Hello From Upstate NY

[SirDonB]

I have been camping for years, mostly in the backyard and campgrounds. This year I decided that I want to try backcountry camping. I live in upstate Ny and through my research i am allowed to camp on state land legally. I am going to introduce my one son to this kind of camping as soon I finish gathering a few more items and pick the area we will be going.

Along with my camping experiance, I am a US Marine and veteren. So I carry that experience and knowledge with me as well. I feel comfortable enough to go out for a night or 2, eventually leading up to much longer periods of time. I know there are many skills I need to learn and practice as well as want to learn. I hope to pick up even more knowledge from everyone here as time goes on.

 

[Nick]

Welcome to BCP!

 

[Laura]

Welcome to BCP!

Welcome again! You'll pick up a lot here, including a bucket list of cool places to see.

 

[SirDonB]

Thanks... I already have several bucket lists LOL... just make room to make the list longer.

 

[PeeGee]

One of the most rewarding things to do with your children.

 

[SirDonB]

One of the most rewarding things to do with your children.

Given the fact that kids these days are typicly sitting in front of something electronic, I relish any opportunity to get mine outdoors as much as I can. Mom usually freaks out a lil when they tell her what I let them do (play with knives, fire, etc.), but hey, I am dad after all... what mom wont let them do, dad usually will and of course I am teaching them at the same time, not like I just had them matches and say "go have fun." Especially if dad was raised in the country. LOL...

I try to go bike riding as much as I can with the kids, this year they are gonna be introduced to camping and a touch of survial, I also go geocaching with them as much as I can. I also need to get my hands on a rifle and start hunting too. I grew up outdoors and I think all kids need to learn to be selfsuficiant. I fondly look back at my childhood... and at times I wonder how I survived it too. But that was a different time growing up, no electronics, or at least, not many, toys made you use your imagination when you played with them. If you wanted your matchbox car to make noise, that noise came from you, not the car. Parents didnt have to worry as much about their kids and what they were doing, it was just an awesome time.

 

[PeeGee]

I used to live in upstate NY and enjoyed it a great deal..including outdoor sports like ice fishing..but I have to admit now Im older and live in San Diego area there is a ton to do here too...Letchworth was a favorite.

 

[SirDonB]

I used to live in upstate NY and enjoyed it a great deal..including outdoor sports like ice fishing..but I have to admit now Im older and live in San Diego area there is a ton to do here too...Letchworth was a favorite.

I did not grow up here in NY, I am originally from SW PA in the Pittsburgh area, specificly the northeastern corner of Allegheny County out away from the city. Where I am at in the state of NY I think is a good area, it is not a far drive in any direction to get somewhere to be away from the high populated areas. An hours drive, I can be in the Adirondacks, Catskills, Vermont, and Mass. The Appalachian Trail is not far, and I will be hiking a piece of that once I get more time hiking and camping back under my belt. I do have to say that NYS does like its wilderness areas and I am thankful for that. With so much at my fingertips, I dont think I will get bored anytime soon with the varity of places to see and visit. I just need to invest money into my equipment includeing a good camera to take pics with.

 

[PeeGee]

Great exploring fishing and canoeing to the north too...Ontario is great. Spent a lot of time in lakes and rivers near Marten river...tons of wildlife and great fishing.

 

[SirDonB]

Great exploring fishing and canoeing to the north too...Ontario is great. Spent a lot of time in lakes and rivers near Marten river...tons of wildlife and great fishing.

I was never one for fishing, however, I am gonna have to learn to like it if I am gonna try to backcountry camp for longer periods of time than just a weekend. Especially considering the pack I took weighed in around 65lbs without a tent and a few other items. Didnt weigh my kids pack, but I know it was alot lighter than mine. We each had 2 full 3L camelbaks attached to our packs, and I had the bulk of the food in mine.

 

[PeeGee]

Fishing also gives the kids something to do...always.has been more of an excuse to get outdoors than to put meat on the table. Got to admit ice fishing takes too much patience for kids. Casting and catching fish can be pretty fun though.

 

[SirDonB]

yea, true, I just need to get my hands on some decent equipment that is easy to backpack, then learn to clean/dress a fish (since I have never had to do it before). I am of the mindset that we eat what we catch/kill, so till I learn to gut/dress an animal, I dont do much hunting/fishing. While I am sure the proccess is fairly simple and straight forward, I still need to find a teacher in my area to show me the ropes of it.