Every day nowadays seems to end with 5 hours of darkness. Here is how I use them when I am out camping.
5 PM. Build campfire, catch up on the news.
6 PM. Cook dinner and eat dinner.
7 PM. Sit back and enjoy the night by the campfire
8 PM. Listen to a podcast or read a book
9 PM. Head to bed early, as it’s best to get up early in the morning to maximize the daylight.
Last fall I spent two days camping in the Allegany National Forest, which is south of Salamaca, NY and west of Bradford, PA. Two days in mid-November provided a limited time to explore the area, in part due to the short days between sunrise and sunset, requiring me to back to camp no later then about 3:30 PM in the afternoon to gather wood and prepare for the coming sunset at 5 PM.
Throughout the Allegenheny National Forest there are many truck trails that pass oil and gas wells, provide access to timber stands used for logging, and also access to hunters, fishermen, hikers, and camping. Most of the forest is not mature stands of trees, and indeed the whole area has a very working-forest nature to it, by no means is it wilderness.
Camping is allowed along all of the dirt roads except for roads specifically designated scenic byways. It is strongly discouraged by that vehicle travel off the roads any further then neccessary to prevent erosion. Dotted along the roads are places where people have camped in the past, in fields and other desirable places. Campsites are very primative, and have only rock fire places left by previous users.
I camped off of Forest Service Road 154, quite a ways above the Allegeheny Reservior. It was a decent little site, pretty far back, and nice and hard, so I need not worry about sinking into the ground. I also felt wildfire danger was lower this time of year, as there was not the dry grass here, and the leaves where damp from dew.
I strung a line out to hang up the Christmas lights I used for ambiance and background lighting at night, and built a campfire in the firepit. I was moving stuff between the cab and the back of the truck when I took this picture.
Inside my camping rig when I was camping up there.
In the evening, watching the sun set, a little after 5 pm…
There are many things to see at Allegheny National Forest (all free) from the Rim Rock to views from Jakes Rocks to the views of Reservior. There probably was much more I could have seen had I spent more time camping up there.
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.
Here is a map of the Stoney Pond Camping Area.
Here is the State Forest Map.
Arterial photo of the area.
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.