Finger Lakes Trail

Hunt Country Vineyards to celebrate 30th anniversary

To celebrate Hunt Country Vineyard's 30th anniversary, a concert and a winemaker's dinner will be presented this month.

Three bands will perform during Grape Jam: Rock the Vineyards, a concert that will be performed from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, rain or shine.

The headliner is the Jamie McLean Band, which is on tour for its album Time of My Life. The Stick Mob from Washington, D.C., with Art and Joyce's daughter Suzanne as the lead singer, and Blue Sky Mission Club from Ithaca will also perform.

Parking on grass will open at 2:30 p.m. and will cost $5, cash only; the fee will be waived for vehicles containing four or more people.

The grounds and the wine and gift shop will close at 8 p.m.

Outside vendors will sell a variety of food, and ticket holders may bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Only small coolers will be allowed. Low chairs and blankets are recommended. Barbecues, glass containers and pets are not permitted. Umbrellas will be allowed, but pop-up tents will not.

General admission tickets, for open lawn seating, cost $23 in advance and at the door if any are available. The price includes one glass of wine or juice.

The Special Reserve Pack costs $60 for individuals and $100 for couples. It includes your choice of one bottle of Hunt Country wine (ice wine is excluded); access to a hospitality porch with wine tasting, refreshments and restrooms; a picnic tote with local food items; reserved picnic table seating; one or two anniversary T-shirts; one Jamie McLean signed CD; priority parking for one vehicle; and an optional winery/vineyard tour with winery co-founder Art Hunt at 3:30 pm on the day of the concert.

A Finger Lakes Trail Hike near Bear Springs Wildlife Mgm't Area ...

By Larry Blumberg

A few years ago a significant Finger Lakes Trail relocation was opened up on Map M29, just east of Bear Springs Wildlife Mgm’t Area on the western edge of the Catskill Mountains in Delaware County.  This relocation replaced about 5 miles of road walking with 3.8 miles of trail, and it’s been on my ‘list’ of places to hike since first reading of this new trail section.  On a very warm Sunday afternoon (July 17) I finally had the opportunity to do so.

Although not officially in the Catskill Forest Preserve, it may as well be cause if you didn’t know better you’d think you were in the Catskills for sure !  While a steep climb of nearly 900 feet greets you as you turn off of Trout Brook Rd near the southern boundary of Bear Spring Wildlife Mgm’t Area, you initially have to pick your way across the E Trout Brook stream before you can even get started on the climb…some in our group took their boots off, others just walked right through the stream, but a couple of us took a few moments to scout out a semi-decent dry crossing.  As you get into the climb, you’ll know it’s summer and that you are in the Catskills because the stinging nettles make their appearance known…very well known.  The only good thing I can say about stinging nettles is the intense stinging and itching really do go away after what seems hours, but is probably only 15 minutes — if you don’t scratch at them, that is.  Scratch them and the stinging and itching will stay with you — don’t know why, but I swear it does !

Once reaching the high point, there are a few pleasant ups and downs before the trail gets serious about dropping back down towards NY Rte 30 and the crossing of the E Branch of the Delaware River in Corbett.  I mean the trail gets serious about dropping, very serious.  It’s steep.

So, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to add this to YOUR ‘list’ !  And two things not to leave behind — gaiters to protect your legs and plenty of water to get you up and back down the hill !

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