Today is Ground Hog Day, when Punxsutawney Phil is pulled out of his den to find out if he has a shadow, and to forecast the rest of the winter season. We all hope that he does not see his shadow, so that by some act of nature the spring will come six weeks earlier. It’s unlikely though, especially in the northeast.
It’s been awful snowy all winter, including one bitterly cold burst during January. You can argue it’s been worst then most years. The good news is that the worst is beyond us, and mud season can only be a dozen or so weeks away. Some how getting your truck stuck in the mud and muck beats this terrible winter weather.
We all want this season will come to an end. It was fun at first, but not so much now. Things will get warm, and it will be wonderful spring then summer. We will be sweating once again outdoors, and spending long nights looking up at the moon, sitting around the campfire. But for now, enjoy the cold.
Some quick cellphone pictures from the Valentines Day 2014 snowstorm, where we got close to 2 feet on top of the existing foot of snow, leading to some awful tall snowbanks along the road.
Cold, wintery weather continues I muse about some random parts of life during the bus ride to work.
Good Morning. Happy Tuesday. The recent cold spell continues, with a stiff breeze. The spin-masters want you to either believe it’s the fault of climate change or that climate change doesn’t exist, but I think that’s kind of a mistake to over-think it too much. It’s just the coldest time of year in Albany. This week and next week, on average is as cold as the climate gets year around. And it’s not that cold historically speaking. The upside: it’s bright and sunny out.
Really Not a Lot to Talk About. Granted it’s a bit weird to be getting back into the groove, and dealing with the shit I have to deal with at work once again. Then again, I was looking at my last pay-stub from the year, and realized my hard-work pays off at work. It’s kind of nice that I can afford a fairly middle class life, unlike so many of my peers who got caught up in the last recession.
84 Days Until April. I know that’s a long time away, but I do look forward to the warmer weather. Easter is late this year, and that week I hope to spend a portion of it out in the wilderness, doing some camping, probably in the Finger Lakes, although I am flexible. Probably jack up my truck then, although I am always weighing the options and figuring out what I really want to do. It will be fun rolling on 35s …
Started Researching My Summer Road Trip. I am thinking of exploring the national forests in Virginia and West Virginia. I think I want to see Skyline Drive and Blue Parkway, but also spend the bulk of the week in the back-country, doing roadside camping. It looks like I will have to plan to overnight during the trip down there. I am thinking of camping at a state campground near Harrisburg one night, and then on the way back, maybe camping in Allegheny National Forest – even if it is a bit out of the way.
Stoney Pond State Forest is located in the highlands between Morrisonville and Cazenovia, and includes a camping area that requires a free permit in the summer. I camped there on November 7, 2010 on a very cold morning.
Waking up truck camping in November meant morning came real early, especially because I had to get going with night approaching fast. This was campsite number eight under the morning light. All of the campsites at Stoney Pond had these great round fire rings.
Walking Through The Woods. There isn’t much in the way of leaves on the trees right now.
Frost on the Leaves.
Truck Camping. In the morning, having my cup of coffee and getting ready to face the day’s adventures. I need to get a table, so I don’t have so much clutter on my tailgate — there are no picnic tables at Stoney Pond.
Icy Ruts. It was that cold in the morning that muddy ruts up there iced up.
Outhouse. In the summer months they also have port-a-poties down by other campsites.
Campsite 8. This is where I camped at, as seen from the road. I liked this site a lot because it was well set back.
Campsite 4. Another really nice campsite, although a bit closely spaced.
Path Down to Stoney Pond. There is a road that goes down to Stoney Pond for those wanting to launch a boat into it.
Stoney Pond. On on side, there is a sandy beach/boat launch.
Campground Roads. There is no charge to camp here, although they want you to call the forest ranger for a free permit in the summer to control usage.
Campsite 1. Not a very nice campsite, but I guess if you want a drive to place where you can camp, and other 15 sites are full, it can be used.
