Catsills?

[Greg Miller]

Since Kirk has never been in this part of the country before, he should be made aware that things called "mountains" in the northeastern US don't really resemble "mountains" in the western US. He might find these new landforms visually interesting, but could perhaps instead react as though they're mere foliage-covered "foothills." I make this observation as someone who was born and raised in the northeast, has lived in the west for 36 years and is planning to move back to those northeast "mountains" soon.

Now don't go making mountains out of mole hills!

[Peter Lewin]

Catskill is also about a one hour drive from Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield. Mass. which Kirk may find interesting, and unless it has changed, is tripod friendly outside the buildings.

[David Schaller]

http://www.olana.org/visit_directions.php

You'll be near here in Catskill. Very nice grounds and view. Hudson, NY is good for food. I'm near Pittsfield and can give you more recommendations.
Dave

[Tin Can]

Sounds great, you do get around Kirk!

[Kirk Gittings]

Its true Randy-seems like as I get older many opportunities come up like never before.

Thanks all. I have no idea what I am looking for to shoot. This is like a different planet than what I am used to. Seems like I live in Arrakis compared to the Hudson River area.

[Kirk Gittings]

Sorry I wrote Catsills without my reading glasses on.......

[wager123]

Get in touch with Dan Burkhollder in palenvilla .I am sure he can give you some great ideas. Danburkholder.com
Mitch

[Kirk Gittings]

I now Dan a bit and that is an excellent idea. Thanks.

[Lenny Eiger]

I second Olana, what a place!. The other place that is interesting there is the Shawangunks. It's a climbing area, with 300 foot cliffs, a few miles West of New Paltz. There are a lot of hikes and you can actually climb to the top the easy way for spectacular views of the Hudson River Valley.

Lenny

[mmerig]

The Catskills were my old stomping grounds as a kid, and I still visit them now and then, so my memory is occasionally refreshed.

Anyway, it sounds like you have the cultural subjects covered. Compared to the western USA, the northeast forests and mountains are very "closed in", so someone used to the wide open western landscapes might take a little time to adjust. It tends to be humid and hazy, so long-distance shots could be more difficult.

A potentially fun subject would be the smaller streams and adjacent forest settings there. Also, the area was heavily farmed in the 18th century, and there are still many old stone fences (low walls of stacked stones) in now-forested areas. A map showing state lands will help focus your travels away from private lands which are often posted*. There are some pockets of "Appalachia" type communities in the hills too. Watch out for deer in the evenings while driving -- there are tons of them and hard to see in the thick trees until they are on the road (many of which are very narrow).

The NW part of the Catskills is generally less crowded.

Have fun!

*
"As I went walking I saw a sign there
And on the sign it said "No Trespassing."
But on the other side it didn't say nothing,
That side was made for you and me."

Woody Guthrie