The suffix -kill is used frequently in this part of New England, and reflects the former New Netherlands Dutch colonial names where -kill indicates a body of water like streams and rivers.

There is no cell service at Woodland Valley and the tree cover prevents Dishy usage. We traveled to the local town and found a park with a wide-open field. About 30-minutes into Tony’s first meeting, we were asked to leave so a mowing crew can work. We wandered down the street to find a spot of service so we could pull up a map and figure out where to go. There is a Catskills Visitor’s Center nearby with a big parking lot. Perfect spot, and I was able to get advice about parking to see the Kaaterskill Falls.

We parked on the Scutt Road trailhead parking as it is bigger and a farther walk to the falls so less used. The hike in was very muddy, and rocky and tree-rooty as usual, and we were alone on that trail. As soon as we picked up the falls trail, then the aloneness disappeared in spite of what our pictures show. There was a viewing platform, but the view is mostly blocked by those darn trees. There were a lot of stone steps to go down to the bottom of the falls and some groups of people and extended families with varied ages found the journey a bit strenuous.

The American Giant Millipede I’m holding can be found in Iowa woods too, and is much smaller than its African counterpart which can be a foot or more in length and bigger around as well.

The Woodland Valley Campground closes at the end of this week and is mostly empty. It was so peaceful! Still no bears.