"Bright, beautiful fall colors are continuing to emerge in New York State, with the most significant changes this weekend expected in some of the higher elevations of the Adirondacks and Catskills regions, and the Thousand Islands-Seaway region, according to observers for Empire State Development's I LOVE NEW YORK program."
I have to think it’s a good thing that daylight savings time has finally begun. The fact is that getting up at 7:00 AM in pitch darkness is no fun. The sunset at 5:45 PM isn’t much fun either, and the 4:45 PM sunset will mean the commute home is dark, but so be it. It’s part of the grand cycle known as the seasons.
The net result is long evenings, which haren’t a totally bad thing either. I like having a little more darkness when camping, as it gives more time for a campfire, and cooking dinner at night. Sure the day is rushed, but the evening is more relaxed. I guess I could or should go to bed earlier, but that never happens either – even in the cold of the back country this time of year.
Set your clock back, and let’s get our November on. Christmas and the end of the year is around soon..
I have three big autumn trips that I am looking at taking — representing the three months of fall — namely September, October, and November.
September: Moose Plains
It’s no secret that one of my favorite places to see in early fall is Moose River Plains. Peak foliage comes early this time of year up there, so by the week of September 15th, the leaves should be pretty good. I have a family commitment that weekend, so I can’t go up then, but probably will head up sometime before the weekend of September 21-22.
October: Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Northern Tier of Pennsylvania
Two years ago, prior to having trouble with my old truck, I had planned to take a trip to the Twin Tier regions. This year, I hope to actually make the trip. Thinking the week of October 12-20, possibly a little past peak foliage in higher elevations, but it should be really good in the Finger Lakes and Allegheny National Forest.
Thinking probably start out in the Finger Lakes National Forest, spend two days there, visiting the gorges in the state parks like Robert Treman and Taughannock Falls State Park. From there, go west to Letchworth State Park, and then to down to Little Rock State Forest. Spend some time exploring there, then south through Allegany State Park to Allegheny National Forest (PA). From there, take US 6 to Pine Creek Gorge, and then US 6 east until it gets impractical to continue on due to US 6 bending too far south.
November: Madison-Chenango County
Early to mid-November actually is my favorite to go camping. Around Veterans Day, the air is usually quite crisp, and the nights chilly, but the days can be so beautiful and clear. The leaves are mostly off the trees, but that actually is good because you can see much farther in the woods. I just really enjoy the feeling of November.
One of the things you have to consider about camping in November is how short the days are so darn short. Literally, you get up to darkness, and by 4 PM, you have to get camp set before the impeading darkness.
Literally, you won’t see the sun most mornings until 6:45-7 AM, so you wake in darkness. And total darkness overtakes the landscape by no later then 5 pm. While artificial light can help make the nights a little shorter, it really cuts down on time for the day’s adventures.
I’ve found the best way to handle the long nights is to get up early. Set up the alarm clock and be up prior to dawn. Cook breakfast under the camp lights and wait for morning to come.
Then at the break of dawn, get on to the day’s activities. Try to make the best out of your limited hours prior to dusk appearing once again at 4:30. It’s just the nature of this time of year.
