Areas with non attainment have emissions inspections but other areas often emissions equipment is clunky and works rather poorly. Automakers lobby for one standard but the problem is that one standard wastes fuel, reliability and performance in areas when the equipment is not neccesary.
There was a time when PHP was my go to language for everything
Sure, I used other languages – Javascript, Python, C and even C++ but I really liked PHP for there being so many libraries and it being so easy to tie into web apps.
Python was fine but it was something that I used when choices were limited – like for QGIS scripting and automation. Then over summer vacation I got that book out of the library about data science and discovered the benefits of an interactive intrepter with Jupyter. Python’s data frames model with pandas is quite powerful. I enjoy working with them. But I also found matplotlib, the graphing and mapping libraries for Python to be often lacking when trying to output quality, professional looking graphics.
I heard a lot of good things about R so I decided to take it up last autumn, and I haven’t looked back…
R has a werid syntax but the pipe model that can be used throughout is incredibly powerful and ggplot2 with only a little bit of tweaking makes amazing graphs and maps that look like they came out of a professional GIS program. Things I used to do in QGIS, I’m increasingly doing with the R programming language and I even converting a lot of my PHP and Python code now over to R. I am really hooked on this language after struggling with it a bit at first.
I really should think about exploring the Hammond Pond Area … 🌲🚶
I rarely get up that way in the Adirondacks because I don’t like driving on the Adirondack Northway, but there could be a lot to explore up that way, even if they’re isn’t the roadside camping nearby — unless I head back along Boreas Road and camp at one of sites along Boreas Road or NY 28N. That might actually be fun and hike the Roosevelt Truck Trail the next day.
Back in 2020, I hiked back to Hammond Pond. While I was there, I thought it looks interesting to hike back to Berrymill Flow and Moose Mountain Pond. I could stay at the lean-to there or in my hammock overnight. None of those hikes look particularly strenuous, and I think because they’re not mountain tops and are in remote country, they’re probably not super popular either. I would like to spend more time in the remote country, and with my rechargable lantern and battery pack, I probably wouldn’t need a big heavy lantern, and during the summer months could pack lightly, possibly without a big heavy pack frame — or at least not so heavily weighted down.
Well shit, we are full of it!
Although repulsive to consider, the truth is we’re constantly consuming food that’s laced with traces of feces, mostly from other humans. As soon as you accept that reality, you will realize that proper hygiene is the key to food safety.
~ From Butchering Poultry, Rabbit, Lamb, Goat and Pork by Adam Danforth
Dark Age Ahead
I read this Jane Jacobs book a few years back. I am starting to think she is right about the decay and rot that is creeping into contemporary society.
The following is a summary of Jacobs’ description of the decay in each area.
Community and Family
People are increasingly choosing consumerism over family welfare, that is: consumption over fertility; debt over family budget discipline; fiscal advantage to oneself at the expense of community welfare.Higher Education
Universities are more interested in credentials than providing high quality education.Bad Science
Elevation of economics as the main “science” to consider in making major political decisions.Bad Government
Governments are more interested in deep-pocket interest groups than the welfare of the population.Bad Culture
A culture that prevents people from understanding the deterioration of fundamental physical resources on which the entire community depends.
But then again, if was sitting in the same seat in fifty years ago, the decay probably would have looked even worse — things weren’t exactly looking up when you looked out in the window of the world in 1969 with the Vietnam War underway, crime and inflation creeping in, and the wheels just about ready to come off the economy as the world plunged into the 1970s.
And she makes a still very valid point when it comes to ideology:
Overall, Jacobs argued that the very concept of “ideology” is fundamentally flawed and detrimental to both individuals and societies, no matter what side of the political spectrum an ideology comes from. By relying on ideals, she claimed people become unable to think and evaluate problems and solutions by themselves, but simply fall back on their beliefs for “pre-fabricated answers” to any problem they encounter.
Camping Areas in Southern Adirondacks
Camping Areas in Southern Adirondacks ⛺
East Branch of Sacanadaga River, NY 8 – Roughly 10 campsites along NY 8. These are easily accessed throughout the year, as the road is plowed except when the snow banks are high during the winter. East Branch is not good for fishing due to wide variance in water levels, however there are some nice pools in sections of river for summer swimming. Lots of road noise. Some of the sites have cell service. Nearby locations include Cod Pond, East Branch Trail and Kibby Pond Trail.
Edick Road – There are a handful of very hidden campsites off of Edick Road. This road may be closed to vehicles due to wash outs autumn 2019, but worth a walk to explore this area.
Fawn Lake – A 1/2 mile hike back to a scenic lake ringed by primitive campsites outside of Lake Pleasant. Two miles beyond it is the scenic Willis Vly, which doesn’t have developed campsites but it’s remote wilderness where you might see a Moose or other wildlife.
Garnet Lake – Tent sites, some with drive-up access along the lake. No cell service, much of the upper road here is not maintained in the winter. Popular in the summer, no cell service.
Good Luck Lake – Scenic lake off of the West Branch Sacanadaga River that is ringed with tent sites that can be walked in from the Good Luck Lake parking area area or paddled in.
Hope Falls Road – Two or three campsites along the end of Hope Falls Road, some are drive-in only tent sites. Near the Tenant Creek Falls Trail. No cell service. Open June to autumn snowfall.
Harrisburg Road – There is a set of very rustic designated campsites along the rough Harrisburg Road past Harrisburg Lake. Somewhat near Crane Mountain, a couple mile hike to and Wilcox Lake. No cell service.
Lester Flow and Cheney Pond – Scenic lake that is popular for paddling. The 1/2 mile road down from Boreas Road as of June 2020 is closed due to washouts. Tent sites exist along the lake, along with one drive-to site on the road down there.
Mason Lake – Small lake located about 10 miles north of Speculator and 5 miles south of Lewey Lake that has several tent and drive-in campsites along it’s shore. Good to fair cell service here. Nice to hear loons, one of the best bass ponds in the area.
North Lake Reservoir – There are roughly 15 campsites on the east shore of North Lake Reservoir. Popular place in the summer, regularly staffed by conservation students. Noise from motorboats. No cell service. Nice if you want to camp right on water, hear loons at night..
Northwood Club Road – In Minerva, this road crosses the Boreas River and has several roadside campsites, and passes by Huntley Pond, the NL Tahawus Railroad (which can be hiked to the Boreas River at Hudson River), and the Blue Ledges on the Hudson tailhead.
Perkins Clearing – Conservation easement lands. Good to fair cell service here. Great place for hunting and wildlife observation as it’s mixed timber country. Near Mason Lake, Speculator, Pillsbury Mountain and Cedar Lakes.
Piseco-Powley Road – A dozen campsites along a 13 mile road with short hikes including Big Alderbed, House Pond, Sand Lake and the popular Potholers/Brayhouse Brook waterfall for swimming. As of June 2020, road is closed in Stratford/Fulton County portion, road is open north of Potholers/Brayhouse Brook (access via Piseco). Very limited cell service here.
Pumpkin Hollow Road – Three campsites above Willis Lake. Remote country except for the site on Willis Lake, no cell service. On the Willis – Wilcox Lake Trail. Very quiet area. Open June to autumn snowfall. No cell service here.
Rockwood State Forest – Three campsites along the end of Church Road which can be accessed by driving past the cemetery in the hamlet. Scenic lake, good fishing. Cell service available, but bring a trash bucket and gloves as litter can be a problem. Nice trails to stroll around in the old Rockwood Estate.
Stewart Landing – There are four campsites on a rough road that loops off of Stewart Landing Road. Popular area in the summer, Canada Lake is great for paddling and informal swimming. Also consider hiking back to Hilderbrandt Vly and Glassgow Lake from here. Moderate to poor cell service here.
Vanderwhacker Road -Five or six campsites exist along Vanderwhacker Road, which can be muddy in the spring and icy in late autumn. Additional designates campsites exist near where NY 28N crosses the Vanderwhacker River. Near the trail to the Vanderwhacker Firetower, No cell service.
White House, Wells – A grouping of 5 or 6 campsites at the end of White House in West River Road. Scenic area, old camp, with fields and a chimney. Campsites are kind of close together, not a wilderness experience. Near the North Country Placid Trail, lots of blueberries in mid-summer. No cell service. Open June to autumn snowfall.
Woodhull Lake Reservoir – Off of NY 28 in McKeevers, about 10 miles south of Old Forge. Not only is this beautiful reservoir to paddle, there are some campsites along the shore, with drive-to campsites along Wolf Lake Landing Road which leads to it. Part of Wolf Lake Landing Road is erroded, but other parts are fresh stone-dust. It’s remote wilderness but there good cell service in mcuh of the area.
Campsite Five or Seven
Camping during shoulder season in the Adirondacks on the East Branch Sacandaga River that’s something I frequently debate about. This time, like many I checked out both sites before settling on Campsite 5 close to the old Fox Lair Camp.
Campsite 5 Pros
- More protected from the wind with higher trees
- More screening from the road
- Driveway to the road is downhill, so less likely to get stuck in deep snow
- Near Fox Lair and East Branch Trail
- Outhouse
- Nice swimming hole across the way
- Good firewood supply, especially if hunters leave left over wood
Campsite 5 Cons
- Trees tend to shade out solar power
- No cell service
Campsite 7 Pros
- Good solar exposure for camp solar power
- Limited cell service at times
- Near Cod Pond and the trail back along Stewart Creek
Campsite 7 Cons
- Driveway is flat, winding, greater chance of trees coming down blocking it
- Not as private as campsite 5
- More road noise
