Diaries of the Greenest NYer

Rip Van Winkle Never Imagined Living So Well!

writererikbaard — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:52:46 +0000

The Catskill Mountain gnomes who Rip Van Winkle encountered were fond of bowling and magical brews. These days they’re hanging out in hot tubs and getting massages after dining in style…of course, still while imbibing magical Catskill brews. Winter’s the perfect time in the Catskills to indulge yourself in both active and therapeutic recreation. You’ll find [...]

Catskills Snow Season Begins!

writererikbaard — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:37:44 +0000

Belleayre Mountain in Highmount, N.Y. is owned & operated by the New York State, Department of Environmental Conservation.

Kids in New York Apple Country!

writererikbaard — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:53:48 +0000

Despite regional flood damage from Hurricane Irene, New York apple country is thriving and our charming villages are greatly recovered. I was thrilled to take 20 kids from Hour Children apple picking at Wilklow Orchards, in an historic area of the Hudson Valley under two hours north of New York City. Thanks to a sponsorship [...]

BEACH PLUM WEEK!

writererikbaard — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:17:57 +0000

Beach plum gelato! Beach plum smoothies and baked goods! Beach plum jam on toast! Beach plum sauces on entrees! Maybe a little Merlot with beach plum notes? There are many ways to enjoy this native New York fruit and to savor a fresh memory of summer! Beach Plum Week is arriving in Long Island City [...]

See your Way to the Seaway and Harborfest!

writererikbaard — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 21:49:44 +0000

The heart of North America is linked to the wild north Atlantic by the Great Lakes, canals and the St. Lawrence Seaway, nearly all accessible from the Thousand Islands-Seaway, Finger Lakes, Greater Niagara and Chautauqua-Allegheny regions of New York. A 518-mile Seaway Trail takes hikers, bikers and motorists alongside it from Lake Erie and out past the [...]

Heart Island: A Love Story (Complete with Fairy Tale Castle and “Millionaires Row”)

writererikbaard — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:32:18 +0000

As a city-bred environmentalist, I’ve put a lot of thought into ways to escape or eradicate the urban “heat island.” But in Alexandria Bay, the thinking is to visit and preserve Heart Island. What a difference one letter makes! I had the pleasure of cruising a section of the Thousand Islands with New York State Assembly [...]

FINAL WEEKEND for the Swimming Cities Boatel

writererikbaard — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:04:41 +0000

I was once asked to tow a huge floating diorama of the Bronx River from the Bronx to Brooklyn on the East River by kayak. The rickety eco-artwork was strung together from several pieces and featured delicate paper items. Square yards of it were covered with deliberately broken glass bottles. Fortunately, I knew one man with enough [...]

The Little Plum of the Big Apple State

writererikbaard — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 20:39:24 +0000

Visit the East End of Long Island now and into autumn for a lingering taste of summer! Though the past few days have been rather dismal downstate, the beaches of Long Island have more to offer after Labor Day than you might think. Right about now, farmers are harvesting tartly sweet beach plums to render [...]

Une Promenade Sur La Crique Française (A Stroll on the French Creek)

writererikbaard — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:10:40 +0000

Ah, the pleasure of “a stroll on the French Creek!” That’s right – on – not beside. My trip to the Thousand Islands-Seaway was a weekend of many firsts, and we can count stand-up paddle boarding on the French Creek among them! The diversity of water conditions in the North Country of New York State, [...]

The Waters of Eden: Lakeview Wildlife Management Area

writererikbaard — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:08:19 +0000

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting the 1000 Islands-Seaway region of upstate New York. Housed within this special region is a unique ecosystem full of hidden treasures, water adventures, and extraordinary wildlife. Collectively, the Great Lakes boast the largest freshwater coastal dunes on Earth, and the lion’s share of New York’s barrier beach system lies within [...]