I’ve been exploring up in this area since I got a car out of High School. I was always struck by the beauty, long before I could ever know this would become forever preserved at State Forest. I do hope the state does brush hog at least some of it in the coming years so it can remain open and keep the fantastic views of the Catskills.
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Where I envision federalism going
I am a believer in federalism. States should have wide latitude in setting policy, while the federal government only gets involved when there is a clear relationship in interstate commerce and to allow the safe passage of citizens and goods through different states. The federal government should educate people on local laws and what is permitted and not allowed in local jurisdictions so people can make informed decisions about where to live.
Right now the system is broken. The federal government regulates too many things that really have a deal minis impact outside of state borders. For example, recreational drugs, firearms, abortion. On the other hand, the federal government does too little to protect citizens who are traveling out of state for non residency purposes from local prosecution under local laws for transporting something locally illegal. There are some fixes to this like the federal commerce in firearms laws but not enough.
Politicians want to believe this will lead to a race to the bottom. After all, the idea is people will travel to a different state to preform an act locally illegal. Good for them. Go to the state that suits your values. Travel to that other state to gamble, smoke, buy a gun or get an abortion. But don’t bring the smiles back to a prohibited state or get an abortion there. Or risk serious punishment.
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It’s all too beautiful
There is nothing quite like a trip through the woods just a bit high. Not stoned or baked, just high enough that the colors are ever so slightly enhanced, the woods has a bit more sparkling as you observe the shadows, the chipmunks, the sparkling trees and the hints of autumn all around you.
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Looking at the houses, trailer and farm on Dutton Ridge
Deep rural living. I wonder what’s its like living in such a place, high on the ridge so far away from the city. How people make a living in such remote but prestine country. And I’m but a little bit jealous of a dream I can’t have. But I’m reminded it’s still New York State and not the land of milk and honey. With the gun and fire restrictions but at least we have legal pot. But does anybody care in such remote country.
Watching as a hawk flies overhead. Studying the green of the remote hills. I’m reminded of the time I got my truck stuck in a mud wallow up on Dutton Ridge. That was quite a time even if was some fifteen or twenty years ago when I used to explore a lot more. Now I drive less, spend more time sitting and just observing the lands from a high ridge. Listening to Cream.
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Own a bicycle it will be great 🚲
I wasn’t wrong when I hesitated to buy a bicycle, knowing the inevitable range of parts it would need, the ongoing costs and visits to the repair shop. The necessary downtime for repairs. I try to be easy on my toys but I concede I do ride a lot of miles, especially commuting, and it’s a mountain bike so it does see some rougher terrain like trails and dirt roads but I try to keep it to reasonable terrain and speed. And I’m trying to keep up with the maintenance program.
But it’s a lot of work to keep stuff up and operating smoothly. I probably need to learn to wrench more of my stuff properly but its tough to know what tools I need, the right amount of torque to apply and into what is proper direction. Now I get there are places to learn these skills – be it the bike rescue or YouTube or books. But that takes time and frustration with so much conflicting advice out there.
Material things are really just a recipe for heart break. They may look fun, provide good experiences in the short run but rarely do they last very long before needing hauling to the local dumping grounds. Experiences is what matters but you need things for experiences. Many people do good with second hand things and keep them running for a long time smoothly but I find that very hard to do.