Mine Kill State Park 📍

Mine Kill State Park, nestled in the picturesque Schoharie Valley, provides a scenic vantage point overlooking the Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project by the NY Power Authority. The lower reservoir is a fishing haven, stocked with trout, walleye, bass, and more, catering to motor boating, kayaking, and water skiing. The park features an Olympic-sized pool, wading pool, and diving pool, free for the public to use (no fees are collected at this park due to hydro plant subsdies). Swim lessons are available in summer. Warm weather pursuits include hiking, mountain biking on the 8-mile trail network, and soccer on regulation fields. The park’s namesake, Mine Kill Falls, an 80-foot cascade through a gorge, is accessible via overlook platforms and the Long Path trail. Winter brings snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling opportunities.

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September 5, 2016 Afternoon

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Good afternoon! Mostly sunny and 81 degrees in North Blenheim at the Mine Kill State Park. There is a north-northeast breeze at 7 mph. The dew point is 57 degrees. The air is warm and the sun is nice but the Mine Kill State Park pool is only 71 degrees. Still feels much warmer than yesterday, especially with the warmer air temperature. The pool’s 2016 season ends today at 6 pm. Earlier did some hiking on some of the trails in the state park and Power Authority visitors center. Going to Shaul’s later. 

For the rest of Labor Day, it will be sunny, with a high of 82 degrees at 3pm. Two degrees above normal. The pool will remain frigid. Maximum dew point of 57 at 2pm. Northeast wind 7 to 10 mph. The record high of 91 was set in 1973.

The sun will set at 7:22 pm with dusk around 7:51 pm, which is 1 minutes and 44 seconds earlier than yesterday. Waxing Crescent Moon tonight with 30% illuminated. The moon will set around 11:53 pm. The First Quarter Moon is on Friday at 11:49 am with partly cloudy expected. The Full “Corn” Moon is on Friday, September 16th at 7:05 pm.

Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low of 56 degrees at 5am. One degrees above normal. Maximum dew point of 55 at 6pm. Northeast wind around 7 mph. The record low of 38 occurred back in 1938.

Map: Spy Lake

August 7, 2016 Afternoon

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Good afternoon! Partly sunny and 77 degrees in North Blenheim at Mine Kill State Park. Back swimming after a delightful night camping. There is a west-northwest breeze at 10 mph. The dew point is 60 degrees.

This afternoon will be mostly sunny, with a high of 80 degrees at 4pm. Two degrees below normal. Northwest wind around 11 mph. Maximum dew point of 60 at 1pm. The record high of 102 was set in 1918. The sun will set at 8:09 pm with dusk around 8:39 pm, which is 1 minutes and 19 seconds earlier than yesterday. Today will have 14 hours and 11 minutes of daylight, a decrease of 2 minutes and 22 seconds over yesterday.

Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low of 55 degrees at 5am. Six degrees below normal. Northwest wind 3 to 8 mph. Maximum dew point of 57 at 6pm. The record low of 46 occurred back in 1948.

Cloudy periods:
Wednesday 5 am to 7 pm – rain and thunderstorms expected

Rain expected:
Wednesday 2 to 8 am – slight chance of rain
Wednesday 8 am to 8 pm – chance of rain and thunderstorms – 0.36 inches expected
Wednesday 8 pm to Thu. 8 am – slight chance of rain and thunderstorms
Thursday 8 am to 8 pm – chance of rain and thunderstorms
Thursday 8 pm to Fri. 8 am – slight chance of rain and thunderstorms

Muggy periods:
Wednesday 10 am to Fri. 12 am – Max Temp: 84, Heat Index: 88, Dew Point: 70

There are 5 weeks until September 11th when the sun will be setting at 7:13 pm with dusk at 7:41 pm. The average high temperature is 74 degrees, with a record high of 98 in 1931.

Camped last night along Betty Brook at big campsite along the brook. Last time I camped at the lower Betty Brook site, but I like this big site much better. Betty Brook Road currently has a tree down about two miles north from Creek Road, so there is only access from the north end. I will put in a call tomorrow to the DEC to get it removed. 

I noticed that camping last night, the sun really is setting earlier. Betty Brook hollow always gets dark early but now the sunset is around 8:10 and shadows overtook the valley around 7 pm. 

I got the propane refilled yesterday. It works well, now that I always make sure to get the connections really tight and clean, turn off the connectors before slowly turning on the tank. Then everything works well. I’ve gotten better at working with propane and unique properties. It’s a much different fuel then liquid fuel. 

The stars were quite pretty last night.  Around 10:30, I saw a shooting star. A big one, low in the horizon. This morning I stopped by the Shauls Farm Market and picked up some goodies. So many good things. Good prices. 

Definitely a nice morning after a very pleasant evening. It was nice camping down by the Betty Brook. I had a nice fire and listened to podcasts until midnight. Did some fishing in the Schoharie Creek just south of the dam. That said, I was pretty tired from sitting out in the sun all day. I do like swimming and getting toasty in the sun and retired fairly early last night. 

I need to get some more candles and bags. I am down to the last three candles I have and they are kind of their last legs. I think I could have a lot of fun with candles if I camp down by Powley Place Bridge the next time I’m at Piseco-Powley Road. I want to camp there one more time before August concludes. 

Back at Mine Kill Pool today. Just put on the sunscreen and once it soaks in, I’m heading in for a swim. A very nice day. 

Terrain Map: Buildings Constructed in Capital Region, 2015-2020
Thematic Map: 2015-2020 New Buildings Constructed in New York State