The Seat

MARCY WOODS - For years we walked the ridge past the old beech tree with the initials JB carved into it on its north side. There nestled at the end of the trail just beyond the little hemlock and anchored among four huge basswoods was the SEAT. The late DR. Marcy had it built there many years ago to serve as a respite for a weary hiker. I know for many a time I sat on the bench and ate my lunch. Room for two adults or three children. Then they came. Vandals in 1997 tore the seat apart and hurled it down the steep ravine. Why? Only ugly rusty spikes remained. I returned one day and removed the nails. What to do? I told friend Ray. Ray Willwerth was the person who single handily recreated the Marcy bridge. This was quite a feat. Ray said, “Let’s repair it. Armed with some cedar boards and tools we headed out to the Woods. There we met John Less le, our old Buffalo nature photographer and friend. Ray and John reconstructed the seat and so it exists today in 2007. The photo below was taken in 2005