Balloons over the Adirondacks

I got up at 3 am this morning to drive up to glens falls ny at the southeastern base of the adirondacks. I left at 4 am , worrying that it would be difficult finding my way around in the dark, those fears were washed away when I got about a mile away from the airport. it was bumper to bumper traffic and there was already thousands of people there. I give credit to the county sheriffs and airport crew for doing a wonderful job handing the traffic and parking , they had everyone up and running wild in no time. this is the oldest and biggest air balloon festival on the east coast and next year I will be ready for the show.

tree bark

Autumn : gift from God

as a child , autumn was always a wonderful , colorful , mystical , magical time for me. I loved the falling leaves , the excitement of change and the rainy misty mornings walking to school.

I still see this season through the eyes of a child, if I couldn't be out jumping in mountains of leaves I'd sit looking out the window all day wishing I was.

wishing everyone a life filled with autumn color.

Finger Lakes

the top two photos are of chittenango falls in central ny and the lower two are of havana glen falls in the finger lake area.

Jimmy the Creek

Jimmy Creek feeding into the West Branch of the Sacandaga River.

being a kid again

every once in a while , later in life , we are blessed with the ability to reach back in time , to feel , to smell and to experience the joys of our youth.even if it's for only a moment.

enjoy , embrace and most of all remember.

it was only a moment ago.

Scouting the Sacandaga

Today was spent scouting two of the 3 branches of the Sacandaga river. The Sacandaga and the East branch. This is an area I will probably spend the next month working.

Along with the wildflowers pushing up on the highways and byways there are plenty of waterfalls , ponds , lakes and backroad drives to keep anyone busy for a long time.

Above is a photo of the East branch of the Sacandaga at the old long gone town of Griffin NY on route 8.

Happy trails !

Perch Pond

When all the fishermen and women left I went back and relaxed till the light was no more.

Stupefies the Mind

We have met the enemy , and they be us!

My Backyard

Photography , mostly while on vacation is my escape from all the noise generated in my day to day life. Since I hate to fly , driving has been my choice of transport on these escapes.As I get older the 10,15,20 hours on the road gets to be more like work then vacation. It finally dawned on me that one of the most beautiful places in America is right in my backyard.The Adirondacks.

For the last few months I have been driving around and getting lost while scouting and hiking the lower to mid eastern area of the Adirondacks and would like to share my steps and hopefully at least one photo for each hike with whomever happens along this blog. Maybe you will even find a hike for your escape from the buzz.

My drive yesterday covered the Adirondack road along the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness for a hike to Spectacle pond. Then to route 2 also known as Boreas river road , ending the trip up route 25 to Henderson Lake. The hike to Spectacle pond is about 1.3 miles with streams , small waterfalls and open wilderness areas with pretty views of the Pharaoh mountains.Once you get to the pond there is plenty of places to walk and see the great views of the pond and mountain wilderness.It is an uphill but easy hike to the pond and one could enjoy a full day here.I don't know if it is to early in the season or to late but was surprised that I didn't see any wildflowers along the trail.

My drive along route 2 was spent trying to find the road to Cheney Pond , which I didn't notice until the ride back home.O well there is always next week. About a mile or 2 heading west on the road there is a parking area on the left for the Blue Ridge Falls that is a must stop sight. You will be able to see the top of the falls from the parking area but with a quick little walk the beauty of these falls are laid out in full view. It was then onto route 25 , a right hand turn off route 2 . At the end of this road on the left is the parking area for Henderson lake , from there it is a short .6 mile hike.As soon as you cross the bridge over the Hudson river take a left and within a couple of hundred feet is a beautiful view of the lake and surrounding mountains.Bring a kayak and lunch for a pleasant day of relaxation.

Sunrise and sunset would seem to be great times to photograph Henderson or Spectacle pond.My trip during the day was bright and sunny so I didn't take many photos , above is a boat sitting at Specacle Pond and one of the abandoned homes just before Henderson Lake .Be careful , these collapsed houses are dangerous . Also bring plenty of water and bug spray!!!