Monday, May 2, 2011

Bovina Center Adventure

Leslie and I met up around ten thirty this morning to do some geocaching. Our first stop was FINE WEATHER FOR DUCKIES which is along Route 28 on the way over to Delhi. We found this one within moments of getting out of my car, which seems strange since we had searched all over for it one other time without any success.

We headed out to Delhi watching for cemeteries along the way because I had brought 4 geocaches along with me (for hiding). We saw a couple on 28 between Oneonta and Delhi, but decided to stop on the way back. We headed over to Bovina Center and arrived there around 11:20 a.m. We located part one of BOVINA'S BRAVEST, a two part cache. Muggles nearby prevented us from looking for part two right away. We saw the Brush Cemetery across the street
and I took some pictures for someone on findagrave.com This is the gravesite they wanted a picture of: Bathshebe Brush


We located RUSSELL'S STORE (circa 1823). Here is a very old picture of it. and here is how it looks today:

I was given permission to take pictures, and we talked with a couple of women there. One of them offered to open up the Bovina Museum so that we could go in. We took her up on the offer and I drove the three of us around town a bit while she showed us some historical buildings. She opened the museum up and we spent about twenty minutes looking around. I was able to see some information about the Brush's buried in the Brush Cemetery. After that, Jan offered to take us over to the old schoolhouse, five miles out of town. On the way, she pointed out various historical buildings, including one that Jim Denver (Gilligan) owned and lived in in either the 60's or 70's. The schoolhouse was locked, but we peaked in the building and the old desks are still in place!

Back in Bovina Center, Leslie and I had lunch at Russell's. I had a chedder cheese, bacon, tomato and avocodo grilled sandwich. Leslie had a turkey sandwich. I bought a couple of postcards. Then we went back to the Fire Hall and found part two of BOVINA'S BRAVEST. The man cutting the lawn next door seemed to know exactly what we were doing!

After that we headed out of town, pausing to take pictures of some of the places Jan showed us. While we were peeking in the windows of Hilson's Store,
a woman came over and offered to open it up so we could go in. It turns out her great great grandfather started the original store. It stayed in the family until her brother worked there, but it closed down, I think she said in the l960's. The original
shelving and some other items are still there, but many items have been sold. The store, eight acres and the house next door are on the market for $280,000. I hope someone buys the place and restores it.

By the time we finished up in Hilson's, it was after two p.m. and we decided to call it a day. We didn't have time to hide any of my geocaches. We arrived back in Oneonta a little bit after three p.m.

It was a wonderful day! I hope to return to Bovina Center soon.

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