It is located between Arkport and Dansville, NY and it can also be easily reached by going over the hill from Haskinville.  So my home church often held its annual Sunday School picnic there.  This entrancing park was also the site of a very special double date when JoAnne and I were in college.   Last week, JoAnne and I took a few hours off to visit it while we were visiting our parents.   We discovered to our sadness that it is one of the state parks that have been partially shut down by the NY state budget crisis.  What a loss to the Hornell-Dansville and eastern Alleghany County area.   It is a little gem.   I recently saw a copy of an antique postcard showing the Pittsburg, Shawmut and Northern Railroad Bridge that crossed the top of the glen years before I was born.

Categories
Journal Joy Notes

Verona Beach State Park – a quiet spot

JoAnne and I took time to visit Verona Beach State park for a quiet picnic. The lake was calm, the sun bright and the park sparsely populated except for the camping area. It’s so close to Sylan Beach for miniature golf, or ice cream too.  The park is very well kept this year as well.  I take the binoculars to watch the birds and the boats.   JoAnne sketches.   I don’t recommend feeding the gulls–you’ll have more than you ever want to see coming around very quickly.