Adirondacks: Avalanche Lake

First Painted Trillium of the Season

This morning, Marc and I woke up around 4am to get up, pack, and go hike up in the Adirondacks. The drive took about 3.5 hours to get up to the trailhead that we wanted to get to. Our goal for today was a day hike up to Avalanche Pass and Avalanche Lake in Keene, NY. It is just north of Mt. Marcy. The weather was pretty poopy - cloudy, cold, and potential possibilities of rain. But we still wanted to try and go and hike; at least get out of town for awhile. This was not one of my best hikes - my allergies were getting pretty bad, so breathing was not so fun on this hike. I kept having to stop, blow my nose, or shoot snot (sorry if that is too graphic). But along the way, I noticed that phenology up here is a little bit later than what we were seeing in New Paltz. Super cool to see things 'all over again.' Trilliums were out and Pink Lady Slippers were still developing their flower buds...definitely want to come back later in the season to see things in full bloom.

View From Marcy Dam

As we were approaching the Pass, there was still snow in some areas. We did not prepare for that - so I was definitely slipping and sliding from lack of microspikes. But when we got to Avalanche Lake, it seemed as if winter was still up here. Nothing was really in initial growth and everything was just cold and wet. I would definitely want to come back to see this place at its fullest. The lake was super cool; it is wedged between two huge mountains. I believe Mt. Colden and Algonquin? If you continue farther south (as the direction we were hiking), you can get to some campsites and extend your visit. This is definitely something I want to do when we decide to hike up Algonquin or Marcy at some point.

Avalanche Lake

A Long Island Visit

Here are some moments when visiting Long Island. Enjoy!

TheChristyBel

Gia Flirting with Marc

Gia Sleeping with Grandpa Barry

Beachtime with Liz
(yes it was 70+ degree weather that weekend)

Marc Hanging with his Raptor Crew on our way to Montauk

Meeting Gia

Met Marc's New Cousin, Gia.
She's Super Cute, Cuddly, and Loves Animals
My . New . Best . Friend!

Gia, I hope you know, I am gonna teach you EVERYTHING about nature! Whether you like it or not!

Crabs, Crabs, Crabs

During my recent trip to Delaware, I realized that being back east has been great, but something was definitely missing. You cannot officially be back east, unless you have a bushel of crabs on your back porch table! So, I bit the bullet and bought a half a bushel (mom purchased the other half) and I brought 70+ crabs up to Marc to indulge in his first crab dinner! He was a happy camper and it was DELICIOUS!

TheChristyBel

Crabs, Crabs, Crabs

A Happy Marc Eating Crabs!

It's Officially Summer When You Have Crabs! Haha!

Belmar Day

Today, I joined the Toman's to visit one of our favorite places on earth, the Jersey Shore! I went a little more south of Asbury Park (my usual) to Belmar. The beach was PACKED! But Fish (Gillian) and I (and the rest of the family) had a great time swimming, boogie boarding, making sand castles, and laying in the sun.

It totally makes me miss living in Asbury Park and working from my computer. Bah. One day, I'll go back to that! Maybe!

TheChristyBel

Belmar & the Atlantic Ocean!

Fishy & I

A Belmar Sunset

Skipping Work to the City

Christina's World by Andrew Wyeth

Deciding to take the day off, Marc and I travelled into the city this morning for the whole day. Later this evening, we were going to attend a production that his sister, Kim, was producing. So to get the most out of a trip to the city, it was time to explore! Knowing Marc and I, art and science is something we always like to get into during a traveling adventure. So with that, the MoMa and the Museum of Natural History were on out daily bucket list. My friend, Andrew, from my Ashland counseling days hooked us up with some free passes into the MoMa, the Museum of Metropolitan Art. It is so surprising that I have never been to the MoMa before! It was just filled with so many of my favorite artists and pieces! I felt like such a tourist, taking photos of every piece of artwork and getting photos of me with all of them too! After lunch, we moved on over to the Museum of Natural History for the second time! We had visited the M of NH a few months prior but never finished getting through it all. So we had to go back and finish where we left off. The one disappointment was that both times now, the great ocean room was blocked off to a wedding or reception of some sort, so we were unable to fully look at all the exhibits. I guess we need to go back again, not that I am complaining. After dinner, we attended the play called "Denmark" written by Matthew Grasda, produced by Marc's sister, Kim. It was a very intimate gathering of a small cast about a whole variety of deep emotion and relations among members of a family and a love affair. It was definitely a deep, dark, multiple-themed production; and very well executed. Feel free to check out the description of it here. It was pretty cool to watch and was super proud of Kim and how she helped fundraise and get this out into the public.

TheChristyBel

Go See Denmark!

The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh

One: Number 31, 1950 by Jackson Pollock

Squid Heads!

Raymond L. Burton, Sr.

Yesterday evening was an exceptionally hard day as we celebrated the life of someone who I have known my entire life. Ray worked with my father at the Delaware refinery. When my parents were in need of finding a babysitter, nanny, or daycare, Ray had 'volun-told' his wife she would take care of me while my parents returned to work. 
Since my biological grandparents lived overseas or had passed before I was born, Ray has been the closest figure to a grandfather for my brother and I our whole lives.

Since I was a few weeks old, my family and his family have become merged together. Despite no blood relation, Ray, his wife, their biological children and grandchildren have become an extension of my family as we celebrate every Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, graduation, birthday, and in between life milestone together. There is not a chapter of my life that does not include Ray in it with me. Even though future holidays, life events, and family functions will not have my 'grandfather' sharing these moments with us in person, he will be sharing these moments forever in our hearts.

To an amazing grandfather!

Ray, we will miss you!

With love, always, theChristyBel

A Birdy Snow Day

Winter here has been great! Want to know why?!? I have been able to put out bird feeders and bring a little bit of nature closer to my window. The bird feeder is a great idea to help you familiarize yourself with the types of birds you have in your area. It has been really helping me get reacquainted with east coast birds. Check out what I have seen so far! Special Thanks for Mr. Marc Sweet for his photos! Bino shots are me!

TheChristyBel

Dark-Eyed Juncos

Tufted Titmouse

Female Cardinal - Part I

Female Cardinal - Part II

Red-Bellied Woodpecker - Part I

Red-Bellied Woodpecker - Part II

Oh and even though the next picture is not a bird, it's a cute little Tedders!

Cuddle Tedders Time!

Valentine's Day with Fishies

For Valentine's Day, Marc and I travelled to the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium. It was super chilly outside and we did not want to go on a hike or do something outside. So, we went to go see fishies! Look at what we did!

TheChristyBel

Petting Cownose Rays!

Posing in Head Cut Out Photos...Not to Mention We Are Polar Bears

Viewing Jellies - Lion's Mane Jellies!

Sea Dragons

Visit Down to Delaware

Had to Buy Some Waders for Pond Keepers

This weekend, I drove Marc and I down to Delaware to visit with my family and to catch up with some friends to celebrate my birthday (a little early). While back in the First State, I showed Marc around DE, introduced him to my brother and friends, took him to Longwood Gardens, and of course...went to Home Grown!!!!! It was a nice weekend back in Delaware. I also said goodbye to brother before he moved to San Francisco to work for a drone company called Airware! Super proud of him! Here are some highlights from the Delaware Trip!

TheChristyBel

A Home Grown Grilled Cheese!

Marc Nerding Out at Longwood Gardens!

The Longwood Ponds - Beautiful!

I've Missed the Longwood Bonsai Trees!

Welcome to New Paltz, TheChristyBel

On Top of the Lemon Squeeze at Mohonk Mountain House
You can see the Ridgeline here! Beautiful!

So, Marc and I have been back east for a few weeks now. I am still learning about my job, the Preserve, and this place pretty much everyday. But I am loving it! It is of course challenging, but I am just super happy to be really using my degree and really eager to be teaching school programs again! Here are some pictures of what I have been up to so far:

Coming Home to Find Marc and Garrett Playing Video Games
Marc is a pure role model for this 13-year old! Oh boy!

We can see the Catskills from our Spring Farm Trailhead location!

I am an official staff member of the Mohonk Preserve!

It's Official - Staff Shirts, Letter of Hire, and a Business Card!

Learning About Pond Keepers - And Enjoying the Story Time

This is Half of My Job - The Conservation Science Dept's Homebase is at the Daniel Smiley Research Center.
A building at the Mohonk Mountain House!

Saying Hello to One of my Favorite Trees - Sassafras!

Pickerel Frog at Duck Pond

Amphibians!!!

Hanging Out with Frisco, the Cool Pup!

Back on the East Coast

So I left for the east coast on Monday, August 17th and arrived in New Paltz, NY on Thursday, August 20th. I start work on Monday, August 24th! So I have some time to breathe and relax. Here is the breakdown of my quick road trip back east:

Reunion with Kelsey-Girl!

Monday, August 17 - Travelled 388 miles to make a pit stop in Laramie to visit Ana. Then another 51miles to stay with my former next door neighbor, Holli. Time: about 7-hours.

Tuesday, August 18 - Travelled 445 miles to Lincoln, NE to stay with Audrey and Joe. So excited to see her after pretty much 2-years! Time: 6.5 hours!

Wednesday, August 19 - Travelled 521 miles and 8 hours to Chicago, IL to stay with Marc's friend, Jeremy.

Thursday, August 20 - The worst part of the entire trip: travelled 813 miles and what was supposedly a 12-hour drive, but turned out to be 15-hour drive to New Paltz, NY. I arrived to the Toman's at 11pm after almost dying on I-80 in Pennsylvania due to a huge, heavy downpour storm and huge 19-wheeler trucks take up their lane and mine! Super terrifying! But I arrived safe and sound to some old friends and Marc! Not to mention a bed! :)

The next day, we travelled to Asbury Park (another 127 miles) to visit with my Kelsey (wifey) and then another 52 miles to meet Marc's sister, Kim, and her friends in Long Beach Island for a beach vacay before work started!

After the long weekend and making it back to New Paltz for work on Monday, I travelled about 2,564 miles over 7-days and over 39-hours of driving. Poor Little Blue!

But super pumped to start work (tomorrow)!

TheChristyBel

TheChristyBel is Reunited with the Atlantic!
I Feel Home Again!

Meeting the Sister, Kim! :)

A Long Beach Island Sunset!

Marc and I Are Finally Back East!
Happy Dance!