July 20, 2013 Arden Point/Glenclyffe

     It was hot and humid and only six of us showed up at the Garrison train parking lot.  We had originally planned to walk toward the Garrison Institute [Marcia's mile] but it was so hot we decided to walk to the river instead, hoping for a breeze.  And we did find a little bit of a breeze as we stood by the water.
     I think Dave would have been willing to walk some more but the five women decided we'd had enough and we all walked back to our cars.  We were only out about an hour and glad to get back to air conditioned vehicles.
     Five of us had brunch at Cracker Barrel.

     There wasn't much to take pix of so there are only a few this week.

ruins at beginning of trail

view from the bridge

we encountered an obstacle

river view

and another

West Point museum [former Ladycliff College]

a nice place to sit and view the river

there were quite a few downed trees

a view of the trail

view toward river from  bridge

only the chimney survived

July 13, 2013 Dennings Point

     It had rained most of Friday night but had stopped in Circleville and Poughkeepsie by 7:30 am so I headed to Beacon.  It drizzled a bit on the way and it was overcast with quite a bit of moisture in the air [and occasional raindrops] with a bit of a breeze.  Even with the iffy weather, there were eleven of us and it was great to see Ginny again after quite some time.
     It's long walk from the train station to Dennings Point.  They're doing some landscaping at the beginning [near Long Dock area] and have already made quite a few imrovements - different grass, plantings, occasional mini paths for closer river views.
     We saw a lot of birds and a variety of flora.  John W is very good at flower and bird identification and he tolf me the names of many but the only flower id I could remember was chicory.  So I googled wildflowers and came up with names that I think are accurate for some of the pix below.
     Six of us brunched at the Yankee Clipper.

hedge bindweed

thimbleberry

couldn't id this one

river view from long dock area

yellow coneflower

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cormorant

duck family in the river

the river in this area is full of invasive water chestnuts

blue heron, one of several we say

this is bad pic thanx to auto focus error but sailboat in middle of water chestnuts was interesting

chicory

common mullein

bergamot ??

color is a little of  but looks kinda like sweet pea

fleabana

another heron

baneberry

4 of us walked down to river for view-Bannerman's Island barely visible in distance

looking the other direction

roots

interesting building and railroad bridge

remains of the cider house

on our way back we encountered group with miniature donkeys

the trail around the point is level

    

July 6, 2013 Ferncliff

     Due to a death in the family, I was unable to attend the walk.  Carol and Eileen kept track of who was there.  There were seven.

     They braved heat, humidity and multitudes of mosquitos causing many to shorten the walk.

June 29, 2013 Lake Minnewaska

     Five of us met in New Paltz to car pool and met six others at the upper parking lot at Minnewaska.  We ordinarily walk on the carriage path surrounding the lake but Dave had done some research and suggested a different route.
     It was hazy then partially sunny and a bit humid.  We had planned this walk for the end of June hoping that the mountain laurel would be in bloom.  It was past its prime at lower locations but, happily,  in full bloom at Minnewaska's higher elevation.
    We started out on the Beacon Hill Carriage Road, a nice wide, paved path with plenty of laurel at the side and through the woods.  We then encountered the footpath that wound up the hillside to eventually intersect with the lake.  Seven of us decided to try it and four opted to return to the parking area.
     The footpath was up and down the hill with much of it over rocky terrain.  I wouldn't have been able to make it over some of the rocks [short legs & not great balance] without some helping hands and an occasional "boost."  It was somewhat strenuous and we all worked up a sweat.  Speaking for myself,  but I think the others would agree,  it was a great walk with beautiful scenery.  Good job Dave!!
     Eight of us brunched at the College Diner in New Paltz.
     I got carried away with photos and am sharing quite a few below.

here's a map of the trail

mountain laurel closeup

we saw many beautiful bushes

this was a really nice trail

another closeup

more laurel views

colorful mushroom

precarious tree

more mushrooms

great view from the carriage path -Skytop at Mohonk in distance left of center

New Paltz is beyond notch on right

closeup of the Trapps and entrance to Peters Kill trail

Skytop

we're at the footpath - do we try it or go back?

last view of the carriage path

the trail beginning looked a bit precarious but 7 of us opted to go on

the trail was very rocky in places

but not everywhere

more mountain laurel

through the laurel & over the rocks

the happy walkers

we're getting near the lake

this rock "formation" doesn't look natural

pretty, tiny white flowers along the trail

negotiating an uphill

interesting wood

one of many views from the path

the red dots indicate the foot path

view of the lake

view of the beach across the lake

we relaxed here for a few minutes

we usually walk the trail under this bridge - this time we went over

mama mallard watching her babies as they're being fed

close up of the house and a hawk or turkey vulture

the lake with view of the cliffside house

this is where the ducks were and is out of order