The Alfred E. Smith Building, known officially as the Alfred E. Smith State Office Building and sometimes called simply the Smith Building, is a structure located in downtown Albany, New York across the street from the New York State Capitol and One Commerce Plaza.
The building’s namesake, Alfred Emmanuel Smith, was a four-term governor of New York and the Democratic Party’s nomination for the 1928 presidential election. The Art Deco skyscraper has 34 stories and at 388 feet (118 m) is Albany’s second tallest structure (after the Erastus Corning Tower).
Completed in 1928, it houses offices of the New York State government. Built originally with an observation deck on the 31st floor, the 350-foot-high (110 m) open-air deck was closed in 1976 when the 589-foot-tall (180 m) 42nd floor enclosed Corning Tower Observation Deck was opened. An extensive renovation of the building began in 2002. This modernization, which cost at least $103 million, is now finished.
Good evening. The rain has just arrived and with the dampness in the air, it feels a lot cooler then 51 degrees. It may be wet and cold enough in Piseco on Friday evening for them to get their first 1-3 inches of snow in the Southern Adirondacks. That’s what Weather Underground is suggesting, but other sites disagree. Old man winter has held off for a while in the Adirondacks, but I doubt most of the winter will be snowless up north.
As always when the roads are wet take it home easy. Wet roads can be slippery. At least it’s not snow, but that can’t be that far away. But as far as I’m concerned the snow can hold off for a while. Traffic is quite congested leaving the city. Backed up from the Empire Plaza ramp to 9W on 787. Car crash with a semi truck at the end.
Been researching some of the propane trees to hook up the camp heater and a propane lantern. I’m surprised how bad the reviews are for the Coleman models, as usually they are decent for their price. The Century brand seems to get good reviews but they are somewhat more expensive. Cheaper ones seem to leak or crack which seems rather dangerous. But if it’s a product that lasts than so be it. Probably will get the propane tree and a propane lantern around Thanksgiving after I get paid. The holidays are expensive but with fewer road trips and three paycheck month, it won’t be so bad.
As we the morning progresses we are up to 42 degrees. As predicted it’s becoming more cloudy. Typical November weather.
Tomorrow I’m heading out to the Heldebergs for the day. The morning is expected to wet and cloudy but clearing in the afternoon. Maybe some hunting and hiking in the woods. I’m kind of short on money these days but maybe I’ll save at the grocery store if I’m lucky.
Now I’m starting to think the North Country trip is still possible either in the following weekend if extended or as a tack on to Thanksgiving weekend, assuming the North Country remains snow free for the next few weeks. I really want to get back to the Deer River area and Brasher Falls / Massena as it’s been so long since I’ve been up there.
Good morning on this Tuesday morning. Currently 32 degrees and mostly cloudy. More clouds later and rain. 56 degrees. To be safe, make sure to bring and umbrella and/or rain coat to work. You may need it by rush hour this evening.
Good evening. As expected the sun has dropped below the horizon line and with the temperatures have dropped to around 48 degrees. Right now there some high clouds in the sky and it will likely get cloudier later.
At 9 PM we will be at 42 degrees with calm conditions. Assuming they’re not too many clouds above it will be a good night for looking at the stars. Sunrise is at 6:39. Warm weather continues tomorrow around 58 degrees but with increasing clouds and showers possible by evening.
So the Massena trip is off the agenda but for a short while I thought about heading up to the Southern Adirondacks for a one night trip and hiking and hunting on Veterans Day. But it looks like it going to be rainy tomorrow evening. Same thing with the weekend. I probably should be more focused on conserving funds, as after the many summer trips, my bank account is pretty depleted. This happens every year, I will spend less in the winter and build up my funds again.
Good evening! Happy Friday. Going home time. But please be safe as those roads are slick in places from that heavy band of rain that just came through a few minutes ago. It is currently 64 degrees, after falling from day’s high of 72, which is twenty degrees above the normal temperature for today. Not too bad at all. Showers are expected on and off all evening, some could be heavy. I guess we can take some rain exchange for the warm weather this evening.
The warm weather won’t last for long though. Tonight will be relatively warm at 50 degrees but tomorrow will max out at 55 degrees and by late Saturday evening we will be down to 38 degrees. By daybreak on Sunday morning we will be down to 26 degrees and Sunday will max out at 50 degrees.
It’s off to the Green Mountain State this weekend for some hiking and camping. Typical November weather for the weekend. I’m excited about checking the out White Rocks Cliff and Ice Field Rocks. Camping at the beautiful Old Job area. I haven’t been up there in two years and never overnight. Tonight after dinner, assuming the rain lets up I will pack. For a single overnight shouldn’t be too bad.
Traffic is a bit sluggish leaving the city due to the wet conditions but it’s better to be safe than a sorry. It’s rush hour on a Friday but if you drive safely you’ll make it home.
But other than that it’s been a long week and I’m tired. Hopefully we will get through traffic quickly and the bus will get me home. Still creeping along the end of 787 but it can’t be long…
Good evening. It’s after dark on the evening commute with the time change. Still despite the clouds this evening, it’s a very pleasant 70 degrees. You don’t often get 70 degree days on November 5th, the average high for today is 52 degrees. A few hours ago it was even warmer, with temperatures reaching 71 degrees.
I hope your headlights are working, as we commute home in this darkness. They did remember to turn the lights on at the West Capital Park and on South Swan Street, which makes waiting for the bus much more pleasant. Many years in November, they fail to adjust the timer so it comes on in time for darkness and the 5 PM commute home. Solar LED illumination also helps keeps the bus stop bright.
Traffic is moving well this evening, as construction is rapidly concluding on the I-787 Expressway, heading southbound out of the city. Some parts are still closed off, but for the most part things are moving along but with some residual delays.
Tonight I am going to do my wash and buy groceries. I think I will hold off on getting the propane tank for the heater until Friday night or Saturday. Not going to leave to go up north until Saturday morning. I also need to get some more ammo and replacement headphones as the left channel wire is dead.
Hoping this winter to get camping at least twice a month throughout the winter. With proper dress, sleeping bags, a roaring campfire, lantern, maybe some firewood, and the heater, lean-to camping will be a lot of fun in the winter. Might also do hot tenting locally up in one of the state forests. Load all that crap on a plastic sled and tow it back in the woods on skies or more likely on snowshoes. The cellphone and Bluetooth speaker can keep the podcasts and music going late into the evening. Maybe ring the new year in on that firetower and lean-to in Austerlitz.