Hey Everyone!
Being a long weekend and considering that its been a while since I have done any excursions, I really want to head out tomorrow.
I am open for suggestions on places that can be visited within 6-8hours drive from Ithaca, NY. I was looking at Wilmington-VT, West Virginia, NYC, Boston...can't seem to decide what will be a good place to get some nice shots!
Also open for GTG/invitations from people who would like to show me around town and go out shooting! In short I am open for ideas, as long as I end up at a beautiful place! :)
Funny you should post... I was contemplating places to go as well, but decided that since the weather is supposed to awful with the remnants of Ernesto heading this way, it's a weekend to stay in!
I did find a balloon festival listed in Dansville, NY for this weekend. That should be pretty close. Here's a link to the info:
NYS Festival of Balloons
Yes, the weather did disappoint me, but it seems Sunday and Monday should be nice wherever I go! Everything will be clean and fresh after the rains (hopefully if it does not get any worse)
Balloon festival looks nice - its not a long drive from Ithaca.. if I don't do anything I will go there!
I was just looking at a few things in West Virginia for a weekend get away, found this site: Cacapon Resort State Park They seemed like they had some nice package deals for pretty cheap, I'm not sure what all is around there but it looked nice
Kaaterskill Falls in the Catskills is beautiful, especially if you get it after a large amount of rainfall. Near Woodstock, New York.
Kaaterskill Falls are fantastic... great views from the top or the bottom (and I've hiked up to the middle too). If you do decide on that though, I believe there are still roads closed down in that area from flooding earlier in the season. I had to do some detours when I was there a few weeks ago.
Kaaterskill looks like a nice place to go and heading south I should be able to dodge the bad weather !
I crossed Woodstock once (was lost and ended up there) .. it is a beautiful town...So how does this sound
Leave tomorrow morning - Reach Woodstock
Spend the day leisurely walking in and around Woodstock
Hike Sunday morning to the Kaaterskill Falls and other local hikes
Return back Monday afternoon!
Those are nice packages being offered at Cacapon Resort State Park ..don't know if I want to relax in spa though :)
Edit : Acadia is just too far, I want to save that trip for the fall colors!! That gives me an idea, how about a GTG at Acadia National park in fall??
I am sure lot of people will be interested in doing that!
If there's a lot of water coming off of Kaaterskill, and any wind, bring something to wipe your lens off with. I went twice last year--once with Shannon, there was an incredible amount of water coming over the falls, and enough wind that at the base area of the falls, there was a lot of mist. So much my Cokin filter kept getting soaked, making pictures difficult.
I went back several weeks later, and there was less water, and less wind. Wasn't quite as pretty, but was still fantastic and there was no mist.
There are actually two falls near Kaaterskill. When you are on the road approachin the trail, there's a beautiful falls, which is called Bastion falls.
Neil, I haven't been on it years (before I was a *ahem* photographer). They do have open cars where you can view without glass. My coworker went on one trip last year that was designed specifically for photographers. She spoke highly of the trip, hence I passed it along as an option. When I see her I'll question more specifically and PM you with details.
Place looks great, looking at the pictures helps a lot :) Thanks Neil!!
Although there will be another trip due in fall, but I have to get out this weekend, so Kaaterskill it is!
Do you think staying at Woodstock is a good idea? Or should I stay somewhere closer?
@Melissa - Train rides - I love trains, found one in Catskill region last year(again near Woodstock), they have open carriages should be good for taking pictures! Also Watkins Glenn has wine tours on train, that in also in my list to do things this fall!
Vikas, hey! I would keep in mind the storm that's coming through and try to avoid it. Many places will be very saturated and/or flooding. If you head north it may still be rainy but if you head south it may be flooded. I think the rain will have stopped by the time you get there if you head south though. Virginia/West Virginia has beautiful mountains and waterfalls. I always like it down there. Let me know where you wind up.
Also Watkins Glenn has wine tours on train, that in also in my list to do things this fall!
I don't like wine much but if you head this way and want company let me know. Maybe I can get a few people together...though every time I plan it rains. lol
FYI - The train in WG, as far as I understand, only goes to Glenora Winery. There are other boarding places though.
Finger Lakes Scenic Railway
By the way, save 10/28 as a fall outing. See the forum.
Also Watkins Glenn has wine tours on train, that in also in my list to do things this fall!
I don't like wine much but if you head this way and want company let me know. Maybe I can get a few people together...though every time I plan it rains. lol
FYI - The train in WG, as far as I understand, only goes to Glenora Winery. There are other boarding places though.
Finger Lakes Scenic Railway
By the way, save 10/28 as a fall outing. See the forum.
I don't drink much wine either, but sure if we can gather a group of people it will be fun :) .. since every time you plan, it rains, let me know when we want to go and I can do the planning lol .. :)
Shannon and I did a nice loop - 28a (below the resevior) to 214 to 23A (where Kaaterskill is). We think 214 is where we saw that nice stream and falls that are pictured in my Catskills portfolio next to Kaaterskill. Just saw the water and there was a pullover there (on the left of the road as you go north.
Perhaps looking at the terrain on Google maps might give you the best clues where roads take you interesting places!
Also Watkins Glenn has wine tours on train, that in also in my list to do things this fall!
I don't like wine much but if you head this way and want company let me know. Maybe I can get a few people together...though every time I plan it rains. lol
FYI - The train in WG, as far as I understand, only goes to Glenora Winery. There are other boarding places though.
Finger Lakes Scenic Railway
By the way, save 10/28 as a fall outing. See the forum.
Make up two dates, pick one and we'll come the other. Rain problem solved.
Wherever you decide to go better check about overnight accomidations, it is a holiday weekend and many places will already be booked up, even with the bad weather. I would have told you to bring sleeping bag and tent, but that won't be much fun in a soaking rain.
