After spending a week in the urban jungle that is New York City, I got the opportunity to visit a small part of the Catskill Mountains and stay in a beautiful log cabin for a weekend. Located approximately two hours drive upstate from the city, the Catskills run at a far more relaxed pace. We were based near the town of Woodstock, but our cabin was fairly isolated and out of the town proper, so it truly felt like we were in the middle of nowhere. Temperatures were also much cooler than in NYC, so it was a vastly different experience.
We headed out on Friday evening, so there wasn't time to do much after settling in other than to attempt astro-photography in an empty field not fair from where we were staying. Astro is always great fun, even though I'm still not great at it.
Saturday was the main day of our weekend out, and most of it was spent doing a five mile hike up Overlook Mountain. We then spent the remaining time checking out a local swimming hole and the town of Woodstock itself.
It was a lovely and relaxing time, and is a great place to get away from the city life for a short while.
Attempting astro-photography, with the lights from a nearby town lighting up the horizon.
Looking upwards towards the an arm of the Milky Way. Clouds started moving in not too long after we started.
View of the living hall of the log cabin we stayed in. It's very spacious and has two bedrooms.
The little balcony upstairs.
Looking skywards in the middle of the Overlook Mountain Ruins, which was once a hotel.
Only the outer stone shell is left, but one can still see how large it was.
The main hiking path up the mountain, leading past the ruins.
Views from the Overlook Mountain Fire Tower. This is looking south-easterly, towards the lowlands. The Hudson River can be seen in the far distance, with Ashokan Reservoir somewhat closer.
Views deeper into the Catskill Mountains from the Fire Tower.
Woodstock is a fairly 'New Age' sort of town, with a lot of focus on spirituality and nature. So I guess it's a suitable sign?
A poor attempt at shooting the sunset over Ashokan Reservoir, which is to the south of Woodstock. It was a great sunset, but we couldn't find a good place to stop, and the road had fast moving traffic.
Till the next time,
Raylen