Best of August & September

Summer has slipped into fall, imperceptibly at first but then in an acceleration of darkness’s onset each evening. Somewhere along the line life got busy again, and the mellowness of August yielded to the post-summer vacation frenzy of September. The cooler temperatures are energizing, although I’m still holding out for the arrival of sunny days and crisp fall nights, at least in the city.

Weekends over the past two months took me to the Adirondacks on two separate occasions, including a full week of vacation; the Catskills for several races, both as a participant and a spectator; various small towns in the Hudson Valley and northwest Connecticut, especially during bike rides; and Clinton, NY where I got a glimpse of my brother’s new world as a freshman at Hamilton College.

I’m awaiting the full arrival of fall foliage to jump-start my photographic endeavors over the next month, and several trips should also provide new opportunities. For now, I’m pleased to share my favorites from the last two months — the first of which is now hanging on the wall of my apartment!

A fog-obscured view from the summit of Grace Peak — the first Adirondack 46er that Maddie and I climbed together, on the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the 46 High Peaks, nonetheless!

My first attempt at astrophotography — nothing spectacular, but it’s a start.

Moss and leaves, hues of green and purple.

Splash.

Just hanging out.

A chilly and crowded start to the Lake Placid Ironman 70.3 triathlon. There is little more thrilling to me than chasing Maddie around a race course, especially in a place as scenic as the Adirondacks.

Bonticou Crag, the crown jewel of the Mohonk Preserve, an area of the Shawangunks. I ran beneath the cliffs of Bonticou during my SRT Race and vowed to return there to complete the rock scramble to the top. The view that awaited me early on a sunny Sunday morning was exceptionally stunning.