Sun coming’ up over New York City
School bus driver in a traffic jam
Staring out at the faces in a rear view mirror
Lookin’ at the promise of the Promised Land.

 -Brooks and Dunn, Only in America (2001)

This morning’s weather reminds me a lot of that tragic day now sixteen years ago when I watched the planes hit the World Trade Center in my freshman statistics class. It seems remarkable that it was sixteen years ago. It was such a sunny but cool day much like today. 56 degrees in Delmar, NY. Calm wind.

That was really quite the day. Just remember seeing those planes hit the building, calling mom at work, leaving college early, and going up to Partridge Run, with the tranquility and eerie silence of a sky without planes. It was a nice, but quiet walk that afternoon. Sitting in that blue 1994 Plymouth Sundance, listening to the news.

I have to say back in 2001, it was a very different New York, both Upstate and Down. I was a very different person, we were still the old gritty New York to a great extent. Somehow, September 11th changed a lot in our state and our country. I do to a certain extent miss those good ole days, I really enjoyed my time at Hudson Valley Community College. That said, it’s also kind of fun to be an adult and have money to buy the toys you want and be able to travel and explore.

I was a running a bit late for the express bus, but I hurried and made it. I was making good time this morning, despite having to go Stewart’s for milk, because I realized I should get my American flag up before I leave to walk down to the express bus. Such a beautiful day to be remembering that tragic day. But I made it in perfect time, and made it downtown promptly on bus. I like getting into the office early, as it makes the mornings much less rushed. Plus taking the local every day, can be a bit of a drag.

Today will be sunny, with a high of 76 degrees at 3pm. Two degrees above normal. Maximum dew point of 51 at 6pm. Calm wind becoming northwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Going to be a beautiful late summer day. A year ago, we had mostly cloudy skies with some clearing in the afternoon. The high last year was 77 degrees. The record high of 98 was set in 1931.

The sun will set at 7:11 pm with dusk around 7:39 pm, which is one minute and 46 seconds earlier than yesterday. At sunset, look for clear conditions and 68 degrees. The dew point will be 52 degrees. There will be a northwest breeze at 5 mph. Today will have 12 hours and 39 minutes of daytime, an increase of 2 minutes and 50 seconds over yesterday.

Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low of 49 degrees at 5am. Four degrees below normal. Light west wind. In 2016, we had mostly clear skies. It got down to 49 degrees. The record low of 36 occurred back in 1875. Might be nice for sitting back with a cold one after work, especially once the sun sets, assuming of course that you wear a sweater or a vest.

It was a pretty nice weekend in my opinion, I got what needed to be done and got out for a paddle for a while on Thompson’s Lake. The lake was pretty quiet, nobody was on it except for a few kayaks and canoes, as the main boat launch off of NY 157 was closed due to the state rebuilding the boat launch. I ended up putting in at Emma Treadwell Nature Center, and spent a little time fishing without many bites in the lake. I didn’t spend much time fishing though, and my time was limited at the lake.

I also got everything done I wanted to get done, including some cleaning in the apartment, getting that relay for CB radio hooked up (which works great), filling the propane tank, and getting things ready for my next adventure. It might have been an excellent weekend to go camping, and indeed next weekend doesn’t look all that great, but I’m sure there are many autumn weekends still ahead before the snow.

Looking ahead, there are 2 weeks until More Night Then Day in Albany when the sun will be setting at 6:46 pm with dusk at 7:14 pm. On that day in 2016, we had mostly sunny skies and temperatures between 67 and 38 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 68 degrees. We hit a record high of 89 back in 1970.