One of our favourite fall vacations is a short trip to Rochester, New York, to do some shopping and sightseeing. We didn’t get there this year, so I dug out some photos from our visit in October 2016. The highlight that year was a forest trail filled with tiny fairy houses!
Tinker Nature Park
We always stay in Henrietta NY, which is at the south end of Rochester. And about 10 minutes from the hotel, there’s Tinker Nature Park, with a nature centre, and several walking trails
On our 2016 visit, we were surprised to learn that people had added fairy houses along one of the trails. So, obviously, we chose that trail for our walk.
There are photos of 12 fairy houses below, and you can see all 24 houses that we found, in the video at the end.
Finding the First House
It was a long walk along the trail, but eventually we reached the first fairy house.
This was an elaborate structure, with a water bucket and swing hanging from it.
The house was on a wooden pole, with a happy turtle on top.
Fairy House 2
The next house was on the ground, with a little door leading into the tree. I love the little pots, and the bright red heart decoration!
Fairy House 3
The next house was built on a short pole, and had a little swing.
Here’s a closer view of the polished rocks at the bottom.
Fairy House 4
There was a sturdy ladder at next house, and wooden steps leading up to the door.
Here’s a close up view of those steps, and the little door.
Fairy House 5
There were a couple of swings at the next house, and a painted door.
Fairy House 6
We almost missed the next house – it was right on the ground, with a little painted door and rocks around the frame.
Fairy House 7
The next house had a beautiful blue door, with a hand-painted sign.
“Sorry we missed you. We are dancing in the garden. – the fairies”
Fairy House 8
The next house was unusual, even by fairy house standards! It had a bright red door, and an antler on the side.
Fairy House 9
This house had a large lucky horseshoe in front, and a strange shape on top
Fairy House 10
House number 10 had a beautiful set of doors, with delicate engraving and fancy handles..
Fairy House 11
There was a beautiful fuchsia door on this house, with a set of steps leading to it.
Fairy House 12
And here is the last fairy house that we found on the trail.
The door was bright green, with a yellow window, and a fierce lion door knocker.
There was a sign over the door at this house too:
“Fairy Meeting Place – Nightly Gatherings Held After Dark”
I’m not brave enough to go into the forest after dark, so I’ll have to take their word for it!
End of the Fairy House Trail
It was a lovely walk through the woods, and it ended too soon.
Unfortunately, the last time we visited Tinker Park, they had removed all the fairy houses, because of vandalism.
I’m glad we got to see the houses, while they lasted, and it’s sad that people destroy things.
Fairy House Video
You can see all of the fairy houses in the short video slide show below.
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