Category Archives: painted rocks

acrylic, animals in art, art, hiking, landscapes, nature, outdoor art, painted rocks

Delphi Falls

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Delphi Falls County Park is undergoing massive renovations.  They’ve finished stairs to climb the path to the top of the falls.  It is magnificent and peaceful, with that gorgeous undercurrent of the waterfalls murmuring softly.

This used to be someone’s backyard.  Private property.  How amazing that must have been!  Now it is a Madison County Park.  They are still working on the lower part of the park where the house used to be, planning a convention center, as well as a trail up the side of the falls – this area was not available to us.  Everything will be ready for Spring 2025.

Currently, the trail up to the falls where the stairs are is open and that is where you will find a dozen bear rocks if you choose to search.  Happy trails!

Special thanks to Patri and Katherine for joining me on this adventure.  Not sure how many more fifty degree weather days we have left in November in Syracuse, New York – we really have been blessed with this mild Autumn.  A lot more, please!  <3

 

animals in art, art, nature, painted rocks, painting

Beary Barry

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The trees around the trail at Barry Park are ideal for hiding rocks!  Technically this hiking trail is adjacent to the park on Meadowbrook Drive in Syracuse, New York.  It is called the Onondaga County Meadowbrook Detention Basin.

And Bear rocks are the perfect fit for this place.  Have a Beary/Barry Christmas!  Yeah, I know it is early for that, but I have fond memories of skating on this pond in the 1970s at Christmas time.

Thank you, to anyone and everyone who found these and any of the other rocks I have hidden on the trails and in the parks.  It is fun for me too!  I appreciate you and I am happy that you are enjoying the fresh air and sunshine, and taking the time to exercise, (and of course, to adopt an art rock)!

hiking, Karen Tashkovski, landscapes, nature, outdoor art, painted rocks, painting

Baltimore Woods Nature Center

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Baltimore Woods Nature Center is a heavenly park of hiking trails located at 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, New York 13108.

We’ve been having fifty degree weather – sunshine and blue skies – the perfect weather to hike these trails.  This is an excellent workout.  The woods encompass a series of drumlins with paths going up, down, and all around in a circle maze with bridges and stairs, and creeks and lots of trees including chestnut trees!!!  So beautiful.  If you’ve never been there, make a plan to experience this asap.

I left a dozen angel rocks around the site to enhance the blissful feeling of this peaceful serenity.  The joy of nature is everything.

Thank you, Patri, for sharing this adventure with me.  I appreciate you!!! <3

animals in art, art, Green Lakes, outdoor art, painted rocks

Round Lake

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Round Lake is one of the lakes at Green Lakes State Park.  Will any of my turkey rocks still be there?  IDK!  This is a busy hiking trail.  Good luck!

animals in art, art, Karen Tashkovski, painted rocks

Onondaga Park

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Onondaga Park is a magnificent gem of a place in the heart of Syracuse, New York, and on a sunny fifty degree day in November, OMG!  So amazing.

I found this thing – the spot where Mom and Dad took their wedding photos on October 29, 1961!   So amazing.

You can find one of a dozen turkey rocks here!  Unless someone else beats you to it.  Happy hunting!!!

hiking, Karen Tashkovski, painted rocks

Rocky Road

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The M to the K to the T. Does that mean anything to you?

They are the trails I hiked at Highland Forest today. There are twenty miles of trails at this spectacular park where you can also take a horse drawn carriage ride! Once it starts snowing again, there will be skiing and sledding too.

Highland Forest is located at 1254 Highland Park Road, Fabius, NY. They open tomorrow at 8:30 am in case you want to go and search for some bear rocks.

acrylic, Karen Tashkovski, outdoor art, painted rocks

Beary Christmas

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If you are looking for a place to take a moonlit walk, go directly to Marcellus Park now. Right now (from 4:00 – 9:00 pm). They’re having hot cider and snacks.

Marcellus Park is located at 2443 Platt Road, Marcellus, New York 13108. They have a playground, basketball and tennis courts and a trail surrounding a trout-filled creek. It is a gem of a place!

angels, hiking, outdoor art, painted rocks, painting

Beaver Lake

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The last time I visited Beaver Lake Nature Center, I think I was about seven years old. I saw an upside down tree while on a school field trip and I couldn’t wait to tell my dad about it. We took a family trip there that weekend and when I pointed out the tree – it turned out to be an uprooted one.

At the time, I felt stupid. But now the part of this story that I truly love is that Dad wanted to experience the hike with me. I felt like he was with me when I placed these angels on the trails. I always feel like he is with me when I am hiking, but, well, you know.

The trails felt vaguely familiar. They have different names – back in 1970 they were called Trail 1, trail 2, etc. And I didn’t remember the fabulous visitor’s center complete with a shop, a library, a museum and restrooms.

Beaver Lake Nature Center is located at 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville, New York 13027. There is a $5.00 fee, which you pay upon exiting the park.

You can hike or jog several trails of various lengths. But no biking. It is incredibly serene with pine woods, old growth areas, a swamp trail and others that overlook the lake. I saw several deer milling about and tons of squirrels chirping like cray-cray.

They open tomorrow at 7:30 am. The park closes at dark (5:00 pm).

P.S. There is a guided tour with a naturalist scheduled for 2:00-3:00 pm on Saturday, December 3, 2022. Free with park admission.

hiking, Karen Tashkovski, outdoor art, painted rocks, painting

The Bears

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Chittenango Falls State Park is located at 2300 Rathbun Road (RT. 13), Cazenovia, NY 13035. The attraction is a 167-foot waterfall. There are hiking trails, a playground, plenty of spots to have a picnic and as of two hours ago, home to a dozen painted rocks.

I painted these yesterday for this park because we are the bears. I have worked for the Chittenango school district for 26 years and this is the first time I visited this park. It won’t be the last. Go bears! <3

acrylic, art, hiking, Karen Tashkovski, outdoor art, painted rocks

Tinker Falls

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From Jamesville, New York, drive about 20 minutes down Route 91 and you will find yourself in Labrabor Hollow. There is a parking lot off the highway – cross the street and now you are at Tinker Falls!

What an amazing experience. There are two components here – the treacherous climb up to the falls, the trail under the falls and another steep incline up, up, up…and then…a wide trail that continues up, up, up to a scenic overlook, which is a hang-gliding hot spot.

The brilliance of New York State all in one perfect day. The air is so fresh and the hike makes you feel so alive, so present, as if nothing else in the world matters.

It is a perfect place to stumble upon an angel or six. So grateful. <3