Queen of Hearts club takes second annual trip

On a sunny, pleasant autumn day in September, Karen and John Ryder hosted the second annual old-fashioned wagon ride for the Queens of Hearts Card Club, spouses and friends. The ride started at their cozy cabin in the woods off of Route 83 in Fredonia.

John is a member of the Chautauqua County Antique Equipment Association. Ryder again drove his 1955 gray Ford tractor and he pulled his self-made, 10-foot long trailer with sides, padded bench seats, chairs and a ladder for easy entry.

Meeting at the campsite, guests enjoyed an early pizza party and fall snacks while enjoying the beauty of the campsite, overlooking a creekbed below. The Ryder family has enjoyed the campsite for many years. They built a cozy two-room cabin, a sturdy outhouse and a water system. At one time, the bank had been used as a dump site, but the Ryders cleaned it all up and restored the site to its natural beauty.

Ryder planted many trees on the property. Apple trees, English oak trees, and red-bud trees were noted. He mowed a section into a walking maze. Another section was devoted to a garden, enclosed with fencing to protect from the ever-present deer population.

Ryder started the ride, surprising the group with a trip down the path to the creek bed below – once a roaring creek – now a trickle.

After leaving the property of the cabin, Ryder crossed Route 83 and took his guests along Brainard, Skinner and Miller Roads.

Leaves had just started to change. It was still too early to harvest the huge corn and soybean farmlots, but their color was changing from green to yellow.

Bright, tall golden sunflowers towered above the wagon. Yellow goldenrod, purple asters and white Queen Anne's lace sparkled along the roadside making a beautiful bouquet.

Cattails and popped milkweed pods waited for nature lovers to come along and collect some for fall bouquets.

Large black walnut, pine trees and maple trees formed arches over the road creating tunnel-like areas. Passing large cowbarns, sitting empty now, reminded the visitors of a bygone age when many of the farms that they drove by were large dairy farms. Many homes have been restored and other properties housed newly-built homes where the occupants could enjoy the beauty of the countryside.

Many of the roads, now covered with asphalt, were once dirt roads and were open seasonally.

Friendly neighbors waved to the wagon riders — enjoying the rare sighting of senior citizens going for a wagon ride in the country.

After the interesting, restful ride, the group was treated by the Ryders with hot dogs roasted over the campfire. Guests also dined on baked beans, potato salad, chips, brownies, more pizza and homemade peach pie.

All too soon, daylight started to escape the campsite and it was time to bid farewell to a lovely afternoon of lasting memories.

Next the group plans to tour the Barn and Daisy Farm on East Main Road in Fredonia, all set in a bucolic setting, surrounded by lovely gardens, old growth trees and grape vineyards.