Trip, suggestions for places from up state NY

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6

09/01/2006 10:56:20 AM · #1

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! :)

Message edited by author 2006-09-01 10:56:35.

kteach

Nikon D50

09/01/2006 11:12:40 AM · #2

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

09/01/2006 11:20:24 AM · #3

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!

Pentax DA 16-45mm f/4.0 ED AL AF

09/01/2006 11:40:32 AM · #4

Kaaterskill Falls in the Catskills is beautiful, especially if you get it after a large amount of rainfall. Near Woodstock, New York.

The Adirondacks are also very beautiful.

Within 9 hours I think you can make it to Acadia, one of my favorite places in the world! But that might be far for a weekend.

I'd offer a local get together when you pass through Albany, but I can't do it this weekend :(

bs-photos

Pentax K7

09/01/2006 11:45:52 AM · #5

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

kteach

Nikon D50

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6

09/01/2006 11:48:29 AM · #6

Originally posted by nshapiro:

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.

09/01/2006 12:11:39 PM · #7

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!

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

09/01/2006 12:12:59 PM · #8

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!

Message edited by author 2006-09-01 12:14:33.

dassilem

Nikon D90

09/01/2006 02:31:58 PM · #9

Adirondack Scenic Railroad

Suggest for another time, as I just looked at the Sept 2 trip is cancelled...

09/01/2006 02:50:56 PM · #10

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.

Here's some info:

//gonewengland.about.com/od/nyattractions/ss/aakaaterskill_3.htm

I have some pics Here (I'll try to put a few more up later.):

Kaaterskill:

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

09/01/2006 02:52:26 PM · #11

Originally posted by dassilem:

Adirondack Scenic Railroad

Suggest for another time, as I just looked at the Sept 2 trip is cancelled...

Is that nice? I had fun on the train in Alaska but they let us stand between cars and shoot (so we didn't have to shoot through the window).

Would love other train rides but they have to let you shoot without going through glass!

dassilem

Nikon D90

09/01/2006 03:24:02 PM · #12

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.

09/01/2006 03:31:24 PM · #13

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!

ButterflySis

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

09/01/2006 03:58:30 PM · #14

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.

I should see you at the next meeting!

ButterflySis

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

09/01/2006 03:59:38 PM · #15

Originally posted by vikas:

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.

Message edited by author 2006-09-01 16:02:39.

09/01/2006 04:28:41 PM · #16

Looks like I am back to 2 places to decide ..

Wilmington, VT - forecast says, light rain Saturday, chances of rain Sunday, no rain Monday!

Woodstock, NY - heavy rain Saturday, rain Sunday, no rain Monday!

Will check the weather tomorrow morning and start driving towards the place with less rain through the weekend !

09/01/2006 04:31:36 PM · #17

Originally posted by ButterflySis:

Originally posted by vikas:
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 .. :)

10/28 - marked in my mind calender :)

09/01/2006 09:24:13 PM · #18

I never stayed in Woodstock. I only live an hour from there. And I haven't really been to the town itself for a while.

See google maps: google map of woodstock

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!

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

09/01/2006 09:25:33 PM · #19

Originally posted by ButterflySis:

Make up two dates, pick one and we'll come the other. Rain problem solved.

Hope I can come this year!

ButterflySis

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

09/01/2006 09:45:24 PM · #20

Originally posted by nshapiro:

Make up two dates, pick one and we'll come the other. Rain problem solved.

Hope I can come this year!

Sure, we can do that. My schedule's a little full and didn't pick the 14 or 15 because someone from another site couldn't attend those days.

Instead of hijacking vikas thread I'll start a new one.

Find it here: Finger Lakes Foliage GTG-2

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

09/01/2006 11:24:13 PM · #21

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.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

09/01/2006 11:45:11 PM · #22

I just found an interesting site that listed local hikes here, and it had a nice scenic hike near woodstock if you go:

Overlook Mountain -Catskills

Message edited by author 2006-09-01 23:46:49.

dassilem

Nikon D90

09/05/2006 09:47:38 PM · #23

vikas.....where did you end up going?