Original Photo: A Wrong Turn - Copyright James E. Martin 2012
But the sunset was beautiful. The only adverse consequence was setting up the tent in the dark again once we reached our actual destination.
Original Photo: Copake Lake Sunset - Copyright James E. Martin 2012
The next morning appeared bright and quiet in the dense pine forest of the Taconic State Park-Copake Falls.
Original Photo: Taconic State Park-Copake Falls - Copyright James E. Martin 2012
We had chosen a site on-line using convenient on-the-road registration for its proximity to the Bash Bish Falls trail head. There were only two apparently available sites and we selected one without a wooden tent platform. Unfortunately, section A of the campground has numerous slopes and knolls to tent on. We had selected site A28. Evidence of hard rain and washout rivulets was abundant. We selected our tent orientation as best we could and hoped to reconnoiter a better site if possible when the park office opened. Oddly, there appeared to be many available campsites. Not correlated to our on-line information for availability and registration experience.
Original Photo: Tenting on a Knoll and Slope - Copyright James E. Martin 2012
We discovered that our registration was inadvertently for the Rudd campground 12 miles down the road. Same site numbering system explained why the sites at Copake were not fully booked. We provided feedback to the Ranger Office that the on-line application interface did not appear to present both campgrounds as a selectable option. Rangers courteously worked the re-registration on our behalf throughout the day. No worries for us. We enjoyed a quiet campside morning.
Original Photo: Morning Industry - Copyright James E. Martin 2012
Evidence of prior travelers with a humble cairn amidst the flora.
Original Photo: A Taconic Cairn - Copyright James E. Martin 2012
The morning view from the tent site revealed a soothing dense pine forest.
Original Photo: Dense Pine Forest - Copyright James E. Martin 2012
We noted there were lots of pine cones and some branch drops around the camp ground. They served the morning fire fuel. We collected unspent, charcoaled firewood from vacant sites....enough to keep a fire burning throughout the morning! In return, we did a trash pickup while we traversed the sites to leave the area better than when we arrived. Some folks left a good time behind them!
Original Photo: Taconic Morning Light - Copyright James E. Martin 2012
Early hikers provided some insight into the approach to the Bash Bish Falls we intended for later in the day. From the campground, 1/2 mile to the trail head and then a 3/4 mile one-way hike. Or one can drive and park at the trailhead. First 1/4 mile of the streamside hike was relatively flat with increasing slope for 1/2 mile thereafter. Later our new friends reported their round trip hike was just a bit over one hour. Thanks for the heads up!
Original Photo: Hiking Advice to Bash Bish Falls- Copyright James E. Martin 2012
Screeching and squawking throughout the early morning as a bird of prey sought its breakfast. I slowly approached to see how close I could get before it took flight. About 20 feet to startle.
Original Photo: Morning Predator - Copyright James E. Martin 2012
An occasional birch tree was inserted into the pine canopy.
Original Photo: Occasional Birch - Copyright James E. Martin 2012
Collecting numerous pine cones for the morning fire is a camping endeavor that keeps the site clean and tidy. The voracious squirrels would otherwise eat the pine seeds like a corn-on-the-cob and leave a skinny core spindling. Lots of banter and chatter in the trees throughout the morning.
Original Photo: Kindergartner Kindling - Copyright James E. Martin 2012
Five year olds enjoy nature by looking for pretty rocks that appeal to the eye.
Original Photo: Searching for Pretty Rocks - Copyright James E. Martin 2012
Older adults enjoy a quiet morning around a warm, scented campfire with bountiful coffee.
Original Photo: Morning Warmth and Relaxation - Copyright James E. Martin 2012
We noticed that most tent sites had a blue tarp draped over each abode. Obviously, the locals and repeat campers knew something we did not. My Lesson Learned for the future is to pack one with a couple of custom poles to ensure cone and branch drops don't damage the tent and we will have an extra layer of rain and wind protection during those blustery grey days so as to prevent tent and rain fly saturation. Also, if I can execute the concept well, it will be the first to go up and the last to come down, possibly providing a drier approach to setting up and taking down the tent and rain fly in the event of rain during transition times. Thanks dedicated campers!
Original Photo: Taconic Tent - Copyright James E. Martin 2012
We bugged out just before the second evening when the raindrops started to fall prior to dinner preparation and probability of rain when up over 60% for the second night with thunderstorms throughout the next morning. The joys of weather updates on-line while traveling. We were only 3 1/2 hours from home after a long week outside. We thought better safe than sorry this time. The end to a fun-filled and relaxing week. We don't do this often nor often enough. Our thoughts are to perhaps camp at least once per season in Spring, Summer, and Fall and inventory the New England campgrounds surrounding home base.
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