Author: sharonsiconictravelphotographyblog

Podcasts I Recommend

Some people listen to music while driving. Other people listen to news stations and talk radio. Another option out there for long trips is to listen to podcasts.

For those of you with an iPhone, Podcasts is one of the icons on your phone. You can click on it, then click on the search button on the bottom and type in the name of the podcast. If you look under Browse it gives you ones Apple recommends. I will give you a list of some of the ones I listen to on my long commute to and from work. Many of these can be brought up through multiple platforms, not just Apple.

BBC’s You’re Dead To Me

BBC’s You’re Dead to Me is a History Podcast. Each episode they have the podcaster, an historian, and a comedian to talk about some famous person in history who is no longer living or something of historical significance. They often bring out interesting details you may not have ever heard before. Some episodes include: Ivan the Terrible, PT Barnum, Leonardo Di Vinci, Fredrick Douglass. and Victorian Body Building. If you are into history, this will not disappoint. Available on Apple, Spotify, BBC Sounds and Utube.

Pretty Lies and Alibis

If you are into true crime: Pretty Lies and Alibis is a great podcast.  I am acquainted the podcaster through my trips to England to see the filming of the TV show Doc Martin. GiGi McKelvey is all about the facts and does not go after the wild theories.  She covers the cases with her South Carolina wit and wisdom and advocates for the victims and their families through her coverage. GiGi will bring to attention missing persons cases as well. Law and Crime network (TV) has used her to report on some cases and she has been a guest on various shows. For some cases she was observinf in the courtroom. Some of the cases she is or has covered include: Lori Vallow/Chad Daybell, Bryan Kohberger, Alex Murdaugh, Rex Heuermann and Brian Laundrie/Gabby Petito. Available on Apple, Spotify, Audible, Google, Player F.M. and Utube. Website: https://www.prettyliesandalibis.org

Inside the Asperger’s Studio

 I deal with some people on the spectrum as a part of my job.  I listen to Inside the Asperger’s Studio, put out by an American.  The podcaster, Reid, is on the spectrum and brings on the show Autism experts as well as other people on the spectrum. Reid got his master’s degree from the University of Kent in England. Some episodes involved interviews with violinist Stuart Carlson, Temple Grandin, and the Assistant Minister of Autism for Australia. Available on Apple, Amazon Music, PodBean, Player FM, and Utube. Website: https://aspergersstudio.com

Do you listen to Podcasts? What are your favourite ones? If you are in the car on a long journey try some variety.

Disclaimer. I lifted the images for the podcasts online to show what icon comes up when you search for these. I do not make money off this blog.

Rats Love New York City

I have seen art displayed outside via murals on sides of building in NYC. I have seen poetry on mailboxes. I was surprised to find artwork on the sidewalk. This street art is by Goat. As their website says they are the first street artist to blend AI with street art.

This piece is called Gym Rat.

Goat or Go4tart’s Instagram is at the link below:

https://www.instagram.com/go4tart/

You can see other work by this artist at their shop by going to the link below:

https://www.shop4goat.com/we-love-nyc

I hope I can find more of their work in the future. Sometimes you find interesting things by looking down instead of up.

Hardeman Orchards Farmstand

Always take the scenic route, you never know what adventures you will find.

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Deciding to travel on some more rural roads on a trip I came across a cool little farm stand in a trailer. I decided to stop and check it out.

Location

Hardeman Orchards is located west of the Village of Red Hook in New York on Route 199.

They had different varieties of apples for sale including my favourite: JonaMac. JonaMac is a cross between a Jonathan and a Macintosh. They also had pumpkins, other vegetables, apple cider and donuts.

Apple Cider Milkshake

This was the highlight of my stop. I believe the farm stand worker said it was apple cider mixed with vanilla ice cream. It was surprisingly light for a milkshake. It did not taste very sweet either, which is a plus in my book.

If you are in the Red Hook area check out the Hardeman Farm Stand on Route 199. Eat the donuts, get a milkshake or buy some fresh picked apples. The village also has some quaint little shops and restaurants that are worth checking out.

Minions Hay Bale 2023

Some signs of autumn include the changing colours of the leaves, cooler temperatures, and birds flying south for the winter. In Saugerties, N.Y. another sign of autumn includes the Rimington’s new Minions Hay Bale display presented during the start of the Garlic Festival.

The Rimingtons

This year I finally got to meet the couple behind this display. This is my fourth year documenting it. The Rimingtons told me this is their sixth year putting it up. This year’s theme is hip hop music. This year they incorporated some artwork in the form of banners as well as a few skeletons. RIMS Driving School is their business.

As I was talking to the Rimingtons, people were showing their appreciation by yelling thank you for the display from their passing cars.

This year they are also advertising their business, RIMS Driving School.

Hip Hop Banners

Skeletons

The candy corn road cones are a nice touch!
Skeleton D.J. Exit 20 on his shirt represents the location of Saugerties along the New York State Thruway.

Location

This display is across from Dunkin Donuts as you are heading into the village from the Thruway exit. It is on 127 Ulster Avenue. I recommend pulling into the shopping area across the street and parking. You can view it from that side of the street or cross over. Ulster Avenue in Saugerties is a very busy road and there is no parking street side in that area.

If you are leaf peeping in the Catskills and in the area of Saugerties head into town. Besides this display there are a variety of businesses in the village to stop for a bite, go antiquing, or walk to the Lighthouse from the parking area on Lighthouse Drive.

What a fun way to celebrate the start of autumn and Halloween. Thank you to the Rimington Family!

St Regis Loon with Fish

Just another loon picture from earlier in the summer. I am really busy at work, but hope to get somewhere on an upcoming holiday if it works out time-wise and health-wise.

Loon from the St. Regis Lakes in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.

Enjoy these last days of summer. Fall is closing in.

Lessons from a Loon

Spend time at the lake.

Go for a long swim.

Surround yourself with beauty.

Don’t be afraid to dive deep.

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Raccoons Canoeing

These were on display in a store in Lake Placid. Raccoons are seen as a nuisance to some in New York. I do not know the history of these animals, whether they were trapped or road kill. My understanding from one store owner I asked a few years ago some of these displays are old.

For this photo I removed what was around it.

The only place I have seen displays like this is in the Adirondacks. There is a long history of trapping in the Adirondacks beginning with the Native Americans with the Europeans entering the region with metal traps in the 16th century. Trapping still exists today in New York with a designated season to do so.

Chipmunk

I have not seen a lot of chipmunks this year. The population of hawks and owls is increasing. They both have it on their menu. One place I usually hike a lot in chipmunks are more rare to see this year. It has owls, and at least three different kinds of hawks claiming it as their hunting ground. I think the squirrel and chipmunk populations were decimated over the winter.

This one I saw this spring at a different hiking location. It had less hawks and owl per acre. Oddly this one was in an area near a great horned owl’s nest. It may have been far enough away to stay out of trouble, but hopefully he has been on the lookout. I had to put up a shorter post in between thunderstorms. Continue to your weekend!

Sunflower Festival

Are you looking for something to do Labor Day Weekend? Barton Orchards in Dutchess County is hosting a Sunflower Festival.

What is at the festival? There is a hayride to the Sunflower area of the farm. Included in the price are 2 sunflowers. You pay an additional fee if you pick more. They have animals, at least one food truck, lobster rolls, and tap room. They also have a farm store that sells pies, sauces, drinks and other items. They also have activities for the kids.

Location

Barton Orchards is located off the Taconic Parkway in Poughquag, NY. The address is 63 AppleTree Lane. It is about 1 1/2 hours north of Yonkers and the Bronx.

They give you a plastic bag to keep the flowers you pick in as well as loan you clippers to use to cut the flowers. There are coolers where you can add water to the bags at the sunflower field. They also sell metal vases for the sunflowers at the field under the tent. One of the bands was playing at the sunflower field area.

Hours

There are open 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Saturday, September 2nd. Their hours on Sunday and Monday are 11-6.

Get out and enjoy Labor Day weekend. Click on the link below for more information about the activities at Barton Farms..

Plan Your Visit

North Creek Mosaic

What can you do with a large concrete wall? You can turn it into a mosaic or mural. This is exactly what they did in North Creek, N.Y.

This mosaic is on Main Street in North Creek. The mosaic depicts the animals and activities that make the Adirondacks what it is. It was artist Kate Hartley’s idea to turn this 180 foot concrete wall into a mosaic. She had the help of over 700 volunteers including students from the area and visitors, so this was a community project.

Overview

I could not get pictures of the whole wall. There were cars parked in front of it. Below are the sections I could get. The rest I took closer pictures of sections of the wall.

Activities

They did a great job picking out activities that one can do in summer in the area.

Hiking

There are a lot of mountains to climb in the Adirondacks.

White Water Rafting

There are white water rafting trips out of North Creek on the Hudson River.

Kayaking or White Water Kayaking

You can kayak calm waters of lakes or ponds or kayak white waters in the Adirondacks.

Tubing

There are places that bring you there and pick you up where you end.

Camping

There are many places to camp in the Adirondacks. Some you pay a fee, others that are more wilderness sights are free. Some can only be accessed by canoe, kayak or boat.

Canoeing

Like kayaking, there are calm waters to paddle on and not so calm.

Wildlife

Moose

Moose are seen the Adirondacks. I saw my first (NY) one last year crossing a road early in the morning. By the time I stopped my car and picked up my camera it was on the other side of the road into the woods. This was north of Tupper Lake.

Great Blue Heron

Common on many types of water. They move around and fish on lakes, ponds, streams, etc.

Black Bear

Black bears are frequently sighted in the Adirondacks.

Pileated Woodpecker

Loon

Common Loons are on almost every lake and pond large enough to take off on and have enough fish.

Again these pictures do not represent the entire mosaic. I love seeing artwork like murals and mosaics. It is always a bonus to find out it was a community project. I think this mosaic did a great job representing the local area. If you are skiing Gore in Winter or White Water rafting the Hudson River, stop by and check out the mosaic. It’s Purely Adirondack.

Vendor Converted School Bus

I have seen school buses turned into Skoolies. Skoolies are school buses turned into tiny homes or campers. This mini school bus was turned into a vendor space by one of the people behind Mother Nature’s Beauty, a soap vendor. I have not seen school buses used as advertising/ vendor space too often. They have shelves on the inside of the bus that are visible from the other side that hold product on display. They told me they use the bus to go from event to event to sell their wares. I caught them at the Dutchess County Fair. They will be at Stormville Airport’s Flea Market In September, October and November. Check their website for the dates, and for other locations.

Find out more by clicking on the link below.

https://www.mothernaturesbeauty.com

What a cool idea! The ower did a great job on the bus conversion.