I believed the initial snow depth estimates and the forecast for cold winds, snow squalls and cloudy nasty weather. But then the snow estimates were revised down and the forecast improved. And it was a clear but cold morning.

Never did go for that morning bike ride 🚳 instead packing to head north. For just two nights now but that’s fine, Friday was fine to just hang out and spend time studying computer 🖥️ programming. I mean I should have headed north on Friday, maybe including a nice hike on the way but the issue was that I thought there would be a ton of snow 🌨️, I would be driving north in the snow and I’d have to hot tent. 🎪 And I didn’t really feel like setting up a tent, digging out a campsite. I realized when I got on the Thruway I forgot my sled 🛷 fir dragging gear back to camp but fortunately not a lot of snow 🌨️ so I didn’t need it. I’d say five inches of the white stuff.

Two nights 🌃 is probably long enough in this cold. It’s sunny this morning and pretty but let’s be honest it’s cold. 🚲 I will probably go for a ride midday but most likely a lot of the day will be spent by the heater ♨️ staying warm. Also it can be tricky keeping enough power on the batteries in the cold. 🔋 Solar power is limited this time of year ☀️, there is only so much sun. I can and will idle the truck for power but it’s not great on the old engine but I need to assure sufficient power. True I could have just stayed home with a book 📙 or YouTube – I’m doing a lot of that today but it’s nice to get away to the wilderness for at least a few days.

Tomorrow I might go back to the Hudson River Special Area to explore 🏞️ or maybe the Scandaga River State Campground just to walk around an explore. I am not sure. 🚲 Today I’ll gather firewood 🪵, then maybe ride along NY 8 and take a hike to the overlook along the East Branch Scandaga.  It’s pretty cold.