New York State Parks|Travel

6/12/1993 Picnic in Heckscher State Park, visited Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park.

Me at Bayard Cutting

9/16/2012 Day trip to Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park. Checked out the exhibits inside the mansion, then walked along the Connetquot River and around the gardens.

The mansion outside ...

... and inside

The gardens ...

... and a close-up

Another mansion view

By the River - me ...

... and Mom

5/26/2023 A totally gorgeous pre-Memorial Day Weekend Friday to cash in one of Mom’s Christmas gift certificates. Picked up Mom at 11 and headed to Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park. Had to park in the far lot due to the main one being closed for the addition of a new visitor center. Went into the mansion, and got on a surprisingly long and slow line for the café. Once we were in, though, we got a nice table outside overlooking the great lawn and Connetquot River. Mom enjoyed a BLT, while I had an excellent ham salad on croissant. After lunch we took a long loop – Four Seasons Garden, past the Carriage House, down to the river, the River Walk all the way to Breezy Island, then up the Great Lawn, through the Conifer Garden to the mansion, and finally back to the car.

The park sign

Mom at lunch ...

... with me

Rich people lunch spot

Nice dining room

The mansion ...

... and gardens

Pretty detail

A look from further back

Great variation in colors

A look back to our lunch spot ...

... with Mom and me

Cool-looking spring growth

Beautiful!

Nice panorama of the Connetquot

Me on the pretty river walk

Signage about the river

Bridge to Breezy Island

Looking up the Great Lawn

Memorial Day flyover

10/17/2020 In the parking lot here we noted a nice display of informative signage about the Lakes to Lock NSB and our next stop, Bennington Battlefield. Although this is many miles east of the NSB, many resources consider it a sight “on” the NSB – works for us. Drove a bit to Bennington Battlefield NHL in Hoosick Falls, also an SHS and in the Hudson Valley NHA. First, we ate our quite good lunch, parked under a tree and looking at the main monument area and pretty mountains. We then checked out the NHL, the site of the 1777 Battle of Bennington where Colonial militia rebuffed a British attempt to capture American stores. Not too much here - flagpole, interpretive signage, metal topographical model and cannon.

Some unexpected signage ...

... on the Lakes to Locks Passage

The big view

It's official

The park sign

The view from lunch

A nice 180 ...

... and me and Ken selfie

Interpretive signage

3D model

A view from down the hill

One of the monuments

Cannon area with pretty foliage

Cannon signage ...

... and us with the cannon

5/18/22 Took advantage of a really beautiful spring day for a quick outing. Picked up Mom at a little after 10:30 and drove to Caleb Smith State Park Preserve. We took a nice walk in the woods, first along an accessible nature trail, then picked up the Greenbelt. We took that far enough in what is the generally south direction to hit a nice little bridge over the swamp, then back along the Greenbelt where it is on a park road. We enjoyed walking along Willow Pond, checking out a gazebo, bridge, and lots of geese. Finding a bench by the lake, I went to the car and retrieved our lunches, which we enjoyed sitting in the sun. I dropped the lunch bags off, and we spent a little time in the park museum, that includes many nice stuffed animals and carved birds.

The park sign

Live tracking phone app

Info on what's in the woods ...

... and one big example

The Greenbelt Trail info ...

... and us on it

Me and a bridge

View of the stream

Bridge over the end of Willow Pond

Pretty view of the water

View of the Smith house musuem

Info on the house

One of the nature rooms

This is carved!

This is stuffed

Looking along the nice porch

7/19/24 Onwards down the road for Caleb Smith State Park Preserve. Really just came here for a nice place to enjoy our morning snack overlooking Willow Pond. Also took a short walk down to the little bridge at the north end.

The park sign

Beautiful views ...

... of Willow Pond ...

... enjoying a snack

Signage about ...

... Willow Pond Mills

The views even include ..

... some swans

A look north ...

... to the bridge

The view from the bridge ...

... with me ...

... and Mom

Info about Whitman Stream

8/7/1991 Picnic at Caumsett State Park, then to Mom and Dad’s to celebrate Maureen’s birthday.

Enjoying our picnic

See the birds?

7/15/1998 ... then up to Chittenango Falls State Park for a look at the beautiful falls and a walk on the trails.

4/27/1999 About 5, drove to Cazenovia and up to Chittenango Falls State Park for a walk around.

8/6/1999 Drove over to Chittenango Falls State Park for a walk (a little rain, but nice).

The upper falls ...

... and lower

Maureen enjoying the stream

The bridge over the stream

9/2/2023 Picked up Mom and headed to Connetquot River State Park. Parked in the lot and walked towards the historic area, passing lots of interpretive signage. Checked out the cool South Side Sportsmen’s Club Lodge, then the Nicoll Grist Mill. Enjoyed really nice views of the Main Pond on a beautiful day. Continued along the blue/red trail for a bit on the east side of the pond, then back around and up the yellow trail, passing the Housing Annex. Back to the Lodge where we viewed the few nature exhibits including stuffed animal display and some live animals.

The park sign ...

... and informative signage

South Country Road Mile Post

Interpretive signage about ...

... South Side Sportsmen’s Club Lodge

Me and Mom

Mom at Nicoll Grist Mill ...

... and both of us

Info around ...

... a mill wheel

Me on the other side ...

... and a view with the dam

Hello!

Great pond view ...

... with the Annex

Another view across the pond

Cool reflection

Old road intersection

Our spot on the trail

Pretty stream to Lower Pond

The Housing Annex

The side of the Lodge ...

... and me out front

Originally a roadhouse

Nice animal ...

... stuffed displays ...

... and alive

10/19/2020 From here we could look across the water at the peninsula with our next stop – Crown Point SHS. A quick drive brought us there to see two NHLs forts (both in the CVNHA). Although it was rather chilly in the overcast and breeze, we spent some time here wandering the ruins of the forts. The first was Fort Crown Point, a 1759 British fort built by the combined efforts of both British and provincial troops on Lake Champlain, erected to secure the region against the French. We wandered around quite a bit here, climbing the battlements of the star fort, inside the ruins of the barracks, etc. A short walk brought us to the smaller Fort Saint-Frederic, a 1734 French fort built on Lake Champlain to secure the region against British colonization and control the lake. Even less left of this smaller fort, and the only reason we spent any real time was looking for the plaque, which my research indicated was somewhere. As a last shot we checked the closed VC, and lucky for us there was one plaque for each fort in the vestibule that we could photo! Near here, there was informative signage about the North Country NST [NY], and some research indicates that the SHS is the current eastern terminus of the NST – bonus!

The park sign

Info on the CVNHA

Fort Crown Point battlements ...

... with descriptive signage

Ken on the trail

The remains of barracks

Ken setting up the camera ...

... for a 180

Sonework detail

The barracks area ...

... describing the star fort

Signage for ...

Fort St. Frederic

Looking over the fort to the Lake

Close-up of some remains

Info on ...

... the NST

4/10/2008 Stopped at the Millard Fillmore birthplace (a sign and a plaque near a field) then a bit further to near Moravia and Fillmore Glen State Park to see a replica cabin where he was born in.

The park sign

Me by the cabin

Another view

7/14/2011 Off at Harriman and east to the Hudson River, stopping first at Fort Montgomery NHL [and SHS]. This is a fortification built on the Hudson during the Revolution. In October 1777 this fort and Fort Clinton across the river were lost to the British, but the battle was key in slowing them down, leading them to the loss at Saratoga. We checked out the VC, then walked around the rocky area where the fort was. There wasn’t much left here but some stone foundations, but there is interesting interpretive signage and it was enjoyable walking around the woods with views of the river and the Bear Mountain Bridge.

Some ruins ...

... and some more ruins

Me at the site

Ken and me and cannon

Firing over the Hudson

7/1966 Went to Old Fort Niagara (Fort Niagara State Park) [Colonial Niagara Historic District].

A view across the fort

Lots of defense

Cannon detail

Father Millet Cross Memorial

Inspection ...

... and parading

7/1966 Camping with tent and screen house at Four Mile Creek State Park campsite on Lake Ontario.

A view of the lake

Our campsite

A closer view

Ken and me

Our campsite

Ken by the tent ...

... and me

The lake swimming area

By the lake with Mom ...

... Dad, ...

... and Ken and me

9/30/2013 Got off and headed south on country roads to Glimmerglass State Park to see Hyde Hall NHL - the large neoclassical country mansion of George Clarke, 1768–1835, heir of Governor George Clarke. I walked around and took photos, including beautiful views of Otsego Lake from the bluff where the house is.

Hyde Hall and sign ...

... and front of Hyde Hall

A view of the Lake

Me on the entrance lane ...

... and in front of Hyde Hall

Another view of the Lake

7/21/2020 Boughton Hill NHL. This is in Gonondagan State Historic Site, and is the location of the largest Seneca village of the 17th century. The Cultural Center was closed, but we could walk around the grounds checking out signage about native culture, live gardens as the natives would have kept and a replica long house.

A view of the grounds

Nice replica long house

A 360 view

Another long house view

Ken and me

7/23/2021 Immediately adjacent to the museum, where we headed next, is Hallock State Park Preserve. We parked in the main lot and got on the “yellow” trail with the intent of getting to the beach. Despite the nice day, we were getting quite warm and sticky walking through the woods and on open sand. We got to the highest point on the trail, and we got a nice view of the Sound and beach below. We realized that it would be a tough climb down to the beach, and worse back, so after enjoying the view a little more, we headed back to the car.

The park sign

Easy trail through the woods

Tougher trail in the open

The view of the Sound ...

... and the beach

Lake Welch ...

... and nearby mountain

Family and friends

Checking out a huge boulder

On the dam

This looks dicey!

Our campsite

Me by the tent

Dad chilling

Adding Ken and Mom

The screenhouse

Ken poking at the fire

Ken examining some bit of nature

Me and Ken making like Indians

6/29/1997 Day hike in Harriman State Park. Took a loop path that included the Long Path [Harriman Long Path NRT], yellow-blazed Dunning trail and white-with-red-rectangle Arden Surebridge trails. Had a backpacked lunch on the trail. At one point had a nice view down on a lake.

Distant view of a lake

Maureen on the Arden Surebridge Trail

The Long Path blaze

Picnic lunch

Me on the Dunning Trail

Reflections

Pretty flower

More flowers

6/12/1993 Picnic in Heckscher State Park, visited Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park.

Me and Maureen picnic-ing

7/1965 camping at Hither Hills State Park, using equipment borrowed from the Fraunhofers.

Our campsite

Aunt Anne and Mary visiting

Mom ...

... in the kitchen

7/1969 Met the Scheims at Jacque Cartier State Park for camping and fishing in the lake.

Mom and Ken at the trailer

Dad in the screenhouse

Nice area for water fun

Ken fishing

Success!

Pretty sundown

12/2/2010 Continued south from there near Roxbury and the Woodchuck Lodge NHL. Off in the woods on the side of the road there was the summer home of naturalist John Burroughs. We were the only ones there, and the lodge was closed, but we could look in some windows (Ken found a shutter that wasn’t secured). The cabin is nicely rustic with lots of tree-based decoration. Up the road just a little we found the John Burroughs Memorial SHS, where we took a short trail up a hill to a JB memorial marker and his grave with really nice views of the mountains and valley.

Ken in front of the Lodge

Lodge sign

Some outside detail ...

... and inside

The park sign

Looking out at the Catskills

Ken and me near the grave

7/25/2015 The last stop of the day was back in Katonah at the John Jay Homestead NHL/State Historic Site, one of the sites in the Hudson River Valley National Historic Area. Also known as Bedford House, it was the home of the statesman and first Chief Justice of the U.S. There were tours offered, but we preferred to just walk around the outside of the house and gardens. We also saw a brief but informative film in the visitor center.

The park sign

Looking up at the house

Some site info

The Homestead house

3/19/2012 On the road before 5 in an SUV picked up yesterday. Usual drive up the Thruway. Off at Fultonville to go to Johnstown and Johnson Hall State Historic Site and NHL. This is the ca 1763 Georgian-style home (with defensive block houses) of Irish pioneer Sir William Johnson who moved from Fort Johnson.

The park sign

A sign for the Hall ...

... and the Hall itself

Front detail

A shot of me

Boardwalk flags ...

... and what they say

Beach and cool clouds

10/19/2020 We targeted Lake George Battlefield Park SHS to find information on the Land Tortoise NHL. This was a military transport ship (radeau) built in 1758; intentionally sunk that year with the intention of raising her for use in 1759, it remains submerged. We found some interpretive signage right away, and after a search, the plaque on a low carved stone mount. Since the real NHL is underwater, that did it for this site ...

The park sign

Some NYS info

More signage

Ken photoing ...

... the NHL plaque

A view of the NHL area ...

... in the lake

Our campsite

The tent ...

... and screenhouse

Me and Ken in our sweatshirts

Same for Mom and Dad

The lake pavilion

Dad and Mom by ...

... the lake

Another lake view

Two statues

(really Ken and me)

Our campsite

The lake

Me, Mom, Ken, ...

... and Dad

7/19/1997 Drove out of town on 400 to 20A to Letchworth State Park. Down through the park stopping at scenic views of the gorge, ending up at the main falls area where we took a short hike to the upper and middle falls. Very pretty and rather impressive considering not all that much water in the river.

Mount Morris Dam

A look at the gorge

Portage Viaduct

Middle Falls ...

... and me

View from the top of the falls

9/3/1989 Day trip to Montauk Point State Park. Visited the museum in the lighthouse.

The lighthouse from afar ...

... and up close

Maureen in the museum

Lighthouse stuff

Fresnel lens

11/28/1997 Out to the point for a walk on the beach in Montauk Point State Park, ...

The lighthouse

Family photo

Kim, Terry and Maurren on the beach

8/16/2012 ... we headed east some more to Montauk Point State Park and the Montauk Lighthouse NHL. The lighthouse was the first to be built in New York, and is currently the fourth oldest active lighthouse in the US, authorized under President Washington in 1792. Although I’ve been here before, the lighthouse was just made an NHL this year, so this was the official trip. First we enjoyed a really nice picnic lunch at a table under a tree in the refreshing breeze off the water. We then walked over to the lighthouse, where I went up to the top of the light while Mom enjoyed the little museum and sitting in the sun overlooking the ocean.

Me and Mom picnicking

The lighthouse

Yes, I am tall enough

A really nice panorama west from the lighthouse

The Sound and its fishes

Me and the lighthouse

7/19/2020 First stop, Newtown Battlefield NHL and State Park. This is the site of the August 1779 Revolutionary War Battle of Newtown, led by General John Sullivan to end the threat of the Iroquois. We checked out the large monument, and interpretive signage on a platform overlooking the river valley.

The park sign

A look at the monument

Ken taking the ...

... NHL plaque

Ken and me in a selfie ...

... and with the monument

A look at the pretty valley

Interpretive signage ...

... near the monument

7/1966 Continued to Niagara Falls - saw Cave of the Winds (Ken too small), Maid of the Mist, Floral Clock, Gorge Rapids, Tower, Goat Island [Niagara Fall State Park], Power Plant.

Top of the falls with Mom, Ken, and me

Nice view of the falls

Another trio with Dad

Heading down to the base of the falls

The observation tower

Great view from the tower

Maid of the Mist

Another falls view

9/11/1993 Back in the car, across bridge into NY and onto Goat Island [Niagara Reservation NHL, Niagara Falls State Park]. Walked near edge of falls and along river to 3 Sisters Islands. Drove to Prospect Point Observation Tower and took Maid of the Mist ride - lots of fun, very impressive - right to the base of the Horseshoe falls.

Me looking out on the river

Maid of the Mist

Observation tower

7/20/2020 ... we moved on to Goat Island, in Niagara Falls State Park. We parked in the main falls viewing area which was very busy, but likely not nearly what a nice summer day should have been like. The attractions like Maid of the Mist were open, but we just walked down to the falls overlook, and enjoyed hanging out with better views of the Horseshoe Falls then expected (travel to Canada, where the better views are, is prohibited). Occasionally the wind would shift and we (and phones/cameras) would get pretty wet. Trip note: this is the first one where both Ken and I have abandoned our cameras for the significantly better photo quality of iPhone 11 cameras. We walked to where we got a distant view of the American Falls, and the gorge, then headed out ...

The park sign

A 360 of the area

A long look at the Horseshoe Falls ...

... a little closer ...

... and over the edge

A close look at the edge

Maid of the Mist

The view down river

A selfie in COVID-wear ...

... and our regular look

Looking at the American Falls

2002-2015 For 14 years, our sailboat - Daddy's Dream - was moored in the Nissequogue. We launched and recovered the boat using the docks at the marina in Nissequogue River State Park. Boating

12/16/2010 A very short distance brought us into downtown Irvington where we parked along the Old Croton Aqueduct NHL path to see a ventilator for this mid-1800s water tunnel into NYC. The aqueduct is underneath the nice greenway that stretches for many miles. A short ways more allowed us to drive under the aqueduct through a little tunnel ... A little more brought us to the Keeper’s (Overseer’s) House in Dobbs Ferry in the Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park where we saw some technical signage about the aqueduct.

Ken and me by ...

... a ventilator

The park sign ...

... and Ken

The Keeper's House

4/26/1999 ... followed by a nice 1.8 mile hike by the Old Erie Canal [State Park, NRT] in beautiful weather.

4/28/1999 ... followed by a walk along more of the Old Erie Canal [State Park, NRT] (36 miles long total).

7/4/1991 LI east end trip – visited Pindar Winery, Orient Beach State Park, and Greenport (180 miles).

Maureen on the beach

Lazy photographer

9/30/2000 From there drove to Orient Beach State Park where we flew one of Dad’s kites which turned into a hang glider.

Dad and Ken preparing

A view of the beach

Kite/glider in action

At the gardens - Maureen, ...

... and me

Maur at our picnic ...

... and me

6/5/2021 Given the nice weather, Mom and I did a little outing. Met at her house and drove to Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park. The estate named Planting Fields was the home of William Robertson Coe, an insurance and railroad executive, and his wife Mary "Mai" Huttleston (née Rogers) Coe, the youngest daughter of millionaire industrialist Henry H. Rogers, who had been a principal of Standard Oil. It includes the 67-room Coe Hall, greenhouses, gardens, woodland paths, and outstanding plant collections We killed a little time around the grounds of the Coe Hall mansion, then got the 10:00 tour inside, which was very interesting and informative. Afterwards Mom hung at a bench under the trees while I went back to the car for our lunch. We enjoyed a sandwich lunch in the pleasant weather, then walked around the gardens a bit more. Back to Mom’s, and home for me.

The park sign

Dense flowers on a tree

Coe Hall ...

... with Mom and me

Doorway stained glass

Nice dining room ...

... with a view to other rooms

Rustic man cave

Bedroom ...

... and sitting room

Nice courtyard ...

... with whimsical beams

Mom and me picnicing

The Tea House on one side ...

... and the other

Ken at the trailer

The screenhouse

Dad chilling

Bathrooms and showers

6/5/1999 Up early, hit the road with bagels in the car. Headed up to Sleepy Hollow. Arrived at a little after 8 – place we were going didn’t open until 9! Picked up Dunkin coffee, took it to Rockefeller State Park Preserve for a very pleasant walk around the lake.

Out campsite

Me, Ken and Dad

Another site view

Mom and her boys

Dad relaxing

Heading down to ...

... the lake

7/25/2012 First stop, Saratoga Spa State Park (NHL). The carbonated water which vents in springs and geysers in this area is rich in minerals and salts, leading to the development of bath houses, research facilities and a drink hall, as well as performing arts facilities. I parked at the large and very attractive Saratoga Performing Arts Complex and walked around on a beautiful day. Photographed the Hall of Springs, which was built in 1933 for patrons to enjoy drinking the spring waters.

The SPAC

The Hall of Springs

A closer look

7/14/2011 Continuing south we arrived at the Stony Point Battlefield NHL [and State Historic Site], the location of the 1779 Battle of Stony Point during the Revolutionary War. Note: this location as well as Fort Montgomery, Locust Grove and the FDR Museum/Library are in the Hudson River Valley NHA. Stony Point is the site of one of the last battles in the northeastern colonies, General Anthony Wayne led the infantry in a July 1779 midnight attack on the British, seizing the site's fortifications and taking the soldiers prisoner. Walking up a hill we first checked out a mock British encampment, all set for anniversary reenactment stuff in a couple days. We also walked up further to a little lighthouse sitting high on a promontory bluff with nice views of the river on three sides.

The park sign

Nice camp setup

Me photoing ...

... the NHL plaque

Closer view of the camp ...

... with me

Short lighthouse

Me and Ken

A view out to the river

Picnic on the beach - me, ...

... and Maureen

Me on the boardwalk

9/8/2024 A morning outing, on a breezy but beautiful day, for a walk on the boardwalk and a snack at Sunken Meadow State Park.

Me and Mom on the boardwalk

A nice panorama of the beach

Looking east ...

... with a lonely swimming area

Mom on the beach ...

... and me

Looking west

Snack time

7/2/2016 Parked at the west end of the Walkway Over the Hudson SHP. Strolled east over the old railway bridge, now the longest footbridge in the world. Enjoyed the great weather and views up and down the river. Went all the way to the elevator at the west end and took that down for some photos of the bridge from ground level near the river in Poughkeepsie.

The park sign

A look from the west side

Looking upstream ...

... and downstream

A nice panorama downstream

Mom on the east side ...

... and me

10/28/2022 Picked up Mom and drove to Huntington Station and the Walt Whitman Birthplace SHS. The site is at the start of the Walt Whitman Trail NRT. We first took the guided tour of the 1819 house build by Whitman’s father. We could take some photos of the outside of the home and grounds, but couldn’t walk around on our own, so we visited the nice museum “which includes more than 100 portraits, original letters, manuscripts, and artifacts”.

The park sign

The start of the NRT

Mom in front of the interpretive center

The Whitman home ...

... and his statue

The view from the interpretive center

"... the stupid and crazy"?

WW's portrait

Nice exhibits ...

... with me

Dad taking a break

One of the bridges

A look at the gorge and walkway

One of many cascades

Ken and me on a bridge

Looking down the gorge

Ken and me

From the gorge to the mountains

Mom and Dad

Mom and Dad heading up

Drips on stone

6/6/1999 From there up to Watkins Glen SP. Had a quick lunch at the snack stand, then took an enjoyable walk through the gorge. Weather getting warm and sticky. Returned on the path above the Gorge, part of the North Country National Scenic Trail [NY].

The park sign

One waterfall ...

... and another

Maureen above the waterfall

A look down the gorge

Me on a bridge

Maureen checking out the stream

7/20/2020 Whirlpool State Park. Here we walked along a rim trail where we could see the rapids far upstream moving down into the whirlpool area, with the churning water a pretty blue/green on a nice sunny day. This park is also in the Niagara Falls NHA.