Blue Ledges

7/366

Four of us met at the visitor's center for the drive to hike the Blue Ledges trail near North Creek on Friday morning.  It was so good to have Jane with us after her month-long hiatus from our group.

The trailhead sign says the trail is 2.5 miles one way with only a 230 ft incline.  Easy-peasy, right?

It wasn't as easy as it sounds though because there were a lot of down-hill areas and then up-hills to compensate for them.  Still...it was a nice trail.

Not too far after starting we came upon this pretty lake.

There was only one car at the trailhead parking lot, and about ⅔ of the way into the trail we saw the group heading out that belonged to the car.  It was quite a surprise to me to discover that the group included someone I know.  She's a member of my bookgroup and is an avid hiker.  Her husband and a friend were with her.  

"Are we pretty close to the end?"  "Yes", they said.
I guess their idea of pretty close and our idea of pretty close
are two different things.

After our little chat, we powered on, pretty quickly discovering that we weren't really "close", but definitely looking forward to seeing the blue ledges and the river.

Finally...

There were two guys there finishing their lunch.  As we were taking photos one of them offered to take a photo of all of us.  It saved me the trouble of setting up the tripod, so I was happy to let them oblige.

After using their camera to take a photo of them for them, I got one for me.

We're from Scotia~~(it's not often we meet hikers that are from the same
area we are from).  It took us 2 hours to drive here, but we did the
trail in about 1 hour.  (haha, it took us 2 hours to do the trail)

After eating our lunch and enjoying the beautiful weather and scenery, we began our trek back to the car.  Along the way we met another friendly couple.

We're from the Syracuse area.  This is our first time on this trail.
Her:  I broke my foot this past winter and this is the first time I've
been out to see how it's doing.  

It was another great day and hike.  We treated ourselves to Stewart's ice-cream and spent a good deal of time sharing tips about how to work our cell phones/cameras and taking photos of a beautiful butterfly (or is it a moth?) that was hanging out on a boulder near us.

Moxam Mountain

6/366

Trish and I headed out early on the morning of Thursday, June 30 for Moxam Mt. near North Creek.  It was a beautiful day.

I, however, didn't feel too "beautiful" (under the weather kind of).  I thought I could power through it and I didn't want to cancel because it was just going to be the two of us and if I backed out then Trish would have to give up the hike.   I had been looking forward to it for a week, so I decided to grit my teeth and get going.

We arrived at the trail head an hour and a half later.  There was one car there and a mom and son were putting on their gear to get ready for the hike.  We finally got ourselves together, took our "group" photo at the trailhead sign and headed up the mountain.

The trail was beautiful, really well marked and groomed.  Easy going...except for the fact that as we walked I felt worse and worse.  

Anyway, to make a long story short, I made it almost all the way.  I finally told Trish to finish the last 10-12 minutes and I would wait for her.  I sat on a shaded rock listening to the birds and feeling the beautiful breeze while looking at the spectacular scenery around me.  

While discussing whether or not Trish should go on without me, the mom and son passed us on their way down.  We talked for a little while, but I didn't even feel up to asking for their photo.  Sheesh, what's up with that?  

There were several overlooks along the trail to the summit.  These photos are from the highest overlook before the summit, so at least I got to see some of the view.

On the way down I began to feel better and by the time we got to the car I was raring to go.  Oh well, it was still a great day and hopefully we'll do that hike again this season.  In the fall I bet it's breath-taking.

On our way down we met a group of young people heading up.  There were about 7-8 of them but we didn't chat. There was a van in the parking area marked with the logo from Camp of the Woods.  

Trish and I decided to stop at Sport Island Pub for dinner on the way home.  We sat on the patio and thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful weather and view of the lake.

Spruce Mt. Hike

6/366

Another beautiful day, another beautiful hike.    Trish, MaryLou and me.

There's a little dispute about how long this hike is.  My ADK book, which is a 1994 version (the most current one I could find) indicates that the trail is 1.1 miles one way.  The trailhead sign said the trail is 1.3 miles one way.  The sign-in had a flyer with some updated info and it said the trail is 1.4 miles each way, but to top it off, Trish's fitbit showed it to be almost 5 miles round-trip while my fitbit showed a little under 4 round-trip.  So....in the spirit of compromise Trish and I decided to call it 4.5 miles round trip so we could have bragging rights.

Anyway, it's a great trail.  A lot of ascent, but many switchbacks and smooth going.

On the way we met a woman and her dog.   (altogether we only saw about 5 different people)

Maizie is a rescue dog.  I've had her for about 1.5 years and she's about 3
now.  She doesn't like men and she's nervous about the walking
sticks.
I've hiked the 46 high peaks and a lot of trails in the Catskills.
I had a very nasty divorce a couple of years ago and I started hiking
then as therapy.  My two girls want to start hiking again, so I figured
I should get back in shape so I can go with them.

There's absolutely no view at the top unless you climb the fire tower.  This one has 97 steps.  It's amazing how much harder it is to climb steps than to go up a trail.

On the way down, Trish reminded us that today was the 1-year anniversary of when she started hiking with us.  Yay for that.  What a great addition she's been to our group.

Happy Anniversary Trish!!

Minekill State Park Hike

5/366

Minekill State Park is in Blenheim, NY.  It's a beautiful drive south on Rt. 30 from Amsterdam.  The weather was spectacular and we had a great time.  Four of us were available for this hike.  Doing these phone selfies is still a challenge for me, but it seems to be getting a little easier.

This "hike" is not up a mountain, but it still provided quite a challenge.  There weren't too many photo ops along the way so I somewhat regretted schlepping my grown-up camera with me, but it's over and done and I survived.

Time for a snack.  I don't know where the heck I was looking, but it's still a cute pic.

There weren't many people on this trail.  Some school kids were on a field trip, but I didn't want to take the chance of asking for their photos.  We did, however, come upon this amenable bus driver who was reading the paper on his bus while he waited for the kids to return.  He seemed glad to have company and conversation for a few minutes.

I'm retired.  I decided to get a job as a bus driver after I retired from my regular job.

Now let me pose for a photo with your friends.

We're from Oregon.  We just dropped our daughter off at an
acting camp in NYC for two weeks.
We're traveling around to see some of the
Catskills and Adirondacks and do some hiking.

Overlook Mountain Hike, June 9, 2016
4/366

Trish and I hiked the Overlook Mountain Trail in Woodstock, NY.  It's 2.5 miles up, and by "up", I mean the trail is about a 30-45 degree incline for 2.5 miles.  It was a tough one for me.  I guess I wasn't conditioned enough by the time we did it.  After all, it was still only the middle of June.  Fortunately it was very cool and fairly breezy.

About 2 miles up is an abandoned hotel~~The Overlook Mountain Hotel.  It was built in the late 1800s and experienced two fires over the years.  After the 2nd fire, plans were made to rebuild, but the owner encountered some financial difficulties and it was never finished.  The original hotel could accommodate 300 guests, so it must have been quite impressive.  By looking at the remaining ruins, you can just imagine how elegant and beautiful the facility must have been and why it was so popular. 

The bathtub below is the only remnant of human habitation that I could see.  According to one website, all other materials were removed on purpose or by vandals.

A second nearby structure still contained some window frames.

A half mile beyond the hotel is the "overlook".  It offers a beautiful 180 degree view of the Catskills.

There is also a fire tower, but the very top level was blocked off.  Just like the tower on Kane Mountain, there are 9 sets of steps of 9 steps each~~total of 81 steps.

Before heading out on the hike I decided I was going to try to work up the nerve to ask other hikers if I could take their photos.  The inspiration came from the facebook posts and book by Brandon Stanton "Humans of New York" better known as HONY. 

 I did manage to get some photos.  As time goes by I hope to ask a few questions so I 

can have a little story to go along with each image.

"This is her first hike.  It was enough for her.
We're not going to the overlook.  We'll head back down now."

We met this couple again at the overlook and talked a little about cameras
and photography.  He only had his cell phone this day, but had a
Canon back home.

"I'm retired now.  I'm from Ireland, but after I retired I moved to Spain.
My daughter still lives in Ireland.
All of this green is making me home-sick for Ireland."

God's Timing

3/366

There's nothing like It.  God's Timing. 

While we kick and scream and shake our fists and demand what we want NOW, God has a plan for each of us that we know nothing about.  We still get to make decisions, and by His Grace we make the right ones, or at least not the worst ones, but His plan for us was put into place before He created the world.  

How awesome is that?  How incomprehensible is that?

My daughter has wanted a marriage and children since she was an older teenager.  It didn't happen and it didn't happen, until finally it looks like it will. Happen.

I Can't Wait to meet this guy.  From what she tells me it sounds like he was raised in our household with our values and goals.  He sounds like a great fit for our family.  

Many times over the years I've wondered to myself where in the U.S. I would like to live if I didn't live in upstate NY.  There are places I know I would definitely NOT enjoy specifically any place that gets into the 3-digit temps in the summer accompanied by severe humidity. 

Hahaha, just to show you want kind of a God we serve and what kind of sense of humor He has, this guy, who will probably become my second son-in-law, lives in Lubbock, Texas.  Oh My Goodness, who, who WHO lives in Lubbock, TX.  And why???

I've said all of this just to say that I guess I will be spending some significant time living in TX (a hot, humid place) once babies begin arriving.  

There's a country/western song with this line in it:

If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans.

So true, so true.

The Skatepark

2/366

Wow, it's been a long, long time since my last post.  I don't know what's up with that.  I guess I've just lost the impetus to post.  I don't need international acclaim for my blog, or even just a hundred readers, but I basically have 2 (two) followers who comment, and this is after almost 10 years.

But really, I always treated this blog as more of an online journal than anything else, so it really shouldn't matter if I have followers, readers or people who comment.  But in a small way, it does. 

So many things in our lives happen.  Big things that are important to remember and little things that seem inconsequential and very forgettable, but the fact is that everything that happens is worth remembering, both good and bad.  The good brings us joy, the bad sanctifies us and builds character.  So, ultimately, it's important to keep this thing going...

I'm nearing the end of my stay in Hawaii for this year.  It's Ap 20 and I leave on May 5.  It's both good and bad.  I'll miss the fantastic weather and the easy access to the beaches, but I'll be happy to return to my home and be surrounded by my family, friends and my "things". ("things" being my familiar kitchen supplies, craft supplies, etc)

The other day I decided to finally go to one of the local skate parks.  What fun photographing the kids there.  I will have to find some skate parks back in NY.  

It's A New Year

1/366

New Year's Eve was quiet around here.  Just the same old, same old.  I don't mind.  I'm not big into the party scene, even if it is just a bunch of us getting together to play games.  That's my first choice, or is it my second choice?  The first choice being staying home, working on crafts, reading and just generally being grateful for the blessings I have.  I'll get back to you about that.

First thing this morning I headed into the kitchen to bake some cranberry bars.  They're a knock-off of Starbuck's Cranberry Bliss Bars, so even though that's really what they are, I won't use that name for them because, who knows if it's really the EXACT same recipe, and anyway, a cranberry bliss bar by any other name is still a delicious cranberry bar.

We're headed to a friend's house this afternoon for food and games and my contribution will be these bars, and, of course, a couple of games.  

So here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year and a blessed 2016.  Let's all count our blessings even in the darkest times we experience and let's make it our goal to pay-it-forward as often as possible in the coming year.

Smoke Art

20/365

I recently took a tutorial class to learn how to photograph smoke.  It was so fun.  The class was small so everyone had a chance to practice, and it turned out to be much easier than I thought it would be.

It's five days before Christmas.  I finally finished all the handmade gifts I started, all the events at church are over, I don't have any appointments or meetings today...so I got things set up and practiced. Yay for a Day at Home once in a while!

It worked!~!  I'm so psyched.  Now the only thing left to do is practice the editing part so that I can made the smoke different colors.  But until then, this is what ya get. 

Victorian Stroll 2015

19/365

Today was the annual Victorian Stroll in Troy.  It's the only one in the area (that I know of) that takes place during daylight hours, so it's perfect for taking photos.  And this year was glorious because the temperature was pretty tolerable with no wind.

It was very crowded, probably because the weather was so nice.  

I met up with a new friend, Cindy, and we spent hours just walking around looking for photo ops.

This percussion band, named Troy Samba (at least that's what I think the name was on their shirts) went above and beyond to provide great performances throughout the afternoon.  There were probably 20-25 members all together.

2015 Tiny Miss Uncle Sam and one of the drummers were getting it on together.  

Santa was performing as usual but his elf didn't seem to be there this year.  It's always fun to take pics of someone posing with Santa.

So many people were walking around in period-correct garb, and every one of them was more than willing to pose for a photo.  

It was a fun afternoon, and next year's event is already on my calendar.

An Afternoon in Ft. Hunter
18/365

The Capital Region Photography Meetup group held a field trip to, of all places, the Schoharie Crossing, a mere 7 minutes from my house.  That's almost unheard of.  Usually I have to travel an hour or more to join one of their field trips. 

Now....I've been to the Schoharie Crossing and the surrounding areas many, many times, and right now it's not very attractive because it's just past the peak of Fall color, so I was really wondering what in the world these people were going to photograph.

But I went anyway, cause spending time outdoors for any reason is better than sitting on my couch all day.  Well, because I was the only one who knew the area, I became the tour guide.  They all had a great time...this location is completely new to them, so they were inspired.  And then I got inspired.

We went to the boat launch, where it just so happened there was a fishing tournament taking place, so there were a good number of boats in the water (photo op) and when we got there the boats began coming in with their catches (photo op).  The fella in this first pic saw me with the camera and joyfully asked if I wanted to take his picture (photo op).  When I said yes, he posed...and he even followed my prompting to move over a little so I could get a better shot.  He said if I posted the pic, I should be sure to caption it "the Fishing Hairdresser".  Yup, he's a hairdresser by trade.  So funny. 

I saw a tractor in the recently plowed field on the other side of the parking lot (photo op) and did my best to get something interesting.

This is the old aqueduct (falling to wrack and ruin, sadly) with one of the fishing boats nearby. 

(photo op)

We then went to the Yankee Hill Canal location were we started fooling around with alternative shooting (more photo ops):  using a slow shutter speed while zooming, moving the camera, and panning.  The other folks enjoyed it.  This is one of my favorites that I took.

 And then there was an old, old, very large tree with this gnarly bark (yup, you guessed it, another photo op).  Couldn't resist it.

We ended the day by going to the Garden Bug where the folks had a great time photographing the pumpkins and gourds and purchasing pies and gifts from the great gift shop there.  It was a really good afternoon.