From Upper Works Road, to Lake Colden and Mt. Algonquin

Crossing Calamity Creek

A bridge to the New Year.... crossing Calamity Creek in the High Peaks.
Yep. Calamity Creek. Figures. It's been that kind'a year!
More to follow..... (grin)

Night Skiing - Cross Country

Last winter, I skiied several times at night
at the trail maintained by Woodcraft Camp,
and open to the public to ski during the winter season
for no charge (lit at night on Wednesdays)

Will check this out this Wednesday...
company welcome!

Call for details -
Cathy 315.868.8436

Moonlight meanderings....

Skiing by Moonlight
by Sandra Alcosser

Gray cloud like a sweater pulled over the heart of the moon.
High-napped purple sky. Why are so many friends
Leaving or getting left behind?

Mao’s anti-sparrow campaign: to kill and eat the birds
That were eating the grain. Winter sun drifts away
Leaving thin taffy light. Venus Mercury Jupiter—

Three pearls in the morning sky. By thinking herself
Invisible, the fox walks over hoarfrost not breaking
Morning’s delicate lace. Leaving no trace. Lace is beautiful

Because of absence, the place that lets the light through,
Gives it strength. Mother Teresa in the hospital
Watches the annular eclipse. Once every twenty thousand years—

A portion of the sun visible as a ring surrounding the dark moon.
The doctor tells her—protect yourself, hold an x-ray of your lungs
Up to the window, let only the waning light pass through.

Fast trail down the mountain –10 degrees. Starving vole
Tracks ornate Victorian filigree. What is the bearing weight
Of an ice crystal? Why will a person freezing to death

Inch into the false warmth of the moon? Eros is the wound.
White will go to shadblow. White will go to orchid bloom.
Except by nature—as a woman, I will be ungovernable.

Found on-line
at Ploughshares.
Click here.

Bald Mountain Fire Tower Christmas Ornament

Belatedly, just discovered that the Town of Webb Historical Association in Old Forge offers beautiful Christmas ornaments depicting the Fire Tower on Bald Mountain. give them a call for next year - (315) 369 - 3838 or better yet, stop in at the Goodsell Memorial Museum, 2993 Main Street in Old Forge.

The Poet on Green Lake

Just discovered this wonderful hiking blogspot - that features Mt. Rainier hiking information (I hiked Ranier in 2001)...
In it, a poetess is featured who set up a table for a month of Sundays... encouraging those who ran/jogged, or sauntered the Green Lake in Seattle to contribute poetry.
Mimi hikes four miles each way to and from her post, by the way.

Perhaps one of us should set up such a table atop one of our local peaks? Thoughts?

Hoarfrost atop Rocky and Bald - Christmas Hikes

Sigh - Crashed my computer Christmas Eve - Bah Humbug

Sigh... sitting at home hoping my friend can help get this system up and running again. A hearty hike up Rocky Point today in Inlet with three dogs running circles around me. Unlike me, they did not sink through the foot deep snow - that had been nicely iced last night. Trees atop rocky were layered in ice.
When last here, I had brought bubbles and video-ed a prayer for Jamie, who lay dying at Strong. Her mother told me that she had enjoyed these postings from her hospital - bed there. It's tough starting these again... as the wind is out of my sails. Yet, the air here is so clean. Fresh. And the beauty is breath-taking.
As much as I dislike the music of Enya... was listening to her rendition of the old hymn -"How Can I Keep From Singing?"... and it seemed appropriate. How can we keep from singing?
Before becoming ordained as a Presbyterian minister in the Manhattan area before 911, I was privileged enough to take my first cross-country drive - alone. I stopped at every state and national park that I could along the way. There is one word that the countryside sang, over and over again. The word? "Glory."
I am a realist. Whether they be songs of lament or songs of praise - "How can we keep from singing?"

To Jamie, for whom this blog is dedicated....

In memory: Jamie Badding, my niece, who passed away Dec. 12, 2007

 

For after a great ski/skidoo/or pratfall!

Just broke C-country trail round CascadeLake (5.4 miles)

Cascade Lake (Note: Hike no. 27 in the AMC Guide to Trails: Book 5) was a summer camp for 50 girls (with a stable of 25 horses) in the 40's. Let's just say, it's been a while! This trail is much more fun to ski than hike - the falls always kinda- disappointed me, and the blow downs and wet area on the east side of the lake are a problem (had to remove my skis several times to climb over or under some real messy falls) However, once you hit the waterfall (which is hard to find if you have never been there before) the route west of Cascade Lake is easier. I would suggest skiing this in a counterclockwise fashion. Andy and I were both pooped long before we made it back to the trail head. All in all, there are nicer skis, but it was good exercise and a pleasant variation.
To get to the trailhead: From NY 28 in Eagle Bay, drive NY on Big Moose rd. for 1.2 miles. There are CED Yellow trail stickers for skiers (red for hikers).

Cartwheels, Jamie

Jamie - hope you are enjoying these great pictures.
Remember when you tried to teach me how to do cartwheels again last summer, before you got sick? Well, I think today I shall have to try to do a cartwheel for you from atop Bald Mountain. Should I bring a parachute?
Some days, we should all travel with parachutes.

Many of my friends saw you and the "Buld'A-Bears" you donated to the hospital on CNN this week.
You are a special girl, Jamie.
You are teaching us all how to live life with passion and integrity.
-Aunt Cathy

Snodeo Weekend in Old Forge

Does this look like fun, or what?




















(if you are a 12 year old kid, that is!)

You can try this at home OR you can experience this through his webcam.

Tell me.
How's YOUR health insurance coverage? (gulp)

Future Snowmobiler....

For great live webcams, check out www.absolutesnowmobiles.com
And, hey! Thanks for maintaining such great trails.
Us hikers, x-country skiers, and snowshoe-ers often benefit.