Balsam Swamp is a sprawling state forest that stretches almost 5.5 miles east-west across 4 towns. The area is very rural, and the landscape surrounding the State Forest is predominantly forested. Balsam Swamp State Forest is comprised of a mix of native hardwood forests, hemlock swamps, and conifer plantations. There are no designated recreational trails on the forest, but there is ample opportunity for self-guided day hikes to explore the diversity of habitats represented on this State Forest. Additionally, the western section of Balsam Swamp State Forest is adjacent to Five Streams State Forest to the south.
The main attraction of this forest is Balsam Pond. The impoundment is approximately 152 acres and is a popular destination for fishing and paddle boat sports. Balsam Pond is a warm water fishery that contains a mix of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, brown bullhead and sunfish. Tiger muskellunge have been stocked in the past with the last stocking occurring in 1995. However, there have been very few reports of anglers catching any of the adult tiger muskies. A shallow gravel boat launch is suitable for launching small fishing boats.
A small rustic camp ground is also located at Balsam Pond. Camping spaces are available at no cost on a first-come, first-serve basis and there is no running water or electricity. A fire ring, outhouse, and picnic table are provided for each camping space. A sign on Balsam-Tyler Road in Pharsalia designates the entrance to the boat launch and camping facility. This is a carry-in carry-out facility. Please do not litter.
Shift it up into overdrive and enjoy the nice weather 🏖
Just watch out for the black flies and the bad drivers whose minds have already shifted to the weekend.
Good morning! Yeah, it’s Friday! Partly cloudy ⛅ and 56 degrees in Delmar, NY. Calm wind. The dew point is 49 degrees.
Not such a cool morning for the walk 🚶 but then again it will be in eighties later on in the day. 11 ½ miles walked yesterday with similar hopes for today, assuming that I get out at lunchtime. I wish my bicycle 🚲 was finished it would be a nice day to ride to work.
Today will be mostly sunny 🌞, with a high of 82 degrees at 2pm. 12 degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical day around June 24th. Maximum dew point of 52 at 9am. No complaints about the humidity today. Light and variable wind becoming west 9 to 14 mph in the morning. A year ago, we had mostly sunny skies in the morning with a few breaks of sun the afternoon. The high last year was 87 degrees. The record high of 91 was set in 1881. There was a dusting of snow in 2020.❄
Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:53 pm with sun having an altitude of 65.5° from the due south horizon (-5.3° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 2.7 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 7:27 pm with the sun in the west-northwest (289°). 📸 The sunset is in the west-northwest (296°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 8:08 pm after setting for 3 minutes and 12 seconds with dusk around 8:39 pm, which is one minute and 5 seconds later than yesterday. 🌇 The best time to look at the stars is after 9:19 pm. At sunset, look for partly cloudy skies 🌃 and temperatures around 73 degrees. The dew point will be 51 degrees. There will be a west-northwest breeze at 8 mph. Today will have 14 hours and 34 minutes of daytime, an increase of 2 minutes and 12 seconds over yesterday.
Tonight will be mostly cloudy 🌥, with a low of 58 degrees at 5am. 11 degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical night around June 16th. Maximum dew point of 51 at 8pm. West wind 3 to 8 mph. In 2022, we had mostly clear skies. It became somewhat humid as the night progressed. It got down to 62 degrees. The record low of 29 occurred back in 2020.
Tomorrow will be mostly sunny 🌞, with a high of 78 degrees at 2pm. Seven degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical day around June 9th. Maximum dew point of 52 at 7am. North wind 5 to 10 mph. A year ago, we had mostly sunny skies in the morning with a few breaks of sun the afternoon. The high last year was 84 degrees. The record high of 86 was set in 2004. There was a dusting of snow in 1953.❄
As I mentioned yesterday, I have this crazy 🤪 idea of spending Saturday night in a hammock in the wilderness though I’m not set on it as it’s going to be a busy weekend with work, getting things ready for the Pine Bush booth, the truck and other projects. Next weekend is thr Lupine Festival so that will be Saturday. 🦋 Following weekend is Memorial Day Weekend but between the black flies 🐜, work and crowds I doubt I’ll be heading anywhere.
Looking ahead to Sunday, cooler but mostly sunny, ☀ with a high near 66. North wind around 11 mph. Maximum dew point of 35 at 10am. Typical average high for the weekend is 71 degrees.
Looking ahead, there are 9 weeks until National Nude Day 👱 when the sun will be setting at 8:33 pm with dusk at 9:06 pm. I was thinking yesterday how much fun the old crocks are down at the swimming hole. 🏊♂️ On that day in 2022, we had partly cloudy skies and temperatures between 85 and 65 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 84 degrees. We hit a record high of 99 back in 1995. That’s about as hot as it ever gets in Albany as I don’t think their thermometer at the airport can read three digits, or so it seems it hasn’t since 1953. But it’s an El Niño year so maybe the baby 🤱 boy will change his mind.
The sun is rising and I’m out walking. It was dark last night by the time I returned home from Five Rivers. Thought I would do like ten miles but it ended up being a hair over nine.
Still feels a bit cool out this morning. Sunny and 49 degrees in Delmar, NY. 🌞 Calm wind. Then again do I really want to wake up and be Godsmacked by the humidity? Those days aren’t certainly far off. There is less than a month until the legislative session is done. I’m already thinking about heading up to the Potholers come the Juneteenth weekend.
Hazy this morning 🌆 still from the Canadian wild fires. With the more stagnant air expected to move in both Western NY, along Lake Ontario and Downstate will have air quality alerts ⚠ today. I wonder how long before electrification makes air quality alerts less common. Although who knows with the increasing wildfires.
I’m out of coffee in the pot ☕ this morning so I’ll have to make up some more. Going to reheat qieche I made last week and froze. Then I want to leave early enough to walk down to the Park and Ride to catch the express there. 🚏
Today will be sunny 🌞, with a high of 77 degrees at 3pm. Seven degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical day around June 5th. Maximum dew point of 46 at 6pm. Not very humid. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning. A year ago, we had mostly sunny skies. The high last year was 82 degrees. The record high of 90 was set in 1911. 0.5 inches of snow fell back in 1907.❄
I have my repaired tire back and my suit jackets are getting dry cleaned. 🧑🏻💼 It’s a casual dress day at work and I expect to be done by five so I’ll take the express bus 🚍 both ways. Making a fresh pot of rice 🍚 up this morning and probably will have with salmon 🐠 later on then head to the park 🏞 to walk until dusk. I’ll put the tire back on Sunday after washing and lubrication.
Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:53 pm with sun having an altitude of 65.2° from the due south horizon (-5.6° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 2.8 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 7:26 pm with the sun in the west-northwest (289°). 📸 The sunset is in the west-northwest (296°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 8:07 pm after setting for 3 minutes and 12 seconds with dusk around 8:38 pm, which is one minute and 5 seconds later than yesterday. 🌇 The best time to look at the stars is after 9:18 pm. At sunset, look for mostly clear skies 🌄 and temperatures around 69 degrees. The dew point will be 49 degrees. There will be a west-northwest breeze at 6 mph. Today will have 14 hours and 31 minutes of daytime, an increase of 2 minutes and 14 seconds over yesterday.
The Nature Bus to Thacher Park returns in two weeks 🌲 during Memorial Day Weekend. No schedule yet but I expect that probably in the next few days it will be released. It’s a fun way to spend a Saturday that doesn’t cost anything.
Tonight will be partly cloudy 🌃 , with a low of 54 degrees at 3am. Seven degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical night around June 2nd. Maximum dew point of 49 at 8pm. West wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. In 2022, we had mostly clear skies. It got down to 44 degrees. The record low of 29 occurred back in 1969.
A picture perfect weekend on tap. 😎 Saturday, mostly sunny, with a high near 76. North wind 6 to 14 mph. Maximum dew point of 53 at 7am. Sunday, mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Maximum dew point of 36 at 9pm. Typical average high for the weekend is 71 degrees.
Pretty sure that Sunday I want to hike Blodgett Hill 🚶 for another twenty miler but I could change my mind. Going to be a nice weekend for sure. Saturday most certainly I’ll be working.
As previously noted, there are 3 weeks until 9 PM Dusk 🌆 when the sun will be setting at 8:27 pm with dusk at 9:00 pm. On that day in 2022, we had rain and temperatures between 69 and 60 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 76 degrees. We hit a record high of 94 back in 1918.
At least for the week though by the time you get into the third week of May extremely cold mornings in the thirties get rare. But heck, things can happen. They had five inches of snow in Albany in 1945. But it is expected to be in the eighties come Friday.
Good morning! Sunny and 38 degrees in Delmar for the morning walk. 🌞 Calm wind.
I just can’t believe how cold this morning is. ❄ I left my windows open but it’s even colder outside. It should warm up quickly though with temperatures reaching into the seventies by afternoon.
Today will be sunny 🌞, with a high of 72 degrees at 4pm. Two degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical day around May 17th. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Groovy. A year ago, we had mostly sunny skies. The high last year was 77 degrees. The record high of 92 was set in 1970. 5.0 inches of snow fell back in 1945.❄
This morning I have to pick my tire up from the shop ⚫ and maybe drop off some of my suit jackets to be dry cleaned. The nail is out it’s plugged. I want to get to the car wash and then lubricate the spare tire holder before I reinstall it. I should have done that a long time ago, fortunately the spare tire holder wasn’t seized. I’m thinking Sunday for that.
Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:53 pm with sun having an altitude of 65° from the due south horizon (-5.9° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 2.8 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 7:25 pm with the sun in the west-northwest (289°). 📸
Yesterday I got home around 6:45 pm and ultimately decided to cook up the chicken 🐔, rice, kale, peppers and onions with tomatoes 🍅 for dinner. It was good. I got out walking at 7:30 until nine, worked out to be 8.1 miles for the day. I keep loosing weight but I’m worried 😯 about back sliding come summer thought I think I have a gotten into cooking 🍳 and shopping 🛒 better.
The sunset is in the west-northwest (295°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 8:05 pm after setting for 3 minutes and 12 seconds with dusk around 8:36 pm, which is one minute and 6 seconds later than yesterday. 🌇 The best time to look at the stars is after 9:17 pm. At sunset, look for clear skies 🌄 and temperatures around 64 degrees. There will be a west breeze at 8 mph. Today will have 14 hours and 29 minutes of daytime, an increase of 2 minutes and 16 seconds over yesterday.
Tonight will be mostly clear 🌃, with a low of 48 degrees at 6am. One degree above normal, which is similar to a typical night around May 14th. A good ten degrees warmer than this morning. West wind 3 to 8 mph. In 2022, we had mostly clear skies. It got down to 40 degrees. The record low of 29 occurred back in 2010.
Warm andsunny for Mothers Day Weekend. 🤶🏻 Saturday, partly sunny, with a high near 79. Maximum dew point of 55 at 8am. Sunday, mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Maximum dew point of 38 at 8pm. Typical average high for the weekend is 71 degrees.
Lol 😂 wouldn’t be a bad weekend to head out of town if I wasn’t so dang busy. My list of projects for the weekend is long 📃 and I’ll probably have to work Saturday. It’s fine, I’m sure the black flies would be bad anywhere in the woods. 🐜 Plus I don’t like heading out of town every weekend, it’s a lot of work to pack and prepare and expensive to boot.
Looking ahead, next Wednesday is Pack Rat Day 🐀 when the sun will be setting at 8:14 pm with dusk at 8:45 pm. On that day in 2022, we had partly cloudy and temperatures between 67 and 50 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 72 degrees. We hit a record high of 92 back in 2017.
Black fly season camping is really pleasurable after dark when the black flies have disappeared for the night.🐜 Camping this time of the year really more of a night experience than one of enjoying the day.🌃 Often this time of year the nights are quite mild so it’s best to stay up until one or two in the morning and sleep in until nine or ten, doing your best to ignore the early morning sun. 🌄
Good morning! Happy Tuesday. Partly sunny 🌞 and 44 degrees in Delmar for the morning walk. Calm wind.
Up and going this morning. 👣 Only walked 5 ¾ miles yesterday but with session, the late running express bus, missing the morning express, laundromat and grocery shopping time was tight especially I still like to be in bed 🛏 by around nine 9⃣ to be up at six.
Today will be mostly sunny 🌞, with a high of 66 degrees at 3pm. Three degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical day around May 1st. North wind 3 to 8 mph. A year ago, we had mostly sunny skies in the morning with sunny skies in the afternoon. The high last year was 75 degrees. The record high of 93 was set in 1979. 1.6 inches of snow fell back in 1977.❄
Should be a nice sunny day. ☺ A bit cooler than yesterday though. I’m out walking 🚶 a few minutes later then usual but it’s fine as I have to drop that wheel off at the shop to get the nail out and plugged at 8:30. Hell of it is the tire isn’t leaking and is maintaining pressure at 33 psi but I don’t think it’s good to be driving around with a nail in it. Pay day today. That’ll help.
Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:53 pm with sun having an altitude of 64.7° from the due south horizon (-6.1° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 2.8 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 7:24 pm with the sun in the west-northwest (288°). 📸
Another session day so I’ll be in the office 🏢 all day though I might sneak out for a midday walk 🚶. Then depending how late I get out from work I’ll probably go to the park or maybe Five Rivers. 🐦 Still waiting on bicycle 🚲 parts.
The sunset is in the west-northwest (295°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 8:04 pm after setting for 3 minutes and 11 seconds with dusk around 8:35 pm, which is one minute and 6 seconds later than yesterday. 🌇 The best time to look at the stars is after 9:15 pm. At sunset, look for mostly clear skies 🌄 and temperatures around 58 degrees. There will be a north breeze at 5 mph. Today will have 14 hours and 27 minutes of daytime, an increase of 2 minutes and 18 seconds over yesterday.
Tonight will be mostly clear 🌃, with a low of 39 degrees at 4am. Seven degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical night around April 21st. Funny how quickly things warm up with spring upon us. North wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. In 2022, we had mostly clear skies. It got down to 39 degrees. The record low of 28 occurred back in 1958.
Mother’sDay Weekend still looks great. 🌷 Saturday, mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Maximum dew point of 54 at 8am. Sunday, partly sunny, with a high near 68. Maximum dew point of 43 at 8pm. I bet the tulip festival will be packed. Typical average high for the weekend is 71 degrees.
If I wasn’t going to be so busy this weekend 🤔 it would be a great one to get out of town. I’m going to have Committee Agendas for work, hoping to . But I have a long list of things to do. 🦋 The following weekend is the Lupine Festival and then Memorial Day Weekend. Not sure sb
Looking ahead, there are 6 weeks until Primary Day 🗳️ when the sun will be setting at 8:38 pm with dusk at 9:11 pm. On that day in 2022, we had mostly sunny and temperatures between 82 and 47 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 81 degrees. We hit a record high of 97 back in 1953.
Yes it has but it’s going to be a nice week for sure. Lots of sun, mild but not super hot.
Partly cloudy and 52 degrees in Delmar, NY. ⛅ There is a northwest breeze at 5 mph. 🍃. The dew point is 49 degrees.
You might say it’s a pleasant start to the work week. ☺ Can’t the weekends be more like that. I’m going a bit slower than I should but I’m out for the morning walk 🚶. Early enough not too many smoldering cars by the High School 🚸 so far. After hiking Meads Lane and Five Rivers Environmental Education Center 🐸 it was 8.8 miles for Sunday.
Today will be sunny 🌞, with a high of 71 degrees at 2pm. Two degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical day around May 13th. Maximum dew point of 48 at 6am. Northwest wind 7 to 11 mph. A year ago, we had mostly sunny skies in the morning, remaining cloudy in the afternoon. The high last year was 65 degrees. The record high of 91 was set in 1936. There was a dusting of snow in 2020.❄ Now that’s obnoxious.
I’m starting to wonder how long that nail has been in the tire. ⚫ After airing that tire back up in Gilboa it looks like it hasn’t lost any air. Still I should have it pulled and plugged if possible. I’m thinking the rough roads could have lead to a little bit of air leaking out. I don’t want to mess with a tire plug myself, I’ll see if my shop can do it this week week. But in the meantime I should good with the full sized spare on.
I also need to get to the laundromat 👚 to do a quick load of clothes this evening and get a few groceries to replace the ones consumed this weekend. I eat a lot of good food this weekend 😋 but I don’t feel fat because it was healthy, good quality foods and I made sure to get in a lot of steps. 👣 Over 3/4 lb of kale plus lots of fresh blueberries. And the usual tomatoes, mushrooms and onions.
Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:53 pm with sun having an altitude of 64.4° from the due south horizon (-6.4° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 2.9 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 7:23 pm with the sun in the west-northwest (288°). 📸
Back to fruit and oatmeal this morning. 🥣 When I’m in the office 🏢 all day I try to scale back the calories and boost fiber and maintain my healthy sugar levels by pulling from my fruit bowl at work.
The sunset is in the west-northwest (295°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 8:03 pm after setting for 3 minutes and 10 seconds with dusk around 8:34 pm, which is one minute and 6 seconds later than yesterday. 🌇 The best time to look at the stars is after 9:14 pm. At sunset, look for mostly clear skies 🌄 and temperatures around 60 degrees. There will be a northwest breeze at 9 mph. Today will have 14 hours and 25 minutes of daytime, an increase of 2 minutes and 19 seconds over yesterday.
I’ve been having trouble getting the bicycle 🚲 spokes in but I’m hopeful to make more progress on the bicycle come this weekend. I really would like to get the bicycle back on the road by June at this point.
Tonight will be partly cloudy 🌤, with a low of 42 degrees at 6am. Four degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical night around April 29th. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming calm after midnight. In 2022, we had mostly clear skies. It got down to 35 degrees. The record low of 27 occurred back in 1956.
Another perfect spring weekendon tap for Mothers Day. 💐 Saturday, mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Maximum dew point of 53 at 8am. Sunday, a chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Maximum dew point of 47 at 8pm. Typical average high for the weekend is 71 degrees.
Looking ahead, there are 4 weeks until 8:30 PM Sunset ️⛱️ when the sun will be setting at 8:30 pm with dusk at 9:03 pm. On that day in 2022, we had mostly sunny and temperatures between 77 and 47 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 77 degrees. We hit a record high of 97 back in 1925.
