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Why I Like Using Christmas Lights at Camp

Several years ago, I got a set of LED Christmas lights that I bring almost every time I am roadside camping. I actually have several of the strings now, plus a LED rope light string that I bought this summer, that I don’t like as much although I still use it, because I paid for it, and does put out a bit of bright light.

White Man Mountain

LED Christmas light strings are great, because they put out a fair amount of direct light, yet consume minimal power. A typical string of LED Christmas lights consumes 4.5 watts, so you can pear together several strings, yet have minimal consumption of electricity — which is a big deal if your camping in woods, using a battery.

Sparkle

LED Christmas lights are just bright enough to keep one from tripping on various things in on the campsite, but not to take away from the campfire or darkness of woods. They give just the right light. One does not necessarily want their campsite lit up brighter then bright all evening long, while sitting next to campfire, enjoying a cold beer.

Delightful Fall Hikes

Pillsbury Mountain (Central Adirondacks).

Located in the Jessup River Wild Forest, North of Spectulator, offers great views of West Canada Wilderness, Cedar River Flow, Moose River Plains, Spectulator Tree Farm, Siamese Pond Wilderness. Should be close to peak foliage now. Consider camping at the roadside/tent campsites along Mason Lake to the North on Jessup River Road / NY 30. Take NY 30 to Jessup River Road to Military Road to Parking Area to get there. You may want to park at the start of Military Road if you have a low-clearance vehicle.

Snowy Mountain

Click on map to download and print.

 Hogsback State Forest

Hadley Mountain (Southern Adirondacks).

Located near Stony Creek, NY, it offers some great views of the Wilcox Lake Wild Forest and the Great Scanadaga Lake. I’ve never been there in the fall, but I suspect it offers many great views this time of year, with peak foliage being not far away.

Looking North

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Gully

Buck Mountain (West Shore Lake George, Adirondacks)

This is one of my most recent hikes, but definately offers really good views of Lake George and elsewheres, especially now that the fall colors are starting to set on in. One of the more difficult hikes on the list, it’s not really that difficult, but if you go from Pilot Knob, expect a 3.1 mile hike, and gaining around 2,100 feet in elevation. Regardless, a very nice hike.

2022 NY Congress Results Map

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Route 9 & 20 in Rensselaer

Kaaterskill Clove (Haines Falls, Catskills).

Located near the North South Lake Campground, offers great views of the Clove, Hunter Mountain, Palenville, Hudson River, and farms and other lands near Catskill. Park on Scutt Road for free, which is last right before campground. Take Escarpment Trail all the way around to the Catskill Mountain House Ruins, then walk past North-South Lake.

* Area may be temporarily be closed due to Irene.

Inspiration Point

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 Ferns Covered Woods

Giant Ledge (High Peaks, Catskills).

Located on the ledge between Slide Mountain and Panther Mountain, a relatively easy hike, with a relatively brief but not scary scramble onto the ledge that runs for 3/4 mile. Colorful views of vast Woodland Valley with Mount Tremper and other mountains in the distance, along with good views of Slide Mountain, Cornell Mountain, and other hike peaks.

* Slide Mountain Road was severely damaged by Irene. Area may be temporarily be closed due to Irene.

Untitled

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When Thanksgiving Falls, 2000 to 2099

A Cold Winter’s Day Five Rivers

On a very cold Saturday afternoon, I decided to drive out to Five Rivers and take some pictures. I wanted to get pictures of the setting sun, but it did not happen due to the snow squal that came blowing in. Here’s what I got.

CCC Sheds

Pavilion Along the Pond

After Dark

Helderberg Mountains

Blowing Snow…

It certainly was cold enough there when I was walking. If it had been nicer, I probably would have headed out of town.

McMansion Hidden By the Snow

Snow Drifts Across the Field

Blowing Snow

Chopped

Deer Pics…

The deer really aren’t all afraid of humans at Five Rivers. You can almost walk up and touch them, as they know that hunting is prohibited in this area.

Why Are You Photographing Me?

White Tail Walking Away

Deer in Apple Orchard

CCC Sheds