Do you like to take a hike?

Well, I came late to the game of hiking. Never was much of a fan of it, but as I have gotten older I find that  a "walk in the woods" is very appealing. Now, don't get me wrong.  You won't see me lugging a backpack and a dozen bottles of water up a craggy cliff in a rain storm just to say I did it. But you will find me walking up Vroman's Nose, or clambering through Watkins Glens' Gorge Trail, or even gingerly descending the stone steps down to the Whirlpool at Devil's Hole.

All three of them, by the way, are on this list.

The nine hikes mentioned here are of varying degrees of difficulty. But for the most part, they are for folks like me. They are more of a walk than a hike, but, hey, anything to get out and enjoy nature. And also, let's face it. No matter what mountain you hike up, whether it is Whiteface or Old Baldy, the view from the top is always satisfying.

Each hike on this list has a link to the hiking trail information. With the exception of maybe one or two (like the Kaaterskill Falls hike), these should be easily manageable for all ages.

And, like I said, you just never know what you will see once your are in Mother Nature's bosomy embrace. I mean, come on.  Have you ever seen those giant, creepy horror movie tree roots which look like snakes at Panama Rocks? Yikes.

Read on, and enjoy your hike!

"Take a Hike!" Nine Upstate New York Hikes That Everybody Can Enjoy!

Taking a hike doesn't mean you have to punish yourself with a difficult hand over hand climb to some remote mountaintop. At least it doesn't mean that for this writer! Here are 9 hikes you can take which, for the most part, are more like an enjoyable "walk in the woods." And remember, the view from the top when you finally get there is always worth the trip!

Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio

The Most Head-Scratching List Of Upstate New York Trivia You Have Ever Read!

Wait....is that Mr. Ed in the photo above? What on earth could that talking horse have to do with Upstate New York?

OK...trivia time! Where is the geographic center of New York State? Where are all the lollipop, corn dog, and cotton candy sticks made? Where is the oldest (and shortest) covered bridge in the U.S.? Where is the most visited celebrity grave of all located? Is there really such a thing as a two-story brick outhouse, and if so where the heck is it?

Well, if you answered "Upstate New York" to all of these you are right. And you will definitely enjoy this delicious list of trivia about our region!

Everybody loves a good story, or some head-scratching trivia facts. This list pulls the curtain back on nearly 40 amazing pieces of Upstate New York history you probably didn't know about. Are they earth-shaking? No. Are they interesting? Definitely!

Whatever happened to "that kid" in the Willie Wonka movie? Where was the first grand slam home run in organized baseball hit? Where is the oldest mini-golf in America located? Tell us the story of Binghamton's Kentucky Derby winner! Tell us the story about TV's "Mr. Ed" and his connection to Upstate New York! How could the oldest continuously operating Boy Scout troop be in a tiny Upstate New York village? And what was that controversy over famous singer Kate's Smith's Lake Placid, NY grave all about?

The answer to all of these questions and many more lie in Upstate New York.

Enjoy!

Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio

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