#6494 – Griffiss Sculpture Park – March 12, 2016 & #6495 Erie Canal Walk – March 13, 2016
Write-up: Lu Blanchard
Leader: Lu Blanchard
Griffiss International Sculpture Park
The hikes were noted as “S/SS” but not a flake was in sight – neither on the ground nor in the air! We walked – strolled really – through the Griffiss International Sculpture Park on Saturday and tried to channel the artists’ thoughts to divine titles for the sculptures. Bill Warren consistently came up with “Consternation” and “Confusion” as titles – I’m still not sure if those were actually his ideas for the titles or his state of mind in viewing them! On some we came quite close: “Chimney” – an aluminum piece by Tomasz Domanski was seen as a volcano, “Lookout Landing” by Jenny Polak, we all knew it had something to do with the sea and “Land Forms” by Rob Licht, well were weren’t exactly close, but somewhere in the ball park parking lot.
We were right on with “Pagoda” by Jonathan Kirk and “Sisyphus” by Katarina Issakson – a local (Oneonta) artist. Mary Pat Connors reminded us of the myth of Sisyphus who had to push a rock up a hill his whole life only to have it roll down and start all over again. Were the Greeks commenting on the futility of some of our endeavors? A newer hiker, Gordon Randall, was able to also provide us with info on “Freya” by Peter Lundberg. Freya was a Norse Goddess of home and hearth – perhaps why the sculpture could be seen as a large ovary with Fallopian tubes!
We also were able to identify the water tower and had some fun trying to determine why there was warm air and a rushing noise emanating from a large, round, iron grate. Dianna found the first grass snake of the year and caught it for our closer inspection. There was much camaraderie and it was nice to not have to constantly look at the ground to avoid roots and rocks. The hike was 4.95 miles which was a nice distance to do and we adjourned to CPJ’s on Floyd Avenue for a great lunch. They had beer on tap which made many of the group happy!
#6495 – Erie Canal Walk – March 13, 2016
On Sunday, an equally pleasant day, we ramped up the pace a bit and completed 6 miles from Mohawk Street in Whitesboro to the Harbor Point Lock in Utica and back. Passersby wondered if there was a fundraiser going on or if maybe a nursing home had brought a bus out for a walk in the fresh air! We fed into the latter by asking if the Bingo game was up ahead! (Some got the joke.) The Husses were instrumental in parking the many cars as we wondered if the lot was big enough to accommodate us all (35 people and about 20 cars). By their able direction we were able to get everyone into a spot! Unfortunately, not much was happening yet in the way of wildlife and all we saw were 2 geese and a couple of songbirds. 
At Harbor Lock we investigated the lock and looked beyond into the Utica harbor. Don Fellows suggested that with all the new businesses and hotels in Harbor Point they should create an ice skating rink in the winter so that guests could enjoy dinner or lodging and look out onto a lighted skating scene. We all thought that would be a great idea. Hikers stopped at 69 Steakhouse to continue the fun!