OK, this one is a short drive to the north and over the Hudson, but as a Putnamite, it is ok to occasionally venture beyond our borders. The Black Creek Preserve in Esopus was a loop of about 3 miles. The far end of the hike leads to the mightly Hudson, and there is a a neat suspension bridge near the entrance to the preserve. It was still pretty cold, but the kids and I kicked off our shoes (exposing our pastey-white winter skin to the the sun) and waded thru the cold water of the creek – if only for a few minutes.
View Black Creek Preserve, Esopus NY 2012-04-06 12:44 in a larger map