Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, August 26, 1954

B & I on the long-deferred trip to visit Connoisarauley Creek Falls

A warm “steamy” day –

After proceeding in the lane (marked by the sign “Road ends 1 mile ahead”) about a mile and a half, we came to a sign “Road End – Private – No Parking.” But the road continued out of sight around a thick grove of trees. There was a house here, so I went to inquire about the falls, but none was at home. We had just parked by the road when we saw two men approaching in “walking” outfits, one with a gun. They told us the Falls were just ahead and that there was a parking place just around the turn, & that the owner would not mind. Later on, after we were at the ravine, we met them again & they gave us further directions to the Falls. Without their aid, it is unlikely we would have found them.

A beautiful ravine – very quiet except for an occasional cicada – most of the time we had brood flat rock to walk on, but occasionally we had to climb in precarious places. – Ravine closed in by cliffs formed of eroding lime-stone shale (?) – the same peculiar “bread-loaf” rocks so characteristic of 18-mile Creek in evidence here, but smaller. The final & highest falls tumbling into a deep narrow cleft of a chasm in the rock-bed. Here there was no way to get to the ravine below the falls & we turned back.

Continued on then to the North Otto Grange Hall, where we ate our lunch sitting on the bank under the locust trees. Bertha was as enthusiastic about the place as I was. Very pleasant here. Afterwards we visited the cemetery nearby, observing the old names on the stones. – only one I can remember now is that of Freelove J. – wife of ___ ___. Born in 1821 – it seems incredible that anyone should give a baby such a name, unless to punish an unwed mother, and even then it seems unnecessarily cruel. What sort of a childhood would she have with such a handicap? Maidenhood? For it is only since 1900 that free love has attained even a meager sort of respectability or tolerance.

Home by way of Joan Valley and the Wyondale – Wagner Roads. Stopped in Orchard Park for fruit etc.

Evening – call on the Warrington’s to present them with one of my Albright catalogues. Staying with the Anderson’s who live on Meyer Rd by the railroad, just west of Union Rd. We stayed a short time – the Andersons (he is a former “sailor”) had built their own home, without any previous knowledge of how to build – very well planned and attractive.

Then to call on the Luck’s to inspect their new home, which is well planned too and comfortable, with much more room then seems apparent for an outside view. Viewed television with Mrs. L. (Mr. had a meeting he had to attend). I had to tear Bertha away from it.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, August 26, 1954