Well it has been quite some time since I have updated this page. Since my last update a lot has changed. Life has taken me out of Minnesota's Northwoods and into New Yorks urban jungle. Though it may seem to an outsider that I am a fish out of water in the big city, and don't get me wrong in some ways I am, I have been able to still spend a lot time in nature both through my work and recreation. Though I am not living as close to high quality outdoor locations as before I have been able to make it work.
For those I haven't talked to in some time I'm currently living in uptown Manhattan and working with NYC parks. My focus, with the parks department, is in trail and forest restoration. We improve drainages on trails, plant trees, remove invasive species, and improve the overall forest health in our park. I am lucky to work at one of the rare parks in NYC which actually has forest, over 600 acres in fact.
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Typical forest scene from Van Cortlandt Park (photo credit: Darrel Bass)
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| Trail Restoration work in the park (photo credit: Darrel Bass) |
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Overlook from the vault hill area in Van Cortlandt Park, you can see all the way to Midtown Manhattan (Photo credit: Darrel Bass)
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Me clearing an American Beech which fell and blocked a trail (photo credit: Darrel Bass)
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I don't spend a ton of time in the "actual city". The part of Manhattan I live in is a far cry from the rest of it. It's dominated by low rise and is much less busy than the rest of the island. When I do make it down town I love to admire all the interesting architecture and the marvels of human ingenuity.
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| Union Square is a favorite part of the city for me as I spent so much time there while working with Greenpeace |
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| A Manhattan scene |
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| Lower Manhattan from the bay |
One of the dominating views of my neighborhood is the George Washington Bridge and the New Jersey Palisades. When I leave this area someday these things will always remind me of here.
Though I have found enjoyment in the City my real fun since living here has been travelling upstate. Usually when I travel upstate I spend some time at my Mom's place and some time in the mountains, either the Shawangunks or the Catskills.
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| Amanda and I xc skiing in the Shawangunk Mountains (the gunks) |
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| Looking out upon the Western Catskills from Indian Head Mountain |
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| Crystal Clear pool in the Gunks |
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| The Shawangunk Mountains with the Catskills in the distance from a overlook within a 15 minute walk from my Mom's |
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| Shawangunk rock cliff with the Catskills looming in the distance |
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| Panorama from Giants Ledge in the Catskill Mountains |
Unfortunately this is all I have time for now but hopefully in a few days here I will finish the post off with my most recent trips, a week long trip to Minnesota to backpack, and a long weekend trip to Vermont to hike and visit with Aunt Kathy. Stay tuned!
Heres a sneak preview of the Superior Hiking Trail:
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| Lake Superior and Minnesota's North Shore |
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