Tinker Falls (review, rating)

Tinker Falls

Tully, NY

Hiked: June 18th, 2011

Reviewed: June 30th, 2011

Interaction: 5 stars

Scenery: 5 stars

Diversity: 2 stars

Accessability: 2 stars

Size: Small

Overall: 4 stars

Being younger and perhaps a little more adventurous, I personally loved Tinker Falls, and I really can't wait to go back.

Tinker includes a short, ten minute trail leading up to Tinker Falls; an elegant cascade that you can walk behind, and if you're careful, you can even touch it. However, there is a moderate climb involved to reach it that I would not usggest to the elderly, young children, or the handicapped. You can also continute to climb to reach the top of the falls for a splendid view, a fantastic picnic spot, and to access more trails. Again, I stress that these climbs are not reccommended for the people I mentioned. This is why I rated it with a low accessability; for those who are incapable of the climbs, your visit to Tinker will likely be short and disappointing.

The trail leading up the falls

 The creek along the trail

 At the base of the falls

 The climb up to the falls

 Tinker Falls

It looks small here, I guess it is much bigger in the spring than in the summer. However if it's a lot bigger in the spring, I don't know how safe it would be to get close to it at that time.

Midnight Mango (a poem)

Midnight Mango

Written June 30th, 2011

There is a fruit, waiting in the fridge

An international treat

That I’m particularly fond

It will call me at midnight to eat

Quite a nuisance to peel and carve

But I smile as I set it on the board

It’s a task I’ve come to enjoy

For at the end is the sweetest reward

Steel Darkness (a poem)

Steel Darkness

Written June 29th, 2011

There’s a ’55 Ford Thunderbird

That follows me wherever I go

It’s old and rusty, but it runs like new

And it’s much closer than it was a few years ago

My persistent shadow, hovering nearby

It’s been there as long as I can remember

Trailing behind as I mow the lawn

Idling quietly while I rake leaves in September

Sometimes it snarls with a loud engine rev

And I jump out of my skin

It regards me with bright, stoic headlights

And I sense a tainted, evil soul within

Wolf Moon (a poem)

Wolf Moon

Written June 28th, 2011

Your children stay up late

Beneath the covers; wide-eyed they shiver and quake

Envisioning the stories told

Horrors about me; folklore of old

The full moon flies in the night sky

If they're just myths, why do you lock your door, why?

There's a drawer where you keep silver and holy water

Afraid I'll come snatch your son? Your daughter?

No Shirt/Long Lovin (lyrics, a poem, a re-make)

No Shirt/ Long Lovin

Re-Make of Cake's song:

Short Skirt/ Long Jacket

Written June 28th, 2011

I want a guy with a heart like a lion

I want a guy who knows what I love

I want a guy with style that shows

And eyes that sizzle from above

I want a guy with the right intentions

Who's funny and attentive

And hot as a sun

He's playing with my heartrate

He's messing with my hair

He's touring my body

And he's only just begun

I want a guy with no shirt and a looooong smile

Letchworth State Park (review, rating)

Letchworth State Park

Castile, NY

Hiked: June 27th, 2011

Reviewed: June 27th, 2011

Scenery: 5 stars

Diversity: 5 stars

Interaction: 3 stars

Accessability: 4 stars

Overall: 5 stars

Size: Large

Letchworth is an incredibly large park with its own extensive road system. The park contains 14,350 acres of land along the Genesee River.

A visitor to the park can get more than enough scenery viewing just by driving through the park. The roads run along the edge of the cliff through the park, and there are frequent pull overs along the way where you can stop and check out the view. Most are equipped with binoculars (25 cents) and picnic areas that include charcoal grills.

Broken (a short story)

Broken

written June 24th, 2011

Mason, it’s so beautiful out here, I texted a message along with the picture I had taken. Wish you were here.

I hit the send button, and then tucked my phone away in my pocket. I stood at the edge of the cliff, following the sweeping land slide with my eyes down to the roaring river at the bottom. It was spring, and the water level was higher than usual, dark and muddy, full of winter debris.

And it was here in this serene place tucked away in the woods, high up on the cliff looking over the whole world (it seemed), that I was at peace.

It was here that I could think, and think in my voice only. With no other influences or voices to distract me or deter me. It was just me, pure and simple.

And I guess that’s why I wanted Mason here. I knew he would appreciate this moment, this philosophical peace, just as much as me.  I could picture him next to me, leaned back on his elbows, looking up at the sky with those bright blue eyes so full of hidden intelligence. He would have a hint of a smile on his lips as he peered at life in its raw form. He loves moments like that, just like me, where things just click and you realize something new about life.  A new philosophy.

We would sit in silence for a while, him and I. Then we would start talking, and we wouldn’t be able to stop. If we had the time to talk about everything we wanted to with each other, we would talk until the day we died. I’m certain of it.

My phone chirped, and I opened up Mason’s response.

Looks awesome. I wish I was there. You always text me awesome things right when I need it, Ava.

I frowned at the last part, and quickly sent a reply:

Why, what’s wrong?

Just…shit at home. Mom.

‘Mom’. That one word explained it all to me. The two of them are always butting heads.

Call me tonight and tell me about it?

I smiled at the reply that came a few moments later.

Was already planning on it :]

I stuffed my phone in my pocket, looking down at my feet, hanging over the cliff edge, swinging back and forth to an unknown beat.

Casting a final glance over the tree tops of the expansive forest, I began the long descent down to the river, a descent I had made many times. I shimmied my way quickly down the sloped cliff-face, my feet and hands knowing where all the holds were from endless repetition of this process.

(Dear Marius) So Far Away (a poem, a dedication)

Dear Marius

So Far Away

Written on June 23rd, 2011

Two months after the death of Michael J. Hall

On April 23rd, 2011

The lips sing

Releasing the pain

The guitar notes sting

Harsh and lovely, against the grain

The fingers fly

Dancing on those keys

Trumpet call fills the sky

Sharp and noble, this musical plea

Playing these songs

Gives me some closure

On repeat

Over and over

You’re never coming home

But I know

It’s not over

And I’m not alone

The Light in the Fog (a poem)

The Light in the Fog

Written June 20th, 2011

I can see you there

Shimmering somewhere in the shifting abyss

Inviting me with little hands

Materializing, then with a twirl disappearing

Leaving my heart warm

And my cheeks full with a smile

I hang on to this flickering daydream

Like the sunshine dancing on the ocean waves

Discussion with my Father (discussion, thoughts)

June 15th, 2011

Posted June 17th, 2011

The other day, my father and I were talking about politics, people, and philosophy, as we often do. During the conversation, I brought up how much money frustrates me and how it has to be the backbone to everything in society. All anyone seems to ever worry about is money, rather than the simple, beautiful things in life.

My Best Friend (a poem, a dedication)

My Best Friend

Written June 16th, 2011

My best friend

I know you well

Every fall and every swell

Missing you when I'm all alone

And not quite sure if I can make it on my own

My best friend

Always there when I need you most

There are no boundaries, from coast to coast

On the rainy days, when I'm down and blue

All I need is to think of you

My best friend

With your long loveable hair

The way your smile fills the air

We stay up and talk until late

Usually we agree, sometimes we debate

My best friend

You are my long lost twin

We're made up of the same stuff within

When something happens, you're the first I want to inform

You always receive it well, never with scorn

My best friend

You're going to exotic places

Going to accomplish and see many faces

Don't forget me while you're conquering the world

I'll always be rooting you on as your greatness unfurls

My brother,

My hero,

My best friend.

-----
A poem for my best pal :) If you read 'Ice Cold', the character Mason represents the same person as the subject of this poem. Thank you, for always being there for me and being like the brother I never had.

Texting Conversation with a Friend (discussion, thoughts)

June 15th, 2011

My friend and I were having a discussion about homosexuality after he said he didn't agree with it, mostly due to, it seemed, his religious beliefs. I do not intend to exploit him or make him look bad by posting about this, I simply wanted to share it. My friend does not, as he said, have a problem with gays and lesbians themselves, as people, but the choice they made. I discussed with him how we think homosexuality comes about; whether it's natural, influenced, or a choice. I think that, depending on the situation, it could be natural or a choice. My friend doesn't think it can be natural. His stance was it is a choice, or if it appears to start from a young age then it was mostly likely influenced by something in the child's life. I think influence can definitely play a huge role, but I believe that there is something in the brain or genetics that can make these influences more, well influential to these certain people than to others. I'm sure there will be lots of scientific studies about this in the future, and I know there are some now even, and I'm anxious to see the results. We also discussed why it was that homosexuality is wrong, based on his beliefs. I would like to share a specific part of the conversation we had. Please feel free to comment on it and leave your thoughts on the subject.

(Raise Your Voice) Light Up Mommy (a poem)

Raise Your Voice

Light Up Mommy

Written June 12th, 2011

*chk* *chk*

Firelight flicker

Malicious embers glow

Burning up the poison

A serpentine tongue of smoke

Rising from your pale deprived lips

Slithering between your dying teeth

Coating your sickly yellow tongue

And torturing your withered lungs

(Raise Your Voice) Amy and Morgan (a poem)

Raise Your Voice

Amy and Morgan

Written June 11th, 2011

Everyone wants to know Amy,

Generous and sweet as can be

Wise for her age and a bright future ahead

Giving up her time to help others instead

She's the one to go to when you're feelin down

She always knows just what to say to turn that frown

But Amy doesn't see herself that way

Up late cryin after what happened today

Walking behind girls down the hall

She heard something not meant for her ears at all

"Amy is so damn fat,

Never seen anyone with rolls like that!"