Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, November 22, 1962

Thanksgiving.

A day of clouds and sunshine – the former of infinite variety, from haunting far away sunlit cumuli, to great masses of dark storm clouds for which issued at times both rain and snow – the latter (sunshine) infrequent bursts or flashes, that lit up small portions of the landscape dramatically – (fields of pale bleached out windblown corn being especially dramatic against a dark woods.

To church – a fine service in all respects – From church to Apple Grove Inn for dinner - (I had phoned for reservations on Tuesday) –

A good dinner in pleasant surroundings (next to us a large family group (21) with many children – all of them well-behaved – But somehow none of them seemed very happy – the grandparents sat with sad faces looking neither to left or right).

Our room was called the Rustic Room – Four large “Picture Windows” on one end through which could be seen the infinitely varied play of sun & shadow on sky & earth.

After dinner I suggested we go north to Rte. 18 (which runs along the south shore of Lake Ontario) and then to the new bridge connecting Lewiston and Queenstown, Canada, & home on the Blvd. to Ft. Erie. A thoroughly enjoyable ride, with so many interesting things that I resolved I must get up there as soon as the weather permitted to do some painting. (in particular a long view of very tall locusts east of Olcott, and some of the unique drooping apple trees common to this area)

East of Olcott – Krull Park – Here we parked in a spot on the very edge of a cliff above the lake. The wind was almost directly out of the North, the lake full of “white caps” with above a wonderful sky of clouds, and dark storm areas. I made many studies of the incoming waves and “caps” (to use for the projected Nov. Twilight on the Lake).

At Lewiston, we go mixed up due to a detour and could not find the road to the new bridge – night ws coming on, with a vast dramatic sunset – Snow was falling – It was a wild elemental plot, with vast road projects half-completed, and rugged cliffs – at the bottom of which writhed the foaming Niagara. Too tired to really take all this in, but it remains in my mind like a half-remembered dream.

Finally, from a gas station attendant we got clear directions to the bridge, (which was not far away) and soon were in Canada. Stopped at “the Glens” at a little restaurant for tea – it was a rather desolate place, they were just about to close, so we had to drink it in a hurry and go.

The rest of the trip was simply a matter of endurance. So was good to get back home. We had hardly arrived when Peggy called, and asked if we wanted visitors – We did of course, and they came soon. We exchanged accounts of days.

Bedtime music The Sibelius Fifth and Karelis Suite – then one side of McKellar’s “Songs of the Hebrides” Haunting songs, each is preceded by very realistic recordings of waves hitting rocks, with seagulls. The songs accompanied by strange “other-worldly” musical arrangements. The Songs seemed to go with the day.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, November 22, 1962