What fun it was to camp and fish at Beaverkill State Park in the Catskill region of NY again. John and I started going there with friends in 1974! Then it was our annual family summer vacation destination for over 10 years. We started out in a tent, first with friends, then alone, then with Jim as a baby and toddler. We graduated to a pop-up camper after Jay came along, staying dry in bad weather but still giving the kids a camping experience. The covered bridge is closed for repairs this year so we stayed on the campground side of the river. John was able to walk and fish up- and downstream. We walked up to the check-in booth at least once a day to text then walked up to the road. At the top of the hill by the main road we heard a strange noise, bird-like but very hoarse. Turns out it was a great blue heron nest high up in a swaying evergreen tree! The young were very vocal as all baby birds are, and the adults' cries were loud. I found three feathers alongside the road! They are the longest feathers in my collection.
The dead end road to the left of the covered bridge was unpaved and intrigued me, so up (hilly) we went for a long ways. Imagine living on that road, miles from anywhere! Camp is 10 miles from highway 17 and who knows how far it is to a supermarket. The above two pics are taken on that hike. The big meadow is alongside the river. Many beautiful birds like cedar waxwings and redstarts live in this area. We saw deer on this road and closer to camp. Above Jay's looking at a deer in the meadow. It's just visible near his right arm. It was warm our first afternoon, then got cooler for two days then warmed up again on our last day. Two of the nights were downright cold - 48 degrees inside one morning! We were thankful for the camper's gas heat.
The river is still beautiful but it wasn't stocked with trout this year so fishing was slower. Never fear, though, John caught some nearly every time he went fishing. I enjoyed wearing my new day pack for long walks. It fits just right as it's made for a woman.
This is not John in the pic but a very nice man we met named Dennis. He was a knowledgeable, excellent fisherman who also loves to fish out west. We'll correspond with him and maybe meet up with him again someday. This pic is above the bridge. It's easy to see the ledge and the drop-off. Sometimes trout as well as minnows are visible on the ledge .
This is our new favorite site, right along the river. Listening to the river is very soothing.
John's getting ready for another evening of fishing. We grilled burgers one night and kabobs one night. One night we had trout cooked in foil on the grill with corn and potatoes cooked in the cast iron pan over gathered kindling. The next night we cooked baked beans over the fire as well as hot dogs. Mmmm, they were might good hot dogs. It was a great to deal of fun to camp again after having lived in luxury in Florida.
This is one of John's favorite spots.
Every evening the caddis flies hatched in abundance!
It's hard to believe this many bugs could hatch every evening. The trout love them!
This is my favorite spot - in front of the campfire.
