2022-08-24: Loose Ends

Cairo NY Roads: 96/112 mi

It was my last day in New York before returning to Florida to college. I had a lot to do: laundry, packing, cleaning, all sorts of errands and requirements before I was ready to leave for the next four months. But the last day wouldn't be complete without some sort of nature-based physical activity, so I looked for some little segments of road to walk that might be along my route between all the different destinations that the day demanded.

The first spot was a little portion of Route 23 in central Cairo, which I had through poor planning neglected to walk while covering this portion of the town earlier in the summer. A flat, monotonous section of four-lane, 55 MPH highway, I was reluctant to cover this mile-long stretch of road, and had put it off all summer, but being in the area anyway I figured it was time to bite the bullet and get it over with now, rather than in the winter. This was my final walk along the divided highway and I was looking forward to having it done. I parked at the McDonald's on the side of the road and headed out at a very brisk pace, dodging traffic towards the end of the workday.

Severe drought over the past few months had turned some trees autumnal colors. While these trees are unhealthy and dying, they're also the closest to a NY fall I've seen in years.

Looking down the flat, boring straightaway of Route 23.

Round Top rises above Route 32 looking towards downtown Cairo.

My next stop was a bit of a curious case: New Ridge Road in Greenville. For those who don't know, I declared Greenville roadwalking complete last June. Since then, however, I had identified New Ridge Road, a short ~0.5 mi residential street in the hamlet of Norton Hill, that had somehow eluded my maps back then. In order to truly call the town finished, I would need to walk this small street, so I headed up to Norton Hill, parking at a pizza place near the north end of the road.

Algae and flowers coat a pond at the Verplanck Park, located at the northern terminus of New Ridge Road.

North Mountain rises above a building at the intersection of New Ridge and Old Plank Roads.

Farms line rolling fields looking east down Old Plank Road.

A plaque at the Verplanck Park gives information on its (brief) history. This small park, consisting of a small playground and a murky pond, is unmarked on maps and not commonly used.

Overall the day wasn't much focused on roadwalking, more on running errands in the mad last-minute dash to prepare for college. By the time the day was over I felt exhausted and trepidatious about leaving, but I was glad to have at least gotten some end-of-summer walking in. In the morning I would head down to college, and within two days I'd be doing a lot more serious hiking.