New York: Part I

I visited a friend in Hyde Park, New York this weekend, and from there we took a Metro-North train into New York City - my first time in the Big Apple.

This post will cover the drive there, which was via the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) and the Taconic State Parkway.

The MassPike westbound in the Berkshires. Note the low-lying clouds hugging the hillside to the left.

The new E-ZPass lanes at the western end of the MassPike. These signs recently replaced the old Citizens' Bank Fast Lane signage, and are more typical of signage seen elsewhere in the E-ZPass system.

Crossing into New York on the Berkshire Connector (I-90).

The Berkshire Connector westbound.

Crappy photo of a deer next to the toll plaza at the Taconic State Parkway exit on the Berkshire Connector. This was the first of easily dozens of deer sightings.

Two views of the Taconic heading southbound in Columbia County around sunset. This truly is a gorgeous road, and is very relaxing and enjoyable to drive.

Looking west from an overlook along the Taconic.

The view to the north from along the Taconic near the Dutchess County line.

Part II will feature New York City.

New Hampshire Toads

Drove up to New Hampshire after work today to do a little exploring and found these little guys:

And the habitat in which they were found:

I thought this came out beautifully.

America's Stonehenge

America's Stonehenge is a collection of stone structures whose origin is unknown (the most common theories include earlier-than-though Europeans or an advanced Native American culture), but that dates to several thousand years ago, making it possibly the oldest known man-made structure in the US. Like Britain's Stonehenge, the site is an accurate astronomical calendar, and most structures line up with solar and lunar events. It is located in Salem, New Hampshire on top of Mystery Hill, surrounded by typically serene New Hampshire woods.

I highly recommend visiting the site at some point, it's a neat experience.
Information about it can be found on the website (http://www.stonehengeusa.com), along with a map that helps identify the locations of these photos.