Almost skunked at sunrise this morning in the Adirondacks

[Bart Carrig]

Drove an hour north this morning to catch a sunrise along the Sacandaga Basin; it was supposed to be a nice, sunny day with 50% cloud cover. This is my go-to canoe river.

The clouds were thick, very little light got through, but when some openings appeared I found a spot to access the river by sliding down a bank, and was treated to a few good opportunities:

#1. The view from the roadside:

#2. After scooting down the bank, thick clouds hit again, until a little sunrise light appeared, and I got a view upstream:

After that, more light lit up the basin. The canoe trip up and down this stream is glorious (and long)

I've been away from the forum a bit, as Robyn's father (an avid outdoorsman and fisherman; a great mechanic, and a wonderful story teller) passed last Saturday at 86 at our home. He came to live with us for his last month, and we were fortunate to have been able to spend that time with him and Robyn's 4 sisters, and enjoy the chance to revisit his favorite memories.

Bart

 

[AlanLichty]

Sorry to hear of your loss but nice you got some closure for both your wife's family and yourself.

Neat looking waterway - was this with your new small canoe? Looks like a nice place to paddle.

 

[JimFox]

Wow Bart, it sure looks like you still ended up with a great treat! I am liking all of these.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Sorry for your loss but you got some great images. Love that 2nd one

 

[Debbie Stahre]

Sorry for your loss. How wonderful that you were able to spend his final days together...

 

[Tom Narwid]

Hey I don't see any skunks in this nice set

 

[Bart Carrig]

Thanks Al, Jim, Ben Debbie, Tom: Spring is still in process (so is the weather), but in some ways, the more subtle early colors are quite pleasurable. Yes Al, that's my go-to spot for the canoe; and while out there, I found a great camping spot on a bend in the river; a high spot overlooking the river, with a beaver dam (presently inactive) below.

And thanks for the kind words about Robyn's father. Though we wish we had more time with him, all things considered there was so much to enjoy.

bart

 

[Jim Dockery]

I feel for you and your family. We had the same experience two years ago with my 99 yr. old father in-law, when he stayed with us for 6 months. We all knew his time was coming soon, but it is still hard to loose a parent.

Nice shots - I really like the pastels and winding river in the first one.

 

[Bart Carrig]

Thanks Jim, it's one of those times we always remember; the blend of sadness at the loss, and the joy of a life well-lived.

And yes, the early tender spring scenes excel with pastels. You really do sense you are seeing something brand new and beautiful.

bart

 

[Douglas Sherman]

Drove an hour north this morning to catch a sunrise along the Sacandaga Basin; it was supposed to be a nice, sunny day with 50% cloud cover. This is my go-to canoe river.

The clouds were thick, very little light got through, but when some openings appeared I found a spot to access the river by sliding down a bank, and was treated to a few good opportunities:

#1. The view from the roadside:

View attachment 39239


#2. After scooting down the bank, thick clouds hit again, until a little sunrise light appeared, and I got a view upstream:

View attachment 39240

After that, more light lit up the basin. The canoe trip up and down this stream is glorious (and long)

View attachment 39241


I've been away from the forum a bit, as Robyn's father (an avid outdoorsman and fisherman; a great mechanic, and a wonderful story teller) passed last Saturday at 86 at our home. He came to live with us for his last month, and we were fortunate to have been able to spend that time with him and Robyn's 4 sisters, and enjoy the chance to revisit his favorite memories.

Bart

Sorry to hear about your father in law, Bart. It is nice that you and your family got to spend time with him during his last month.

I love the mood in the last image in your series.