October 6, 2012 Pawling Nature Reserve

     Ten of us were able to find our way to the Pawling Reserve for a great walk on a nice day.  There was sun and it wasn't humid.  A real pleasure.  We walked a little over 2.5 miles.  There was quite a bit of uphill but it wasn't too strenuous. 

we begin the walk uphill

it's quite a way down to the brook

interesting log

we saw a wide variety of fungi...here are some

We walked briefly on the Appalachian Trail.  We found planking of a large portion of the trails.

interesting cave

we saw a salamander

pretty little flowers...don't know what they are

     After walking and before the rain, four of us enjoyed an excellent meal at McKinney and Doyle in Pawling.

September 29, 2012 Norrie Point & picnic

     

     There was a slight drizzle and it didn't look very promising when I got up this morning. The prediction was 20% chance of showers but the food was made [unfortunately I left mine on the porch while I went to put ice in the water chest in my car and took off without it] so cj and I headed for Norrie Point.  I've pretty much decided that unless it's raining hard and the prediction is dire, it's usually worth taking a chance on the iffy days.  I think we've only cancelled one walk this year.   We've taken a few chances that it wouldn't rain and have done ok [except for Shaupeneak..we did get rained on a little bit there].

we're on our way

this got a little color help with my "boost" program

falling tree was caught by another one

"boosted reflection"

and how it really looked

we debated the purpose of this building with no doors on the first floor

front view of the building

wildlife...John says this wooly bear indicates a long winter

"boosted" again

fisherman in the inlet

so the sky wasn't great and it was a bit chilly...we enjoyed!

     Eleven of us met in the Marina parking lot and ten of us took off on the blue trail [CJ's knee was bothering her so she waited for us in the parking lot].  When we got back, we took our food to the picnic benches in front of the building so we could look at the river while we enjoyed eating our food.  Pat & John, who arrived after we had started walking and did their own walk, joined us to make a total of 13 for the day.  We enjoyed a nice variety of dishes, good company plus a river view.

September 22, 2012 Minnewaska State Park

     The weather people promised a sunny afternoon and temperatures in the 80s.  [They were sure off for our area!!]  When we left home it was cool and overcast/foggy.  Eight of us met in New Paltz so we could car pool and we met one more person [Dave] in the upper Minnewaska parking lot.  We could see fog as we climbed from the valley up the mountain but we were shocked when we exited our cars. 
     WHOA were we surprise!.  The fog was a fine mist, it was windy and COLD!!!  We were tempted [some of us] to just go back to New Paltz and  enjoy breakfast without walking.  But we walked and once we got started around the lake we warmed up and enjoyed the walk. 

the beach...not very inviting on this day

a bit of the valley view

the view from the far end of the lake

the end of the lake

a small stream

valley view...wish we could have had a better view

another valley view

on a clear day...you ca see Skytop at Mohonk

lake view from the rocks

what a nice place to enjoy a picnic

the gazebo

our group...thanks Pat

walking under the bridge

canoe at the boat launch area

don't know what creates the foam

another nice place to picnic

     Minnewaska is such a pretty place it was unfortunate that the weather didn't cooperate.  Unfortunately  the pictures don't show the beauty of this place.   After the walk, six of us enjoyed breakfast at the College Diner.