In the north-east section of the Catskill Mountains Forest Reserve In New York state, there is a very nice state campground. North-South Lake Campgrounds is one of the biggest and probably the must popular of the NY state campgrounds in the Catskill Mountains. It is surrounded by many hiking trails to explore which lead you to amazing overlooks, waterfalls, and historic sights.
On your way to North-South Lake Campgrounds Catskill Mts., if you take Route 32 west toward West Haven, you will travel up a very steep, winding road which offers a wonderful view of the mountains and you will come upon the Kaaterskill Falls. There is a small parking area near the falls so you can walk up to falls as well as see a beautiful view of the mountains. Kaaterskill Falls is a magnificent two-drop waterfall making the dual cascading falls the highest in New York State at about 260 feet high.
The Falls is one of the the most photographed, painted, and penned (in essays, stories, and poems) as it is one of America’s oldest tourist spots since the early 1800s. At North-South Lake Campgrounds there is a hiking trail that will take you to Alligator Rock - see picture of 1914 postcard.
There is a lake beach front and If you like the serenity of paddling out in a canoe, kayak, rowboat or paddleboat (motorboats are not allowed - Yay!), you will love this campground. Even the dog loved exploring this beautiful place...
Spring has emerged and so has the campers and creatures of the forests...
Eeek!
A “daddy long legged spider!!” Or is it?There are 3 species of creatures that are often referred to as a “daddy long legs”.
One of which is actually an insect, the Crane Fly, which looks like a spider with wings, but it is not a spider.
This lovely creature here, who tried to join me for lunch, is the Harvestmen; an eight long legged invertebrate of the Opiliones order in the class of Arachnida, but it too is not a spider. So what’s the difference between the Harvestmen and spiders? The Harvestmen has only two eyes, two main body sections, the abdomen with ten segments and the cephalothorax (a fused head and thorax, of course) which are joined as to give the appearance on one oval structure.Now would you believe that urban legend has it that this little Arachnida might be the most venomous creature on the earth!? Well, thank goodness this is an untruth.It doesn’t have venom glands or venom fangs and its mouth and fangs are so small that if it were to bite a human or large creature, the bite would be insignificant. And this is also true of the real “daddy long legged” spider.
The Pholcid, Cellar (House) Spider, aka “daddy long legged” spider is a true spider with two separate body sections and eight eyes (all the better to see ya). So to see a “daddy long legged” spider check your basement, because that’s where they are often found.
And the next time you are in the woods, look for the Harvestmen because it is a ground-dwelling outdoor loving creature.
September & early October is a great time for apple-picking & there are many orchards in the Catskill Mts. & surrounding area. This time of year apples seem to be crispier & juicier. My favorite recipe is Fried Apples.
4-5 Gala or Fuji apples Tablespoon of butter or margarine Tablespoon of cinnamon sugar 3-4 glovers
Slice the apples & place them in a 10-inch fry pan with a ½ cup of water, a tablespoon of butter/margarine & 3-4 glovers. Over a medium flame stir occasionally until the apples are soft (but not too soft). Sprinkle a tablespoon of cinnamon sugar & stir.
For breakfast, serve hot with scramble eggs & maybe some type of sausage.
As a dessert, serve hot over vanilla ice cream.
Yumm!
You might want to check out Wright’s Apple Farm (699 Route 208, Gardiner, NY). They make it truly a family affair by inviting you to bring the whole family, including pooch, for a day of apple-picking & picnicking.
