Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, April 21, 1965

Sky cleared by mid-morning — We decided to visit the Big Woods — First to Gowanda for lunch (at the Gowanda Hotel) —

A wonderful day — On the way down we stopped to look at a colony of bloodroot in full bloom, close to the road. Heard our first meadowlark —

Parked at the Big Woods — For a walk down into the ravine — A colony of hepaticas near the road. The aroma of sun-baked leaves was heavenly — I said to Bertha I never would want to miss seeing hepaticas in the woods every Spring, even if we had to be carried there by someone else —

We found all the things we hoped to — and loved — Bertha discovered a log completely covered in the little coral-like fungus (pale cool green with scarlet knobby tops — (also a few funnel shaped dark gray brown ones.

Dwarf early yellow violets —

Rich Red-brown crumbling stumps, with hepaticas of this woods is best revealed. The meagre stream trickling down to the v-shaped gash in the earth is almost concealed by moss-covered logs scattered in the greatest confusion — To the west cone shaped hills rising from the ravine covered with tall hemlocks, and pines — ash, birch and slender maples and oaks — A true North Woods feeling.

A great longing to own this piece of land, the whole noble ravine swept over me, and remains as an obsession —  

A cold wind sprang up from the north, and we left for home.

Charles E. Burchfield, April 21, 1965