Adeline and Jean
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
MARCH – MAY 2016 Newsletter of the Mohican Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club Serving Westchester, Putnam, and Fairfield Counties ...and B e y o n d From the Chair and Vice-Chair ----------------------------------- Well, has this just been the strangest winter, or what? It was great for the hikers, but not-so-great for snow sports folks who snow-shoe or cross-country ski. We had the warmest weather, then the coldest, and now we are back to the warmest. I'm hearing that some lucky folks are already seeing daffodils peeking up from the ground. Wednesday – April 6, 2016 Meeting at Westmoreland Sanctuary It is hard to believe that we got this far through winter 260 Chestnut Ridge Road in Bedford Hills at 7:30 p.m. with only one significant snowstorm. All those plans for Doors open at 7 p.m. snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding, and ice Election of officers skating were melted down in a week to dirty snow. Pot Luck Supper - bring a dish to share with others – Fahnestock Park even closed the winter park a few beverages and dessert will be provided days after the storm because there wasn't enough to ski on. The birds and the bears are confused with the Wednesday – June 1, 2016 unusual warmth. It changes the vacation plans of birds Meeting at Westmoreland - 7:30 p.m. going to Florida. The bears fell asleep later in the season. Flowers and some trees started to bloom Sunday, September 11, 2016 - Noon before the storm came and knocked them down. Picnic at FDR Park in Yorktown "Mother Nature" can fool you any time she wants so enjoy the trails and remember your traction aids and/or September 15-24, 2016 snowshoes. There may not be snow at your house, but WTA Hiking week in Bar Harbor, Maine the forest is a different place and the elevation can See newsletter for details change the amount of ice, snow, wet leaves or mud. Have your equipment ready and enjoy what "Mother ELECTION TIME Nature" gives us. The nominating committee, consisting The spring and summer offerings for our chapter are as of Jane Smalley, Carol Harting and follows: Our first meeting of the new season is April 6th Steve Klepner, is putting together a at Westmoreland Sanctuary in Mt. Kisco. New officers slate of candidates for the offices of will be elected at this meeting, so please come out on a Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and lovely spring evening to support your chapter and to Secretary to be elected at our April meeting. Place see your fellow hiking buddies -- and to have some contact Carol Harting [email protected] if you are goodies too! interested in any of these offices. I know this is early, but we now have booked our Annual Picnic for Sunday, September 11 at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Park right off of Rt. 202 in We extend our deepest condolences to Kathie Laug Yorktown. We have a lovely spot this year, and we and her family on the passing of Kathie’s Mother, Mary would love to see you all there. Happy Trails!!! Lou Friedman, in January. Adeline and Jean 1 MARCH – MAY 2016 Saturday, December 12 Kitchawan to Teatown November Joanne Rubin and Irene Studwell Rejoined Members Lisa and John Carpenter; George and Karen Kollitides and Lisa Rosner This column is dedicated to you, our members, whose lives, events, and achievements on and off the trail are to be recognized and shared. If there is a special event, vacation or achievement in your life you 13 hikers joined Jane Smalley on a relatively ‘warm’ would like to share, please send in day in December; hiking 8 miles in four hours your news to Annette Grau at [email protected]. connecting Kitchwan Preserve to Teatown Lake Reservation. Submitted by Jane Smalley Friday, January 1 Greenwich Point Park Saturday, November 21 Turkey Mountain and Hilltop Hanover Farm The weather was relatively balmy for the annual New Year walk and plunge. 25 walkers and a record 5 swimmers: Janice Miller, Caroline Hoffman, instigator Jane Restani and 2 from the Reidy clan--Billy Reidy and Krishe Van der Walt, participated. The other 2 Fourteen of us enjoyed hiking two northern Reidy's stayed dry as did all the other walkers. No foul; Westchester Preserves noting views of the NYC they cheered a lot. The leader wishes to thank those skyline atop Turkey Mountain while lunch was enjoyed who added their goodies to the after-dip party and who at a picnic table alongside the quiet pond at Hilltop expressed their condolences that our pal and Hanover Farm. A bonus after the hike was shopping for dependable "dipper" Margaret Freifeld was so sorely fresh vegetables at the farmer’s market at Hilltop. missed. Submitted by Jane Restani Submitted by Jane Smalley 2 MARCH – MAY 2016 Saturday, January 16 over lunch at the fire tower. Thank you Jeanne, Judy, Angle Fly Preserve Doug (from Albany), Taneko, Yumiko and Janice for joining the leader, Carol on this fun filled day. Submitted by Carol Harting Mark Your Calendar: WTA Hiking Week+ in Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine Thursday, September 15 - Saturday September 24 Stand at the highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard where the first sunrise in the United States is viewed on New Year’s Day. Walk along the shore and hear the crash of waves hitting the rocky Maine coast. Climb almost vertical routes using ladders and handholds; or hike to the summits in the usual way through forested areas and along open ridges; or stroll on carriage roads made for the Rockefeller family that have the familiar feel of our own Rockefeller Preserve. Acadia National Park is a magical place, and whether With rain predicted to end by 10 a.m. Saturday you like to hike, bike, golf, fish, kayak, whale watch, morning, twelve hikers met at Reiss Park in Somers at tour, or just relax and take it all in, our 2016 Hiking 10:30. We were rewarded with a mostly clear day and Week+ has it all. especially the warmth of a noon time sun for lunch. Submitted by Jane Smalley Saturday, January 30 Balsam Lake in the Catskills We’ve expanded this year’s hiking week to nine days (hence the +) due to the length of the drive, and timed the trip to capture Acadia’s best hiking weather. Those who attend AMC’s Fall Hiking Week in the Whites (to be held 9/23-9/30) can still do so by driving directly from Maine to New Hampshire. We’ll be staying at the Bar Harbor Motel, just 1-1/2 What we thought would be a snowshoe hike in the miles outside of town. Our discounted group rate is Catskills (what else would you expect at the end of $129 for a room with either one king bed or two queen January) turned out to be traction aids only as there beds. The rates are for the room, not per person, and was not enough snow even at the top to use include a continental breakfast with hot and cold items, snowshoes. Luckily we all decided not to carry them. a mini-fridge in each room, and a communal The temperature was perfect, the sun was shining and microwave in the lobby. They have free Wi-Fi; a heated all in all it was a perfect day along with stops at Bread outdoor pool; and their own trail connecting to Acadia’s Alone for coffee/hot chocolate and their famous bread. carriage roads. Although you have plenty of time to It is only a five-mile hike round trip, and the group did it make reservations, there’s no reason to delay--just visit in about three hours even with spending quality time 3 MARCH – MAY 2016 the motel’s website at http://barharbormotel.com or call Sunday, March 6 them at 800-388-3453 to reserve your room. Be sure to Around the County - Bedford to Lewisboro tell them you are part of the Westchester Trails Part 5: Pound Ridge and Lewisboro (Joint w/WTA) Association group so that you get the discounted rate. Since they are not officially open during the winter, an 7 miles, moderate. Now that we have visited the answering machine may pick up if you call. If you leave preserves in the eastern part of Lewisboro, we return to your number with the dates and times you are Pound Ridge and head north, exploring the area near available, they will call you back. Once you make your the upper Pound Ridge/Lewisboro border. First, we’ll reservation, contact Eileen West at hike through the Clark Preserve and then arrive at the [email protected] to let her know you are place that first comes to mind when we say “Pound coming and to be placed on an e-mail list for future Ridge” - Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. Our route will updates about the trip. Eileen is also keeping a list of take us along part of the Rocks Trail and other trails, people who would like to carpool. If you can give and will end on the Lewisboro side of the park near someone a ride, or if you need a ride, let Eileen know Kimberly Bridge, where the next hike in this series will that as well. begin. Meet at the Cross River shopping plaza at the intersections of Routes 121 and 35 to consolidate cars for the shuttle. For meeting time or other questions, contact the leader Eileen West at Attention Leaders and Hikers [email protected].