Burnt-Rossman Hills State Forest, spanning an impressive 10,588 acres, proudly holds the distinction of being Schoharie County’s largest state forest. This natural haven has garnered immense popularity among enthusiasts of outdoor pursuits such as hiking, camping, and various recreational activities.
Traversing a segment of this expansive landscape is the Long Path, a trail adorned with aqua blazes, stretching over 350 miles. Within this forest, the Eminence Lean To stands as a notable point of interest along the Long Path, positioned roughly 0.5 miles to the east of Old Cemetery Road. A crossing of Old Cemetery Road can be spotted just to the south of an ancient burial ground.
Among the captivating features of the forest are the campsites discreetly nestled along Betty Brook Road, as well as the inviting spots found at Duck Pond, situated along Burnt Hill Road.
For those with a penchant for angling and boating, Looking Glass Pond, located along Rossman Hill Road, offers an inviting prospect. This charming pond not only facilitates fishing and boating but also boasts well-maintained fishing platforms courtesy of the Fulton Fish and Game Club.
I was listening to the Assembly debate over the state budget last week and they were debating the All Electric Buildings Act included in the budget. Some Republicans, grasping at straws were claiming that All Electric Buildings would interfere with the religious liberty of the Amish and make it hard for people to have off grid cabins and homes Upstate because wood stoves would be banned.
The thing is that wood is not a fossil fuel.
Wood is not by any means banned under a ban on new homes heated by fossil fuels.
Article 1 of the State Energy Law defines a fossil fuel. Wood in state law is not a fossil fuel. Even if you aren’t aware of the provisions of the state energy law, the ordinary meaning of the words and common law makes it pretty clear that wood is not a fossil fuel.
7. “Fossil fuel” shall mean coal, petroleum products and fuel gases
…..
3. “Coal” shall include bituminuous coal, anthracite coal, and
lignite.
8. “Fuel gases” shall include but not be limited to methane, natural
gas, liquefied natural gas, and manufactured fuel gases.
11. “Petroleum products” shall include all products refined or
rerefined from synthetic or crude oil or oil extracted from other
sources, including natural gas liquids.
17 (b) In addition to the foregoing, to support the goal of zero on-site
18 greenhouse gas emissions and help achieve the state’s clean energy and
19 climate agenda, including but not limited to greenhouse gas reduction
20 requirements set forth within chapter one hundred six of the laws of two
21 thousand nineteen, also known as the New York state climate leadership
22 and community protection act, the code shall prohibit the installation
23 of fossil-fuel equipment and building systems, in any new building not
24 more than seven stories in height, except for a new commercial or indus-
25 trial building greater than one hundred thousand square feet in condi-
26 tioned floor area, on or after December thirty-first, two thousand twen-
27 ty-five, and the code shall prohibit the installation of fossil-fuel
28 equipment and building systems, in all new buildings after December
29 thirty-first, two thousand twenty-eight.
30 7. (a) The provisions set forth in paragraph (b) of subdivision six of
31 this section shall not be construed as applying to buildings existing
32 prior to the effective date of the applicable prohibition, including to:
33 (i) the repair, alteration, addition, relocation, or change of occu-
34 pancy or use of such buildings; and
35 (ii) the installation or continued use and maintenance of fossil-fuel
36 equipment and building systems, including as related to cooking equip-
37 ment, in any such buildings.
38 (b) In addition, in effectuating the provisions set forth in paragraph
39 (b) of subdivision six of this section the code shall include exemptions
40 for the purposes of allowing the installation and use of fossil-fuel
41 equipment and building systems where such are installed and used:
42 (i) for generation of emergency back-up power and standby power
43 systems;
1 agricultural buildings as defined by the council, such exemption shall
2 include provisions that, to the fullest extent feasible, limit the use
3 of fossil-fuel equipment and building systems to the system and area of
4 the building for which a prohibition on fossil-fuel equipment and build-
5 ing systems is infeasible; require the area or service within a new
6 building where fossil-fuel equipment and building systems are installed
7 be electrification ready, except with respect to servicing manufacturing
8 or industrial processes; and minimize emissions from the fossil-fuel
9 equipment and building systems that are allowed to be used, provided
10 that the provisions set forth in this paragraph do not adversely affect
11 health, safety, security, or fire protection. Financial considerations
12 shall not be sufficient basis to determine physical or technical infea-
13 sibility.
14 (d) Exemptions included in the code pursuant to this subdivision shall
15 be periodically reviewed by the state fire prevention and building code
16 council to assure that they continue to effectuate the purposes of
17 subdivision six of this section to the fullest extent feasible.
18 (e) The code shall allow for exemption of a new building construction
19 project that requires an application for new or expanded electric
20 service, pursuant to subdivision one of section thirty-one of the public
21 service law and/or section twelve of the transportation corporations
22 law, when electric service cannot be reasonably provided by the grid as
23 operated by the local electric corporation or municipality pursuant to
24 subdivision one of section sixty-five of the public service law;
25 provided, however, that the public service commission shall determine
26 reasonableness for purposes of this exemption. For the purposes of this
27 paragraph, “grid” shall have the same meaning as electric plant, as
28 defined in subdivision twelve of section two of the public service law.
29 8. For the purposes of this section:
30 (a) “Fossil-fuel equipment and building systems” shall mean (i) equip-
31 ment, as such term is defined in section 11-102 of this article, that
32 uses fossil-fuel for combustion; or (ii) systems, other than items
33 supporting an industrial or commercial process as referred to in the
34 definition of equipment in section 11-102 of the energy law, associated
35 with a building that will be used for or to support the supply, distrib-
36 ution, or delivery of fossil-fuel for any purpose, other than for use by
37 motor vehicles.
38 (b) “Electrification ready” means the new building or portion thereof
39 where fossil-fuel equipment and building systems are allowed to be used
40 which contains electrical systems and designs that provide sufficient
41 capacity for a future replacement of such fossil-fuel equipment and
42 building systems with electric-powered equipment, including but not
43 limited to sufficient space, drainage, electrical conductors or race-
44 ways, bus bar capacity, and overcurrent protective devices for such
45 electric-powered equipment.
I knew I would be low on propane by the end of the weekend but I decided to not get propane on Thursday when I shopped. Come this morning I ran out and cooked breakfast over a bed of coals. It was pretty good, especially now that I’ve been learning to cook and was full of delicious spinach, tofu, peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes and onions topped with feta. No more kids meals for me with greasy sausage and cheddar cheese. Everything tastes better with the smoke of a fire. Plus it gave me a chance to warm by the fire, cooked up the remaining chicken and rice with onions and peppers to make a lunchtime wrap which I will bring on my Catskill Scenic Trail walk from Grand Gorge to Stamfordthis afternoon.
Good morning! Happy Sunday. ⛪ Mostly sunny and 43 degrees at the Burnt-Rossman State Forest. There is a west-southwest breeze at 5 mph. 🍃.
Today is warming up quickly as I lay back in the hammock. 😴 It’s not nearly as breezy as yesterday morning so that helps. Plus it’s a nice sunny morning though I’m not sure how long that will last. I guess it’s a good excuse to hike the Catskill Scenic Trail earlier rather than later. 👣 I’ve done most of it in the autumn, it would be interesting to see how much different it is in the spring. 🌺
Today will have increasing clouds ☀ 👉 ☁, with a high of 66 degrees at 3pm. Three degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical day around May 1st. West wind 5 to 8 mph. A year ago, we had partly cloudy skies in the morning, remaining cloudy in the afternoon. The high last year was 59 degrees. The record high of 92 was set in 1930. 0.2 inches of snow fell back in 1967.❄
Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:55 pm with sun having an altitude of 64.3° from the due south horizon (-6.7° 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 7:25 pm with the sun in the west-northwest (287°). 📸 The sunset is in the west-northwest (294°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 8:04 pm after setting for 3 minutes and 10 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 9:14 pm. At sunset, look for rain 🌧 and temperatures around 58 degrees. There will be a west breeze at 5 mph. Today will have 14 hours and 21 minutes of daytime, an increase of 2 minutes and 20 seconds over yesterday.
Yesterday I hiked 10.7 miles. Kind of a big loop from Burnt Hill Road to the Long Path, past the waterfalls I uploaded the photo 📸 from yesterday, around Looking Glass Pond 🎣 down to Betty Brook, out to CCC Road 2 snowmobile trail 🚶 back up Burnt Hill then back to camp. I didn’t get a real early start yesterday as I wanted to stay out of the woods until after Spring Turkey 🦃 closed for the day at noontime. Plus climbing some of those hills around here can be tiring.
Tonight will rain, mainly between 10pm and 5am. Cloudy 🌧, with a low of 45 degrees at 6am. One degree below normal, which is similar to a typical night around May 6th. West wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Alas it’s probably best I’m heading home after hiking. In 2022, we had partly cloudy skies in the evening, which became mostly clear by the early hours of the morning. It got down to 41 degrees. The record low of 26 occurred back in 1968.
Looking ahead, next Sunday is Mothers Day 👩 when the sun will be setting at 8:12 pm with dusk at 8:43 pm. On that day in 2022, we had partly cloudy, warm, rain showers and temperatures between 84 and 66 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 71 degrees. We hit a record high of 93 back in 1900.
Made it to the May camping trip, the first quote unquote summer camping season. The black flies are swarming but as far as I can tell they aren’t biting. I’m glad I’m not getting eaten alive in the Adirondacks and truth be told it’s a lot quieter than camping on NY 8 East Branch Sacandaga River with all the road traffic.
Kind of a chilly start to the weekend, especially with the wind. Mostly sunny and 47 degrees at the Burnt-Rossman State Forest. There is a northwest breeze at 6 mph. 🍃.
I kind of played hookie and snuck out of work at 1 pm on Friday, that is with the big directors permission, ⛺ I wanted to get up to camp early so I could ensure I could get the Duck Pond campsite which sometimes is taken, and then have time to do some hiking before dark. Plus I had the time I would otherwise loose come next Wednesday so I made the leap.
I managed to forget my day pack 🎒 at home. I realized it yesterday when I was in Middleburgh. What to use for hiking to have food and carrying water? 💦 I figured out a chair bag would work for that slung over my shoulder. It looks a bit odd but works okay. I think I need to update my packing list – things have changed but my packing list hasn’t kept up with the changes. 📃
Today will be sunny 🌞, with a high of 63 degrees at 5pm. Five degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical day around April 24th. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph. A year ago, we had mostly sunny skies. The high last year was 63 degrees. The record high of 89 was set in 1930. There was a dusting of snow in 1994.❄
Black flies are out and swarming 🐜 but they aren’t biting. If it’s anything like yesterday, get into the darker parts of the woods away from water or come dusk they’ll be gone. I’m sure it would be worse in the Adirondacks.
But regardless it’s a nice morning. 🌅 I woke up at six o’clock like usual but decided after peeing to get some more sleep. Then it was coffee ☕ and oatmeal – banana pancake 🥞 mix topped with blueberries. Going to read 📖 and listen to a podcast until around 10:30 then start a road hike, heading back to the woods 🌲🌳 after spring turkey 🦃 closes at noontime. I want to check out the Rossman Hill Leanto and Looking Glass Pond 🎣 and then maybe head down to Panther Hollow along the Long Path.
Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:55 pm with sun having an altitude of 64° from the due south horizon (-6.9° 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 7:24 pm with the sun in the west-northwest (287°). 📸
Hsd a loose connection on the inverter last night 🔋 which kept it tripping out due to under voltage. Tightened it up and now it seems great. After all these years I’m really figuring out the system working out all the bugs. 🐛 That said, I’m already considering what I might do different on a future truck. 🛻 I was thinking about how much I miss having the little truck for navigating the back roads – I’m always careful about where I take Big Red as he’s tough to navigate on the narrow roads and sways a lot on the rough roads which I don’t want to break my big expensive truck on.
The sunset is in the west-northwest (294°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 8:03 pm after setting for 3 minutes and 9 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 9:13 pm. At sunset, look for mostly clear skies 🌄 and temperatures around 55 degrees. There will be a west-northwest breeze at 7 mph. Today will have 14 hours and 19 minutes of daytime, an increase of 2 minutes and 21 seconds over yesterday.
When I get back I want to do a wrap 🌯 with chicken 🐔 rice 🍚 tomato 🍅 and fresh spinach. Maybe include some tofu, mushrooms 🍄 and hot sauce. Already my mouth is watering. 😋 I was going to go that last night but I ended up doing fish with asparagus and tomato 🍅. Also good. Next time I might bring more beer 🍻 and I might get a small package of cookies. 🍪 I’m really trying to improve my diet but I think I can make exceptions in moderation especially if I’m planning a high activity day. 🦵That said in general I’m not going back on my now healthier and often more delicious eating habits.
Tonight will be mostly clear 🌃, with a low of 39 degrees at 5am. Six degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical night around April 21st. Southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. 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 45 degrees. The record low of 29 occurred back in 1874.
Last night I did a nice hike 👣 down into Cole Hollow along the Long Path. Strangely enough I had never done much hiking down there. That Cole Hollow campsite ⛺ is pretty nice, I should keep it in mind especially if I’m going to Mine Kill Pool or planning to bicycle 🚲 ride in the Schoharie Valley. I feel like I could potentially ride right from there as the elevation is relatively low. Deep hollow though, no cell service or likely much radio service. Kind of like Betty Brook.
Too bad it was so cloudy yesterday night for the full 🌕 moon. It cleared out late but not until very late when I was in bed for the night. Maybe I can enjoy the moonlight tonight. I do enjoy how much quieter it is up here compared to what it would be on NY 8. Plus far less black flies, or maybe not they were really swarming last night when the sun was still up. It’s May everywhere.
Trying to upload some pictures this morning 📸 but the internet up here is a bit temperamental though at least I now have a card reader that allows me to upload photos taken by my good camera on the phone. 📱 But even that is a bit tricky as my phone doesn’t like the uppercase JPG extensions which force me to rename the files 📂 before I can even preview them on my phone.
Looking ahead, there are 7 weeks until Latest Sunset 🌆 when the sun will be setting at 8:40 pm with dusk at 9:13 pm. On that day in 2022, we had partly cloudy and temperatures between 86 and 61 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 82 degrees. We hit a record high of 96 back in 1943.
