8-24-13 Hurricane Mountain, back in NY

It has been a long time since I have been in New York.  It is a long drive to do alone and tired after a hike so having a hiking buddy made it more feasible.  Craig joined me for his first hike in New York and Hurricane.

As always the view from here is awesome.  the weather was perfect.

Aaaah the High Peaks.

Fire Tower in full effect.

View south/west from the peak.

View toward Vermont.

We stopped at Chimney Point on the way back to look at the Fort.

The last time I explored the ruins was with my ex almost 4 years ago.  Time flies, doesn't it.

Double decker fireplaces inside the barracks.

From the ramparts.

This is the point, if you were attacking, where you will die.

Ah menacing wells.  An awesome day all round.

8-17 to 8-19-13 Lake Galway

My friend Patrick has a camp down on Lake Galway, and area that has some history with me.  It is a private lake, with lots of beauty.  His great grandfather built the cabin.

From the front porch....

in panorama...

I have to bring down my kayak. got to go out and have some fun.

This is the artificial damn with an outlet well guarded from sucking down said kayaks.

Sal, in the sun, inside the camp.  He had a blast.

First nights sunset.  Just awesome.

Second nights dinner, steak with chives and cheddar, sauteed mushrooms and onion and a very fresh salad with tomato, avocado, cucumbers and goat cheese.

The reflection of the sunset around my bow.

Good...

Better...

The exterior view of the camp.

The kayak pulled up.  I slowly taught Sal how to jump off the docks.

They had an old proper GE fridge, still works.

They also have an old wood stove, but no longer used.  Made a cool picture.  An awesome time, it was the first time I had nothing to do but relax in a damn long time.

8-14-13 Amazing Clouds from the Bike Path

Was running on the Bike Path and saw these clouds.  Had to take pictures.  Usually I do not run with a phone, that day was just lucky.

8-10-13 Greg and Michelle's Visit

My High School friend Greg and his then girlfriend, now fiancee, Michelle came up for a visit.  Sal decided an action shot was necessary.

8-5-13 Mini Golf and Scotch

As a birthday gift Patrick and Andrea got me a ticket for the Essex Putt Putt Golf.  Joining us was Josh and his sister.  It was a lot of fun and the view awesome as the sun set.

And I got this because I manage to finally pay off a small college loan.  Mmmmm 10 years to pay off $6,000.   It is progress though.

8-4-13 Rock Climbing 2

When the chance came up to go with Matt back to Lower West Bolton and try rock climbing again it was awesome.

 

This is the pitch that last time stopped me.  This time I got to the top and it felt awesome.

Looking up the side of the same pitch.  There is harder stuff here, not yet, not yet.

Size of a thumb.  Just huge.

8-3-13 Little River/Cottonbrook

Due to the danger of thunderstorms I ended up taking Sal to the lowlands of Little River.

This is the boat launch area, I have yet to actually go here in my kayak.  It is a huge lake so plenty to explore when I do

One of the underpasses for the path.  The weather was just stunning.
I had to go off trail to wander down to where I had camped with Lucas last year.

This is looking south, this sandbar was very soggy.

So I decided to literally walk up stream.  The water was ankle deep for the most part.  I marked the beginning with this little pile of rocks.

Sal was excited for the adventure.

This was washout from Irene.  Even now the damage from that powerful storm is obvious.

Sal having a blast.

I found slightly off shore this log with this stone on top of it.  There were no tracks, nor a trail around this area.  I think this was left but currents from the last flood.

There were tons of little pools and the like.  The water was surprisingly murky and a bit cold.

A cool little feeding stream I had to cross.

The stone all had the layered sedimentary kind of rock.  I actually found a nice secluded spot and went skinny-dipping in the river.  It was the first time I have done that in a long time and it was a lot of fun.  A perfect day for it.

7-31-13 Shelburne Bay Races

In Shelburne Bay they do races with all the very nice boats.  I took my kayak and just sat as they went by.  A perfect seat.

It was pretty to watch them throw up the spinnakers on the downward run