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March 3, 2023 Morning

Good morning! Yeah, it’s Friday! Partly clear 🌅 and 27 degrees for the morning walk 🚶. There is a north-northwest breeze at 8 mph. 🍃. There is a inch of snow on the ground. ☃ ️Things will start to thaw out at around 10 am. 🌡️In preparation for the next snow storm which is unfortunately coming on a Saturday when I like to walk 👣 out to Five Rivers.

Not the worse morning ever 🌄but I’m well aware it’s still early March and it will only get warmer through July. It’s March and we might still get some final gasps of winter but it can’t hold out for long.

Mornings are noticeably brighter now 🔆 that is when the sun is shinning. That said it’s right in my eyes 👀 on the Delmar bypass which is obnoxious. It only gets worse come spring though in a little over a week things will be dark unless I push my morning walk back to 6:45 which I might have to for a few weeks. 🐦 I can hear the Red Winged black birds out so that’s a sign of spring 🌸.

Today will have increasing clouds ☁, with a high of 39 degrees at 2pm. Two degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical day around February 27th. North wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable. A year ago, we had cloudy skies in the morning with more sun in the afternoon. The high last year was 43 degrees. The record high of 64 was set in 2002. 10.9 inches of snow fell back in 1994.❄

Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:08 pm with sun having an altitude of 40.5° from the due south horizon (-30.3° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 7 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 5:09 pm with the sun in the west-southwest (255°). 📸

The sunset is in the west (262°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 5:47 pm after setting for 2 minutes and 56 seconds with dusk around 6:15 pm, which is one minute and 13 seconds later than yesterday. 🌇 At dusk you’ll see the Full 🌝 Moon in the east (97°) at an altitude of 45° from the horizon, 252,255 miles away. 🚀 The best time to look at the stars is after 6:48 pm. At sunset, look for rain 🌧 and temperatures around 37 degrees. There will be a east-northeast breeze at 5 mph. Today will have 11 hours and 22 minutes of daytime, an increase of 2 minutes and 51 seconds over yesterday.

Tonight will rain and snow, possibly mixed with sleet before 2am, then snow, possibly mixed with sleet. The snow could be heavy at times. Low of 32 degrees at 12am. Nine degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical night around March 30th. East wind 6 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow and sleet accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible. 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 22 degrees. The record low of -20 occurred back in 1950.

Back in 1972, an airplane crashes in suburban Albany, off Holmesdale Ave in Albany (near Colvin Avenue and Washington Ave). Regional Carrier, 🛬 Mohawk Airlines Flight 405 crashes as a result of a control malfunction and insufficient training in emergency procedures. Also today in 1873, U.S. Congress enacts the Comstock Law, making it illegal to send any “obscene, lewd, or lascivious” books through the mail. 🧑‍⚖️ 150 years later, all the pornography is on the evening news. 📰 And in 1991, an amateur video captures the beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles police officers.

Tomorrow will rain, possibly mixed with snow. The snow could be heavy at times. 🌧 High of 37 degrees at 2pm. Three degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical day around February 24th. North wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. A year ago, we had cloudy skies in the morning with more sun in the afternoon. The high last year was 36 degrees. The record high of 59 was set in 1919. 8.3 inches of snow fell back in 1971.❄

Looking ahead to Sunday, partly sunny, ☀ with a high near 42. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph. That will be tough on the snow. I’m good with that fact though, I’m not that big of a fan of winter especially needing new skis 🎿 come next year. Typical average high for the weekend is 41 degrees.

Looking ahead, there are 2 weeks until St. Patrick’s Day 🍀 when the sun will be setting at 7:05 pm with dusk at 7:31 pm (Daylight Savings Time). On that day in 2022, we had cloudy and temperatures between 45 and 28 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 45 degrees. We hit a record high of 75 back in 1990.

February 21, 2023 Night

Good evening! Cloudy and 38 degrees on this Tuesday evening for the walk. 🌥 There is a west-northwest breeze at 14 mph. 🍃. They were talking about rain but I haven’t gotten wet yet. Did rain a bit earlier looking out my office window.

It was a busy day at work 🏢 followed by a busy day of projects at home. But I managed to get in more than 17k steps today. You get the steps in early then there are more opportunities to get steps in later in the day. 👣

Tonight will have a slight chance of rain showers, mixing with snow after 9pm, then gradually ending. Partly cloudy 🌧, with a low of 29llgl degrees at 6am. 10 degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical night around March 24th. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. In 2022, we had clear skies in the evening, which became cloudy by the early hours of the morning. It got down to 19 degrees. The record low of -08 occurred back in 1963.

I was surprised to open my mail 📮 and see the State Board of Elections sent me the Albany County Voter File on a DVD 📀. Didn’t charge for it either. I had assumed that it would be a drop box link 🔗 to download. Of course it’s a bit of a problem as my computer no longer had a DVD player installed as my other hard drive is there. I didn’t know people used DVDs with bandwidth being so cheap. I feel silly for only requesting just the county file 📂 and not the state. But I only really plan to model on county data and help local candidates this year. Next year I’ll get the state file.

Tonight will have a Waxing Crescent 🌒 Moon with 4% illuminated. The Worm 🐛 Moon is on Tuesday, March 7. The darkest hour is at 12:10 am, followed by dawn at 6:16 am, and sun starting to rise at 6:45 am in the east-southeast (104°) and last for 2 minutes and 59 seconds. Sunrise is one minute and 30 seconds earlier ggGt porthan yesterday. 🌄 The golden hour ends at 7:24 am with sun in the east-southeast (111°). Tonight will have 13 hours and 4 minutes of darkness, a decrease of 2 minutes and 47 seconds over last night.

Working on another mapping project 🗺 for another local environment group. 🌎 This is kind of a fun project looking at potential routes for a bike 🚲 trail. It’s a little different than another one I’m doing with calculating distance of houses from a local hazardous waste site.☣️ Government databases and some statistical programming has gotten so powerful in recent years.

Tomorrow will have a chance of rain, mainly after 4pm. Increasing clouds 🌞 👉 🌥 , with a high of 41 degrees at 12pm. Three degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical day around March 3rd. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. A year ago, we had mostly sunny skies in the morning with sunny skies in the afternoon. The high last year was 30 degrees. The record high of 68 was set in 1997. 14.8 inches of snow fell back in 1893.❄

This week marks a week until spring 🌷 though I’m sure it will get cold before then. But who knows it’s been a mild winter. Based on past experiences I don’t think it will get particularly warm out until about two months out from now.

In four weeks on March 21 the sun will be setting in the west (271°) at 7:09 pm (Daylight Savings Time),🌄 which is one hour, 33 minutes and 46 seconds later then tonight. In 2021 on that day, we had sunny and temperatures between 63 and 25 degrees. Typically, you have temperatures between 47 and 28 degrees. The record high of 78 degrees was set back in 1921.

Looking ahead, tommorow is , Average High is 40 ☀️ is Next Tuesday, First Day of Spring 💮 is a month away, Average High is 50 🌸 is in 5 weeks, Primary Day 🗳️ is in 17 weeks, Summer ️⛱️ is in 4 months, Independence Day 🇺🇸 is in 19 weeks, World Population Day 👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 is in 20 weeks, August 🌻 is in 23 weeks, World Mosquito Day 🐞 is in 6 months, Halloween 🎃 is in 36 weeks, Average High is 50 🍂 is in 38 weeks, Election Day 🗳️ is in 38 weeks, Repeal of Prohibition Day 🍺 is in 41 weeks, First Day of Winter ☃️ is in 10 months and Boxing Day 🥊 is in 44 weeks.

Escarptment on Clear Winter Afternoon

January 10, 2023 Night

Good evening! Partly cloudy and 31 degrees in Delmar for the evening walk. 🌃 There is a north breeze at 5 mph. 🍃. The moon 🎑 is rising on this starry evening. Things will start to thaw out at tomorrow around 1 pm. 🌡️Cold by recent standards.

Today was everything I expected it to be. 💼 Busy for a while then quiet during the Governor’s speech. I thought it ordinary for the times we live in. Still ambitious climate change plans, it will be fascinating how it all works out. Went to a public hearing on yet another development proposed in the Albany Pine Bush. 🌲 it was everything you expected, the decision was made in advance. I get tired of being such a looser all the time but if nobody objects nobody will listen. Rushing out to the bus I left my headphones on my desk at home. 🎧 I normally swap between two sets so one is always charged, but I managed with the set I had at my desk.

This evening I’m feeling chilled ❄. I think we stood outside talking too long after that meeting and my suit and tie isn’t that warm even with the wool overcoat. But I was cold after I got on the bus 🚍 and when I got home. I know the COVID has been going around Albany, hopefully I don’t have it. I’ve been wearing my muzzle and I’m boosted but I had that work holiday party 🎉 and mom’s birthday after that. I’ll have hot coca ☕ and hop under the heated blanket when I get home from the walk.

Tonight will be mostly cloudy 🌃 with a low of 19 degrees at 6am. Three degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical night around February 19th. North wind 3 to 5 mph. In 2022, we had clear skies in the evening, which became mostly clear by the early hours of the morning. It got down to 3 degrees. The record low of -25 occurred back in 1968.

Tonight will have a Waining Gibbous 🌖 Moon with 85% illuminated. The darkest hour is at 12:03 am, followed by dawn at 6:54 am, and sun starting to rise at 7:25 am in the east-southeast (120°) and last for 3 minutes and 21 seconds. Sunrise is 16 seconds earlier than yesterday. 🌄 The golden hour ends at 8:10 am with sun in the southeast (128°). Tonight will have 14 hours and 39 minutes of darkness, a decrease of one minute and 21 seconds over last night.

Tomorrow will have increasing clouds ☁, with a high of 34 degrees at 2pm. One degree above normal, which is similar to a typical day around February 4th. Light and variable wind. A year ago, we had mostly sunny skies in the morning with some clearing in the afternoon. The high last year was 17 degrees. The record high of 67 was set in 2020. 8.0 inches of snow fell back in 1922.❄ Before my time.

After work tomorrow I’ll drive down to the laundromat. 👕 That way I’ll have the clothes I will need for the coming week and weekend. Then be set maybe for next too as I wear different clothes for session days then ordinary days.

The weekend forecast keeps improving ☀ though it’s going to be seasonably cold. But I’m excited about the chance to get out of town for the long weekend. I often feel so trapped in the winter. ❄

In four weeks on February 7 the sun will be setting in the west-southwest (250°) at 5:17 pm,🌄 which is 34 minutes and 57 seconds later then tonight. In 2021 on that day, we had snow showers, mostly cloudy and temperatures between 26 and 10 degrees. Typically, you have temperatures between 34 and 16 degrees. The record high of 48 degrees was set back in 2005.

Looking ahead, Clean Your Computer Day 🧹 is a month away, Valentines Day ❤️ is in 5 weeks, Average High is 40 ☀️ is in 7 weeks, First Day of Spring 💮 is in 10 weeks, Average High is 50 🌸 is in 11 weeks, 8 PM Dusk 🌆 is in 3 months, Average High is 70 🐮 is in 4 months, Primary Day 🗳️ is in 23 weeks, Independence Day 🇺🇸 is in 25 weeks, World Population Day 👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 is in 26 weeks, August 🌻 is in 29 weeks, 6:30 Sunrise 🌇 is in 8 months, Halloween 🎃 is in 42 weeks, Average High is 50 🍂 is in 44 weeks, Election Day 🗳️ is in 44 weeks, Repeal of Prohibition Day 🍺 is in 47 weeks, 7:15 AM Sunrise ⌛️ is in 11 months and Boxing Day 🥊 is in 50 weeks.

Did you see ten weeks until calendar spring? 🌷 I know that they were talking about the compressed budget schedule this year with the new governor, at least on paper. April will be here before you know it though calendar 🗓 spring comes about a week quicker. I am still expecting colder winter weather to eventually arrive though come February.

Towards SABIC Plastic

January 5, 2023 Morning

Good morning! Fog and 40 degrees in Delmar, NY. 🌫 Calm wind. I can taste the silage on the air. 🌽 Temperatures will drop below freezing at Saturday around 4 am. ☃️

I don’t know it feels warmer than that in the land of the Delmaritian ♨ but certainly darker than that. It will certainly be colder than that by the weekend but still above average. I figure they’re saving the really cold weather for my birthday 🎂. It won’t be forty out when I turn 40.

Today will have a chance of rain, mainly before 7am. Cloudy 🌧, with a high of 47 degrees at 12pm. 14 degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical day around March 20th. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. A year ago, we had partly cloudy skies in the morning, remaining cloudy in the afternoon. The high last year was 38 degrees. The record high of 64 was set in 1950. 8.0 inches of snow fell back in 1891.❄

I failed to go for my evening walk 🚶. I was bad, a failure and a looser. So at six o’clock I had to go to Stewart’s and get milk 🥛 so I’d have it for the all important coffee ☕ and bisquick biscuits with cheese 🧀. All the essentials in the dairy world. And you wonder why I’m so fat. I am out for my morning walk 🚶 now so hopefully once again I’ll get my steps 👣 in. Still breaking in the boots 👢.

Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:01 pm with sun having an altitude of 24.8° from the due south horizon (-46.1° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 13 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 3:51 pm with the sun in the southwest (232°). 📸 The sunset is in the west-southwest (239°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 4:36 pm after setting for 3 minutes and 22 seconds with dusk around 5:07 pm, which is 57 seconds later than yesterday. 🌇

At dusk you’ll see the Full 🌝 Moon in the east-northeast (68°) at an altitude of 17° from the horizon, 250,725 miles away. 🚀 The best time to look at the stars is after 5:44 pm. At sunset, look for cloudy skies ☁ and temperatures around 46 degrees. There will be a calm wind. Tomorrow will have 9 hours and 15 minutes of daytime, an increase of one minute and 4 seconds over today.

Took care of the dentist bill 🦷 I got yesterday. Last summer my insurer sent me a check for the “out-of-network” visit because my dentist screwed up the paperwork. I set the check I got aside 📎 and then waited to hear from the dentist. The bill was the same as the check, so I just online paid my dentist and deposited the check. I thought about getting the SEFCU app and doing a mobile deposit, but I don’t trust my phone is secure, 📱 that is compared to my computer that is offline a lot of time, and I keep up to date with Linux security updates.

Tomorrow is the rescheduled holiday party at work 🍪 🎄 so I’m going to need to get to the store 🏬 tonight. Been running low on groceries for a while as I did only a quick shop last week after washing my truck and returning the shit ton of beer cans that had been accumulating since spring. ♻

Tonight will have a slight chance of rain before 7pm, then a chance of showers between 7pm and 4am, then a chance of rain after 4am. Cloudy 🌧, with a low of 36 degrees at 6am. 19 degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical night around April 12th. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. In 2022, we had cloudy skies. It got down to 26 degrees. The record low of -19 occurred back in 1996.

The weekend has slid down hill somewhat since earlier this week. 😕 Saturday, a slight chance of rain and snow showers before 11am, then a slight chance of rain showers between 11am and 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. West wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Sunday, mostly sunny, with a high near 36. But still quiet mild. Typical average high for the weekend is 33 degrees.

Saturday I plan to join my mom at her birthday party 🎂 and then Sunday I am going up to Colonie to find some more dress shirts 🕴 and also to visit John Wolcott. I had planned on getting a dress shirt online but it’s so hard to know what size to order and it just seems like ordering online is such a gamble. I did some looking though, and maybe I should just take the risk and order one online. Sears is closed now, but I was reading online that Boscovs and Macys also sell dress shirts, and I can try one out there. I don”t want to spend a lot of money, but I do want comfortable button down collar shirts I can wear with a tie and sport-coat for work. 👨‍💼 Can’t totally look like a hillbilly on session days. 👨‍🌾

Looking ahead, next Thursday is Coldest Day Recorded in Albany 💨 when the sun will be setting at 4:45 pm with dusk at 5:14 pm. On that day in 2022, we had partly cloudy and temperatures between 31 and 6 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 33 degrees. We hit a record high of 67 back in 2020. I think it’s likely we will be closer to the 2020 record then that one from 1970 but only will tell.

Heldebergs Setting Sun

33 Nights I Camped in 2022

This was a tough year for getting out of town. My truck was getting creaking and old, rusted and always in risk of breaking down, though the only failure I had on vacation and that was a stupid loose lug-nut. But with high gas prices, inflation, and my desire to invest more in the markets, kept me home more then most other recent years. I also focused on destinations where I could camp for multiple nights, after parking my truck and leaving the engine off to save fuel. Many of the prime weekends of the year were raining.

Ultimately I camped 33 nights, which is about normal for me, though the trips were longer and closer to home.

My first camping trip of the year started out in February during President’s Day Weekend, February 20-22 at Rensselaerville State Forest. Winter camping and skiing, took a walk down to the explore the new OSI Parcel that will eventually be added to the state forest.

Campsite 2

Second trip of the year was up to the East Branch Sacandaga River, April 22-24, which is always my big April trip complete with a big bonfire, hiking along the East Branch and back to the Gorge Falls.

East Branch Sacandaga River

Third trip of the year was to Piseco-Powley Road’s House Pond Campsite, three nights, June 17-19, including exploring this previously unknown to me swimming hole. Had another big fire, spent a lot of time at the swimming hole across the way. Also visited the potholers a couple of times in the evening.

Swimming Hole Off Old Edick Road

Then from June 19-21, I moved up the road to Powley Place Campsite 9 for two nights. Hiked back to Goldmine Stream Falls and then on Tuesday hiked back to Big Alderbed.

Powley Campsite 10

The forth trip of the year was July 16-19th which I camped up Campsite 5 on Piseco-Powley Road, about a mile north of the Potholers. I don’t love this campsite, as much as House Pond but it was still within walking distance from the Potholers, and is remote enough that I can listen to music as loud as I want, have big fires and shoot guns.

Campfire

Fifth trip of the year was the Finger Lakes National Forest, camping off old Chicken Co-Op Road from July 30 to August 8, as my GPS likes to call it. Stayed at the same campsite all week, alternating between trips away from camp and staying in camp, mostly to save fuel and reduce costs. Brought my kayak, paddled Cayuta Lake. Spent a lot of time at Watkins Glen State Park. Had that loose lug nut on my truck.

Finger Lakes Sunset

Sixth trip of the year was to the Adirondacks, Labor Day Weekend and the Friday before, September 2-5th, namely that campsite in Perkins Clearing on Hardwood Hill up above Spectulator where I have excellent cell reception and can work remote. It was kind of a lazy trip with lots of clams, sweet corn and beer, though that Friday I worked remote and was busy with work, and then did day hikes from camp, specifically exploring Mud Lake Road, where I ran into a family of bears. It poured on Labor Day when I took down camp.

Morning view

Seventh trip was a mid September remote-working trip up to Rensselearville State Forest, one of a series of three autumn trips up to the state forest only about 40 minutes from home. I chose to go there as I knew I could get home quickly if necessary with work being so busy, plus knowing I could get home if there was something I couldn’t do with my data plan on my cellphone. I think the dates were that Friday when I remote worked — September 16-19th.

Catskill Mountains

My eight trip was Columbus Day Weekend, Friday October 7 to Monday the 10th. I had originally planned to head up to the Adirondacks, but on my way up north, around Glenville I noticed my truck was swaying more then I would like around the corners, despite just recently being checked out at the shop. Plus heading up to the Adirondacks meant I would have dead spots, which was bad when I was supposed to be remote working, supervising three major political campaigns across the state. So I turned around and headed up to the Heldebergs. Ended up going to Rensselaerville State Forest again, for a colorful trip, especially when I hiked along Cheese Hill Road to the new OSI Parcel overlooking the Catskill Mountains and rural lands of Schoharie County and Potter Hollow. I probably should have brought my gun and got my hunting license, but I was constantly on the phone dealing with one crisis or another for work. Also spent Columbus Day hiking around Huyck Preserve for the bulk of the day before heading home, showering and going out to visit the folks.

Cheese Hill Road

My ninth trip of the year was back to Rensselaerville State Forest. This trip was planned to be there, the last week of Friday to Sunday, October 28-30th, while working heavily remote as the political campaigns I was managing was in their last stretch. It was kind of a chilly weekend and busy with work. But I had my heater, and I did find time to get out and walk, as the colors faded away. It was a nice weekend but it reminded me that autumn was certainly on the way.

Taconics

The tenth trip of the year was back to the East Branch Sacandaga River. Hike back along the Stewart Creek Trail and camped for two fairly cold nights from Thursday December 8 – Saturday December 10th. Came back a day early as I wanted to check to see if I had jury duty. It wasn’t a bad weekend but everything was first cold from the previous day rain, and then everything was icy once things froze up. But I stayed warm by the campsite.

Back camping at the same site tonight

The eleventh and final trip of the year was to Rensselaerville State Forest, right where I started the year close to home. The snow was deep this time, some 2 feet deep with an even deeper snow bank to dig through. But I hot tented there for two nights, from Tuesday December 20-Thursday December 22. This was the only trip of the year when I didn’t camp in my truck.

Winter camping ?

Conclusions

I wouldn’t rank this as my greatest year ever, with the most adventures. But I made the best of the situation with inflation increasing the price of camping supplies and fuel for my big jacked up truck, which became more unreliable. Work was super busy with all those campaigns. The weather was often bad for the prime weekends of the year. But I made the best of the year.

North from the Summit

While the high country was quite colorful, and in some places past peak, many of the lower areas were still green, as seen looking northeast towards parts of Southeastern Schoharie County and Southwestern Albany County.

Taken on Friday October 8, 2021 at Bearpen Mountain.

This past year I spent 37 nights camping in the wilderness 🏕

This past year I spent 37 nights camping in the wilderness 🏕

Places I Camped in 2021

While this was less then the 63 nights I did in 2020, with remote work winding down and more in-person meetings and events happening in Albany, I ended up not getting out as much as I did the previous year. Still 37 nights camping is still a lot of time in wilderness.

It was a lot rainier then some summers, so that also made it harder to get out of town for long weekends. When I did go camping, and I wasn’t remote working, I tried to make it a priority to find more-remote areas without cell service, so I could get solitude without the constant buzz of the phone. Plus I tended to stay in one campsite for two or three days, to avoid the hassles of taking down and setting up camp.

Saturday/Sunday April 24-25: Two Nights on East Branch

I started out my travels in late April on the East Branch Sacandaga River along NY 8, near Fox Lair. On Saturday, before arriving to camp, I hiked along Hope Falls Road and back to lower and upper Tenant Creek Falls. Sunday, I hiked around Fox Lair, sat down by the river for a while, did some fishing. Had a big ol’ fire. It was cold but also kind of spring-like.

Sunday was kind of cloudy but not to wet

Monday April 26: One Night on Sacandaga River/Speculator Tree Farm

Monday I drove up to Speculator to do remote work at the library and the town park/beach with my laptop. I set up camp at Campsite 17 and in the evening after work, I hiked along Old NY Route 8B, spending some time along Austin Falls and heading back to camp before it got too dark. Tuesday I worked up in Speculator, before heading home. Things were still very brown and gray in the Adirondacks, although I ended up stopping along the Mohawk River in Rotterdam and hiking on the bike trail before dark, and it was much greener down there.

Thursday to Saturday May 13-15: Three Nights on Sacandaga River/Speculator Tree Farm

Thursday morning I got up early and drove up to Speculator before 9 AM to work remotely. I worked until lunch time in Spectulator when I drove down to Campsite 17 and set up camp and worked from there. Worked all day on Friday from camp, mostly sending emails from the hammock although I also edited a report I was working on with my laptop at the table, and grabbed some files a colleague needed off the server over the VPN. Knocked over the lantern, smashing the glass and breaking the the neck on it. On Saturday I hiked back along Robb Mill Road and some of the side trails in the Conservation Easement. Sunday, I drove up to Watch Hill on Indian Lake, hiked that, while there was a constant threat of thunderstorms, so I did it fairly quickly.

Sacandaga River below Austin Falls

Sunday May 16: One Night Camping Near Mason Lake

After hiking Watch Hill I ended up camping at Mason Lake. I also spent some time walking around the Indian Lake/Lewey Campground, just seeing what was there I was hoping being a Sunday I could get a campsite near Mason Lakke, but no such luck. Ended up camping at Campsite 5, a ways from the lake, although in the evening I did walk down to the lake. I did have cell service where I was camping, but it was spotty, so come Monday morning, I headed back to Speculator for work. The black flies were bad camping there, until well after dark I spent most of the afternoon hiding under the screen tent. In the morning, once the sun was up and the tent was down, I was booking out there because the black flies were intense.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday June 17-19: Three nights Camping at House Pond Campsite

Junteenth Weekend, a new state holiday. Piseco-Powley Road was rebuilt, and I spent a lot of time down at the swimming hole there. I was working remote on Thursday, but I left home after work and drove north before dusk. Spent a lot of time cooling off in East Branch by the campsite, laying in the hammock and relaxing. Saturday I spent kayaking at Lily Lake, but none of the lilies were out. Sunday I spent the balance of the day the potholers.

Reading ?

Friday, Saturday, Sunday July 8-10: Three nights camping on Hope Falls Road

After quite a run of rainy weather, we had part of weekend that wasn’t super wet. Also, many weeks in the summer, I preferred to just stay close to home, and catch the Nature Bus and spend Saturdays exploring Thacher Park for free. Friday was a personal day – I had a eye doctors appointment. Then I went north and set up camp at Hope Falls Road. Saturday, I hiked back to Ferris Lake and Tenant Creek Falls. Sunday, partially in the rain, I hiked back to both lower and upper Tenant Creek Falls. Sunday evening back at camp, it absolutely poured. I was originally planning to work remote on Monday and maybe Tuesday in Speculator but the weather was so wet, I decided against that.

Friday July 23: Overnight at Cherry Ridge

Heading out to the Finger Lakes, I overnighted at Cherry Ridge at Charles Baker State Forest in Madison County. It was a stop over after leaving home after work. Noticed how much sway there was in front end of the truck, and the tires were getting loud as they were warn and cupped, grew concerned that I might have issues later on. Eventually in December I replaced the tires, the worn rear shock bushing. and bad sway links. I was dealing with some real anxiety issues at that point. But I had a little fire, then retired early to bed and then took camp down early in the morning and headed west to Montezuma Wildlife Refuge and the state Audubon Preserve.

Saturday July 24: One night Tent Camping Along Backbone Horse Trail at Finger Lakes National Forest

I knew arriving at the Finger Lakes National Forest on a Saturday would mean many campsites would be taken, including the site I wanted. I ended up tent camping at one of the primitive sites off Potomac Road. It was a one night deal as I prefer camping in the truck shell and I saw the people in the campsite I wanted leave, so I quickly grabbed that campsite in the morning. Ended up breaking one of the elastic straps in one of the tent poles, I still need to repair it.

Sunday-Saturday July 25-31: Six Nights Truck Cap Camping Along Backbone Horse Trail at Finger Lakes National Forest

My summer vacation was the Finger Lakes National Forest. I decided to stick close to camp for much summer vacation, not rushing too much from place to place, spending a lot of afternoons at the Watkins Glen Pool, doing some paddling in Seneca Lake and Cayuta Lake, hiking in Texas Hollow and Sugar Hill State Forests. Did a lot of reading and laying back in the hammock. The campsite I stayed at didn’t have cell service, so it gave me a much needed to respite from the internet for a few days. Had some nice fires, drank some beer, and got away from it all.

Summer Vacation Seems So Distant Now

Thursday, Friday, Saturday August 12-15: Three nights at House Pond Campsite with Clams and Sweet Corn

After summer vacation, I decided to take a long weekend — four days — up to Potholers, namely the House Pond campsite with lots of sweet corn, clams and beer. I can still taste the clams and beer, and I had plenty of them to eat over the weekend — they were breakfast, lunch and diner. But it was nice laying back in the hammock and swimming in the swimming hole by that campsite. I also hiked along old Edick Road and to Edick Road Campsite 1, which is way off from the main road, and then down to the ledge. Hiked back to House Pond, which was difficult as there was a lot of blow down from a storm earlier in the summer. Spent much of Sunday at the Potholers and then watched the sun set from the Kane Mountain Firetower. Didn’t bring the kayak this time.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday August 26-28: Three nights (again) at House Pond Campsite

With another warm week ahead, I decided to take off Friday and Monday off for one more week up at House Pond. This time I spent more time at Potholers, walking up there each afternoon, besides spending a lot of time at the swimming hole near this campsite. Did some fishing up House Pond, and a lot of drinking and reading from the hammock. Read yet another book about writing code in Python and Kristen Kimbell’s Dirty Life about farm life. I bought a large truck intertube for floating, but once I got to camp and started to setting up I realized I didn’t have an air pump with me, so I couldn’t use it while camping.

East Canada Creek Below Edick Road Ledge

Friday, Saturday, Sunday September 3-5: Three nights at Hardwood Hill at Perkins Clearing

Friday, September 3rd was the final day of remote work – Labor Day Weekend. I got up early, drove to Speculator before 9 AM. I started working from Speculator Library but with my phone having hotspot service and cell service, mid-day I drove up to Hardwood Hill. This time I made sure to inflate my intertube before heading up north, and I spent Saturday evening until well after dusk floating in the Jessup River off of Jessup River. Then I drove to Sled Harbor after dark, hoping to catch a glimpse the illuminated Wakely Hill Firetower, but I could not see it as it I couldn’t find the good views of the tower from the road after dark.

Saturday September 11: One night at Betty Brook

Decided to do a weekend trip out to Schoharie County to hike the Catskill Scenic Trail south of Grand Gorge through the deep notch where NY 30 runs. Hiked down to Hubbell’s Corners from Grand Gorge then went for a very cold swim at Mine Kill State Park. Mine Kill pool was open late this year due to opening late at the beginning of summer. Water temperature was 58 degrees. Sunday I also went for a quick swim at Mine Kill Pool again. Still very cold.

Into the Notch

Saturday September 18: One Night at House Pond

On September 18th, I drove up to Piseco-Powley Road to camp for three nights, four days. Spent one night at the House Pond Campsite, which I set up in the pouring rain, and spent time floating in the my new rubber intertube. It was a nice day once he rain stopped but the water was very cold. But it was nice laying back in the hammock that evening, although prior to dusk there was a lot of deer flies around and biting.

Sunday/Monday September 19 & 20: Two Nights at Powley Place

On Sunday afternoon I drove further up Piseco-Powley Road to Powley Place to do some camping and paddling on the East Canada Creek. Monday I hiked back to Goldstream Falls then carried my kayak down to the East Canada Creek and paddled down to the first rapids, portaged past that to the second main rapids. The beaver dams were relatively low this time, due to water levels being higher then other times when I’ve paddled the East Canada Creek. Laid back in the hammock, did some reading and looking out over the campsite on these mild, starry nights. Also did some floating down the East Canada Creek

Friday, Saturday, Sunday October 8-10: Three nights camping at Betty Brook

I took off the Friday before Columbus Day Weekend to hike Bear Pen Mountain in the Western Catskills. It was the start to a very colorful weekend. Betty Brook was nice, but it was good I got there relatively early — around 4 PM on Friday as the other campsites were quickly taken. On Saturday, I drove down to Stamford and hiked more of the Catskill Scenic Trail from Stamford for Bloomville then visited a friend in Summit. Sunday I hiked along Betty Brook Road to the snowmobile trail up Burnt Hill, then hiked over the dirt roads on Burnt and Rossman Hills, enjoying the leaves and wildlife. Hiked back  to camp and laid back into the hammock well into the evening, which was quite mild. Sunday I hiked from Grand Gorge to Stamford on the Catskill Scenic Trail.

Saturday, November 6: Camping at County Bridge Campground Pennsylvania

Originally I was planning to get new tires put on my truck prior to going to West Virginia,  trip that was postponed multiple times. Ultimately I decided it wouldn’t be a bad idea to just wear out the tires and go for the trip. I hadn’t decided on where I was going to go until I was on the road, and ended up going to Binghamton, then down to Pennsylvania for my first night camping. It was a cold first night — got down to 14 degrees.

Sunday/Monday November 7-8: Camp Run West Virginia

The first two nights I spent at Camp Run Primitive Campground at Miles, West Virginia which is located in a wash on the backside of Shenandoah Mountain. On Monday of that week I hiked up over Shenandoah Mountain, and watched the sun rise over Camp Run Lake. Tuesday morning I drove over through Judy Gap then up Spruce Mountain and hiked up that. In the afternoon I hiked up Seneca Rocks, something that had long been on my bucket list to do.

Quiet Walk Along Camp Run Road

Tuesday, November 9: Camping at Canaan Heights

On Tuesday night I camped up in Canaan Heights / Table Rock outside of Thomas WV. I was going to stay multiple days but hearing a lot of wheel bearing noise in my truck, I decided it best to head north on Wednesday and see if I could either make it home or get the truck fixed. The wheel bearing burned up by the time I got up to Lock Haven but was able to get it fixed that day and head north to County Bridge.

Wednesday, November 10: Camping at County Bridge Pennsylvania

The second time camping at County Bridge it wasn’t as cold.  I had a fire and retired to bed fairly early. But come the morning, neither the camp stove or the heater was working. I thought I might have have run out of propane. Then packed up in the morning on Veterans Day and headed north to Chenango Forks State Park, which I wanted to explore. I then stopped at Price Chopper, got some groceries and headed up to Long Pond State Forest for two kind of cold and chilly, damp nights.

Thursday/Friday, November 11-12: Camping at Long Pond State Forest

After spending the balance of Veterans Day, Thursday at Chenango Forks State Park, I camped for two nights at Long Pond State Forest. I was still having problems with my camp stove and heater, so it was kind of cold but I was able to find enough firewood to make do, and had some quiet evenings listening to the radio and just hanging out. Friday was pretty rainy, but I made due — beat having going back home. The fires were smokey but they were warm enough. And it beat being home.

Dusk in November

Monday/Tuesday December 20-21: Camping at Stoney Pond State Forest

I thought about getting out of town after Thanksgiving but the weather did not cooperate. Then my truck’s repairs and tires got dragged out to mid-December. I decided to take he week off before Christmas to go camping. I was thinking about Central New York and then the Finger Lakes, but ultimately made it no farther then the Finger Lakes. Saturday was pouring rain, and then Sunday was bitterly cold. And my camp heater and stove were malfunctioning. But ultimately I was able to get it working, after much fiddling at camp. I camped two nights at Stoney Pond, spending Tuesday poking around Cazenovia. Tuesday was very gray, and Wednesday was snowy. Wednesday I drove to Hamilton and hiked part of the Chenango Canal Trail.

Wednesday, December 22: Camping at Moscow Hill Assembly Area

My final night camping in 2021 was the Moscow Hill Assembly Area at the Charles Baker State Forest. I decided to camp there as it was more sheltered from the wind and snow, and in case we got more snow, I figured I wouldn’t have to worry about the snow, as the county highway isn’t that far away. They were expecting high winds and low windchills, but it turned out not to be too bad. I thought about staying another night on Thursday, but the weather for Thursday looked sunny, and wanted to do some hiking, plus I wanted to be home for Christmas Eve for a family Christmas Party.