WHP Trail Run

I made a huge blunder by putting my application for the Escarpment Trail Run in my burning pile.  I sent it out almost two weeks later than I would have.  This turned out to not be enough.  As my confirmation states, "unfortunately I have been accepted."

Today would be my first training run since acceptance.  I kept it simple by just running up and down Windham High Peak.  The humidity was low and there's plenty of shade.  I made it to the lean to in 15 minutes and to the summit in 53 minutes.  This is where I'd like to be.  My body handled most of the running down.  I walked out the last 15 minutes.  A great day.

Tramping the 909

My friend Ross got me into this one.  A half marathon that runs the perimeter of Taconic-Hereford State Multiple Use Area it's locally referred to as the 909 in mountain bike slang.  It's not a bad early trainer for Escarpment, but the trails are quite runnable if insanely windy.  I completed it in 2:20 and ran the entire time except very briefly on the steep hills.

Afterwards we watched a fawn walking alone.  Hopefully it's mom didn't get hit by a car on the Taconic.  Maggie also pointed out the Scarlet Tanagers chirping away in the trees.  A very nice day.

Kaaterskill Falls from Laurel House

After drinking down a nice strong coffee and chomping down a few freshly made donuts, I drove over to the Laurel House to walk to the viewing platform situated at the top of the falls.  It's a short walk and perfect for the tourist crowd.  My guess is that the carriage road is wheelchair accessible.  Another day, I may walk along the rail trail that heads west for a couple miles.

Laurel House can be found on the way toward North Lake

Kaaterskill Falls

A cloudy, rainy day always makes for a great day to visit a waterfall.  Today's visit also included a stop at Twin Peaks where they make awesome fresh donuts in front of your eyes.  They also gave me the information to find the viewing platform.

It appears they are really making Kaaterskill Falls a friendly tourist spot.  It's yet to be completed, but their will be steps to take to the bottom of the upper falls.  My guess is that they will not allow people to walk under the falls.  No doubt, I would have preferred they had left this place alone.

When I arrived there was a ranger making his rounds.  This did not stop others from making their way up to the upper falls.  I took a pass as the marked signs clearly prohibited this.  No need for a run in with the authorities.

Ramshorn Livingston Santuary

For all the time I have spent in Catskill the past 2 years, I have completely ignored the sign on Route 9W for this Scenic Hudson Park.  Today after a long car ride to New Jersey, I decided to stretch out the legs and see what it's all about.

Someday I'll bring a kayak

With roughly 2 miles of trails, one can spend a bit of time here.  There is a wood tower that provides some great views of the marsh and Ramshorn Creek.  There is quite a bit of bird life here.  I wish I knew my birds.  I spotted a bright yellow one and what appeared to be a red-winged blackbird.  I also wish I knew my vegetation.  There were many flowers blooming so it was a perfect time to visit.