Note from the Brawny Sherpa: A Visit to the Bedford Oak

I grew up in a place called Bedford, N.Y. It’s a small town with old schoolhouses, old churches, old historical halls, old courthouses, even a grazing field for swine and cows. But the best thing about this town is the Bedford oak. The tree dates back to the 1500s.

There are many paintings and pictures of this beautiful oak. I’ve been around it all my life. I’ve had the opportunity to care for it for many years.

Getting up close and personal with this great oak you see many things. Here are a few things you can see if you get out of your car and walk over to the trunk.

This is a picture of the old man in the oak. I call him Charlie. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini — This is a picture of the old man in the oak. I call him Charlie.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

Look closely at the Bedford Oak and you'll see the face of an old man. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini — Look closely at the Bedford Oak and you’ll see the face of an old man.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

Aliens may have visited the Bedford Oak at one time or another and been swallowed up by the tree. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini — Aliens may have visited the Bedford Oak at one time or another and been swallowed up by the tree.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

There’s an alien head inside the tree. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini — There’s an alien head inside the tree.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

If you get a chance to stop at the corner of Cantitoe Street and Hook Road in Bedford, N.Y., get out and take a look around. Touch the tree. You can feel the history that the tree has seen.

—Michael Ciavardini

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