Friday was the best day for skiing at Rensselaerville State Forest despite the clouds and snow squalls. The trails had a nice inch of powder on top of them, with ice pack below making for excellent cross country skiing.
Amidst the Catskill’s tranquil grace I stand,
Where emerald peaks in rugged beauty rise,
Their ancient whispers echo through the land,
Beneath the vast and cerulean skies.
With every step, the world below recedes,
As nature’s grandeur takes its rightful place,
A tapestry of green, where life succeeds,
In this secluded, untouched, sacred space.
The mountains stretch like giants to the clouds,
Their forested robes a haven for the wild,
Where streams cascade in laughter, unbound,
And serenity enfolds both man and child.
With reverence, I gaze upon this view,
A testament to nature’s wondrous art,
In the Catskill Mountains, where dreams come true,
And peace resides within each beating heart.
As the months of September and October approach, I find myself inclined to embark on a series of weekend camping excursions to the enchanting Rensselaerville State Forest. This locale presents an ideal choice due to its convenience, being in close proximity to my home. The flexibility it offers allows me to either head there after a day’s work or, on occasions, to depart from work a few hours earlier. What adds to the appeal is the relatively brief journey required to reach this haven, coupled with the luxury of uninterrupted cell service. This connectivity grants me the unique advantage of working remotely while immersed in the tranquility of nature. Moreover, it affords me ample opportunities to indulge in streaming audio content or indulging in leisurely YouTube explorations during the extended autumn evenings.
One of the most captivating aspects of this forest retreat is its splendid array of scenic vistas. The landscape is replete with sweeping panoramas that offer a feast for the eyes and a balm for the soul. While there, I also plan to take to the roads on my trusty companion, Blackie. This adventure is twofold, encompassing both the well-maintained haul roads and the rustic assortment of dirt, gravel, and asphalt roads that traverse the rural expanse of Rensselaerville. These rides, whether under the warming rays of the setting sun or amidst the richly hued foliage, promise to be a source of invigoration and delight.
Furthermore, the region beckons with a myriad of possibilities. An expedition to the nearby Huyck Preserve is on my agenda, where I anticipate immersing myself in invigorating hikes and absorbing the untamed beauty of the preserve’s natural offerings. Additionally, I eagerly anticipate exploring the charming hamlet nestled within this rural realm. The chance to meander through its streets and soak in the local atmosphere holds a unique allure that promises a blend of relaxation and discovery.
In the upcoming months, as autumn’s embrace enfolds the landscape, I envision a series of weekends graced by the wonders of Rensselaerville State Forest. This slice of nature’s grandeur not only serves as a retreat from the everyday hustle but also as a canvas for memorable experiences that intertwine work, leisure, and exploration in the most delightful of ways.
Lately I’ve been quite interested in vegan cooking mostly because its often rich in fiber, vitamins and protein without the saturated fats, especially the Omega-6s which are so problematic from a health perspective.
But gets werid so quickly as it’s not just a way of cooking but also in many cases a doctrine as most vegans have ideological reasons against eating all meat and dairy, and to a lesser extent fish. Vegans don’t necessarily oppose processed foods or excessive salt and sugar. Yet, I do appreciate their creativity at cooking and how much different than the unhealthy crap so many Americans eat these days and a great way to introduce yourself to new foods.
The internet advertisers have discovered my interest in vegan cooking and I’m now getting served up a steady series of advertising for ultra processed vegan food, which is basically the standard unhealthy American fare loaded with sugar and salt and made to look like traditional foods. Probably with half the taste and even more unhealthy then traditional American fare due to processing to make crap ingredients taste like meat and dairy.
I’m not a believer in orthodoxy, my diet included. Even some bacon in moderation is a good thing. But it should be a treat, not an every day or even every week thing. Just like it used to be back in the day of the bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich before it became an unhealthy kitchen stable mostly due to the push of the hog farmers.
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