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.
Good morning! Monday’s come back around again. The final Monday of March as they say, although I could totally see the legislature suspending the clock 🕒to get a few more days out of March and the fiscal year.
Mostly clear 🌄 and 30 degrees in Delmar, NY. Calm wind. A bit chilly to start out the morning but it will warm up quickly as we are in the end of March. 🌡️It’s nice how the mornings once again have more light and I can walk at 6 or 6:15 am in the morning before breakfast 🥣. Truth is it works so much better for my mornings.
Today will rain likely, mainly after 5pm. Increasing clouds 🌞👉🌦️, with a high of 51 degrees at 1pm. One degree above normal, which is similar to a typical day around March 29th. Light and variable wind becoming northeast around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Better pack my umbrella ☔. A year ago, we had cloudy skies in the morning, which became light snow by afternoon. The high last year was 41 degrees. The record high of 78 was set in 1998. 6.7 inches of snow fell back in 1959.❄
Solar noon 🌞 is at 1:02 pm with sun having an altitude of 49.9° from the due south horizon (-20.9° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 5 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 6:38 pm with the sun in the west (268°). 📸
The sunset is in the west (274°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 7:15 pm after setting for 2 minutes and 54 seconds with dusk around 7:43 pm, which is one minute and 8 seconds later than yesterday. 🌇 At dusk you’ll see the First Quarter 🌓 Moon in the west-southwest (238°) at an altitude of 65° from the horizon, 247,783 miles away. 🚀 The best time to look at the stars is after 8:17 pm. At sunset, look for rain 🌧 and temperatures around 45 degrees. There will be a north-northeast breeze at 6 mph. Tomorrow will have 12 hours and 34 minutes of daytime, an increase of 2 minutes and 54 seconds over today.
Tonight will rain and snow before 1am, then rain likely between 1am and 2am, then a chance of rain and snow after 2am. 🌧 Low of 34 degrees at 6am. Two degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical night around April 2nd. North wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. In 2022, we had light snow in the evening, which became mostly clear by the early hours of the morning. It got down to 18 degrees. The record low of 3 occurred back in 1923.
Anothercrappy Saturday ahead but mild. 😕 Saturday, rain. High near 62. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Maximum dew point of 48 at 8am. Sunday, mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Typical average high for the weekend is 52 degrees. Maybe Sunday if I’m not busy with work I’ll do a twenty mile hike.
Looking ahead, there are 2 weeks until 8 PM Dusk 🌆 when the sun will be setting at 7:32 pm. On that day in 2022, we had partly sunny, rain showers and temperatures between 49 and 36 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 57 degrees. We hit a record high of 86 back in 1922.
Smile, it’s going to be a nice day and not a work day for once. Walked 65.3 mileslast week, doing my best to continue that record this week.
Mostly cloudy and 39 degrees in Delmar as I walk down to Norman’s Kills Falls. ⛅ There is a southwest breeze at 10 mph. 🍃. A bit chilly and damp this morning but it will improve later on.
I was impressed that I walked 65.3 miles last week and I’m at mile 200 for the month. 🚶 It feels good as is quiting processed foods and processed sugars. The worse thing is reducing the pushers that keep trying to push the crap down your throat. Now I finally understand what the DARE program was about, resisting that crap friends and families try to ram down your throat. 🐑 It’s only doughnuts 🍩, what’s wrong with shooting a little heroin, I mean sugar once and a while.
Today will be partly sunny 🌞, with a high of 53 degrees at 3pm. Four degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical day around April 2nd. West wind 10 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. A year ago, we had partly cloudy skies in the morning, which became light rain by afternoon. The high last year was 50 degrees. The record high of 75 was set in 2021. 6.1 inches of snow fell back in 1899.❄
While I was hoping to hike the rail trail 🚂 without getting runover by yuppies 🏃 I knew that was unlikely. It will be a complete orgy of yuppie shit later on but I hope to be off the trail by then and eating either lunch or hiking Bennett Hill by then.
Solar noon 🌞 is at 1:02 pm with sun having an altitude of 49.5° from the due south horizon (-21.3° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 5.1 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 6:37 pm with the sun in the west (268°). 📸
The sunset is in the west (274°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 7:14 pm after setting for 2 minutes and 54 seconds with dusk around 7:42 pm, which is one minute and 8 seconds later than yesterday. 🌇 At dusk you’ll see the First Quarter 🌓 Moon in the west-southwest (250°) at an altitude of 56° from the horizon, 245,341 miles away. 🚀 The best time to look at the stars is after 8:16 pm. At sunset, look for mostly clear skies 🌄 and temperatures around 47 degrees. There will be a northwest breeze at 8 mph. Today will have 12 hours and 28 minutes of daytime, an increase of 2 minutes and 53 seconds over yesterday.
Tonight will be mostly clear 🌃, with a low of 31 degrees at 6am. One degree above normal, which is similar to a typical night around March 30th. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph. In 2022, we had cloudy skies. It got down to 22 degrees. The record low of 11 occurred back in 1974.
Looking ahead , there are 2 weeks until 7:30 PM Sunset 🌇 with dusk at 7:58 pm. On that day in 2022, we had rain and temperatures between 52 and 36 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 56 degrees. We hit a record high of 77 back in 1991.
Good morning! Happy Saturday. It’s the weekend! Mostly cloudy and 30 degrees in Delmar, NY. ☁ Calm wind.Things will start to thaw out at around 7 am. 🌡️
Not going to be the nicest Saturday ever 🌧️ so I’m out walking early. I was debating on where to go, I ended up on deciding on Five Rivers via Fisher Boulevard and probably Meads later. 🐮 That way I’ll have my five miles in and it’s a nice walk. I thought about Norman’s Kill Gorge as it’s likely not crowded but I like the more rural route and less walking through the city. 🏙 Tomorrow maybe.
Saw the biggest gosh darn buck 🦌 by Jones Barn at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center this morning. I swear he was two thirds the size of an Elk. Ton of blue Jay’s 🐦 around. Robins and red winged blackbirds down by the ponds and the Nature Center. 👃 Air smells like burnt ABS plastic from the plastics factory 🏭 in Fuera Bush. I can understand why they bought out all the houses 🏘 directly down wind of the plant. It’s yucky.
Today will have a chance of rain and snow before 11am, then rain, snow, and sleet likely between 11am and noon, then rain after noon. 🌧 High of 39 degrees at 4pm. Nine degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical day around March 2nd. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 11 to 16 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible. A year ago, we had mostly sunny skies in the morning, remaining cloudy in the afternoon. The high last year was 57 degrees. The record high of 74 was set in 1910. 1.9 inches of snow fell back in 1960.❄
This afternoon I want to finish up some of the library 📚 books I have then go down to the library and do some research for Save the Pine Bush. I was pleasantly surprised that I don’t have any work to do this weekend. ☺ Next weekend I’m operating on the assumption I’ll be in the office 🏢 all weekend though maybe not with remote work or the fact that Jewish folk don’t work on Saturday. Plus it looks like next Saturday could be rainy ☔ but it’s the start of trout fishing 🎣. I could go for some heart ♥ healthy fats caught myself and a night or two in the wilderness. ⛺ As long as I have cell service and aren’t too far from the Albany.
Solar noon 🌞 is at 1:02 pm with sun having an altitude of 49.1° from the due south horizon (-21.7° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 5.2 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 6:36 pm with the sun in the west (267°). 📸
The sunset is in the west (273°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 7:13 pm after setting for 2 minutes and 54 seconds with dusk around 7:41 pm, which is one minute and 9 seconds later than yesterday. 🌇 At dusk you’ll see the First Quarter 🌓 Moon in the west-southwest (257°) at an altitude of 45° from the horizon, 242,584 miles away. 🚀 The best time to look at the stars is after 8:15 pm. At sunset, look for rain 🌧 and temperatures around 38 degrees. There will be a south-southeast breeze at 14 mph. Today will have 12 hours and 26 minutes of daytime, an increase of 2 minutes and 54 seconds over yesterday.
Yesterday I walked 11.8 miles 👣 which isn’t bad for a work day but I started walking 🚶 early, then took an earlier express bus 🚍 in then walked the Plaza before work and then Washington Park 🏞 at lunch time and then several laps on the Nature Trail at the Town Park.
Tonight will rain likely before 2am, then a chance of showers, mainly between 2am and 3am. Mostly cloudy 🌧, with a low of 37 degrees at 7pm. Eight degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical night around April 15th. Southeast wind 7 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. In 2022, we had mostly clear skies in the evening, which became partly cloudy by the early hours of the morning. It got down to 35 degrees. The record low of 2 occurred back in 2021.
Stupid express bus driver 🚍 didn’t have his route sign and blew past me last night and I had to take the local home. 🚏It’s not a big deal the local wasn’t running late and I was able to catch it. I probably should have called the dispatcher to complain. That driver is always skipping stops and going out of service often before he drops me off even though he’s paid to drive all the way to Voorheesville. I’m just annoyed as I expect late nights 🌃 next week and not being able to take the express home. Maybe not every night though as the legislature rarely works late anymore since the pandemic and the made permanent pandemic era rules limiting the length of debate.👤
Looking ahead, next Saturday is April Fools Day 🤡 when the sun will be setting at 7:22 pm with dusk at 7:49 pm. On that day in 2022, we had partly cloudy, rain showers and temperatures between 53 and 36 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 52 degrees. I’m ready for spring time. We hit a record high of 77 back in 1986.
Good morning! Yeah, it’s Friday! Did it ever seem like we would make it here this week? This week bucked at times like the engine on the bus on the old I 787 in traffic but much like Friday, it made it to the destination.
Mostly cloudy, rather dark and 35 degrees at the for the morning walk in Delmar. ☁ There is a northwest breeze at 14 mph. 🍃. Temperatures will drop below freezing at tomorrow around 2 am. ☃️ Then again it’s 6:15 after the time change, though we are seeing some as the walk continues.
Not so cold this morning but the wind makes it a bit cool. 💨 The deer 🦌 are grazing on the well manured farm field 🐮 while a turkey vulture flies overhead and the sky to the east is a beat red. I was up before six and I finished off the last of the oatmeal 🥣.
Today will be mostly cloudy 🌥, with a high of 47 degrees at 5pm. One degree below normal, which is similar to a typical day around March 21st. Just hearing that is a reminder that spring is coming soon. Northwest wind 10 to 14 mph. A year ago, we had light drizzle in the morning with a few breaks of sun the afternoon. The high last year was 46 degrees. The record high of 69 was set in 1976. 5.5 inches of snow fell back in 1956.❄
Solar noon 🌞 is at 1:03 pm with sun having an altitude of 48.7° from the due south horizon (-22.1° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 5.3 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer.
The golden hour 🏅 starts at 6:35 pm with the sun in the west (267°). 📸 The sunset is in the west (273°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 7:12 pm after setting for 2 minutes and 54 seconds with dusk around 7:39 pm, which is one minute and 9 seconds later than yesterday. 🌇 At dusk you’ll see the Waxing Crescent 🌒 Moon in the west (262°) at an altitude of 34° from the horizon, 239,655 miles away. 🚀 The best time to look at the stars is after 8:13 pm. At sunset, look for partly cloudy skies 🌃 and temperatures around 43 degrees. There will be a northwest breeze at 8 mph. Tomorrow will have 12 hours and 26 minutes of daytime, an increase of 2 minutes and 54 seconds over today.
I wasn’t sure but I managed to get out walking 🚶 down to the town park 🏞 right after work and did a few laps around the Nature Trail 🐸 before it got dark and started to drizzle. I had a small container of pasta with lots of vegetables, which has more sugar then I would like but I had previously bought, froze and didn’t want to go to waste by eating in moderation. 🥧
Tonight will be mostly cloudy 🌥, with a low of 31 degrees at 5am. Two degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical night around March 30th. North wind around 7 mph. In 2022, we had cloudy skies in the evening, which became mostly clear by the early hours of the morning. It got down to 39 degrees. The record low of 0 occurred back in 1875.
Tomorrow will have a chance of snow before 9am, then a chance of rain and snow between 9am and 11am, then rain after 11am. 🌧 High of 38 degrees at 4pm. 11 degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical day around February 24th. Breezy, with a southeast wind 6 to 11 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. A year ago, we had light drizzle in the morning with a few breaks of sun the afternoon. The high last year was 57 degrees. The record high of 74 was set in 1910. 1.9 inches of snow fell back in 1960.❄
Tomorrow I think I will get up early or at least at the normal time 🚶 and walk before the snow and rain comes. Maybe even do Five Rivers though Sunday sounds like a better day for doing that. I was hoping to get out of town this weekend but I didn’t think that was possible with the weather. It’s fine, I have some library books 📚 to finish up that are due back and I’ll probably end up working Saturday morning. I could do it remote but at home is easier.
Looking ahead to Sunday, partly sunny, with a high near 50. ☀ Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Typical average high for the weekend is 49 degrees.
Sunday sounds like the better day of the weekend ☺ though that wind of will make it feel colder than the mercury actually says. But I’ll probably hike Bennett Hill and go out and see the folks in the afternoon.
Looking ahead, there are 2 weeks until 7:30 PM Sunset 🌇 when the sun will be setting at 7:30 pm with dusk at 7:56 pm. On that day in 2022, we had rain and temperatures between 51 and 45 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 55 degrees. We hit a record high of 87 back in 2010.
The other day I was thinking what a silly thing those garbage bags people buy to keep trash cans clean and the garbage together until it gets smashed in the back of garbage truck or lit in the burning barrel. Few things can you say you are directly paying for to buy then as part of it’s use paying for it get rid of it.
Now I get the advantage of garbage bags — they keep the trash can relatively clean and the trash together when you throw it in the dumpster. Trash trucks find loading trash cans and dumpsters with bagged garbage easier. If you burn your own, then it helps keep you from accidentally melting your trash can dumping the trash in burn barrel. But it still seems kind of silly to be spending money on something you buy to throw away.
Years ago, people didn’t use trash bags nearly as much. Maybe because the plastics were more expensive, maybe because it was more of a new thing. People might bag their kitchen garbage, but it was rare for regular waste baskets around the house or office to have trash bags. Maybe before recycling was big, the paper would line the cans and keep them neater. But I still can’t believe people spend money to throw it away.
Honestly, when I think I own my own land, I’ll just use the plastic or paper bags I get from the store and use them to line my wastebaskets or feed bags for the kitchen garbage. I don’t produce that much trash, and honestly if I am going to burn the burnable trash, the smaller bags are easier and quicker to chuck in the fire I have out back and burn. With a serious commitment to reduce waste and compost, honestly I think using the small bags you get for free really is a better way to go.
