August 22, 2023 | Page 4 | Andy Arthur.org

Saint Johnsville

Andy | August 22, 2023

Taken on Sunday August 20, 2023 at Erie Canal.

A Serene Commute – Cycling to Work Along the Albany County Rail Trail 🚵

Andy | August 22, 2023

On days when the sun graces the sky and the breeze carries a refreshing scent, the allure of commuting by bicycle becomes undeniable. In the heart of Albany County, nestled along the serene Normans Kill Valley, lies a captivating path known as the Albany County Rail Trail. This picturesque route not only offers an idyllic journey to work but also invites its travelers to embrace nature’s beauty and find solace in its tranquility.

As the path winds its way through the valley, a symphony of nature unfolds. Waterfalls cascade down rock faces, their gentle splashes harmonizing with the rustling leaves. The Normans Kill Valley is a haven for wildlife, and every pedal stroke presents a chance encounter with the inhabitants of this lush landscape. The sights of deer grazing, rabbits darting through the underbrush, squirrels scampering up trees, and even the occasional glimpse of a mink bring a sense of connectedness to the natural world that is often missed in the confines of modern commuting.

In this season, the valley flourishes in vibrant shades of green, a stark contrast to the bustling urban landscape. The peaceful ambiance of the trail stands in stark contrast to the noisy confines of the CDTA bus. Escaping the cacophony of city life, the journey along the Albany County Rail Trail offers a true escape to tranquility. Unlike the rigid constraints of bus schedules, the passage of time becomes fluid as one pedals along, uninterrupted by the worries of missed or delayed buses.

Yet, the true magic of this two-wheeled commute lies in its multifaceted benefits. As the wheels turn and the distance between home and work diminishes, so too does the sedentary lifestyle that often accompanies daily commutes. Those precious moments that would have otherwise been spent idly scrolling through social media or sitting in traffic become opportunities for exercise and self-care. The 15-mile round trip, split evenly at 7.5 miles each way, becomes a valuable investment in one’s physical well-being.

The journey is not without its challenges, of course. The route downtown is a thrilling experience, a delightful ride filled with a sense of adventure. However, the uphill battle on Madison Avenue requires determination and perseverance. On the journey back, the climb through the gorge presents its own set of challenges. Yet, even in these moments of exertion, there is a lesson to be learned. The act of slowing down, shifting to lower gears, and embracing a more leisurely pace reminds us that there is value in the journey itself. The reward is not only in reaching the destination but also in the experience of the ride.

Ultimately, the decision to cycle to work along the Albany County Rail Trail is a choice to embrace nature, reclaim time, and prioritize personal well-being. It is a conscious step away from the rush and noise of urban life and towards a deeper connection with the world around us. As the pedals turn and the scenery changes, the stresses of the day are left behind, replaced by the simple pleasure of the wind in one’s hair and the steady rhythm of a bicycle’s wheels. In a world that often moves too quickly, this serene commute offers a reminder to slow down, appreciate the journey, and find contentment in the present moment.

You can just sit there a-thinking on your velvet throne 💺

Andy | August 22, 2023

My bed certainly isn’t velvet but in the darkness of the morning feels like it. Some DONOVAN to start out the Tuesday morning it would seem, though not only are the evenings getting darker so are the mornings as autumn approaches in a little over a month. September 23rd at two AM starts autumn. Autumn happens 🍂early on a Saturday.

Good morning! Happy Tuesday. Partly cloudy and 56 degrees in Delmar, NY. ⛅ There is a north-northwest breeze at 6 mph. 🍃. The dew point is 53 degrees. Not the brightest of the mornings, in part due to the clouds. That said with the sun rising now it’s getting brighter 🔆 out.

Got bananas 🍌 at the store yesterday along with frozen fruit and sugar free maple 🍁 syrup so I’m thinking it would be a good morning for pancakes 🥞. Yesterday was eggs and the day before cream of wheat with Greek yogurt and lemon 🍋. It’s good to keep breakfast interesting.

I forgot to put the red kidney beans on the stove 🍲 before walking 🚶 this morning but they can soak and they’ll cook quicker this evening. With the days growing shorter in the evening it’s not like I have that much time in the evening to ride or hike before it’s dark out.

Today will be partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny 🌞, with a high of 78 degrees at 4pm. Three degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical day around September 5th. Maximum dew point of 55 at 10am. North wind 6 to 10 mph. A year ago, we had partly cloudy skies in the morning, remaining cloudy in the afternoon. It was sticky. The high last year was 81 degrees. The record high of 93 was set in 1916.

Going to ride to work again. 🚲 Fixed that missing bolt 🔩 on Blackie 🚵 rack, turned out all of the braze on bolts are standard M5 Allen bolts and I found a matching one from my old bike. It was nice, I didn’t have to go to the hardware store, got rid of annoying rattle and let me ride to the store and get a lot of groceries. I can’t believe I spent another $60 but I should be good for the week now. Really had that rack and basket loaded down heavy and took it easy over the bumps but I didn’t have any issues.

Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:59 pm with sun having an altitude of 59.2° from the due south horizon (-11.6° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 3.6 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 7:10 pm with the sun in the west (281°). 📸 The sunset is in the west-northwest (287°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 7:49 pm after setting for 3 minutes and 2 seconds with dusk around 8:16 pm, which is one minute and 35 seconds earlier than yesterday. 🌇 At dusk you’ll see the First Quarter 🌓 Moon in the southwest (221°) at an altitude of 19° from the horizon, 240,454 miles away. 🚀 The best time to look at the stars is after 8:55 pm. At sunset, look for mostly clear skies 🌄 and temperatures around 73 degrees. The dew point will be 54 degrees. There will be a north-northeast breeze at 6 mph. Today will have 13 hours and 40 minutes of daytime, a decrease of 2 minutes and 40 seconds over yesterday.

Last night I went down to the Normans Kill Preserve briefly 🏞 before going to Hannaford to go shopping. I was originally thinking of going to the hardware store and/or shopping on the way home from work on my bicycle, but then when I figured out I could fix my bike without visiting at the hardware store, 👩‍🔧 I figured I would just to go to Hannaford after spending some time at the preserve. There was a few blackberries left down at the preserve, but we are starting to get beyond that part of the year.

That was quite the grocery haul 🛒 I had riding in the back of Blackie on my way back from Hannaford. I had to use the bungee cord to keep the load tied down. I had a big bag of onions, sweet peppers, a pineapple, frozen fruit, peaches, beans, yogurt, cottage cheese, spinach, edamame and several other things I can’t remember all tied down. 😮 🍑 🍍 🥜 Made for a heavy ride, and I was a bit worried about how the basket would hold up over the bumps, but there was no problem.

Tonight will be mostly clear 🌃, with a low of 54 degrees at 6am. Six degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical night around September 12th. Maximum dew point of 55 at 8pm. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight. In 2022, we had cloudy skies in the evening, which became thunderstorm by the early hours of the morning. It was sticky. It got down to 68 degrees. The record low of 44 occurred back in 1988.

Not sure what the plans for this evening, 🌆 but gets difficult as the evening are rather dark early, so I probably don’t have time for a ride to Voorheesville. I could do a ride out to Five Rivers if I had a quick dinner, 🐦 but I also want to have time to cook up those light red kidney beans so later in the week they can be either a snack or a meal with maple syrup or maybe cooked with eggs. I also want to hard boil some eggs for a quick go to for protein 🥚 in the morning or even for the dinner. Wednesday I’ll also ride to work, but come Thursday and Friday 🚌 it looks like it will be back to busing it to work, as it will rain. But both days I expect to be able to the take express on in.

Today in 1971, twenty of the Camden 28 were arrested. They were a group of “Catholic left” anti-Vietnam War activists who in 1971 planned and executed a raid on a Camden, New Jersey draft board. 🤜 The raid resulted in a high-profile criminal trial of the activists that was seen by many as a referendum on the Vietnam War and as an example of successful use of jury nullification.

Cool almost autumn like weekend ahead. 🍁 Saturday, a chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Maximum dew point of 64 at 10am. Sunday, mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Maximum dew point of 57 at 11am. Typical average high for the weekend is 81 degrees. Saturday is looking less wet, I’ll have to see which day my parents want to do the clam bake. 🦪

One month 📅 from now will be the concluding day of calendar summer 🍂 when the sun will be setting at 6:54 pm with dusk at 7:21 pm. Days by then are much shorter, kiddos back in school 🚸 . The air will have the pungently sweet smell of corn silage as they’ll be chopping soon. The boys of fall.