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.
With the time change next weekend the sun will be setting much earlier until March. But at least for a while the mornings won’t be quite as dark.
Upcoming Sunsets:
5:45 pm sunset – Friday, November 4 Standard Time Begins – Sunset on Sunday, November 6 is at 4:43 pm
4:30 pm sunset – Sunday, November 20 Earliest Sunset – Saturday, December 10 at 4:23 pm
4:30 pm sunset – Monday, December 26
4:45 pm sunset – Wednesday, January 11
5:00 pm sunset – Tuesday, January 24
5:15 pm sunset – Saturday, February 4
5:30 pm sunset – Thursday, February 16
5:45 pm sunset – Tuesday, February 28
7:00 pm sunset – Sunday, March 12
Look at that warming trend come next week. And that might be under estimating how warm it could actually get come closer to Election Day and the Lunar Eclipse.
Today. Feels like …
November 1st.
Partly sunny.
North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
and
55 degrees
,
5:55
sunset.
Tonight. Feels like …
November 23rd.
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear.
Calm wind.
and
29 degrees
,
7:24
sunrise.
Saturday. Feels like …
October 17th.
Sunny.
Calm wind.
and
61 degrees
,36 max dew point,
5:53
sunset.
Saturday Night. Feels like …
November 17th.
Mostly clear.
Calm wind.
and
31 degrees
,
7:25
sunrise.
Sunday. Feels like …
October 14th.
Mostly sunny.
Light and variable wind.
and
62 degrees
,41 max dew point,
5:52
sunset.
Sunday Night. Feels like …
October 4th.
A slight chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy.
I woke up feeling sick as a dog with a migraine and really stuffy. Bad cold going around the office but it seems to last only about a day so hopefully by tomorrow I’ll be feeling better. I have my camping gear packed but I doubt I’ll feel good enough to camp.
Partly cloudy and 44 degrees in Delmar. ⛅ There is a north breeze at 5 mph. 🍃. Temperatures will drop below freezing at tonight around 4 am. ☃️
Night before dawn is 6 hours and 54 minutes, Dawn starts at 6:54 am and runs for 27 minutes, Sunrise is at 7:21 am which is 4 hours and 38 minutes before noon, High noon, the transit of the sun, is at 12:39 pm, From twelve noon to the sunset at 5:56 pm is 5 hours and 56 minutes, Dusk lasts for 32 minutes concluding at 6:24 pm, Leaving 5 hours and 35 minutes until midnight.
Mild but breezy this morning. Missed the time to leave for the express bus by a minute so going to take the later express in. Not sure if I will get my steps in today but I’m okay if it doesn’t happen I did it yesterday. Maybe I’ll figure a way to get steps in midday but probably not as I have a meeting.
Partly sunny and 52 degrees in Delmar, NY. ☁️ Breezy, ️16 mph breeze from the west-northwest 🌬 with gusts up to 31 mph 💨💨💨. The dew point is 45 degrees. Temperatures will drop below freezing at tomorrow around 5 am. ☃️ That will probably drop off the last of the leaves at this point.
I was up early ⏰ but that did not translate into catching the earlier express downtown. In two weeks with the time change mornings will be easier but still rather cold. Maybe at least I’ll still do my evening walk 🚶. Not going to be as delightfully warm today as the past two days but no rain today and more sun.
I went to the store 🏬 and stocked up my pantry for getting out of town this weekend. I have some plans but they are limited with my work needs. Also I filled the water container and got things ready to pack tonight, as I need to leave fairly early so I can be set up by 9 AM wherever I end up going for the weekend.
Then more sun and nice heading into the week, but not as warm. But no complaints, it’s the last week of October. The sun will be nice. Actually most of the past October weekends have been quite nice, but I’ve been busy so I’ve had to stay home a lot of them, but maybe this is one to get out and explore.
Today. Feels like … September 26th.
Patchy drizzle with a slight chance of showers before 10am, then a chance of showers after 10am. Mostly cloudy.
South wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
and
70 degrees
,64 max dew point,
5:57 sunset.
Tonight. Feels like … September 19th.
A slight chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy.
South wind 5 to 7 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
