They say that November is the greyest month of the year. It is the month that has the fewest sunny days of year, where clouds are the norm. November isn’t particularly rainy, but it sure feels cold at times. We might get some snow, but usually not much. What snow we do get usually disappears quickly.
It’s a month of many holidays and special events. It’s when election day comes, sometimes a big deal nationally, and sometimes just a time more for local campaigns. The politicians and their volunteers try to round up their supporters, and get them out to vote. Then everybody takes a big breath when all the politicking is over.
It’s the month that sees deer season, a big thing in our rural communities. Deer hunters look forward to the first day, when 47% of the take happens each year. It’s a time for communion in the woods and spending time out there hoping for the big bag.
Later in the month comes Thanksgiving, a time for family and food. Around that time the sometimes obnoxious Christmas seasons gets underway. Yet it’s an important time of tradition and reflecting on what has happened in past year and what we hope happens in the new one.
The leaves may be off the trees. It might be getting cold out there. Yet, there still is much to look forward to in the upcoming months.
Columbus Day occurs in the North-East around the peak of fall, when colors are at it’s finest. It’s a celebration of Christopher’s Discovery of North America, which would eventually lead to it’s mass colonisation by many Europeans seeking a new life and the seemingless inexhaustible new resources under-tapped and under-utilised by the native peoples.
Many different areas have different celebrations for Columbus Day. In New York State, it is a state holiday where most local and state agencies are closed, and there are big parades in major ciites, but in most other areas the holiday gets little special attention. Most private sector employers, and SUNY does not close for the holiday.
While the Christopher Columbus’s legacy is controversial due to his brutal tactics and those who followed him, he did forever change our world by his popularisation of the North America as a land of endless resources. Population growth and advanced technologies exploited many of these resources to capacity and beyond, and in doing so created a prosperous nation which forever would go on to change the world.
The same day I visited Giant Ledge, I also hiked up Panther Mountain. Panther Mountain is about 750 feet higher then Giant Ledge, and is one of the high peaks, at an elevation over 3,500.
Portions of the trail are made up of rock stairs up the mountain. Other parts you climbed up rocks, but nothing too steep.
Along the trail in full color.
Interesting swamp with the ferns a bright yellow color.
A top the mountain, one of the first views is on top of a boulder.
The Panther Summit is at 3,720 feet.
One of the best views off the mountain was how clear Indian Head Mountain looks from off of Panther Mountain.
Off the trail, there is this cute little cave.
Looking into the Woodlawn Valley.
Mountains through the valley, looking off of Panther Mountain.
The month of September is when the summer season officially winds down. It’s also when it starts getting a bit cooler and clearer our, and when we start seeing the first hints of fall’s beauty.
It’s the time of high-harvest and a closing out of summer. Kids go back to school this month, and young adults go back to college. Primary day comes and goes, political candidates focus on their general election.
Leaves start to fall. The humidity drops even faster. Some of the nicest weather of the entire year comes about. It promises to be a pleasurable time.
