But I can’t imagine there are many wealthy people who live in New York for the low taxes. I really can’t think of a single person I know who chooses to live in New York for the low taxes — wealthy or otherwise. People live in New York for the unique accommodations in New York City, or even the things available in Upstate New York.
Sure you can live in Kansas or Idaho and pay a ton less in taxes, and that’s really good if your a homesteader, or want to farm. If cows are your thing and don’t already own land or have local family connections, then great. But not so good if you want to go to five star restaurants, Broadway shows or all the the high-end accommodations only available in a major metropolitan region. If you relatives and business partners all live in New York, then your kind of screwed if you go anywhere else. And taxes are based on the number of days you spend in New York — so if your commuting in from other state or have a vacation home in New York — you’ll still pay.
So I think it’s kind of silly argument to be opposed to the wealthy paying a bit more, just so that we can provide a good education to students or healthcare to seniors.
You know, I do think a carrying capacity study would be worthwhile for the Adirondacks, especially in context of new UMPs. I think it’s worthwhile to consider inducted when adding new facilities and expanding or improving existing ones. Often I see that as a topic that is glanced over with UMP documents.
That said, truth be told I don’t follow them as carefully as I once did because it’s not my issue, and I’m less invested in New York State then I once was with other places to go and no long term plans to stay forever. There are other wild lands in other parts of country.
The other day when I was walking up Ravine Road I passed that off grid homestead where they live in a trailer… 🏡
Well actually a mobile home is the proper term for these low cost, usually low income form of housing commonly seen in rural communities. They are kind of looked down upon, kind of seen as a home for people who can’t afford better. Most have very little residual value, much of their value isn’t the trailer but the land they reside upon.
So what exactly is a mobile home?
Typically it’s a prefabricated structure with a rectangular steel steel base where wheels are initially mountained on for towing, with 2×6 wooden floor joists and 2×4 wall joists. The walls are typically insulated with fiberglass insulation like most houses, although often thinner than code requires for modern houses.
The outside is weatherized with a plastic vapor barrier and then protected from the elements by thin aluminum sheeting that is nailed onto the beams and caulked to prevent water intrusion. The inside typically uses thin sheets of lightweight and thin pressed board made of wood chips and a binder material, some of which is covered by plastic resin to improve its waterproof nature. Appliances and plumbing are typically lighter weight to reduce the weight when towing onto the site and compensate for the smaller footprint of the building.
The problems that mobile homes face is multi-fold. One is the structure is lightweight and it can be difficult to upgrade to heavier materials like sheet rock or hardwood flooring can poses excessive weight on the floor joists, requiring extensive bracing to the ground. Insulation is another issue, as the thin beams don’t allow for the thicker insulation called for in the building codes for more modern buildings.
Why would I consider it?
Money is a big reason and what properties are available. I’d rather have more land and less house. 40 acres and a junk trailer beats 2 acres and a fancy suburbanite house. An off grid cabin, made from wood or more durable material would be better but sometimes that’s not an option. A junkey old trailer could be demolished with useful parts salvaged for other purposes.
Why might I not consider it?
Getting rid of a nasty old structure can be a lot of work. Even if you can burn a lot of the debris, scrap the metal pieces, your still left with a lot of junk that doesn’t burn that has to hauled off to the landfill or used as back fill on your property. Moreover, some of that rubber and plastic stuff used in mobile homes is really nasty to burn even if you are in a fairly unregulated area that let’s you burn what you want after notifying the fire department. It might seem like a good deal on paper but how good of a deal really is it?
Honestly though…
The videos on YouTube are quite fascinating to watch on this topic. While I certainly grew up in rural area where a lot of people lived in trailers I didn’t know much about the structures and the tear downs, repairs and demolitions on YouTube are fascinating – along with learning how all the different materials go together are used and interact in the structures.
In early April, the Pine Hollow Arboretum in Slingerlands begins its slow, beautiful awakening from winter. As you walk the grassy trails, you’ll likely see the very first signs of spring like the delicate pink and white Cyclamen coum (Eastern sowbread) near the front pond.
Low to the ground, early bloomers like snowdrops and colorful crocuses often peek through the last of the leaf litter. You may also spot the bright yellow of daffodils and witch hazel beginning to pop against the gray, cloud-filled sky. Higher up, the buds of magnolias and ornamental cherries are just starting to swell, promising a full palette of spring color in the weeks to come.
The air is soft, a gentle breath, Through Pine Hollow’s quiet halls, Where winter slowly yields to light And the muted shadow falls.
Beneath the boughs, the earth awakes— A stir in the damp, dark mold— Where snowdrops hang their daring white And crocus cups unfold.
The towering pines stand watch in green, While gray clouds crowd the sky, Drifting in on a mild spring breeze As the afternoon slips by.
The daffodil lifts a yellow horn To the mist that’s rolling in, While cyclamen in shades of rose Make the spring’s first song begin.
Nearby the pond, the witch hazel fades, Its golden ribbons spent, As magnolia buds, tight and round, Wait for the sun’s consent.
The world is held in silver light, Twixt the sleeping and the seen, Walking where the spring begins In the spaces in between.
I’ve been spending some time in the cab of my new 2026 SuperDuty lately, just dialing everything in. It’s a work truck, so it’s basic where it counts, but still packed with enough tech to keep things interesting. There’s a certain satisfaction in just sitting there, adjusting the mirrors, and getting a feel for the rig.
Since I drove it home from the dealer—stopping only for a quick hike at Peebles Island—it’s stayed parked. I’m not in a rush to put pointless miles on it. The fuel economy is about what you’d expect for a heavy-duty truck, and I see no reason to burn $4-a-gallon gas just to hit the supermarket when I can ride my bike. I didn’t buy this to warm the planet on grocery runs; I bought it for the long haul and the real adventures.
Getting this deal done was a grind. I had to use every bit of leverage and industry knowledge I had to make sure I got a heavy-duty truck that should last me the next fifteen years. Between the research and the back-and-forth, I swear I’ve earned a few more gray hairs these past few weeks.
In the end, I got exactly what I was after: a no-frills workhorse with the bones for off-roading and camping. Once the truck cap is on and the solar and batteries are wired up, it’ll be a proper rig. I walked away with the title for under $60k cash—no monthly payments, no high-trim nonsense. Now it’s just fuel, insurance, and maintenance.
I’m damn happy with the choice. This truck isn’t a status symbol; it’s a tool I paid for with years of disciplined saving and investing. I’m going to be deliberate with how I use it—saving the engine for the backcountry, trips to see my folks in the country, or reaching those remote preserves where a bike or a bus won’t cut it.
It was the comedian and sometimes political comenator that once P.J O’Rouke who described the Democratic Party as being a “Bunch of Fun Suckers”. Democrats generally advocate policies that are anti-fun, usually to save small children or the whales. They want new restrictions on what people can do — how fast they can drive, how much they can drink, and even more odiously, what they can drive, or what they can eat.
In contrast are the Republicans. Most good Republicans don’t really care what you eat or drive, or how fast you drive, or if you drink and drive. That said, Republicans are what Mario Cuomo once called the “Big Mean”. They are big and mean to people. They’re anti-welfare, and generally against people who are working class folks. They don’t like taxes, especially if they hit the rich, but watch out working folks, as they probably don’t care that much for you either.
The reality is neither party offers wonderful options. You get to choose between screwed by left or the right. You end up chosing the best of two bad options.
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