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.
Okay, maybe a bit too soon to be thinking autumn, but the humidity and heat should be dialed back come the weekend. Should be a nice one for taking the Nature Bus to Thacher Park and hiking around there.
Today. Feels like … August 3rd.
Mostly sunny.
Light north wind.
and
83 degrees
,63 max dew point,
8:05 sunset.
Tonight. Feels like … July 15th.
Partly cloudy.
Calm wind.
and
63 degrees
,63 max dew point,
5:56 sunrise.
Thursday. Hot !
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny.
Calm wind becoming northwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Good morning! What day is it? Hump Day, of course.
Halfway through the work-week. Honest, it feels like it’s going by quickly but alas it’s five day work week, so still a few days left to go. But I’m sure the weekend will arrive, it always does.
Partly cloudy and 66 degrees in Albany, NY. ⛅ Calm wind. The dew point is around 62 degrees.
Maybe that’s wishful thinking, but it seems like occasional thunderstorms do help cool things down. Not as hot this evening, and then heading to the weekend, much more pleasant weather returns as the heatwave breaks.
Today. Muggy !
Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 3pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Partly sunny.
South wind 7 to 13 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
and
87 degrees
,74 max dew point,
8:07 sunset.
Tonight. Feels like … July 31st.
Partly cloudy.
Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight.
and
62 degrees
,65 max dew point,
5:55 sunrise.
Wednesday. Feels like … July 15th.
Mostly sunny.
Light northwest wind.
and
84 degrees
,63 max dew point,
8:05 sunset.
Wednesday Night. Feels like … July 15th.
Partly cloudy.
Calm wind.
and
63 degrees
,63 max dew point,
5:56 sunrise.
Thursday. Hot !
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny.
Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Busy, busy, busy this morning. I was up this morning editing and researchinga memofor work, it never stops.
Partly cloudy and 78 degrees in Bethlehem, NY. ⛅ Not much of a breeze this morning. 🍃. The dew point is 72 degrees. Already hot and muggy at this hour.
Went to the laundromat and grocery store last night. 🛒 I have what I need for the week now but would like to wash my truck before the weekend. 🛻
Things these days are just so busy at work. 🗒 The pile of things just got larger at work while I was gone. With the heat and humidity I haven’t done very good at getting my steps 👣 in since getting back home. Plus I haven’t been feeling well at all. It really is a combination of it all.
Maybe I do wish it was more then just a loose lug nut on my truck, and I was still stuck back in Ithaca. Actually I don’t, because of the cost of a hotel and having to get my truck fixed, and alas I’m catching the bus downtown, stumbling my way to work.
Partly sunny and 74 degrees in Delmar, NY. ⛅ Light southerly wind. The dew point is 71 degrees. The muggy weather ends Friday around 3 am. 😓 The breeze actually helps keeps it a bit cooler, though come this afternoon it will be hot and muggy again.
Well, yesterday was quite the adventure getting back home. 🏘 Saturday evening as I was pulling up to the Watkins Glen Pool, I started to hear a sqweak-clunk, not super loud at first but noticable as I rolled down into in the parking for the pool.
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