This weekend we went back up to Bennett Hill and hiked with some friends.  The weather was great- not too cold, hardly any wind, and just enough snow.  Unfortunately, we didn’t need snowshoes, but I did wear my YakTrax on the way back down.  Very fun day had by all!

Sitting here with Gretchen… she loves me sooo much!

Enjoy the pics!

Just wanted to let you all know that my first week(s) of school is going great!  My kids are pretty funny and definitely keep me on my toes.  I’m starting to get the hang of things and look forward to working here at Averill Park.  Hopefully they enjoy having me and I’ll get to stay on!

Anyhoo, just wanted to let you all know that Ryan and I are without internet at this time.  If you need to get a hold of us via the web, you can still use my google email or leave a comment on this site, as I can check my google at work.  I don’t know if it will get blocked or anything, so if it’s important, I’d say to call us on our cells.  We’re trying to get the ‘net worked out sometime this week or next.  We’ll see.

Besides that, we’ve been busy doing more canning- Cheryl & Ken (Ry’s parents) brought us a bushel of tomatoes, so we’ve been doing pizza sauces & stewed tomato canning for the past few days.  We’ve been sticking close to  home after work since I’m still getting in the hang of things again.  We did take Mocha down to the park for a little swim in the fountain last night, so she was pretty happy!

Hope you’re all enjoying your fall!  Coming up- Ry is going on a fishing trip to the Catskills, we’re tentatively planning hiking trips for the 1st and 3rd weekends in October, and Columbus Day weekend we’ll be in the ADKs camping with some of Ry’s college buddies.  Let me know if you’re ever in the area or want to visit, as our plans tend to change.   Miss you all very much!

Love,
Lancy

where did the summer go?

I AM looking forward to starting a new school year though- here’s to starting a new chapter!

As I complete this log, I’ll try to give you mile markers and elevations so you can see where we were hiking.  If you’d like to see it via google maps- click here.  This is just the link for the North/South Lake site, and the trail isn’t set on the map- but just look at where the cliff is south of Schutt Road, and follow it southwest to the 2000′ elevation mark, then around the cliff edge… amazing!

Day 1, Friday:

The initial hike (first 4.75 miles) took us around the south side of the North/South Lake area.  Our parking area was at approximately 2200′ above sea level.  What a beautiful place!  We started along a cliff trail that rose about 500 feet from the parking lot, then dipped and followed the edge of a huge ravine for a few miles.  There were many beautiful views along this.  As we hiked further in, there were also many more people than we expected.  We assumed it was because the trail was near the campsite and a pretty easy climb.  We were wearing full packs (even Mocha), so although it was a gentle grade, we definitely took our time and enjoyed all the view spots.  The weather was nice and sunny, but not too hot & humid… perfect for hiking.

Our first point was Sunset Rock at mile 1.75 (2000′) leading us to Inspiration Point ( @ mile 1.9).  These were beautiful spots to stop and take in the views- but it was very steep and a bit scary right near the edge!  A little ways up, (mile 2.7) the trail came off the cliff edge and joined up with a horse trail and the Long Path- it was wide and very nice hiking.  We were able to walk side by side and enjoy the striped maples that surrounded us.  Again, not too much elevation gain in here, but we did ascend South Mountain (2460′) on our way back down to the southeastern edge of the cliff.  This is where we came upon Split Rock (mile 4) and Boulder Rock.  They were HUGE pieces of rock that had fallen away from the cliff (and yet dangled perfectly next to the trail).  I tried to get Ryan to climb on them, but he wasn’t having it (he’s a smart boy!).  We finally climbed up to the old Catskill Mountain House site (4.5 miles)  It was pretty amazing, even though the building was gone.  If you don’t know about it- click on the link I’ve posted and check out some of the pictures in the slide show.  Yes- the cliff is that spectacular!

North Lake

Our first break came at North Lake (4.75 miles- 2100′).  We took our packs off, pumped some water, and let Mocha take a much deserved swim.  The area was very beautiful, but there were a lot of people in the campsite & around the general area.  After we ate some lite snacks, we decided to head off into the woods- away from civilization!

(On the next google map (HERE), if you follow the ridge line from North Lake to Artists Rock, to North Mountain, to Stoppel Point, you can follow our journey onward).

Artist Rock

Our journey left North Lake and began the ascent to North Mountain.  On the way,

No blisters!!

we hit Artists Rock (mile 5.25) and Lookout Rock & Sunset Rock (mile 5.75).  One of my favorite views from the whole trip was from Sunset Rock.  We were able to see the lakes, as well as the Hudson River and all the Catskills.  Not to mention, at this point in the trip I had yet to get any blisters, so I was VERY happy (if you’ve ever hiked with me, you know it’s a DEFINITE that I will get at least one).  But, my new boots kick BUTT! So, even at this point I was blister free! Yay!

North Point (3000′ at 7.55 miles) was another beautiful place to stop and take a rest.  We took our packs off and ate a nice late lunch.  This isn’t the top of North Mountain, but it was a nice view of the lakes & into the Hudson Valley once again.  Here is where we decided that we would continue over Stoppel Point and into the Dutchman’s Notch to find a campsite for the evening (which was a big decision because that would mean our first day was about 12 miles!).

We continued on past the peak of North Mountain (3180′ @ 8.1 miles) and Stoppel Point (3420′ @ 9.3 miles).  After we crested Stoppel, we came upon a pretty surreal sight- a plane that crashed into the mountain in 1983 was still resting in the same place.  Apparently the pilot, John Grace, perished there when he crashed.  It was definitely creepy seeing it there.  Also pretty creepy that it was right next to the trail!  Apparently there’s been a couple crashes up there.  I found a website detailing them here.

At this point, we were pretty tired and it was getting late (about 5pm?), so we decided to camp at the next available location.  We came across a few people heading back towards North/South Lake that told us there was a nice area to camp in Dutchman’s Notch which we were descending into.  We sucked it up and hiked into the notch for the evening.  The trip was pretty uneventful during this point- we were both pretty tired (Mocha too!) so getting to the camp was our highest priority.  When we did arrive (2500′ @ 11.6 miles) we found a nice site off the trail a ways with a fire ring and a nice spot for our tent.  We set up camp and enjoyed our dinner of hotdogs & rice w/cheese sauce (to our dismay our camp stove decided not to work so we had to head water on the fire!!  We really had to earn it!).

Day 2 Saturday: (not complete!)

Deb & Ry

York.  She was a savior when it came to our move (not only did she come up TWICE to help me pack, but she also picked Ry up from the Boston bus station- drove him to Portland- AND helped us pack all of our shite into our very large moving van…  PLUS- stayed with me the rest of the weekend to help me deal with the fact that everything I owned & my loves (Ry, Mocha, AND Isis) were all gone).  Tell me THAT isn’t a damn good friend!  So, we definitely owe her a bunch.  Unlike with our move, it only took Deb, Brian, Melissa, Ry, & I about 45 minutes to pack up everything into the truck.  Plus, did I mention?  Her truck was only a 16 footer! Ha!  The rest of the evening in Boston was lots of fun- drinking fancy drinks and playing Apples to Apples… What a great last night!

Saturday we all woke up a little slow, but finalized everything and were on the road by 1:00.  Ryan gallantly drove the truck (since Deb and I were not too excited about it), while we drove the cars.  The trip was pretty uneventful- besides the usual hellish traffic leaving Boston and through Hartford.  The trip to Montgomery

After treadmill stress relief...

wasn’t too bad- about 4 hours total.  When we arrived, Deb’s new room mate and good friends Kari, and her boyfriend Barry (no, seriously- how cute is that?) were waiting for us.  We unloaded all the crap within an hour- including (the boys’ favorite) the treadmill.  After, we all had a deserving break with drinks & such.  While we were resting, Barry had a little surprise for the girls- he bought them a house Wii!!

Now, if you don’t know what a Wii is, you’re a bit out of date.  (sorry).  Basically it’s the newest Nintendo

Deb & Kari with the new Wii!

gaming system and it’s the GREATEST THING OF ALL TIME.  We had sooooooooooo

The girls boxing

much fun with this thing.  Not only do you get to play video games, but you get to actually act out what you want your character to do.  We played a lot of tennis and bowling, but I really loved the boxing- so hilarious!!  The night continued with great food, fun games, and lots of laughter.

Saturday morning, we went over to Deb’s parents and went to the local farm stand.  Great prices!  Ryan and I picked up a bushel of green peppers and a bushel of tomatoes… More canning to come!

Overall a  wonderful weekend.  Deb’s new place is great, her room mate is awesome, and we can’t wait to head back down there to visit again! (Bonus: it’s only an hour and a half from here!)