2012 | Andy Arthur.org

Five Major Trips I Hope to Take in 2012

Andy | August 2, 2014

Salmon River Reservior.

I am hoping to take a weekend trip up to Salmon River Reservior in Oswego County, kayak out to an island on the reservior, and spend a night. Possibly explore Winona State Forest, and then maybe visit Rome Sand Plains on the way back home. This might be a long-weekend trip.

Sand Plains of Western Adirondacks.

I am hoping to spend some more time exploring the Sand Plains of Adirondacks, particularly in the Western Adirondacks and Tug Hill Plateau, around the Black River Valley. The Otter Creek-area, while confusing to the new visitor, is a fascinating mix of sand plains, pine trees, and other open areas. Probably take this trip during the mid-summer.

North Country Trip.

I am hoping to take a North Country trip, visiting Deer River State Forest, Deer River Flow, Brasher Falls State Forest, Lake Bonaparte, and possibly other destinations in the Western Adirondacks such as the afformentioned Sand Plains. I would probably do this mid-summer, possibly part of the Adirondack Sand Plains trip.

Twin Tiers Trip.

I am hoping to take a trip back to the Twin Tiers. Some of the places I would like to visit include the Zoar Valley, East Otto State Forest (for camping), Allgeheny National Forest and Pine Creek Gorge. I might overnight one night at Sugar Hill State Forest. Possibly do this trip in early November, weather depending.

Horseshoe and Lows Lake.

I am hoping to get up to Horseshoe Lake again this year. Things didn’t work out so well last year, and it owuld be nice to explore of the Lows Lake, possibly canoe camping one night there, and spending another night roadside camping at Horseshoe Lake.

Green Mountains.

I am hoping to get back to Green Mountains, hike up Stratton Mountain and spend more time exploring the area around Kelly Stand and the Somerset Reservior. This probably would be just a weekend trip.

That November 2012 Trip

Andy | September 6, 2012

I have been toying around in mind what I want to do in mid-November as I take a week off from work to travel. While there is two big ifs in my mind — the exact amount of time I will have off and the cost of gasoline — the later being a big expensive question, I have already been thinking what I want to do.

Traveling in November can be tricky. You get up before sunrise, or near it. You have to rush around all day, knowing you have to locate a campsite by 3 PM or so, and be well on your way of setting up camp by 4 PM, because it will be dark out at 5 PM, and you will want to have firewood and a fire started by dusk. The long evenings are not much of a problem, as I have lighting powered by the deep cycle battery in my pickup, but still daylight limits day time activities. The potential for snow and hunting season are other constaining factors. Cold can be bad, but at least with my current set up with the truck, having a dead battery is not a real risk.

I have three different trip options in mind:

Tug Hill/Northern Tier/Adirondack Trip
Southern Tier/Western NY/Northern Tier of PA Trip
Wayne National Forest and Monongahela National Forest Trip

The Tug Hill/Northern Tier/Adirondack Trip would take me up through the Tug Hill checking out Whetstone State Park, maybe Moose Plains or Independence River Wild Forest, Brasher-Bombay State Forest near Massena, and then maybe somewheres around St Regis Canoe-area. Would have to worry more about snow, and it would be big game season, but its the shortest and most economic trip especially if gas prices are high.

The Southern Tier/Western NY/Northern Tier of PA Trip would have me going out US 20, probably camping at Stony Pond Campground, then out to East Otto State Forest or maybe Sugar Hill in between. I would check out Zoar Valley, and then probably drive down to Chautauqua County and ultimately to Allegheny National Forest. Probably stay there a couple of days, then head back east on US 6, through the Endless Mountains, and return through Binghamton. That said, this is somewhat repeative of the mid-summer trip, so I don’t know if I want to do it again.

Then there is the trip I really want to take, which is to Coal Country Ohio and West Virigina, and the Wayne National Forest and Monongahela National Forest. It would be a delightful trip, even if it was kind of a lng trip. But that is dependent on gas prices, and if I can get a week plus off to make it all happen. But I have truck and gear, so it could be really awesome trip if I could make it happen. I want to travel to new frontiers, and I am ready to make that happen.

As Summer 2012 Fades Away

Andy | September 4, 2012

The endless summer has shown it must come to an end. I woke up the other day at Moose Plains, and the temperature was only 46 degrees out. It was a chilly morning out, but only a symbol of what is to come as we fade into winter. Daylight is rapidly dropping every day.

Probably it would not be as big of deal for me, if I didn’t have to work so much during the fall. But I expect this fall to be a very busy season, where I won’t get to spend much time in the wilderness, camping, hiking, and spending time outdoors until mid-November. You know, I got to work and make money for the toys. And by mid-November, the winter will be well among us.

There is nothing to stop to winter from returning. And as soon as winter comes, winter will be on its way out, as we move back towards April and ultimately mid-May when things finally green up and the endless days of summer return once again. It’s the cycle of life.