The barn at Turtleback Farm

Farmer Jen tells us about the historic barn

 Each stall has a window

 The other end of the barn

 Another old structure, this one falling down and not in use

Gully that leads down to the Nissequogue River, which used to be the way farm produce was shipped out before the railroad came.You can see yellow kayaks on the river before the leaves come out.

 I do like these chickens (Jen's Hens).

Not only do they provide eggs, meat, and beauty,

but they improve the pasture where they stay

and are moved around the farm methodically

Planting vegetables in strips will save a lot of weeding.
The rows were covered with straw all winter.

There were no pigs on the farm that day 

but here are some dining last September.

(Next time: some of the old stuff in the barn)

Do you like chickens?

These happy hens and rooster live at Turtleback Farm in Smithtown where we had a tour on 4/13. I took many pictures and will post some in coming days. Their website.

Montauk hike, 3/24/13 (Part 2)

Looking down from the bluffs. Stomach-wrenching

Surprising pools along the way

and then we came upon this

beautiful house

with a charming outbuilding

but were not able to go closer as it's private property

and they mean it

Do I see remains of unlucky trespassers on the rocks?

Oh, I like this kind of hike.

It was, after all, Camp Hero in WW2.

A formation called a Hoo-doo, a dirt pyramid

Early spring blue sky

Montauk hike, 3/24/13 (Part 1)

Enjoyed another Sierra Club hike on 3/24,

this time at Montauk Point by the lighthouse.

Cold, blustery day. Let's get going!

Our knowledgeable hike leader Paul

A much photographed sight.
For info on erosion control, see here

First we walked down to the beach.

 Don't know what that boxy thing is.

Then an uphill climb on a path through the brush

to the cliffs, which aren't entirely safe

Great views from here

That's a rock, not a seal, though here is where they're seen.

On the bluffs you get the best shots.
For some great aerial photos, see here

From their website:
Montauk Point Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in New York State. The Lighthouse was authorized by the Second Congress, under President George Washington, in 1792. Construction began on June 7, 1796 and was completed on November 5, 1796. This National Historic Landmark has been part of Long Island's land and seascape for over 200 years and still serves as an active aid to navigation.

(To be continued)