"A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children." -- John James Audubon

It's the birthday of John James Audubon, born in 1785 in what is now Haiti. He was born out of wedlock, the son of a wealthy French naval officer and plantation owner, and his mistress. He was raised in France by his stepmother, and then at age 18, he left for America. He started studying birds intently, painting them and categorizing them. He was the first person in North America to band birds. He took little pieces of colored yarn and tied them around the legs of eastern phoebes, and so he was able to determine that the birds came back to the exact same nesting places each year.

Then, between 1826 and 1838, he published his Birds of America. It contained 435 life-sized paintings of all known bird species in America at the time. Writers' Almanac

Please join your fellow hikers in supporting our efforts to maintain the trail. Saturday, April 25th

HELP THIS MAN!!

Saturday, April 25th Continuation of previous work
Contact Colin Campbell 438-9629 or holesinhead@aol.com

Jasmine, an abandoned Greyhound, and her wonderful wildlife story of interspecies fostering

http://www.dailygood.org/more.php?n=3669

Welcome New Members!

Laurie Helper
Agung Julius
Bridget Behringer
Jane Peck
Dave Cole

Long Path Trek in April - Section 29 West Fulton to Middleburgh

Saturday, April 18th-Please join your fellow hikers in efforts to maintain the Taconic Crest Trail.

On Saturday, April 18th hikers will be sprucing up the section
Robinson Hollow to Mattison Hollow
Pleae Contact Dave Pisaneschi 459-5969 or dpisanes@nycap.rr.com

ADK Meeting, Tuesday, April 14th - Education Session at 6:30 and Membership Program at 7:30

ADK MONTHLY CHAPTER MEETING
W. Albany Fire House, 113 Sand Creek Rd.
http://maps.google.com/

6:30 p.m. prior to the regular meeting

Education Session: Picking a Paddle & Paddle Season Preview – The captain of the area ADK paddle group, Skipper Rich Macha, will lead us through the process of selecting the perfect kayak or canoe paddle. Rich will also review some of our paddling exploits from the past year, and will give a preview of plans for the coming season.

7:30 p.m.—regular Membership Meeting

A brief business meeting will be followed by the program: Behind the Scenes in Antarctica

Kelly Sheehan spends months every year as a member of the Raytheon team which supports National Science Foundation-funded "US Antarctica Project" research on Antarctica . Trained in geology and wilderness education and an avid outdoorswoman, Kelly will share her experiences living and working on the world's most mysterious continent.

Capture the Flag on April 18th - This is an important Dyken Pond Fund raiser to purchase adjacent property targeted for development

Saturday, April 18^th, from 10:00 to 4:00, we will be having a HUGE game of Capture the Flag in a version of the game that depends on stealth. There is no running involved, so it is open for ages 10 and up. Those younger than 10 must have adults with them. We played last fall and had a blast with 30 participants and a ¼ mile wide field!

This is a fundraiser for Dyken Pond Center which is trying to purchase and preserve a large tract of land adjacent to the center that has been targeted for development!

A $10 donation with pre-registration is requested.

Bring lunch and water. There will be a 1 hour break at 1:00.

Contact Lisa Hoyt at dykenpond@fairpoint.net for registration and additional information.

Drat Blast

The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You´re one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
A cloud comes over the sunlit arch,
A wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you´re two months back in the middle of March.

Early Spring Hike in the Catskills, Sunday April 5th

Black Head, Black Dome and Thomas Cole from Acra Point

Lapland Lakes XC This Weekend 4/4-4/5!! Come Ski!

http://www.laplandlake.com/

Trails will be open Saturday and Sunday from 10am - 4:30pm. We expect to have up to 32km of ski trails open and snowcat groomed with spring conditions. Surface will be loose granular and corn snow. Our base depth averages 6 - 20". Most trails still have good cover, but as you would expect at this time of year, there are thin and bare spots. There will be no lessons or food service, so please pack a lunch or stop along the way for a sub.

Scattered showers are likely tomorrow mixing with snow Saturday night. Tomorrow's high will be near 45. Sunday looks like a great day for outdoor activities with full sunshine and a high near 47. Unless we receive more snow next week, it is likely Sunday will be our final day this winter, so come this weekend to get what may be the last of our winter season!

Customers with seasonal rentals may return them at any point through Sunday.

"GET-IT-GONE" SALE! All "Finnish Line" Ski Shop merchandise is 30% off! This includes new ski and snowshoe equipment, clothing, mugs, books, gloves, hats, socks, water bottles, Finnish specialty food items, souvenirs, etc. Excluded are items already on sale (take 10% more off these items for a total savings of 40%) and all waxes and wax supplies. Select rental ski gear is also on sale with complete adult sets (skis, boots, poles, bindings) starting at only $170 and junior sets starting at $110!

Thank you so very much for your support of Lapland Lake this season! It's been so much fun for us, and we look forward to having you each with us again for another wonderful season next winter!

Remember that we are open year round. In spring, summer and fall our facilities are open only to overnight lodging guests who savor the tranquility we offer along with swimming, canoeing, fishing, hiking and mountain biking. Local restaurants offer lakefront dining on the Sacandaga Lake, and Saratoga Springs and Lake George are just a short drive away. Lodging rates begin at $120 per night covering the first four guests. In spring and fall we offer a "Stay Two Nights, Receive the Third Free" special. Give us a try during the warmer seasons as well! Please visit www.laplandlake.com/summeraccom.htm for additional details.

April 4th 9-4:30, Seminar on Mohican People, $20

On Saturday, April 4th, the Native American Institute will host a Seminar focusing on the Mohican people. The "forgotten" people in this Hudson 400 "Celebration". I believe our Seminar is the only opportunity for their story to be told. We are very fortunate to have Mohican Elder Joann Schedler coming from Wisconsin to speak about Mohicans today as well as several other guests from the Reservation to meet with everyone. !! There is a buffet option. Information, schedule and registration form can be found at: http://www.naihrv.org/

SAVE DATES: 4/18, 4/25 and 4/27 for Trail Work

As you might imagine, there is a lot of blowdown that must be cleared from the TCT. Please join your fellow hikers in supporting our efforts to maintain the trail.

Saturday, April 18th Robinson Hollow to Mattison Hollow
Contact Dave Pisaneschi 459-5969 or dpisanes@nycap.rr.com

Saturday, April 25th Continuation of previous work
Contact Colin Campbell 438-9629 or holesinhead@aol.com

Monday, April 27th Continuation of previous work on weekdays
Contact Colin Campbell 438-9629 or holesinhead@aol.com