Author Archives: Charlie
Glacier National Park, Montana – August 15-16, 2012
Wednesday: I flew from LaGuardia to Kalispell, Montana via United, changing planes in Chicago. I arrived in Kalispell at 12:30 p.m., and was relieved when my duffel bag (with all my camping gear) appeared at baggage claim. I had reserved a … Continue reading
Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Westchester County, NY
This was my second visit to this park. The last time the parking fee had been $8, but no one was there to collect it. This time, it was up to $10, and there was an attendant present to collect … Continue reading
Macedonia Brook State Park, Litchfield County, CT
Macedonia Brook State Park is located in northwest Connecticut, so it was a significantly farther drive than the two parks I recently visited in the southwest part of the state. It is near Kent, and driving there involved driving over Bull’s Bridge, … Continue reading
Injinji Socks
I have mentioned getting “hot spots” on my toes while hiking, especially when going downhill. Hot spots are the precursors to blisters, so it’s best to avoid them. Part of the problem is that when going downhill, the foot can … Continue reading
Storm King State Park, Orange County, New York
I recruited Yigal and Nachi to go hiking with me, and Nachi recruited three other people. I suggested three or four hikes to Nachi, and he selected Storm King, which I had never visited before. Storm King State Park sits on the west side … Continue reading
Manhattanhenge
The term “Manhattanhenge” was popularized in 2002 by Neil deGrasse Tyson of the American Museum of Natural History. It is a twice-a-year occurrence where the setting sun aligns with the east-west streets of Manhattan. As Manhattan was laid-out 29 degrees … Continue reading
Peekamoose Mountain & Table Mountain, Ulster County, NY
This Jewish Outdoors Club hike in the Catskills was limited to 15 people, but 7 canceled, leaving 8 of us. I gave a lift to Jonathan from my neighborhood, and we detoured into Brooklyn to pick up two ladies. Our designated … Continue reading
Fishkill Ridge, Dutchess County, New York
The Jewish Outdoors Club offered two hikes on this day, and I registered for the strenuous one. I drove and gave a lift to three other men from my neighborhood. As we crossed the Whitestone bridge into the Bronx, Nachi, who had organized … Continue reading
Trout Brook Valley, Fairfield County, Connecticut
This conservation area includes Trout Brook Valley (730 acres), Jump Hill (117 acres), and Crow Hill (162 acres), with 20.7 miles of hiking trails, all administered by Aspetuck Land Trust. It was only a few miles from Devil’s Den, where … Continue reading
Devil's Den Preserve, Fairfield County, Connecticut
This park, donated by the Ordway family and formally called Lucius Pond Ordway Devil’s Den Preserve, received that name because a charcoal maker working in the area had seen what appeared to be a hoof mark made in a boulder, … Continue reading