Recently people have been joining me on my Sunday Walks in Downtown Albany. Typically, I walk in Albany when I'm scheduled as a tour guide on the USS Slater (DE Docent). A slide show and a map are detailed at this blog entry. The USS Slater is now open. I plan on walking in Albany on Monday, Memorial Day, May 27. You can contact me at: dedocent@gmail.com.

Friday, December 30, 2011

12/31/2011 - Cooperstown


This December, I had to reach into my archive of unpublished walks. I was hoping for some snow for a white Christmas, and also to do a little snow shoeing.
Last June WE did a short walk from the visitor lot around Cooperstown.     


Thursday, December 1, 2011

11/30/2011 - Monthly Log

In November, I logged 120 miles. Since I started logging my walks 18 months ago (April 2010), I logged 2,319 Miles.

My walks during the month included:
  • Oakwood Cemetery Loop (4.0 - 5.7 miles), 7 times
  • Neighborhood walks (1.7 - 3.1 miles), 18 times
  • Voorhesville (5.6 miles), 1 time
  • Downtown Albany (2.7 - 7.1 miles), 3 times
  • Clifton Park Power Line (3.1 - 5.5 miles), 2 times
  • Lake George Bike Path (10.1 miles), 1 time
  • Saratoga Springs (5.2 miles), 1 time
  • Albany - Rensselaer Train Station (2.6 miles), 1 time

Sunday, November 27, 2011

11/27/2011 - USS Slater to Rensselaer Train Station


This was the last day of 2011 that the USS Slater is open for tours.  Every year, after thanksgiving the ship moves to the east bank of the Hudson River.  It will return in the spring.  This is largely dictated by ice conditions on the west bank.

Today, I decided to walk across the Dunn Memorial Bridge and check out the Rensselaer side.  The biggest attraction on this side of the river is the Train Station.  Until the 1960s the main train station was on the Albany Side.  Trains crossed from the Rensselaer side to Albany on the Main Lane Bridge that was demolished when Route 787 was constructed.

This is basically a short walk, and it's a neat way to get to the USS Slater, take a train from NY City.  Nice views, but one has to be careful of the traffic.  While the traffic is a little distracting on the bridge, there is delineated pedestrian walkway.  But it's a little tough crossing the city streets in Rensselaer.

Just south of the bridge is the Albany Yacht Club.  This is another neat way to visit the USS Slater, sail a boat up the Hudson.     


Wednesday, November 16, 2011

2011-10-22 Deerfield, Mass


Deerfield, Mass is beautiful little walk and it's a great drive getting there.

We do this excursion a once or twice a year.  Typical route is a loop from Albany Area via the Mass Pike (Route 90), to Route 91 North.  Then a visit to the Yankee Candle Flagship Store.  About ten miles north of Yankee Candle, on Route 5 & 10 you come to Historic Deerfield.  In the center of the village you can purchase a tag that will give you admission to the historic sites and museums in the village.  After the visit we continue north on Route 5 & 10 to Route 2 (Mohawk Trail).  This is a very scenic drive that goes through Williamstown, North Adams and the Petersburg Pass.

This fall, Hurricane Irene caused substantial damage and the Historic Deerfield Inn and the Mohawk Trail were closed.

The Flynt Center in Deerfield has a great collection of 18th-19th Century Artifacts and Antiques.  I was very impressed with the collection of powder horns from the French and Indian War.  Many of these horns were used during the Battle of Lake George.  My Lake George walk passes many of the places where these horns were used.




Monday, November 14, 2011

10-31-2011 Monthly Log

In October, I logged 106 miles. Since I started logging my walks 17 months ago (April 2010), I logged 2,199 Miles.

My walks during the month included:
  • Oakwood Cemetery Loop (4.0 - 5.7 miles), 5 times
  • Neighborhood walks (1.7 - 2.9 miles), 19 times
  • Voorhesville (5.6 miles), 1 time
  • Round Lake (5.6 miles), 1 time
  • Crossgates Mall, Indoor Loop (1.06 miles), 1 time
  • Crown Point (3.3 miles), 1 time
  • Downtown Albany (4.1 - 4.3 miles), 3 times
  • Clifton Park Center - Library Loop (3.5 miles), 5 times
  • Deerfield Village, Massachusetts (2.5 miles), 1 time

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

2011-09-30 Fort Fisher, NC and Southport, NC

This is really two walks connected by a ferry ride. The 1st route is a short loop around Southport, NC (1.3 Miles). The 2nd is a short loop around Fort Fisher Historic site, NC (1.4 Miles). The two loops are connected by a short ferry ride. The Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry ride is a great, low cost trip ($5 one-way per car as of September, 2011).




Southport North Carolina is a historic town located at the mouth of the Cape Fear River at the intersection of the Atlantic Ocean. The short walk features historic homes, huge live oaks, antique shops, art galleries, activities, parks and restaurants. The ferry is a few miles outside of the town.



Fort Fisher is located on the north shore of the Cape Fear River outlet (opposite of Southport).  Today, only about 10% of the original Fort Remains.  The walk is the combination of two separate loops starting from the parking lot at the Fort Fisher Visitor Center.  The 1st loop is basically the guided tour (no cost) that starts from the visitor center.  The 2nd loop is a short loop across the highway on a walkway along the revetment.

I was familiar with the battle because I often walk in Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, NY.  Oakwood is the final resting place of many Union Veterans of the Battle including William Freeman (Medal of Honor Recipient) and General Alanzo Alden.

The fall of Fort Fisher was one of the major battles of 1865.  After the fall of Charleston, Wilmington, NC was the last port open to the Confederates. Fort Fisher was the key to closing the port.  In January of 1865 the Fort was captured by Union Forces (after the 2nd attempt).  Three months later the Civil War Ended. After the Civil war there were several controversies concerning the capture (on both the Union and Confederate side).



Friday, September 30, 2011

2011-09-30 Montly Log

In September, I logged 116 miles. Since I started logging my walks 16 months ago (April 2010), I logged 2,106 Miles.

During September my wife and I vacationed in Myrtle Beach.  I profiled a pair of walks to Southport, NC and Fort Fisher. The two walks are connected by a short ferry ride across the Fear River (at $5 a great bargain). We also visited Brookgreen Gardens which I profiled last year.  And I managed to get a few great beach walks in North Myrtle Beach (also profiled in previous entries).


My walks during the month included:

  • Oakwood Cemetery Loop (4.6 - 5.7 miles), 6 times
  • Neighborhood walks (1.7 - 5.7 miles), 10 times
  • Voorhesville (5.6 miles), 1 time
  • Beach walks at Myrtle Beach (3.6 - 12.1 miles), 6 times
  • Local walk at Myrtle Beach  (1.7 - 3.9 miles), 11 times
  • Fort Fisher, NC (1.4 miles), 1 time
  • Southport, NC (1.4 miles), 1 time
  • Brookgreen Gardens, SC (3.6 miles), 2 times
  • Conway, SC (2.5 miles), 1 time

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

2011-08-31 Monthly Log

In August, I logged 125 miles. Since I started logging my walks 15 months ago (April 2010), I logged 1,973 Miles.

On August 31st I took the Empire State Capital Volkssporters (facebook) on a 10K through Oakwood Cemetery in Troy NY.  Based on feedback I think everyone had a great time.  Some walkers questioned my mileage (in good fun, they thought they should get credit for more than 10k). I used a geo-logger on my android phone to compute the distance, and it was just slightly over 6 miles.

Oakwood is one of my favorite walks.  It's a very beautiful and historic place.  Throughout the year there are guide tours available.  On September 24, Mike Barrett (who gives a GREAT tour) will be leading an excursion that will include the Earl Chapel’s Tiffany windows, Uncle Sam’s grave, and a 100 mile view, as well as ponds, waterfalls, striking gravesite markers and more. To register please call 800-556-6273.


My walks during the month included:

  • Oakwood Cemetery Loop (4.6 - 6.7 miles), 6 times
  • Ross Valve Tech Park - Foundry and Back (also through Oakwood, 4.8 miles), 2 times
  • Neighborhood walks (1.7 - 5.7 miles), 25 times
  • USS Slater - Albany Loop (3.7 miles), 1 time
  • Voorhesville (8.0 miles), 1 time
  • Zim Smith (5.4 mile), 1 time
  • Fort Ticonderoga, Kings Garden  (1.6 miles), 1 time
  • Clifton Park Center - Library Loop (4.1 miles), 2 times

2011-08-31 - Oakwood (ESCV)

I have walked hundred of miles through Oakwood Cemetery, in Troy, NY. On the morning (9:00 AM) of August 31th, 2011 I will be leading the Empire State Capital Volkssporter Club on a guided walk there. The sign-in is at the parking lot of Ross Valve Tech Park on a 102nd Street.

The full walk is 6 miles in length and involves a climb of 345'. However, some ESCV members will drive to the top, and join the group near the crest of the hill. This will cut the climb to a 100'. The route snakes through the cemetery and there are numerous opportunities to take cut-offs. The length for the group the drives to the top is approximately 4 miles (but there are cutoffs that make the route shorter).

Regarding Volksport Special events - the Cemetery and the Gardner Earl Memorial Chapel and Crematorium are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There route will pass five lakes; two water falls (if there is sufficient flow) ; one outdoor bell; and the site of the Major League Ball park for the Troy Haymakers (the San Francisco Giants). There are also numerous veteran memorials including the General Wool Memorial and the General Thomas Memorial (Nine Civil War Generals, A Medal of Honor Recipient, A crewman from the USS Monitor).

If you're familiar with Goggle Earth I uploaded a KMZ file of the route. You can also view the route on Map My Walk at this link. During the winter I posted a similar route to everytrail.com.

Link






  • A-1: Oakwood Gatehouse, Main Office. Start step climb, approx. 200 +.

  • A-2: 2nd Segment of the climb, approx. 100'. 1st Waterfall on right. Pass the Soldier's Plot.

  • B-1: Loop South, Ross Memorial. View of Cohoes Falls. General Wool Memorial

  • B-2: Main Road South, Emma Willard,General Alden, Rice Bull.

  • B-3: Vanderheyden Bell, Gardner Earl Memorial Chapel and Crematorium. Caretaker House

  • C-1: Loop North, Troy Orphan, General Thomas; (Parking for shorter walk)

  • C-2: General Thomas, Le Grand Cannon, Russel Sage, Warren Family Mortuary Chapel

  • C-3: Amos Easton, Captain Levi Smith, George Greer - Loop West

  • D-1: Loop North, Uncle Sam Wilson, Silas Covell, Col. James Clark, Eliphalet Wickes

  • D-2: General Tibbets,The Panorama (100 mile View), Waterfalls

  • D-3: Walk East around Long Lake

  • E-1: Loop North, Hart Family Plot, George Cluett, John Griswold, Jonh Willard

  • E-2: Loop South, John Gurley, Burden Family Plot

  • F-1: Loop North: Cutoff for Group that parked at C-1

  • F-2: Short Loop on Gurley Avenue

  • G-1: South Return on Uncle Sam Bike Path (Old Troy Boston RR)

  • G-2: Turn West through Knickerbacker Park, Troy Haymakers Ball Field

  • G-3: Ross Tech Park











Monday, August 1, 2011

2011-07-31 Monthly Log

For July, I logged 140 miles. Since I started logging my walks 14 months ago (April 2010), I logged 1,859 Miles. We re-visited earlier walks on the Zim Smith and Lake George Bike Paths. Also started exploring walks in and around Cooperstown and Cohoes/Waterford. On the 4th, instead of driving to the local fireworks display I walked (just short of 8 miles).

Walks included:


  • Oakwood Cemetery Loop (4.6 - 5.8 miles), 2 times

  • Neighborhood walk (1.7 - 4.4 miles), 30 times

  • Neighborhood walk to Fireworks (7.8 miles), 1 time

  • USS Slater - Albany Loop (3.5-4.5 miles), 2 times

  • Vooresville Loop (4.7-5.4 miles), 2 times

  • Cohoes (2-5.5 mile), 4 times

  • Zim Smith (5.4 mile), 1 time

  • Lake George (9.3 miles), 2 times

  • Cooperstown (1.7-3.0 miles), 2 times

Friday, July 1, 2011

2011-07-01 - Cohoes, Peeples Island, Waterford Loop



The loop can start at numerous interesting sites: Peebles Island; Waterford Battery or along Delaware Avenue. On a summer week-end there is a fee for parking at Peebles Island State Park.

On the east side of Van Schaick Island and on Peebles Island there are walking paths. On the Waterford side there is a path along the Old Champlain Canal. However, to get from Waterford to Cohoes you have to cross the route 32 bridge with heavy traffic (there is a sidewalk). Once you are on the Cohoes side you are at an extremely busy intersection. There are traffic lights and crosswalks. To connect back to the paths on Van Schaick Island you have to walk on Ontario Street which is well traveled but it is lined with sidewalks.

At a minimum you will have to cross seven bridges. There are opportunties to cross more. The Hudson River divides into multiple channels. There are three crossings. You will also cross the Mohawk River twice, and the Erie and Champlain Canals.

On Van Schaick Island there is the historic Van Schaick House (~1735). Appointments are necessary to visit this site. On the Waterford Side there is the historic Hugh White House (1830). Visiting hours are limited, you should check the schedule.

There are quite a few variations and side trips. Some of the photos in the slideshow detail sites that are a short distance from the loop. The 2nd highest water fall in NY is in Cohoes, but you can't see it from this loop. To get an excellent view, you have to take a 2 mile extension to visit the Fall View Park. However, there are fine parking opportunities at the Falls View Park and it's an easy drive.

There is very little elevation change on the basic loop. If you take the extension to Falls View Park, there is approximately a 100 ft. gain in elevation. At the Falls View Park you have the opportunity to take stairs down to the river bank. This will add another 100 ft. climb.







Thursday, June 30, 2011

2011-06-30 Monthly Log

For June, I logged 135 miles. Since I started logging my walks 14 months ago (April 2010), I logged 1,733 Miles.

Walks included:
  • Oakwood Cemetery Loop (4.6 - 5.8 miles), 7 times
  • Neighborhood walk (1.7 - 4.4 miles), 30 times
  • USS Slater - Albany Loop (3.5-4.5 miles), 3 times
  • Vooresville Loop (5.3-8.4 miles), 3 times
  • Cohoes (1 mile), 1 time
  • Crossgates (1 mile), 1 time
  • Cooperstown (2.9 miles), 1 time

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

2011-05-08 - USS Slater - Washington Park



In the past I described several walks around Albany that start at the USS Slater. This is direct walk to Washington Park. From the USS Slater, walk up Madison Ave., and loop around Washington Park. Return by State Street and the Hudson River Way Pedestrian Bridge.
Once a year (since 1949) Albany hosts a Tulip Festival. I took the walk during this year's event (Sunday Morning, May 8th). This year the city planted over 200,000 bulbs (~ 140 varieties).






2011-05-31 Monthly Log

For May, I logged 155 mile. My daily goal is 3 miles, this month I averaged 5 miles per day. We started the month in Los Vegas. During Memorial Day weekend we had 4 days off and we walked all over.

Since I started logging my walks 13 months ago (April 2010), I logged 1,597 Miles.

Walks Included:
  • Oakwood Cemetery Loop (4.6 - 5.8 miles), 11 times
  • At Home Video (~ 2.0 - 3.0 miles), 2 times
  • Neighborhood walk (1.7 - 2.9 miles), 23 times
  • Lake George Bike Path (round trip, walking, 8.8 miles), 1 time
  • USS Slater - Albany Loop (3.5-4.5 miles), 2 times
  • USS Slater - Washington Park, Tulip Festival (5.7 miles), 1 time
  • Grandview / South Park Loop, NV (1.2 miles), 2 times
  • Vooresville Loop (4.5 Miles), 1 Time
  • Saratoga Battlefield - Wilkinson National Recreation Trail (4.4 miles), 1 time
  • Saratoga Spa State Park, Volks Walker (5.7 miles), 1 time
  • Round Lake - Zim Smith Trail (3.2 miles), 1 time

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Weight Watcher Walk - 5/22/2011

Walk will start at 9:00 AM Sunday, 5/22 at the USS Slater Parking Lot (Directions). Probably take 2 hours.

Weight Watcher's has been very good to me (down over 100 lbs). Walking is an important element of my weight loss program. Every year Weight Watcher's encourages members to walk a 5K in May. While this is not an official walk, it's one of my favorites. On many Sundays I am a volunteer tour guide on the USS Slater. Often times I start the day with a 1-1/2 hour walk through down town Albany. Albany is built on a hill, so the climb is 285 ft. It is a little longer than a 5K (full loop is 4.2 miles, 6.7K). However, if you don't want to walk the distance there are cut-offs that can shorten the route and reduce the climb. The short loop is less than 2 miles, and avoids most of the climb. In any case, bring good shoes, and make sure you can walk. If you need coffee, Bruegger's and Starbucks are on the route (about half way).

The history of Albany is spectacular. Albany can trace it's settlement to an early fort built in 1540. Permanent settlement was established in 1614 (6 years before Plymouth, Mass). Albany also claims to be the longest continuously chartered city in the United States (since 1686). I'll try to point out interesting sites along the way. The route that I organized follows in the footsteps of Henry Hudson, Ben Franklin, Benedict Arnold (when he was still a hero), George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Abe Lincoln, General Grant, Teddy Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt.

After the tour of Albany, if anyone still has energy I will be happy to give a tour of the USS Slater. My shipmates and I will be there until 4:00 PM (so you can take a lunch break before starting). There will be a fee for touring the Slater. There is a little stair climbing, but the ship is only 306' long. The Slater tour will take approximately an 1-1/2 hours.

Last year when I offered to do this at my regular weight watcher meeting no one took me up on the offer. This year, I'm not sure how popular this will be. It would help with my planning if you could send me an e-mail (dedocent@gmail.com), or let Chris know. There are limits on how many people I can accommodate on a tour.

A few relevant Links:

Sunday, May 1, 2011

2011-04-30 Monthly Log

Total Miles logged 132 for April. I logged 1,430 Miles since I started logging my walks. Finished the month with a Las Vegas vacation (walked approximately 33 miles here).

Walks Included:
  • Oakwood Cemetery Loop (4.6 - 5.8 miles), 7 times
  • Early Morning, Cross Gates Mall (~ 1.0 mile), 2 times
  • At Home Video (~ 2.0 - 3.0 miles), 4 times
  • Neighborhood walk (1.7 - 2.9 miles), 15 times
  • Loop around Albany Country Club (5.8 miles), 1 time
  • Glens Falls Bike Path (still under snow cover, 1.5 miles), 1 time
  • Cohoes Bike Path (3.1 miles), 1 time
  • USS Slater - Albany Loop (5.4 miles), 2 times
  • Las Vegas Strip (2.7 - 4.5 miles), 5 times
  • Red Rock Canyon, NV (2.5 miles), 1 time
  • Grandview / South Park Loop, NV (1.2 miles), 6 times
  • Clark Country Museum (~ 1.0 mile), 1 time

Saturday, April 30, 2011

2011-04-30 Las Vegas


During the last week of April we visited Las Vegas and managed to walk about 5 miles a day.

On almost a daily basis we walked the strip. In this post I outlined a 4- 1/2 mile loop that starts at Treasure Island/Mirage. Typical evening involved a walk on the strip, dinner and a show (Cirque du Soleil or Penn and Teller).

Some times during the day we managed to explore the wider region including: South Point, Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Clark County Museum and Red Rock Canyon. We also visited the Atomic Testing Museum, but we didn't do much walking there.

Hoover Dam didn't involve much walking but there was opportunity to use plenty of stairs. One advantage of using stairs, no wait and plenty of room to spread out. There is a historic hiking trail that follows the rail road used to construct the Hoover Dam. It sounds real interesting - next time.

Red Rock Canyon has plenty of opportunities for walk/hikes. The drive is a twenty mile loop with a number of parking areas (with rest rooms). Most areas have trails heads. My wife and I took the easiest (Moenkopi Loop, starting at the visitor center).

Since we stayed at the Grand View next to South Point I walked a one mile loop around the condo and the nearby casino each morning.







Saturday, April 16, 2011

2011-04-16 - Slater / Albany Walk Update


In the past I describes several walks around Albany and the USS Slater. This post details three separate walks: 1.) a short (less than 2 mile walk) to the Albany Visitor Center; 2.) a 2-1/2 mile walk to the NY State Capital; and 3.) a 4.2 mile walking tour of Albany that combines both walks, and a little more. The walks start at the USS Slater (link to visitor information and directions).

These three walks are designed for Scout groups visiting the USS Slater. The walks could help scouts who are actively seeking to earn the American Heritage Merit Badge and the Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge. The USS Slater has volunteers who are merit badge counselors for these badges.

Each of these walks passes several sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register is detailed in this great brochure. Wikipedia has a page detailing all of the Albany sites on the National Register.

Albany is one of the oldest cities in America. European History starts in Albany around 1540. Permanent (and continuous) settlement from 1614. The Albany City Charter dates from 1686 (Dongan Charter). On the walk, you'll walk in the footsteps of some very notable Americans. Benjamin Franklin chaired the 1st congress here (Albany Congress). Philip Livingston, a signer of the Declaration of Independence was born here. On the tour you will pass the site where the Declaration was 1st read to the citizens on Albany, on July 19th, 1776 (Dunlap Broadside). George Washington visited in 1782-83 (Mohawk Valley Tour). President Lincoln visited in February, 1861. General Grant visited on the 4th of July, 1865. Three Presidents lived in the Executive Mansion (when they were NY State Governors): Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, and Franklin Roosevelt.

Not only did Lincoln visit here, he attended a play - guess who starred (details in Albany Times Union September 21, 2009 and May 7, 2009). During the visit, Lincoln stayed at the Delvan House (located at the Union Station) and the Actor stayed at the Stanwix Hotel (located at Maiden Lane and Broadway). The walking tour passes all these sites.






Thursday, March 31, 2011

2011-03-31 Monthly Log

Total Miles logged 115 for March. I logged 1,285 Miles since I started logging my walks. Finally the snow started to break and we managed to walk quite a bit outside. Early in the month we visited Hershey, Pennsylvania and managed a few walks around the town and around the Hershey Hotel.

Walks Included:
  • Oakwood Cemetery Loop (3.7 - 4.8 miles), 8 times
  • Early Morning, Cross Gates Mall (~ 1.0 mile), 2 times
  • At Home Video (~ 2.0 - 3.0 miles), 8 times
  • Neighborhood walk (1.7 - 2.9 miles), 12 times
  • Colonie Bike Path (3.6 miles), 1 time
  • Loop around Hotel Hershey (2.9 miles), 1 time
  • Hershey Kiss Trail (1.0 miles), 1 time

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

2011-03-07 Hershey Hotel Trail





Early in March my wife and I visited the Hershey Hotel. There is an excellent walking trail around the perimeter. The trail is reserved for the use of Hotel Guests. While my wife was enjoying the Hershey Hotel Spa, I took the opportunity to walk off some chocolate based calories. It was a beautiful morning, the evening before there was a light snow. Years ago when we stayed at the Hotel we went horseback riding. I believe that the trail follows some of the old horse trails that looped around the hotel. Near the end of the trail you walk through the sports complex and cottages of the new construction.






Monday, February 28, 2011

2011-02-28 Monthly Log

Total Miles logged 110 for February. I logged 1,220 Miles since I started logging my walks. With the heavy snow, I had to walk indoors quite a bit, with Leslie Sansone's Walk at home (2, 3 and 4 mile programs). I also managed to shovel 20 or 30 tons of snow!

Walks Included:
  • Oakwood Cemetery Loop (3.2 - 3.7 miles), 6 times
  • Early Morning, Cross Gates Mall (~ 1.0 mile), 3 times
  • Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve (5.2 miles), 1 time on snow shoes
  • At Home Video (~ 2.0 - 3.0 miles), 34 times
  • Loop around Albany Country Club (4.6 miles), 1 time

Saturday, February 12, 2011

2011-01-31 Monthly Log

Total Miles logged 101 for January. During January I went over the 1,000 mile mark. As of 1/31/2011 I logged 1,061 Miles since I started logging my walks. With heavy snow, started walking on snow shoes.

Walks Included:

  • Local Neighborhood Loop (1.7 - 3.0 miles), 13 times
  • Oakwood Cemetery Loop (3.2 - 6.3 miles), 1 time walking, 1 time on snow shoes
  • Early Morning, Cross Gates Mall (~ 1.0 mile), 8 times
  • Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve (5.2 miles), 5 times on snow shoes
  • At Home Video (~ 2.0 - 3.0 miles), 13 times
  • Saratoga Springs (2.5 miles), 1 time

Monday, January 31, 2011

2011-01-31 Snowshoeing in Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve





I got a pair of snowshoes for Christmas. Luckily (or unluckily, depending on your view) we had lots of snow in January. Drove a few miles and tried them out at Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve.

One of the attractions at Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve is Forts Ferry. This is one of earliest settlements in the area (dating back to 1672). There was a tavern here during the revolution, and local accounts note that George Washington crossed the Mohawk here in 1783.






Sunday, January 2, 2011

2010-12-31 Monthly Log

Total Miles logged 106 for December

Walks Included:

  • Local Neighborhood Loop (1.7 - 3.0 miles), 26 times
  • Oakwood Cemetery Loop (3.2 - 6.3 miles), 6 times
  • Downtown Albany (~ 3.2 miles), 2 times
  • Early Morning, Cross Gates Mall (~ 1.0 mile), 7 times
  • Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve (3.0 - 5.7 miles), 3 times
  • At Home Video (~ 2.0 miles), 4 times
December marked the onset of bad weather. We had to dig out the walk-at-home video takes.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

2010-12-31 - Winter walk in Oakwood





Oakwood is one of my favorite walks. It is difficult to find a place to walk in the winter. Unshoveled sidewalks can force you into busy streets. On rural roads, ice patches and high speed cars can be deadly to walkers. While Oakwood isn't perfect, the roads are relativity clear. And most vehicles observe the lower posted speeds.

In the winter I avoid the loop to 114th street and the Uncle Sam Bike Path. However, there are plenty of other interesting routes.

I included some interior photos of the Earl Gardner Crematorium and it's Tiffany Windows.