Good day traveler. I bring you the latest edition of Catskill Crew. Enjoy it and I’ll see ya out there… Perhaps at our Adult Summer Camp this weekend.
LAUNCH
RIVER LEGENDS
Today is a big day… Catskill Crew launches its very first video game.
Introducing: RIVER LEGENDS.
The goal of the game is simple, but it is far from easy: 10 casts to claim the top spot on the leaderboard.
From sturgeon and striped bass to walleye and trout, there are dozens of species. But what lurks below the surface is mysterious and shrouded in legend.
Ancient creatures that many believe to be merely myth and lore. Others claim they only appear when the conditions are just right — and when your cast is perfect.
The changing weather patterns bring new opportunity, and if you get caught in a thunderstorm, be ready — you never know what may appear.
The herons along the bank, eagles soaring overhead, and celestial objects streaking across the sky — all omens of what may come.
Now, it’s your turn to step forth, test your skill, and etch your name on the River Legends leaderboard.
Tight lines.
P.S. This game has taken a lot of time, and I couldn’t have done it without the help of the brave testers who helped squash all the bugs.
FROM THE MOUNTAINS
THE REPORT
CONDITIONS |
|---|
SUNRISE 5:54 AM ↑ |
SUNSET 8:10 PM ↓ |
MOONRISE 10:51 PM ↑ |
MOONSET 12:12 PM ↓ |
MOON Waning Gibbous 66% |
AIR QUALITY Good 26 AQI |
FIRE DANGER Low |
PROPERTY: River View Inn c.1880
PETS: Sky the puppy, Kendra the cat, and Tulsa the horse.
SKY: Get your telescopes out — the eastern U.S. has prime viewing for a rare event. In the wee hours of August 5th at 2:35AM, the upper stage of a Falcon 9 will crash into the moon's western limb. The impact will have the equivalent energy of 3 tons of TNT, carving a crater an estimated 20-30m across. Sunlight may light up the dust plume against the dark sky, so keep your eyes out.
SIGHTINGS: Eastern Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus
IN THE FIELD
BREAKFAST QUEST
The hunt for the best breakfast sandwich is nearly complete. 17 sandwiches down and 3 more to go.
The results have surprised me. The sodium has humbled me.
And next week we shall crown our Breakfast Quest champion.
After that, it’s a quest that involves way more vegetables.
TAKE A GANDER
WINGSPAN
Once nearly extirpated from New York State, the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) has made a triumphant comeback, and spotting one overhead still feels like a gift.
Can you guess how long the average wingspan is for one of these majestic soaring creatures?
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE WINGSPAN OF A BALD EAGLE?
QUARTERLY
SNAIL MAIL
The Summer Edition of the Catskill Crew Quarterly has arrived — new, improved, and shipping right to your door.
The sixteen-page zine is the collective work of five amazing local contributors.
Each Quarterly shipped supports our seasonal Impact Initiative. Order yours, and get ready to turn off the screens and thumb through ‘em.
POSTED
THE BULLETIN
TROUT CAPS: A custom designed cap that comes with a 100% guarantee that it’ll help you catch more fish. LINK
PARTNERS: Catskill Crew only works with limited partners — if you want to discuss teaming up you can reach out. LET’S CHAT.
GOOD FRIEND CAFE: Marta and Jeremy Baumann just opened Good Friend Cafe in the 1917 storefront next to the West Shokan Post Office. And while I have yet to try it, the trusted reports are flowing in and all signs are pointing to a BIG WINNER. The food is exceptional, the marketplace is great, and Buddy’s Snack Shack hits. 13 out of 10 stars. FOLLOW ALONG.
THIS WEEK
HAPPENINGS
Pack your bags, we’re going to SUMMER CAMP.
This weekend, four teams will compete for points across various activities from archery to tug of war and javelin throwing, just to name a few.
We’ll stroll through the woods, compete, feast, identify trees, and gather around the fire with a professional storyteller sharing spooky local lore — and unlike when we were kids, this summer camp has a pub.
Come for the main event on Saturday, August 8th or get a room and stick around for the weekend.
Note: If the cost is keeping you from coming to summer camp, reply to this email and let me know.
The inaugural Catskills Book Festival is coming to West Kill Brewing on Saturday, August 8th from 12-6PM and the lineup is stacked. On-stage interviews and readings from authors — Jo Piazza, Isaac Fitzgerald, Andrea Bartz, Casey Scieszka, Olivia Muenter, and more — plus a Kids Hour with Jon Scieszka and Steven Weinberg.
Between readings there will be books for sale, wood-fired pizza, live tunes, custom chain stitching, and — for the fully committed — literary flash tattoos. RSVP HERE.
TEN’ISH FUN THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK
TUESDAY | Ulster County Fair
Ulster County Fairgrounds, New Paltz at 10AM
There’ll be tractor pulls and racing pigs
TUESDAY | Houndmouth
Basilica, Hudson at 8PM
Not sure if Sedona or Darlin’ is the best song
WEDNESDAY | Summer Cut Flower Field Day at Meadowbrook Farm
Meadowbrook Farm, Leeds at 3PM
120 acres of farm
WEDNESDAY | HV Regenerative Housing Summer Mixer
Left Bank Ciders, Catskill at 6PM
Resilient ways of living (heyo Jared)
THURSDAY-SATURDAY | Hudson Film Festival
Multiple locations and times
Check out the full schedule
🦅 FRIDAY - SUNDAY | SUMMER CAMP
Hilltown Commons, Rensselaerville
Calling all campers
FRIDAY | Rent Party 4
Nightswim, Kingston
Hey Atta
FRIDAY | Young Explorer Backpacks
Storm King Art Center, New Windsor at 12PM
Get the kids outside
SATURDAY | Tour of the Catskills Pro-Am Bicycle Road Race
Tannersville at 9AM
Peloton formation
SATURDAY | Pig Roast
Dette Flies, Livingston Manor at 11AM
Talk fish and have fun
SATURDAY | Morning Bird Walk
Spiral House Park, Saugerties at 8AM
If you spot a rose-breasted grosbeak lmk
SATURDAY | Opening Reception: Water Music
Hawk + Hive, Andes at 2PM
Beautiful work from a talented human
SATURDAY | Cole Quest & the City Pickers
TEMPO Lounge, Kingston at 8PM
Woody Guthrie’s grandson
SATURDAY | Field Notes Series Concert
West Kortright Center, East Meredith at 7PM
Get yer tickets
SUNDAY | CatVideoFest 2026
Rosendale Theater at 4:30PM
I had no idea this was a thing
