Millerton - Our "Adorable" Compost Bin

Compost Bins do not have to be boring!

I found a way to make a simple compost bin out of used pallets and thought it was a brilliant idea because, instead of purchasing some big black plastic thing, I could "re-use" something out of wood. This was not my idea but brilliant nonetheless.

BEFORE

My daughter and I had took it one step further because boring just doesn't work for us. With some paint we transformed our boring bin into a piece of art (at least in our opinion).

Anyway, we had a lot of fun doing it and we love the bright colors. Next spring we have plans to plant ivy and morning glory to really put it over the top!

AFTER

Oh, and I'm not quite done yet. This weekend I'm going to paint the front of the bin. I'll post a photo shortly.

Millerton and Our First Tomatoes

At long last, we have some color on our tomatoes!

We planted these gorgeous plants when they were just seedlings in mid-June and they have taken their dear sweet time to ripen.

This one is named Early Girl - but she wasn't very early!

(But as we all know, beautiful things just can't be rushed.)

I worry we will get a large crop all at once - but plan on making sauces, salsas, relish, out of these beauties. There is truly nothing like a vine ripened, home-grown tomato. Good thing tomatoes are one of my daughter's favorite foods!

This is a Beef Steak variety.

Meanwhile, my friend Tim who is from the south,

made the most delicious fried green tomatoes.

I had tried fried green tomatoes before,

but either it was my terrific tomato,

or Tim's recipe and hand at the stove,

or a combination of both --- Tim's Fried Green Tomatoes were incredible

Bash Bish Falls - Swim, Hike or just Relax - near Millerton NY

A Place to Swim, A Place to Hike, A Place full of History

One of the well known and popular locations for hiking and swimming near Millerton is Bash Bish Falls, near Copake Falls. This past weekend we were able to visit the location once again and although it was a bit more crowded, and the park rangers were out so “no swimming was allowed”, it was still a very enjoyable hike, a beautiful setting, and Kirby enjoyed herself immensely (as you can see from her appreciation).

Whenever I’m in this area I cannot help but consider its history. At the entrance of the park a sign provides visitors with a bit of history including a little about the wealthy landowners and some of the establishments they created.

Once upon a time there stood the Ceder Mountain Inn, built by Mrs. Josephine Douglas in 1879. As the sign reads, "Despite its dramatic siting on the side of Cedar Mountain, with views looking across the gorge to the falls, the in failed as a business venture. The inn was torn down about 1987." Seems a shame that it was torn down.

As we walked up to see the falls, with the lovely Bash Bish brook at my side, under a canopy of conifers, I couldn’t help but consider who else walked this path and who else swam in the deep, cool pools under the falls.

While it may not be in the “Niagara” category as far as falls go, these are very pretty in a sweet and gentle way. As I looked up and imagined the Ceder Mountain Inn, I couldn’t help but wonder, among other things, where the name Bash Bish came from. And after a little digging I came up with a little “folklore”.

-Quote from "Haunted New England, A Devilish View of the Yankee Past, by Mary Bolte, 1972

Bash-Bish Falls

Mt. Washington, Massachusetts

Before the white man came to North America, many Algonquin tribes populated the northeast, among them the Mohicans of western Massachusetts. This legend revolves around a beautiful Mohican woman named Bash-Bish who was accusd of this gravest of crimes, found guilty, and condemned to death as prescribed by tribal law, despite her persistent protestations of innocence. For the execution of her sentence, a canoe equipped with leather thongs was secured in the swift water upstream from a waterfall. Bash-Bish was to be bound to the vessel, which was then to be released and drawn by the current over the fateful cataract.

At the appointed hour, the Indians, including the woman's infant daughter, White Swan, solemnly gathered for the ceremony. Suddenly a curious thing happened. A fine mist began to slant in from the sun while, simultaneously, a ring of bright butterflies circled Bash-Bish's head. As the Mohicans fell back in awe of the unexplained phenomenon, the condemned woman broke away, dashed to the edge of the falls and flung herself over the cruel shawl of water, the butterflies spiraling downward behind her. The pool below has never given up her body.

Bash Bish

A Bit of History and a Legend

By Hiram Todd

As early as 1692 the white men settled in what is now called the Town of Mount Washington in Berkshire County. These pioneers took over from the Indians of the tribe of Black Thunder who carried west with them their legends of the Taghconics; "The Spirit of Bash Bish Falls" being one of the best of them. It tells the story of White Swan - the beautiful young wife of Whirling Wind, the son of Chief Black Thunder. They lived happily together for several years but, as they had no children, the mighty chief ordered Whirling Wind to take to his tepee another squaw - one who would bear him a son. Although White Swan respected the tribal law, she began to pine and brood by the falls. One moonlight night she heard her mother calling from behind the mist of the cataract and with a joyous cry she leapt from the high cliff into her mother's waiting arms. So ever after, when the moon is full, the spirit of White Swan appears behind the mist of the troubled waters of the Bash Bish.

Summer In Millerton - Need Something To Do?

During the Dog Days of Summer a great place to spend a hot day is at the Ore Pit Pond, Copake Falls, about 20 minutes north of Millerton's town center (rt 22 to 344).

In the mid 1800’s the Ore Pit Pond was an iron ore quarry. The ore was removed and taken to local furnaces to create the highly marketable iron steel for railroads, firearm and other items in high demand at the time.

When the industry dried up so to speak, in 1888 the mine closed, and subsequently flooded to creating this beautiful swimming hole. Now part of Taconic State Park, the largest open pit is a popular swimming location and measures 500 feet long by 200 feet wide and up to 40 feet deep, filled with very clear (and cool) upwelling groundwater.

As you can see from the photos, there is an expansive area for swimming, and a smaller, shallow wading pool for children. I’ve visited the location several times this summer and have yet to see a crowd. There is plenty of shade, plenty of sun and the restrooms and dressing areas are clean. There are lifeguards on hand in both areas and to be able to swim in the deeper area, if you’re under 15, a simple swimming test is required.

The wading pool and Ore Pit Pond are open for weekend swimming on Memorial Day, then expand to weekday use at the end of June, and finally close on Labor Day. From 11 a. m. to 7 p. m., swimming is allowed, and both locals and campers take advantage. Like most of the state parks, there is a strictly enforced “no dog policy” (even on a leash) in the swimming area. But you can bring your pet up the trail to Bash Bish Falls. (More on Bash Bish Falls to come.)

Off a small dock on the side of the pond (visible in the last photo) I’ve noticed people fishing and am told you can find a variety of fish such as Brown Bullhead, Largemouth Bass, Golden Shiner, Banded Killifish, Rainbow Trout and Pumpkinseed.