In July of 2017, I planned a hike in Danby. After leaving my car at Eastman Hill Road, Elizabeth drove me to Durfee Hill – a very steep, very rocky, seasonal road. I start climbing up, expecting to turn off onto what the map described as a private, woods road. It was not quite one mile to the turn. I climb and climb but I don’t see any sign for the turn. Eventually I decide I must have missed it. I head back down the hill and this time I see an intersection, but it is marked on both sides “no trespassing”. So I keep going down the hill, but I am sure I have gone too far again. I go back to “no trespassing” signs and I think this MUST be it. Maybe the signs just mean I must stay on the road but not stray onto the property on either side. I walk in and very quickly see the white blazes that indicate this is indeed the Finger Lakes Trail.

The rocky climb on Durfee Hill Road gives way to a lovely stroll through the woods. I continue a mile and a half to the next intersection at Heisey Road. But my map shows the trail turning left here. Instead, I see brand new white blazes telling me to continue straight into the woods. I follow the trail another half mile and I am back at my car. Back home, I go on the FLT website and look at Map 17. They had JUST published a new version of the map. That’s when I learned the lesson that would have saved me many miles of hiking and hours of confusion. Before starting any hike on the FLT, one should check to be sure one has the latest version of the map!

In 2017, I did not have the slightest inkling about creating a series of sculptures about the trail. So in 2023, when I realized that I had very few photos from Map 17, I asked my friend, Susan Larkin, to hike part of that map with me again. We set out together on a crisp, sunny November morning. I thought this train bridge would be the answer. Then we continued up the hill toward Lick Brook Preserve. I captured some images of a tree with its roots exposed by erosion. One of those photos inspired the sculpture shown on page 32.

Toward the end of the hike, Susan and I sat for a while and discussed our plans for the exhibit we would have together in October of 2025. For her recent work, she has collected photographic portraits and interviews of people in her community, looking for connections and common ground in these difficult times of polarization in our country. The resulting books are both beautiful and compelling. I had mentioned to Susan my desire to create a book of my own based on my hiking adventures. Now, as we sat on a bench in the woods, Susan encouraged me to join her in a class focused on creating just such a book. I am so glad that I took her advice.