Working remote. Hudson River Chestertown NY 8 25 2025

Another beautiful day in the Adirondacks. 

Trail Cam - upstate NY 8-3-2021 - just what goes on at 3 AM in the Adirondack forest?

The weekender. Ever wonder what native animals are out wandering around the Adirondack forest in the early predawn hours?

Most don't. My daughter does.  I am interested as well. She set up her trail cam. Here is one video she sent me (I am hoping for more).

Racoons! Really? These little scavengers are out looking for unsecured food.

I have to admit. I was hoping for some bears. At least a video of the groundhog that she has been seeing around lately.

I will post any additional videos that merit posting.

Enjoy your weekend. Stay dry. This may be a very wet weekend here in South Florida.

Photo of the Day - Its often Groundhog's Day in upstate NY or is this a woodchuck?

My daughter provided photos on a ground hog that has taken up residence nearby in upstate NY.

Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks. They are the largest-bodied members of the squirrel family in upstate New York. An adult groundhog weighs around ten pounds on average, and they are easily recognizable for their chunky bodies and stubby legs.

Some areas apparently consider them a pest. Geez, can't we all just get along? They are part of nature.

For the record, ground hogs are correct only half the time in predicting the end of winter. 

Finally, a woodchuck would chuck “As much wood as a woodchuck could chuck, If a woodchuck could chuck wood.”

Enjoy your summer

NY Government for improved natural/recreational facilities. “DEC: Rail line should be deemed “interim trail”.

"Railbanking" "interim trail" NY Department of Environmental Conservation works to improve its recreational and natural infrastructure. Turning an unused rail line to trail. FLorida has an extensive Rails to Trails program.

The "DEC" refers to the state of New York Department of Environmental Conservation. I am promoting an interesting read from an upstate NY Media source. DEC: Rail line should be deemed 'interim trail' by Don Lehman, the Post Start. How things differ from NY to Florida. I would love to research why in NY it appears that unused rail lines can be declared "abandoned" and turned to a usable trail, even if 'interim", yet Florida grants rail easements that results in extensive property rights, costing significant dollars plus density development when the Florida rail lines are equally 'abandoned'. NY is obviously a more environmentally friendly State than Florida.

It appears that NY has a process that allows for use agreements between the DEC and railroads which  allows the railroads to avoid substantial maintenance and liability costs while permitting DEC to coordinate with concerned municipalities and other stakeholders to ensure the line benefits the region in the future. Nice. It appears to be a win/win.

Prior RELATED POSTS:
February 6, 2016, Dunedin to Tarpon Springs 1 30 16 - Riding the Pinellas Trail
and
July 29, 2015, The Warren County Bike Trail - I contend that this is a model for the Ludlum Trail

Its a 'hot' trend, but Palmetto Bay is clearly not "cool" enough. This kind of trendy setting definitely NOT coming to Palmetto Bay

Here is an example of right idea, but only in the right place. This won't be coming soon to Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest or Cutler Bay. None of these municipalities "cool" enough.

Have fun, read up on what I am talking about, and note read the full story, all credit goes to LakeGeorge.com: see story: Cool Cocktails, Scrumptious S'mores, Incredible Ice Scupltures & More at Lake George Area Ice Bars 2018 - 2019

Ice bars are one of the hottest trends sweeping Lake George, NY! These cool attractions feature bars, seating, glasses, and even props carved from thousands of pounds of ice. Below, you'll find a guide to ice bars in and around Lake George and the Adirondacks. Be sure to hit up these hotspots while you can, as they're only around for a limited time each winter season.

Photo - as credited: The Sagamore as posted in LakeGeorge.com

Lake George is a great family place to be, regardless of the season. I've done some crazy things there (multiple years engaging in the Lake George Polar Bear Plunge, 2007 & 2013). I would like to be able to try out one (or more) of these new outdoor ice bars. 

Photo of the day - family time at Tripp Lake

Saturday AM July 30, 2016 - Tripp Lake, upstate NY. 
Her first cast on a new rod.  Plastic worm. Success. Release.

Enjoying family time in many different activities.

Photo left - same fish 7-30-16 just before release. Photo right - similar success at the same lake 8 years earlier - how time flies!

Small Town USA - Warrensburg's Community Garden

It is always interesting to see what is going on in Small Town USA.  My ongoing research and comparing notes while on vacation.  Part of my personal process to bringing best practices and updated ideas on making things work best for our residents home to Palmetto Bay.

Things I like, places I enjoy in Warrensburg, NY (pop 4,255).

This is an outstanding example of a community garden - The Town of Warrensburg's Community Garden is located on their main street.  

Be like the Small Town USA!

Eugene Flinn, Mayor
Palmetto Bay

Photo(s) of the day - Family time away from Palmetto Bay - hiking with the family along the Shelving Falls Trail - Northern Water Snake

Family time in upstate NY - near Lake George - hiking with the family along the Shelving Falls Trail - stopping at the Shelving Rock Falls. Here we ran into this Northern Water Snake

We watched it picnic while we did the same:

The Warren County Bike Trail - I contend that this is a model for the Ludlum Trail

Bicycle tourism is booming and Miami-Dade County needs to continue to add to and improve our bike trails in order to capture this market.

Personally,  Alexandra and I ride locally and enjoy biking the Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay, Pinecrest, South Miami and Coral Gable areas on a regular basis.  We have also ridden parts of the Florida Keys, the Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast areas.  Last week (July 22-26) Alexandra and I spent part of my brief time off enjoying The Warren County bikeway it was a definite highlight and it struck me that this is what the Ludlum Trail could be if properly developed. The Ludlum Trail could offer the same opportunities (excluding, of course, the mountain views). We traveled the Warren County Bikeway from the northern start in Lake George Village to its southern end in downtown Glens Falls (though the bike trails continue at each end). The vast majority of the Warren County Bikeway is paved and for non-motor vehicle traffic.

It is interesting to note that it does intermingle with existing roads - it runs through nature preserves, along side commercial, municipal, golf courses and yes, through and part of existing affluent residential (single family home) neighborhoods.  I saw this trail to be well used by joggers, walkers and bikers. as the web site points out, where a separate trail was not possible, the trail intersects with local roads and shares the shoulder.

This trail offers both at ground level crossing with cross-secting streets as well as special over passes that allow users to cross well above and safely away from heavy traffic streets.

Commercial signage is also provided along this route, recognizing that users of this trail use it more more than recreation.  It is a safe route to travel to area businesses.  We observed users traveling to area grocery stores, restaurants and even the area municipal center.

Area shops cater to the business opportunities of the bikeway, including (obviously) the stores that rent the bikes for those who travel to the area to bike the Adirondacks - see: http://www.bikeadirondacks.org/ 

There is signage for schools, the library and other parks,

The bikeway is also used for travel to the jobs connected to these locations as well as to at least one school that we located.

The Warren County Bikeway offers an outstanding run - for work, play and sightseeing.  I highly recommend a trip on the Warren County Bikeway.

I also received a new toy for my birthday - the family gave me a GoPro - so it was appropriate that my first attempt in using this GoPro was filming our travels along the bike way.  Here is the initial start (both of the trail as well as my first attempt, so forgive the primitive first attempt). This video will provide a better feel of what it is like to travel the Warren County Bikeway.

Photos below are of just one of the businesses Alex and I patronized.  Proper bike trails add significant quality of life to the surrounding area.  I look forward to the Ludlum Trail becoming such a centerpiece.

2013 Polar Bear Plunge at Village of Lake George. A great community regional event.

After reviewing the Groundhog day event on TV Sunday AM, I thought of how a great annual event can ad value to a community. Alex and I may just head up to Punxsutawney, PA, to see Punxsutawney Phil.  Until then. I rely upon my past experience where I once again,  embarrassed my daughters by taking my second Lake George Polar Bear Plunge.  Take the plunge take home the tee shirt.  Jan 1, 20013 was a beautiful day on Lake George in upstate NY.  Weather was 25 degrees at the time of the plunge, water temp reportedly at 35 degrees.   Once again, I was not disappointed in a cold water in my face start to a new year. And yes, I went all they way, rushing and diving in and taking a total immersion of the cold Lake George water.  Click “Read more” at the bottom of this post to view additional personal photos of the day/event.

I have included a link to the local news article regarding this event: “Lake George's Polar Plunge lives up to its frigid name” in the online Post Star. A video and photo gallery is included with the article online.  Over 1,200 people registered and took the plunge from the snow covered Million Dollar Beach.

It is funny that I have now plunged twice (2007 and 2013) but have yet to step foot into Lake George during the summer. Shepard’s Park is the site of the Lake George Summer Festival hosting many family-friendly fun filled events. 

Event registration is held at Duffy’s Tavern, once of the primary sponsors of the event. The polar Bear plunge kicks off the Lake George Winter Carnival. The event is usually held at Shepard’s Park, located on the main street of Lake George Village, but the side story this year is that the Shepard’s Park beach was closed due to ongoing operations to eradicate the invasive Asian Claim (CLICK HERE to view the blog site “Lake George Asian Clam Eradication Project“ on the purpose for and progress of the eradication effort).

A great family vacation with an active outdoor start of this New Year.  We all wish everyone a very Happy and prosperous 2013!