Matt and I needed a little "get out of the house" camping trip to start off the season, so we packed up the Land Rover and headed for Beacon Mountain.

Matt found this area where it's likely ok to drive on the old logging roads. It does butt up against the Hudson Highlands, but I checked the our GPS route against the New York - New Jersey Trail Conference map, and found that we didn't go on park land. Phew!

I'm starting to be more aware of proper land-use as I start getting more into hiking and backpacking. I'm a fan of 4-wheeling, too, and believe there should be motorized recreation allowed on some state land. There needs to be a balance.

Anyhow, not too much of a story here, but some nice pics of a nice trip. Enjoy.

Boy that truck looks tough. It's amazing what it can do, too.

We put the windshield down for that safari feel. What a great experience driving with no frontal obstruction.

Twist those axles!

Uh, Matt? Aren't you supposed to drive around the rocks?

A little movie of Matt slowly creeping over some rather large rocks.

Matt had spotted this campsite on a previous trip back here. It is right next to a little stream with a waterfall. Very idillic.

Here you can see me conquering the raging waterfall.

Looking upstream.

Another view of the stream.

Matt looks suspicious of my fire-ring and woodpile.

Whoa nelly! How do ya like my fire now, pal?!

Matt brought venison kabobs and potatos for baking. The venison was caught (read: killed and slaughtered) on the ridge next to the farm Matt works on. His neighbor shot it with bow and arrow, and gave Matt some nice tid-bits. It was delicious.

Mmmm.... nice roaring fire.

Rise and shine sleepy-head.

Breakfast was my responsibility, and we had oatmeal with bananas, walnuts, dried cranberries and maple syrum. With requisite high-test coffee, of course. We don't screw around when we go camping.

We drank quite a few beers the night before. Luckily I didn't hit the bourbon like I did when we went camping on Dicktown Road. Still, I was a little hungover, and thought a nap by the gurgling stream would be nice. Boy was it.

After we packed up, it was time to do some exploring before making our way back to the farm.

A front-seat view.

Up on top of one of the hills, the vegetation is sparse, and the trees bare. I just love the glacial rocks in the area.

There are viewing platforms on top of a couple of hills. One looks east, and one looks west. This panorama was shot on top of the one looking east.

This is the tower that looks west.

And here's the view looking north. That's the Beacon-Newburgh bridge in the distance.

Like I said, I just love the rocks up there. Massive!

We drove out and headed down Route 9N. There's a stretch of it before it connects with Routhe 9W where it runs along the edge of a craggy hill. Reminds me of Route 1 north of San Francisco, a bit.

Unfotunately I didn't bring a hat, and since I'm a honky cracker, I got a sunburn.

Before calling it a day we had to stop off for some Hotdog Truck hotdogs. Mmmm... chilli dogs with cheese. Nothing finer.

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