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Thom Hanford

@upstateunplanned

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A quiet, spontaneous, place‑first look at Upstate New York built on towns, trails, backroads, and everyday moments.

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Route 88 from Schoharie to Broome reads like a seasonal record. Color shifting mile by mile, long views opening toward the southern valleys, and that familiar stretch of interstate carrying the story forward. A few sun flares touched the lens, but the drive still holds the shape of the day.

#upstatenewyork
#fallfoliage
#autumn
#schohariecounty
#fallvibes taken in Albany, New York by @upstateunplanned

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7 days ago

A collage of photos from Schoharie Valley Farms & The Carrot Barn. Some of the Schoharie Valley cliffs are visible in the background of the widest photo. The Schoharie Valley and Helderberg Plateau contain some of the most unique valleys and geology in New York State. This beautiful valley and the cliffs and mountains framing it, have long been valued by geologists for the abundance of very well-preserved Devonian period fossils. The region's karst landscape has also created a variety of stunning and distinctive geologic features, including caves, sinkholes, and subterranean streams. In fact, nearby Howe Caverns is one of the most notable examples of the regions unique geology - part of a large underground water network carved into the region's limestone bedrock.

#schohariecounty
#schoharievalley
#fallfarm
#upstatenewyork
#caves taken in Schoharie Valley Farms by @upstateunplanned

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8 days ago

Fly Creek Cider Mill is a local favorite and a long established landmark in Otsego County. Its continuous operation, working presses, and role in regional agriculture have made it a destination for autumn outings among fall and cider fans across Upstate New York. The mill’s position along Fly Creek, its emphasis on traditional production, and its long and storied industrial and agricultural history give it a distinct place in the cultural landscape of the region. This video is much more focused on the fun to be had, however. Families are drawn to its broad range of activities, including the Mill Store, tastings, seasonal events, and outdoor spaces that support full afternoon visits. Its central location brings visitors from Syracuse, Albany, and the North Country, reinforcing its status as a regional gathering point.

#flycreekcidermill
#cozyautumn
#fallfoliage
#autumn
#fallvibes taken in Fly Creek Cider Mill by @upstateunplanned

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14 days ago

The Summit of Mount McGregor once was home to a nineteenth century mountain resort which was lost to a devastating fire. Later a tuberculosis sanatorium was built, which was converted to a veteran's home, then a developmental disabilities school and finally a medium security prison, which closed in 2014.

Today the mountain is mostly quiet, and most of the land has been absorbed into Moreau Lake State Park. The summit is largely dedicated to the historic Grant Cottage where Ulysses S. Grant spent his final weeks writing his memoirs.

Visitors today can see the cottage - which is virtually unchanged - and enjoy a network of short trails which culminates in an amazing overlook and viewing location. From here, you can see the Hudson Valley below and gain an understanding of why Mt. McGregor was a highly sought after place for rest and refuge.

#mtmcgregor
#ulyssessgrant
#adirondacks
#hudsonvalley
#moreaulakestatepark by @upstateunplanned

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21 days ago

The Endicott Visitor Center sits inside a restored turn‑of‑the‑century mansion that once housed Triple Cities College (1946) a branch of Syracuse University and the predecessor to Binghamton University. It’s a quiet, historic and well‑kept space with exhibits on Endicott‑Johnson, IBM, local history, and the community’s growth over time. Take a look at my video showing my recent trip there.

#binghamton
#endicottny
#southerntier
#triplecitiesny
#endicottjohnson by @upstateunplanned

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a month ago

The photos were great, but the sound and movement of the falls are even better. Here’s a quick video from various seasons and visits.

#albanyny
#cohoesfalls
#cohoesny
#capitaldistrictny
#waterfalls taken in Cohoes Falls, Falls View Park by @upstateunplanned

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a month ago

Cohoes Falls is one of those spots where the Mohawk River shows its scale. The river widens upstream, then pulls together before dropping over the ledge into the gorge. From the overlook you can see the rock shelves, the mist rising off the plunge pool, and how the river has carved this stretch over thousands of years.

🌐 More photos and a full write‑up are here: upstateunplanned.com/cohoes-falls/

#CohoesFalls
#MohawkRiver
#UpstateNY
#CapitalRegionNY
#waterfalls by @upstateunplanned

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a month ago

Cohoes Falls is one of those spots where the Mohawk River shows its scale. The river widens upstream, then pulls together before dropping over the ledge into the gorge. From the overlook you can see the rock shelves, the mist rising off the plunge pool, and how the river has carved this stretch over thousands of years.

🌐 More photos and a full write‑up are here: upstateunplanned.com/cohoes-falls/

#CohoesFalls
#MohawkRiver
#UpstateNY
#CapitalRegionNY
#waterfalls by @upstateunplanned

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a month ago

Additional photos from @wildcenter taken while visiting the TROLLS: Save the Humans installation!

#trollssavethehumans
#thewildcenter
#adirondacks
#tupperlakeny
#thomasdambo taken in The Wild Center by @upstateunplanned

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a month ago

One of my favorite museums in my part of the state is The Wild Center, a natural history and science museum focused on the ecology and wildlife of the Adirondack region. Currently, “TROLLS: Save the Humans,” an outdoor art exhibition by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, is on display throughout the Tupper Lake, NY campus.

The exhibit features giant troll sculptures constructed from reclaimed wood and other recycled materials. According to the artist’s description, the trolls are inspired by Nordic folklore and are designed to act as gentle guides and teachers, reminding humans to be better stewards of nature and the planet. According to The Wild Center, the installation has been its most popular attraction - drawing record attendance.

The Wild Center is also home to (my favorite) — the Wild Walk, an elevated trail through the forest treetops featuring bridges, platforms, and viewpoints that allow visitors to experience the Adirondack woods from above.Here are just a few photos from our visit. More to come once I download the images from my camera!

#thewildcenter
#tupperlake
#adirondacks
#thomasdambo taken in The Wild Center by @upstateunplanned

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a month ago

Today is #WorldSuicidePreventionDay. 2026 marks the final year of the World Suicide Prevention Day theme, Changing the Narrative on Suicide. The call to action, Start the Conversation, reminds us that breaking stigma starts with honest conversations, empathy, and support. By speaking openly, we help create a culture where people feel safe to reach out and seek help. by @upstateunplanned

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a month ago

Wanted to share a hidden gem we discovered while exploring Saratoga County! 🌿 Old Saratoga Mercantile in Schuylerville, NY, is a classically fashioned farm store on Route 29 filled with organically grown produce, locally sourced foods, artisan goods, craft beer and ciders, handmade soaps, décor, and unique gifts. What makes it especially impressive is its commitment to supporting local producers. According to the owner, whom we had the pleasure of meeting, @old_saratoga_mercantile carries products from more than 100 local farms and businesses!

#oldsaratogamercantile
#schuylervilleny
#saratogasprings
#saratogacountyny
#farmstore taken in Schuylerville, New York by @upstateunplanned

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2 months ago