Art / Nature

Hatu Peak is a mesmerizing destination located in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Situated at an elevation of approximately 3,400 meters (11,150 feet) above sea level, Hatu Peak offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and forests. The peak is nestled in the Shimla district, near the town of Narkanda, which is about 70 kilometers (43 miles) from the state capital, Shimla. The journey to Hatu Peak is a scenic one, with winding roads that pass through dense forests of pine, fir, and deodar trees, creating a picturesque landscape. Reaching the peak involves a trek of around 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) from Narkanda. The trail is moderately challenging, but the stunning views and serene atmosphere make it a rewarding experience. As you ascend the trail, y...

Ballston Creek Preserve is a good place to enjoy the view. Location: East Line Road just south of Route 67 in Ballston. (Parking is across East Line Road, at nearby Shenantaha Creek Park in Malta.) Description: This 33-acre preserve in the town of Ballston may only have 1 mile of rugged trails, but it is best known for its great blue heron rookery. This land was donated to Saratoga PLAN — a non-profit conservation organization — by the Peterson family back in 2005 so that it would remain an open space for individuals and families to enjoy. They had owned the property since 1955, and before that it was a working farm. The land is mostly flat with a minor change in elevation, only about 30 feet. Level of difficulty: This is an average terrain for most people. The main trail is a little ...

NISKAYUNA — Sometimes, the best things happen unexpectedly, or so Tim Dobert found last year when his artwork began to take off. “It had always been a hobby for me … something I used to make sense of the chaos of life,” said Dobert. But what began as a hobby in 1994 has turned into a full-time career for the retired law enforcement officer. “I spent 25 years in the field of law enforcement, both as a correctional officer and as a patrol officer, but I would not consider going back after this,” said Dobert. His days are more peaceful now as he pursues his artistic passions. He currently resides in Clifton Park with his wife and three sons. The family also plays host to three cats, several fish and an uninvited duck. Dobert’s first exhibit was last year in Saratoga Springs at Uncommon Gro...

In the Clifton Park community, there are three municipal pools where people to flock to and enjoy. “The town pools have been a resource for the community for decades; they not just a place to come and swim, families come here and use it as a place for socializing,” Director of Communications and Technology Dahn Bull said. “They are wonderful places to be.” It’s a typical morning at Barney Road pool: Children are taking swim lessons, they giggle in their goggles, disappear under the glassy surface, then re-emerge with a gasp and a smile. Ten years ago, Susie Schwarz was one of those kids, examining the innards of the pool with her eyes protected by plastic. Now, dressed in her grey Shenendehowa State Championship T-shirt, she is one of the lifeguards watching over their safety. In the fa...

The fate of one of the last remaining wild spaces in the heart of Clifton Park is at stake this fall. The 34 wooded acres behind the Shenendehowa Central School District’s Shatekon Elementary School could be bought by developers and transformed into shopping centers, restaurants, office spaces and parking lots if the town isn’t able to make a deal with the school district by the end of October. Clifton Park residents are campaigning for the town to purchase the undeveloped land, shaded by towering trees and crisscrossed by winding trails. The school district began accepting bids last May but received just one offer by its original Jan. 4 deadline — from local real estate developer DCG Development Co. Shenendehowa Public Information Officer Kelly DeFeciani previously noted the school dis...