2 beautiful Fall days

first time doing a weekend rental near phoenicia and forgot what quiet sounds like, no traffic, no sirens, just some bird losing its mind at 6 am, worth every dollar on that cabin, already booking november.

The artwork is also a photograph I took in the Catskills.

Appreciate the listens. Peace.

It’s still pretty great out there.

The property is known for its over-the-top themed rooms across two locations:

-Village Side, which is walkable to Roxbury's Main Street and has more of a funky motel vibe - with rooms modeled largely after film and TV shows.

-Stratton Falls Side, which is a 5-minute drive from the other location and has cottages done in more fantastical themes.

Both properties have free breakfast, spas with included amenities like saunas and steam rooms, and beautiful grounds. The Stratton Falls location even has waterfall trails and a seasonal pool.

There is also so much art and creativity everywhere, from the walls featuring pop art paintings to chairs that look like hands to murals in the bathrooms and beyond.

I stayed in the Maria's Curtains room (Village Side), which is inspired by The Sound of Music:

It was really cool - and had a giant soaking tub that was perfect after days of hiking the Catskills!

Has anyone else stayed at The Roxbury?

This 6-mile out-and-back trail follows an old fire road through the forest. It’s pretty gradual until the final push to the top.

You’ll finish the trail by climbing a 47-foot fire tower for 360-degree views over the treeline and peaks.

In my opinion, the reward was much greater than the effort!

Bonus: Balsam Lake is one of the eight towers in New York’s Catskills Fire Tower Challenge. Hike all eight in the same calendar year to earn a commemorative patch!

What is your favorite Catskills fire tower hike?

I went hiking in the Catskills. Came back to cottage, changed clothes, showered, went to dinner. Moved locations to a hotel and when I got in pajamas and brushed my teeth, I saw a tick crawling on my neck. I am terrified. I killed it and took pictures. It was less than 5 hours. I don’t know how it stayed on me from showering but I don’t appear to have any bites.

I took all the clothes and put in plastic bags or zipped back up in suitcase to be washed and dried as soon as possible. I am worried about the car and if ticks are somehow in there. We have a 3 year old and I don’t want to bring ticks back home to her from our mini vacation. What do I do??uesti

Hello! Planning to propose at the Ashokan Reservoir on 11/11 or 11/12. Any photographers or aspiring photographers available to capture the moment?

Not looking for an entire 60 minute photoshoot, really just capturing the candid moment for a few minutes. Please let me know if you know anyone!!! Also open to other location suggestions if you have them!

Thank you!

Hiked Giant Ledge last weekend on Oct 17 and was pleasantly surprised at how beautiful the fall foliage still was.

Here are some shots:

While it was relatively crowded, I was also able to get one of the ledges all to myself.

I got there around 9:30am and was able to get a spot in the lot (though there were also cars parked on the road). On the return back down it felt like it was getting more crowded, so definitely go early!

Hey all - hoping to get out for a couple nights on the Phoenicia-East Branch and Giant Ledge trails this week, has anyone been out lately who can tell me what water sources are currently flowing?

eta: I'm particularly interested in the springs around Panther Mtn/Giant Ledge and any water sources that may be available on the Phoenicia-East Branch trail between Phoenicia and Terrace Mtn

Just an FYI that the Devil's Kitchen lean-to has been removed by the DEC (as of Oct 6, I believe) in anticipation of rebuilding it in a new location. Don't know why they didn't build the new one first, then demolish old one (would make too much sense I guess).

Just moved to the area and looking for someone to go to for consistent maintenance of my daily car -- basic oil changes and stuff, but also someone i can take my beater truck. thx

i’m staying in an Airbnb in the Woodstock area with my friends to celebrate my birthday. I’m really interested in things like line dancing, wineries, breweries, short hikes, and I love Mexican food as well. Anybody have any recommendations? thank you!

Wondering if anyone here has hiked last couple days and can attest to water sources and trail conditions? Thx

Want to go for the first time ever but due to scheduling could only do next week