APRIL 16, 2016 BEAR MOUNTAIN

      This is always a favorite.  There was sun but it was chilly.  The parking fee has gone up to $10 which makes it a bit expensive, especially when you travel solo, but it didn't seem to deter visitors to the park.  It was good to have Katy back walking with us.

      There were 10 of us and, as usual, we visited the zoo after walking around the lake.

      After the walk, 6 of us ventured to Highland Falls where we checked out two establishments before finding Andy's for breakfast.  The food was good and not expensive and they were very pleasant.

Some turtles enjoying the sun

Three lake views

Relaxing

 

There's always a large group of vultures

and a close up

THE FOUNDRY on 4/2/16 and MADAM BRETT on 4/9/16

While I was enjoying a tour of Japan, Carol D led two walks. 

     THE FOUNDRY: Three people drove to the Foundry on a slightly rainy day.  Since there were only three of them, they opted not to walk.  I hope to reschedule for a Saturday when they have their once-a-month free tours.

      MADAM BRETT:  Carol led this walk also.  It involved 10 people plus 2 dogs.

MARCH 26, 2016 LOCUST GROVE

       The day started out really cold and quite breezy with a dull sky but  it warmed up and the sky turned blue with some clouds.
        There were a dozen of us and it was good to get out and walk.
        After, eleven of us had brunch at the Dutchess Diner.  I thought what a nice group of people we have.
        Today I managed to take a few pictures.

the family pet cemetery

looking down river

and then up river toward the Mid Hudson Bridge

the Boy Scouts were busy building quite a few new benches

we did manage to see some spring flowers beginning to bloom

not very pretty but along the trail

and some interesting fungi

the Morse home and pretty blue flowers

we walked to the garden to check on daffodils [barely visible lower left]

a closer view of the daffodils

MARCH 19, 2016 CULINARY INSTITUTE

      We had such an easy winter where we could have walked for most of it and then today it was very cold.

       There were seven of us.  We had spent some time riding around because I had indicated that we should meet in the visitors parking lot thinking of the open parking lots.  As it turns out they do indicate visitor overflow parking but the sign at the entrance indicated the parking garage.  We wanted to catch everyone so I made a round trip between the two areas and then joined three others to make the round trip again.  Along the way we picked up three more people.  Hopefully, we didn't miss anyone.

        I only walked briefly with the group from the parking garage to the new building and then to the open parking area.  The new building is very nice and has several eating areas.  The others walked some more but I had to leave because I had a date with the veterinarian to euthanize my beloved cat, BG, who was so very sick with viral pneumonia.

        I wasn't quite up to taking pictures.

OCTOBER 24, 2015 WALLKILL VALLEY RAIL TRAIL, NEW PALTZ

     Again, a big thank you to Beth for providing the pix.

OCTOBER 17, 2015 VASSER FARM

     A big thank you to Beth for the pictures.  [I have been unable to attend walks due to fractured wrist.]