Crossing a river on the way to the Dutch Doctor lean-to Photo: Kristen Richard
As I stared up at the stars on a clear, cool winter evening in Harriman State Park I attempted to put my limited constellation knowledge to the test. Living in New York City means seeing stars is a rarity; the city’s constant hustle and bustle can make anyone feel like they’re a million miles away from any sort of nature, which if you’re anything like me, grows stressful. Thankfully there’s 47, 527 acre Harriman, just over an hour outside the city and home to over 200 miles of trails. And as I stared up at the sky, relishing in the fact that the only background noise to my evening was the crackling of my campfire and the wind murmuring through tree branches, I felt an overwhelming sense of calm. Tomorrow, still far from the urban noise, even more wilderness exploration awaited in the creek-crossed woods.