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The last few days on my blog have been amazing and surprising.  I’ve been getting more and more visitors from all over.  I do have to say it makes me smile!  So thank you to those who have stopped by, left comments or just took the time to see what my blog is all about, I really appreciate it.
I try to come up with new and interesting things to write about– so this blog is evolving (I hope) into something that all of you will continue to enjoy!

Thanks again!
Comments?  Suggestions?

I’m not one to do lists.  In fact I don’t really like them but this is the best way I can think of to tell you some of the best things about Wilton NY.  Where is Wilton NY, you might ask?  Well that is a little hard to say since some of it is actually in Saratoga Springs and some of it in is Gansvoort, the mailing address are anyway.  Wilton is between Saratoga and Gansvoort but is a town all its own.  Here are some of the things that I think make Wilton special

1. The Wilton Wildlife Preserve
Home to the Blandings turtle and the Karner Blue Butterfly, these 2,300 acres of land: Neilmann parcel, Camp Saratoga, the Fox parcel, Opdahl Farm and Old Gick Farm make up the Wilton Wildlife Preserve.

— The Opdahl Farm is comprised of an old family farm that was in operation from 1936-1972 but now is the home of the Karner Blue Butterfly (more about this later) with flat and well cared for trails.  The farm is 43 acres and a photographer’s dream with meadows, the old barn and silo and wildflowers.

–Camp Saratoga is made of woodlands,  wetlands, streams and a pond.  This parcel offers trout fishing in Delegan Pond and wildlife spotting like turtles, herons, belted Kingfishers and beavers.

— Old Gick Farm is home to the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly (another opportunity to see one) and the threatened elfin butterfly and other species that are of concern like the spadefoot toad and the eastern hognose snake and according to their website there is the possibility of seeing a moose at the overlook near the Delegan Brook.  This parcel allows horseback riding along with hunting and fishing during open seasons.

— Fox parcel is 89 acres that has mowed trails that are gently rolling with wet areas.

–The Neilmann parcel is 145 acres that is primarily wooded and includes part of Miller Swamp– the largest wetlands in Wilton.  If you want to walk the trails be sure to bring plenty of bug spray, there are LOTS of mosquitoes!

2  The Karner Blue Butterfly
The Wilton Wildlife Preserve is one of the few home of the Karner Blue Butterfly. This tiny blue butterfly with a row of orange half moons on its wings is on the state and federal list of endangered species.  The Wildlife Preservs areas like Opdahl Farm and Old Gick Farm have been transformed into the perfect  breeding ground for these tiny creatures with sandy soil and blue lupine’s– the butterflies host plant.

3.  Camp Saratoga (Delegan Pond)
Delegan Pond is a trout fishing pond that is located in the 310 acres of Camp Saratoga.  Hunting and fishing are allowed in season.  Fishing requires a license and is limited to children 16 and under until July 1st, which makes a great trip for the little ones and opportunity to catch the BIG ONE!  Adults can fish after July 1st (2 fish limit) as long as no live bait is used.

4.  Camp Saratoga (Picnic Facilities)
Camp Saratoga is more than fishing and nature trails.  There are also picnic tables, pavilions and cabins.

5.  Park Fest
Another park in Wilton is Gavin Park.  Not so much a recreational park (no fishing or trails) but more of a community park.  Every year they host what’s called Park Fest.  This year it will be on Saturday July 9th.  It will include a 1k and a 5k run, amusement park rides, craft and food vendors and a fireworks display at dusk.  Not only can you have a fun filled day but you can help a worth cause by dropping off a non-perishable food item for the Wilton Food Pantry.  Gavin Park is located off of Jones Rd in Wilton.

6.  Gavin Park
Not only is it the home of Park Fest,  Gavin Park also has after school programs, summer camps, gymnasium, game room, soccer fields, basketball courts, tennis courts and batting cages that are available for a fee.

7.   Carnival at Wilton Mall  
The Kiwanis Carnival is held in the parking lot of the Wilton Mall.  This year it was held from June 9th until June 11th.  The carnival included rides, games, food and live performances.  The atmosphere is very family friendly and is great for those with small children.

8.  The Meathouse
The Meathouse is a fabulous butcher shop with a small town feel.  Great customer service (which makes it one of my favorites) delicious meat and local products like Oscar’s Smokehouse sausages and Ice Cream Man cakes.  Great place to get the fixin’s for a picnic.

9.  Shopping
You can’t talk about Wilton without talking about the Wilton Mall which includes clothing stores like J.C Penney’s, Bon Ton and Sears along with music stores, a pet store restaurants, hair salons and many others.  But that’s not the only shopping in Wilton.  There is Bed Bath and Beyond, Five Below, Best Buy, T.J. Maxx and Pier One to name a few.

10.  History
Wilton might seem like an unlikely place to find historical landmarks but if you head to Mt. McGregor you can find the cottage where President Grant spent his last days.  Grant was ill with throat cancer when he, his family, servants and doctors came to Wilton.  The cottage is open to the public and contains original furnishings, decorations and personal items including the bed that Grant died in.  thee is also a gift shop and Visitor’s Center.  From the Eastern outlook you can see a spectacular view of the Hudson Valley, the Adirondacks, the Green Mountains and the Catskills.
As you drive around Wilton you will historical markers like the one for the Battle of Wilton which was fought during the French and Indian War.

Well, that’s my list.  If you’ve been to any of these places in Wilton NY please feel free to comment.  Or if you know of other places that would of interest let me know.

Followers might know that I also write a blog for a local website called www.saratoga.com/saratogatraveler in which I write about different places in Saratoga Springs, travel tips and places I might travel in the NE and beyond.
My latest post talks about Saratoga Springs’ motto Health, Horses and History and focuses on the Horses part of the motto.  Most of the summer tourism here centers around The Saratoga Race Course since it is the second to the last stop for New York horse racing – Belmont, Saratoga and Aqueduct it’s very, very popular.
Here on this blog and on the Traveler blog I posted about my first hot air balloon ride.  The Captain of the balloon company has contacted me with an update.  He has become an ordained minister! So if you or someone you know is looking for an unusual way to get married or renew vows this would be a great way to do it!  To get more information you can contact Mike himself at Carried Away Balloon Flights www.carriedawaywithballooning@gmail.com or at www.carriedawayballoonflights.com
Next week I’ll be posting about the health part of the Saratoga motto.  The spas, the springs and the bath houses so come back again for more updates, and be sure to visit the Traveler blog and make a comment or suggestion.  I’d love to hear from you.

I spent all day yesterday clipping and organizing my coupons.  I was using one system that just didnt’ seem like it was working so I had stacks of coupon inserts to go through.  But I’m glad to say that after 8 hours of sorting, clipping and tossing I finally got it done.  Now I’m ready to make a list for the week.
I’m not sure about you but with all these shows about couponing and saving money and getting things for free — its a lot of pressure!  I feel like if I go to the store and don’t save at least half of my bill then I’m a failure.  Although just one time I’d love to save 90%-95% just to say that I did it.
How about you?  Do you coupon?  What’s your strategy?  Do you use a binder? a folder?
I’d love you to share your coupon “secrets” and strategies.

It seems like the cost of everything is going up– food, gas– well everything.  But I came across something that just might take the sting out of filling up at the pump — ride your bike to work.  Recently I heard that Boston has implemented a system of bike paths for commuting bike riders.  What a great idea.  But for those of us who don’t live in Boston there is still a great opportunity to save gas and the environment and make a little money too.
There was a law enacted back in 2008 called the Bicycle Commuter Act that states that commuters who use their bikes to get back and forth to work can receive $20 a month from their employer. According to the law employers can reimburse employees–tax free–for reasonable expenses relating to their bike commute like equipment or repairs.  This provision is for those who use their bike and don’t receive any other commuter tax-free benefit.  Yes, there are other benefits for those who car pool or van pool.
The provision is a lesser-known part of a larger Renewable Energy Tax Credit Initiatives legislation that will give cyclists a tax break only if they don’t receive another tax free fringe benefit.
Here’s how it works:
Your employer would reimburse you $240 a year (as long as you don’t get a transit pass, qualified parking or other transportation benefit) then you an exclude up to $240 from your gross income.  Tax free for the employer and taken right off the top for the employee.
If you don’t have a bike or don’t live close enough to ride your bike to work there are other benefits for carpooling or van pooling that could amount to $115 a month.
For more information check out the website  www.bikewalk.org/bca.php
Have experience with this or know more about it?  Feel free to share.

I was wondering if anyone has been to the CIA?  The Culinary Institute not the government agency.  I’d like to plan a trip but I’m not sure what to expect.  There is a campus about 2 hours south of here (Saratoga Springs NY) and I’d like to make a visit and possibly take a class.
If anyone has been there please comment.  I know the classes are expensive but would like to know if they are worth it.
Hope everyone has a great Easter– what are your plans?