Jon Crispin's Notebook

Hanley Road, Columbia County, NY

Posted in Bridges, Landscape, Travel by joncrispin on 29/02/2012

I couldn’t count the number of times that I have been on Interstate 90 in New York State.  About 2 years ago, I started noticing this view from the Westbound lane just before the turnoff to Albany.  There was something about the look of this rural road that always made me happy.  About a year ago I knew that I wanted to photograph it, but stopping on the highway seemed a bit foolhardy.  On Tuesday I was at the museum shooting suitcases and realized that I would have time to take a side trip on the way home.   I have a New York State Atlas & Gazeteer in my car so I pulled it out an figured out where I could access this road.  I am quite directionally challenged, but after some trial and error, I found the spot.  The above view is taken from the bottom of Hanley Road where it forms a T with State Route 32.  From where I took this picture it is Columbia County, but up the hill it becomes Rensselaer County.  Coming from Albany, I went to the town of Nassau on Route 20, turned south on 203 and then left onto Hanley.  It is really beautiful on the top part of the road; lovely farms with sizable ponds.

This view is looking West on SR 32.  The semi is on the eastbound section of the 90.  As I was heading home, I drove through the small town of Chatham and was happy to see a church that I had photographed for Craig Williams years ago.

5 Responses

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  1. JohnL said, on 29/02/2012 at 1:17 pm

    Jon, Right in my backyard! I live on 20 near Lebanon Valley Speed way!- John

    • joncrispin said, on 29/02/2012 at 5:03 pm

      John, this is a really beautiful road. It looks a bit different every time I pass it. Today it will be covered in snow. Jon

  2. David Serxner said, on 29/02/2012 at 1:17 pm

    Very nice. I have often wanted to do that on my home as I drive through rural North Carolina.

    • joncrispin said, on 29/02/2012 at 5:07 pm

      David, do it! I was amazed at how good I felt making this little excursion. You’ll have a blast and feel good at the same time. Thanks, Jon

  3. leamuse said, on 29/02/2012 at 2:21 pm

    It has been many years since I lived in NYC. I remember driving up to Bear Mountain with my ex-husband and the children to pick apples and the fall foliage wishing I had a camera.

    Now that I live in the South of France, my camera works very hard. I enjoy your work.


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