Eternal Flame Falls in New York, USA – photo, description, legends, map
It is generally accepted that New York is a city of skyscrapers, and the achievements of civilization in it are valued more than the benefits that nature gives us. Pragmatic Americans are closer to the wonders of computer technology than the magic of every sunrise and sunset, the surf and the stubbornness of a tiny blade of grass that breaks through the asphalt of the metropolis. But this stereotype is destroyed when you get to Chestnut Ridge Park, where there are always a lot of visitors.
Where is the Eternal Flame Falls
It is located on an area of 490 hectares, 25 km from the city of Buffalo, located in the state of New York. Translated into Russian, its name means Chestnut Park. This is due to the large number of these trees that grow on the hills located between the West Branch Cazenovia Valley and 18th Mile Bay, and immediately adjacent to the park. During flowering, this garden makes a stunning impression, when thousands of “candles” rush up, from the side creating the impression of a single white-pink cloud.
In addition to trees, it contains a wide variety of rocks formed from shale rocks, along which streams flow, turning in some places into small picturesque waterfalls. The most famous and unusual of them is the Eternal Flame Falls, inside which you can always see a burning fire of natural origin. To reach it, you need to overcome a certain distance along a small mountain path, originating in the southern part of this park.
Approaching this place, a person begins to feel a rather unpleasant smell, reminiscent of the “aroma” of rotten eggs. This is hydrogen sulfide, which is a companion of natural gas and is formed as a result of decay of organic matter. The stronger the smell, the more gas is released to the surface, therefore, the less distance remains to be overcome before meeting with the Eternal Flame.
Description of the Eternal Flame Waterfall
The phenomenon of the described phenomenon is explained by the fact that in this place there are small mountain faults through which natural gas seeps. There are many such faults in the park, but they are so small that they are not able to constantly support combustion and, moreover, for the most part they are in the open. The eternal flame is located in a cave, the entrance to which is closed by jets of flowing water. Sometimes the flame dies out, but numerous tourists quickly correct this situation by bringing a lighter or a match to the split. The height of the flame varies depending on the intensity of the gas emissions, but on average its height is from 10 to 20 centimeters.
The waterfall itself is a nine-meter flowing stream of water, bifurcating downwards and fed by showers and melted snow. In the spring, they open in full force and practically hide the flame. At the same time, it seems that a lamp is burning inside the cave, covered with a ceiling.
This place is very popular not only among visiting tourists. Residents of adjacent cities come here for picnics. There are hiking trails, hiking and cycling trails, playgrounds for children and tennis courts for adults. But for whatever purpose vacationers come here, they definitely visit this legendary waterfall and admire nature, which creates such unusual and amazing phenomena that make you think about the wisdom and diversity of everything that exists. And if you can look at the fire of an ordinary fire for a very long time, then you can look at the Eternal Flame, perhaps, for an eternity.
legends
Locals tell a legend that at night forest spirits and elves flock to the fire to warm themselves. But tourists, unfortunately, did not have to deal with such creatures, although some still do not lose hope and come here quite often.
According to another belief, the one who sees the extinct flame and ignites it will find good luck in all his endeavors. All this attracts even more people who want to see and set fire to this “magic” flame. And although many pretend not to believe in these fairy tales, in their hearts everyone hopes for a miracle.
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Cultural programs
Since the waterfalls in the park are not large enough to create a lot of falling jets, musicians from the Buffalo City Orchestra often arrange concerts here. At such moments, you can simultaneously enjoy the elements of fire, water and music, which organically complements the beauty of the natural mystery and the surrounding landscapes.
Chestnut Ridge Park is not empty in the winter season either. On small slopes there are ski slopes, which are very popular among fans of this type of outdoor activity.
The phenomenon of the Eternal Flame has not been recorded anywhere else in the world. And although the release of gas to the surface occurs in many corners of the globe, it is in a cave covered by flowing streams of water that it is no longer found.
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