This was unmarked as a site, and a bit close to the road / truck trail, however I think it might be legal, and it's rural enough I doubt anyone would give you trouble.
Taken on Wednesday May 12, 2004 at Leonard Hill State Forest.I’ll have to see how that will work out though. I’m not convinced that Big Red will make it down there one more time, but maybe, actually quite possible that I will have a new truck by then as Red is turning 13 years old in a few weeks and showing a fair bit of rust and age. I don’t know if I will buy a house and homestead by then, cannabis isn’t legal there, and there is that issue that you now have to pre-reserve the campsites at County Bridge Campground in Penna. and pay extra fees if that’s where I want to do the overnight rather then at Sugar Hill State Forest or Long Pond State Forest in New York.
But it was such fun to spend a full week camping up in Canaan Heights and doing a lot of mountain biking, exploring all the West Virginia highlands have to offer. I still have yet to get down to the New River Gorge, but would like to still do that again. I would like to do it again, at least one more time. Certainly a new, smaller truck would be more efficient and reliable for taking such a long trip. But who knows how much commitments I would have back in Albany, especially if I have land at that point. Yet, I do enjoy travel a lot and West Virginia is such a beautiful state.
Made a little bit more progress at getting things cleaned up and packed for camping. Despite checking the list twice, I’m sure there is things I missed but I can either get them up at Charlie John’s or do without them through Sunday. Going to be hot, so I’m not going to be super amtious or hungry, Hopefully I got the essentials or can live without.
I don’t know why this heat is particularly tough on me this year, 
but it really wears me out quickly after being exposed to it. By all standards with my low-fat, high-fiber diet that is more vegetarian that I may want to admit, and I’m in excellent shape from all that riding back and forth to work. I know, I was looking at myself in the mirror, 🪞I don’t look anything like the old photos. It’s the stress and figuring out what is the right option with my housing situtation, knowing every minute that ticks by might be that the place I’m looking at gets sold. Truth is I don’t have anything invested in it at this point, just time and imagination.
I am glad to be beating this heat. 
It will be warm up north, especially working and researching at the public library on Wednesday, but I don’t think I’ll be neccessarily stuck there all day. I do plan to kayak the Kunjamunk and cool off and swim in Lake Pleasant. Thursday, depending on what comes in work wise, I’ll head over to Piseco-Powley, and hopefully get the House Pond Campsite 
through Thursday. Then I can ride to the Potholers 
and float in the tube 
on East Branch of Sacandaga River.
There are just so many things to think about if and should I buy the rundown homestead next to my parents. 
Besides the obvious things only I can answer — do I want the commute, all te work of rebuilding a fixer-up and tending to animals on a homestead. 
I would love though to have a healthy, relatively inexpensive source of meat for my diet — that outdoor sink and overhang is perfect for butchering rabbits and chickens. And those are probably the healthiest sources of meat. But it would mean the end of adventures like this weekend. 
Time is running out, somebody might close on it before I do, though I have my doubts many people — those interested in a tiny run-down house and homestead — would have $150k pus they could access with cash. I could, but it’s not that easy as I have to sell stocks to do it. But thae market’s good, but Capital Gains taxes suck.
I’ve been figuring out who to talk to in the neighborhood to learn more about the property. 
I want to figure out if I would be accepted back in my old neighborhood, how people feel about me and my plans for the land. 
Some I can call, and some people I’m facebook friends and can message about. Need to figure who to turn to as a home inspector and real estate lawyer and survey. 
A survey should be relatively inexpensive, as the property is relatively straightforward, but I did not like how evasive the of real estate agent was on which parcels are part of the property — pretty sure its both the pasture and hay field from the listed acerage, deeds and previous ownership — but I don’t want any surprises in case it was sudivided. I also need to talk to my insurance agent about the cost of insurance, and the possibility of replacing the oil burner with an air-source heat pump and small EPA and code-complient woodstove. Some times insurance companies really don’t want people to heat with wood, 
because you can do it wrong and easily burn down the building. Also should confirm with the town the permitted septic, in case that needs replacement — especially as it’s right next to feeding creek for Alcove Reservior. I have to insist either they turn on the power and water during the due diligence period in the in contract, so I know if the water and septic are good, or if I need to have either replaced. And then I can use that decision to walk or negogiate a fair price. 
So much to think about. And so litte time, as my chances of losing this one increase every minute I research.
Camping will be great, and I think the cool breeze will allow me to preform neccessary research 
and work remotely as needed tomorrow. I’m not thinking it will be that much research, but without a camping permit, I can only stay at one campsite for three nights, and the ice ain’t going to hold more then three nights at any rate in the heat. 
Plan to canoe the Kunjamunk and swim tomorrow. 
Hopefully the bugs won’t be too bad but I have the bug screen and lots of DEET packed. 
Thursday through Sunday then I will be totally off the phone network 
which will be good for catching up on my reading and podcasts, at least those I download first. 
So it’s going to be the hottest day of the week a Wednesday – Hump Day! After today, it’s going to be cooler and rainer though it looks like Thursday may be the only day too rainy to ride to work.
Up around 5 AM this morning, as I wanted to get the pot of beans boiling down 🍲 so I could have beans and maple syrup 🍁 as a cool dinner when I got home. I also made up rice and lentils for lunch today and carrot pancakes 🥕 🥞 for breakfast. The morning was pretty cool but it’s warming up quickly.
Yesterday, I went out to Five Rivers in the evening, 🐸 and read for a while, it was a bit buggy out. Not too bad and by later in the evening fairly cool. Got home and went to bed. 🛏 Figure enjoy the nice weather before the rain returns tomorrow, ☔ it was a bit too warm I though to ride the trails at Norman’s Kill Ravine Park. Maybe I’m just not used to the summer heat yet.
Already got 430 miles on the odometer of my bicycle, 🚲 which figuring that it was just turning 275 on Friday, I’ve been riding a lot. It’s good exercise but I really do need to replace that rear tire before I get a flat. I’m just trying to maximize it before I have to dispose of it. I don’t think I’ll be burning that, lol! Rubber stinks! 🔥 👃
Still thinking about and looking forward to summer adventures. 🏊♂️ Pictures of the Potholers continue to pop up in my feed. I’m just waiting for the black flies to be done and for primary day to be over when things are quieter at work. So far I haven’t had a lot of work requests come in over the weekend – – except for that one weekend I was at Duck Pond but I know one of these weekends that will happen. 🤷♂️
Really happy that I got the new photo uploaded working on the blog, 📸 now I just go to take some good pictures and fix the bugs in it. 🐛 You know how that goes, but I should also work on updating some maps and other content – – I really should map those campsites ⛺ that I discovered along Prospect Mountain Road in Vermont and other sites along the Molly Stark Byway. Maybe if I have time today. The photo uploaded isn’t just for photos — it also works with maps. 🗺
Pharaoh Mountain is located about 10 miles east of Schroon Lake, and can be accessed from the Long Swing / Pharaoh Mountain Trail from the North along with a much steeper and longer trail from Pharaoh Lake from south.
If you choose to take the infamous and rough Crane Pond Truck Trail to it’s end, and then park at Crane Pond, it’s only about a 3 1/2 mile hike up the mountain. If you stop at Alder Pond, and don’t drive through the shallow end of Alder Pond to get to the last mile of Crane Pond Road, then it’s a 4 1/2 mile hike each way.
Below is Alder Pond. It was an amazing morning, as the rain let up and started to clear off. The truck trail cuts through the end of the pond, and with the recent rains, it was deeper then I wanted to take my old pickup through.
At end of Crane Pond Road is Crane Pond (not surpisingly!) There is a parking area here, and Crane Pond is known for it’s good fishing and beauty.
Reaching Glidden Marsh on the Pharaoh Mountain Trail. Pharoah Mountain is in the distance, with the peak sticking up. Most of the trail is relatively flat, until you reach the mountain, and then you start climbing.
About halfway up there, there is the most charming little water fall.
As you climb, views become progressively better.
Reaching the summit, there are views in almost all directions, although you have to wonder around the top of the mountain to get all views. Here is looking North-East toward Ticonderoga. You can see Lake Champlain in the distance — barely, along with Crane Pond, Alder Pond, Oxbow Lake, and other features up close.
On the northernly view, you have nice views of the High Peaks Region of the Adirondacks, with Mount Marcy and Alonquin Mountains peaking out top.
To the south-west, there are view of Gore Mountain (ski trails still with snow on it as of April 11).
There also is a primative campsite on top of Pharaoh Mountain.
To the South-East there is Pharaoh Lake, which I did not visit, but the maps show about 5 lean-tos surround it.
Desolate Swamp is quite purty from the mountain.
After hiking up the mountain, I took a side trip to the beautiful Oxbow Pond, and the other side of Glidden Marsh. Here is the Long-Swing Trail along the edge of Glidden Marsh, near the turn off to Oxbow Lake.
Oxbow Lake is so beautiful, and probably real deep.
The Oxbow Lean-To. It looks well used, but is in good shape, and has a decent outhouse a little ways from it, a fire pit, along with lots of water for cooking in the nearby pond.
The one end of Oxbow Lake is swampy, as it runs between outfall of Crab Pond down to Oxbow.
Heading back to the truck, the sun flickers on the outlet of Glidden Marsh.
An amazing hike. Definitely want to come back, and possibly spend a night at Oxbow Pond.
You know I’m happier in the woods than in any city, next to the fire burning things and having a good ol time. I knew last night was gonna be cold but it turned out not that bad though today will be cooler. Worked out good bar some issues with the camp stove last night and forgetting salt for the icy campsite and I’m glad to get away even if it’s just one night.
Good morning! Happy Sunday. Mostly cloudy with some snow flurries and 30 degrees at the Rensselaerville State Forest. ☁ There is a south breeze at 9 mph. 🍃. The current wind chill is 22.
I decided to take option 3 and do a quick overnight trip to Rennselearville State Forest. ⛺ I think I’m going to take down camp soon and then head home before the front comes through and brings snow squals with strong winds and it’s cold enough the roads will ice up. I kind of wanted to do two ✌️ nights but I decided it’s not that far if it ends up being one night. It is probably my best chance to get away a bit, next weekend I’m busy with the Reszin documentary and it looks even colder. ❄ Winter has arrived as we enter the coldest part of the year. Little worried too that I’m starting to get a bit of a chest cough, 
you know the one that’s been going around. I’m hoping it’s just a breathed in too much smoke last night.
But first a second pot of coffee ☕. Few snow 🌨 flurries around and I shouldn’t procrastinate but the morning turned out nicer than I had expected with blue skies and a fairly slack wind. Enjoyed the last of the Mariaville Farm Bacon 🥓 from local hogs on sale by Farmer Alice at For the Love of Bacon with the eggs 🥚 and veggies this morning. 🌅 It’s a treat with camping. Wasn’t sure if I was going to get the camp stove working, regulator is giving me trouble again. Wasn’t working at all last night. I slept with it to keep it warm last night and fiddled with the connection and dipped in rubbing alcohol and now it’s working again. Going to add a propane line filter and maybe pick up a second regulator to avoid problems in the future 🔮.
Today will snow showers likely, mainly after noon. Partly sunny 🌦, with a high of 35 degrees at 9am. Two degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical day around February 9th. Breezy, with a south wind 9 to 14 mph becoming southwest 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. A year ago, we had light snow. The high last year was 30 degrees. The record high of 66 was set in 1932. 9.0 inches of snow fell back in 1999.❄
The wind is what concerns me. 
Some forecasts are talking about windchills especially tonight around 0 degrees. I am not sure I want to be camping out in, plus my camp stove has been acting up in the cold. I’m having issues again with the campstove regulator getting jelled up and plugged with dirt and condensate. I think when I can get home this week, I am going to order a second regulator for the campstove, plus another Big Buddy filter. 
My other propane stove, whose burners ultimately burnt out a second time, had a few issues with this occassionally but this new stove I got last summer has constant issues now that it’s cold, though oddly not all on the Christmas trip to Madison County, though I stored it in the warmth of my truck. 
Though if the Big Buddy filter works like it does with the Big Buddy Heater and the lantern, I expect smooth sailing going forward. 
It’s good to have back ups.
Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:06 pm with sun having an altitude of 26.1° from the due south horizon (-44.8° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 12.2 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 4:03 pm with the sun in the southwest (234°). 📸 The sunset is in the west-southwest (241°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 4:47 pm after setting for 3 minutes and 18 seconds with dusk around 5:18 pm, which is one minute and 9 seconds later than yesterday. 🌇 At dusk you’ll see the Waxing Crescent 🌒 Moon in the southwest (216°) at an altitude of 29° from the horizon, 226,294 miles away. 🚀 The best time to look at the stars is after 5:53 pm. At sunset, look for snow 🌨 and temperatures around 29 degrees. The wind chill around sunset will be 16. ☃️ Breezy, 22 mph breeze ⛅ from the west with gusts up to 44mph. Today will have 9 hours and 26 minutes of daytime, an increase of one minute and 33 seconds over yesterday.
I am worried enough about the possibility of white out conditions driving home 
that I want to be on the road by 11 AM. I am going to sip my coffee, then take my campsite down before it gets too late. I could for a walk, and the road is hard enough for a bike ride now, but I think I’d rather just head home and avoid the risk of driving on snow-covered roads. Its not like I am on the other side of the earth — it’s a 21 mile drive that takes roughly a half hour, as most of the road is 55 MPH bar Clarksville and Rensselearville. I’m right on a plowed dirt road, and 1,000 feet from asphalt so I’m not worried about being snowed in, but driving home on those hills in snow and ice, could be kind of miserable.
Tonight will be partly cloudy 🌤, with a low of 17 degrees at 4am. One degree above normal, which is similar to a typical night around February 11th. Maximum wind chill around 9 at 3am; Breezy, with a southwest wind 17 to 22 mph decreasing to 9 to 14 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph. Other weather reports are calling for a wind chill closer to 0. I don’t mind such cold when I’m in the truck protected from the wind, but during the evening next to campfire 
that would be downright cold, I’m afraid. Wind worries me more then cold, as it sucks the heat away from your body. That said, my gear is really good for camping down to about 10-15 degrees, much colder then that at night in my unhreated truck cap it gets cold. In 2023, we had light snow in the evening, which became cloudy by the early hours of the morning. It got down to 19 degrees. The record low of -20 occurred back in 1957.
Still I’m glad I got away for one day. 
Just a night in the woods puts a smile on my face. Despite the woods being wet from rain we’ve had, it was cold enough up here in the State Forest that ground was frozen solid and was able to have a good fire. I’ll head home, get unpacked — it’s not that much stuff for one night 
— and shower. 
Maybe go for a bike ride this afternoon or down to the library if conditions aren’t too harsh. Or maybe cook up a big pot of chicken soup, 
especially if I’m not feeling good. I am thinking my next trip will be Presidents Day to Moscow Hill Horse Camp 
in Madison County, but we’ll see. Get some nice weather, and maybe I’ll head back to the wilderness sooner for a weekend trip, like during my 41st birthday weekend, though winter is tough. Next weekend will be too cold it appears, plus the Reszin documentary.
Looking ahead, next Sunday starts the Coldest Week of the Year 🌬 when the sun will be setting at 4:57 pm with dusk at 5:26 pm. Martin Luther King 👑 weekend is early this year. On that day in 2023, we had snow showers, cloudy and temperatures between 33 and 30 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 32 degrees. We hit a record high of 61 back in 2006.
For 11 1/2 years I’ve been using Big Red as my primary vehicle — that is for camping and traveling, though in the city I use buses or walk to get most places except maybe for the weekly or these days every-two weeks grocery shop. I like Big Red, but I realize even if I do keep it in good repair, it has a limited useful life.
Having a Big Jacked-Up nice truck is fun when one is young. You should do it once, if you have the money. But I am no longer in my late 20s or 30s. Priorities change. I don’t want to spend $50,000 on a new truck, nor do I want to spend money on big tires or a lift kit. It’s not that I don’t have the money, but I’d rather allocate the money to other things in life.
The big truck is fun, but it’s costly. Repairs are more with a lift kit, as are the tires. Bigger tires, bigger engine, heavy uses more fuel, which became an issue in the past year when gas prices pushed past $5. But even when you don’t worry that much about fuel — as I drive recreationally — a big truck kind of sucks.
Big Red is a bitch to drive around parking lots, through narrow city streets, and anywhere there are a lot of other automobiles, like at repair shops or even the dealership. Big Red keeps me away from crowded trailheads in back country, as he’s too difficult to park. Even many smaller campsites are tricky to park in at Red.
Nowadays, my priority is more towards owning my own land and early retirement. A big truck is fine, but I would rather have land where I can shoot guns, have fires and livestock. Out in the woods, where I’m free to do what I want without people bossing me around. I’m trying to grow my wealth, not spend it all. As I want to have more options on where and how I live my life, especially as I head into my 50s, which likely whatever vehicle I get next will go with me into.
I haven’t decided for sure if I am going to get a truck next. I’ve thought about electric vehicles or even a sedan, to save money. But if I want to do more camping in a truck cap, then I’ll need a truck. And probably 4×4 to get on the rough, snowy roads I like to traverse. I really don’t want to spend a lot of money, as inflation has made everything so much more expensive, and money spent now is money that can’t grow in the markets.