John Boyd Thacher State Park, is situated along the Helderberg Escarpment, one of the richest fossil-bearing formations in the world. Even as it safeguards six miles of limestone cliff-face, rock-strewn slopes, woodland and open fields, the park provides a marvelous panorama of the Hudson-Mohawk Valleys and the Adirondack and Green Mountains. The park has volleyball courts, playgrounds, ball fields and numerous picnic areas with nine reservable shelters. Interpretive programs are offered year-round, including guided tours of the famous Indian Ladder Trail. There are over 25 additional miles of trails for summer hiking and mountain biking, and winter cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and snowmobiling.
It should be noted that the illegally polluting Volkswagen TDI produce as much NOx as a model year 1998-2004 Tier 1 (0.3 g/mi). Which is much higher then the current Tier II Bin 5 standard of 0.02 g/mi, which they are accused of violating, but far below historic pre-controlled cars of the 1960s, that put out 3.0-3.5 g/mi.
So if you have a 10-year old car, it is likely putting out as much NOx as the new Volkswagon TDI. But that’s not an excuse — if everybody has to follow the law for current model year cars — so should Volkswagon. 10-year old cars are becoming rarer on the road, and will mostly be scrapped within the next few years.
Here are some great pictures of the Latham Circle both before and after the bypass was built. Ironically, with the Adirondack Northway well underway and largely built probably a lot of traffic already was bypassing the circle.
It would be mistake to say that I am opposed to technology but I do oppose highly commercial, glittery, closed source technology that is the hallmark of suburbanite lifestyle. I like simple technology that I can understand, is durable and hackable for my own uses. Technology that doesn’t focus on entertainment but better understanding my own life and the world around me.
I’ve long said that I will never have a television or internet at home. Don’t get me wrong, I like my smartphone and I do go down to the public library to use the internet for uploading or downloading large files. But it’s different than watching bright flashing pictures and for hours on end for canned entertainment purposes.
Even when I own my own home I can’t imagine having internet or television. I would want my very inexpensive smartphone and cell service with the basic data package, but nothing more than that. I probably wouldn’t totally forgo having electricity but it would be a very small and simple solar system for lighting, charging phones and maybe pumping water. Good technology is simple and understandable, and easy to understand and close to nature.
“Indian Summer” is a term used to describe a period of unseasonably warm, dry, and sunny weather that occurs in late autumn, typically during September and October in North America. During an Indian Summer, temperatures rise above the normal range for the season, and the days often feel more like summer than fall.
The origin of the term is somewhat debated, but it likely has its roots in early American settlers’ observations of Native American weather patterns. Indian Summers are characterized by clear skies, warm temperatures during the day, cool and crisp nights, and a lack of precipitation. This weather phenomenon can be quite pleasant and is often associated with a final burst of outdoor activities before the onset of colder winter weather.
And Brooks and Dunn. Maybe I’m somewhat sentimental for the days were back when I was in college. Not that I would want to go back to those days, but the world in some ways was simpler — and I was much more ignorant kid of the sticks finding my way in the city, but won’t we all?
