Out walking today at Five Rivers, that November sun, while plentiful is quite harsh and weak. It’s by no means a summer sun, which is nine weeks in the rear view mirror, replaced with the cold and chill of the winter months. The squirrels were out and about at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center but no deer were to be seen. A lot of ice on calm parts of the Vlomans Kill.

November reminds me there is definitely still a lot of harsh, bleak winter weather ahead. I am still telling myself I will leave New York eventually for a warmer, more pleasant climate, but I am still here, living on table scrapes of the metropolitan region. It isn’t that bad, but it’s still New York with it’s awful winters. I guess it doesn’t really matter. I can wash the salt off my truck, take the bus to work on those snowy days.

I can’t be too down on the weather. Winter is just part of the four seasons. It will warm up once again, and autumn is great for hunting season and those long winters evening in the woods. Hopefully the snow will hold off for a while. If I plan right, and get set up plenty before dark, winter camping can be a whole lot of fun.