Tails and Trails
If you’ve been in Sullivan County for a little while, there’s no doubt in my mind that you’ve heard of the famous resort hotels. Places like The Concord, Grossinger’s, and Brown’s were summer destinations for a lot of folks from New York City who wanted to escape from the urban heat and have their needs catered to among the gorgeous mountains, lakes, and streams.
Back in the day, there were a couple of ways to get from New York to the resorts. You could drive…which meant stopping at the Red Apple Rest on Route 17 in Tuxedo, and braving Wurtsboro Mountain. Or, you could take the train.
From 1868 to early 1957, “the train” meant the New York Ontario and Western Railway—the O&W. Patrons would take the O&W out of the city, and stop at the hub in Summitville. From there, they could hop on a line to Kingston. Or to Port Jervis. Or to Scranton, PA. You get the idea.
One of the most popular stops on the O&W line was Parksville.
And why not? Settled as a mill town—and officially founded in 1904—Parksville featured nearly one hundred resorts and hotels before the Great Depression hit! Even after the Depression, fancy resorts continued to thrive. Think the Youngs Gap, built in the 1920s. Or The Grand Hotel. Or The Paramount. Or Klein’s Hillside. (You might like to peruse Parksville’s official website for more of its history: www.parksvilleny.org.
I’m sure that I don’t have to tell you that, for many, the biggest joy associated with staying in Parksville was access to the great outdoors. That tradition is carrying on today.
Yes, the O&W stopped running in 1957. And the new Route 17 was built over much of the railroad bed. But many of the paths that the O&W traveled are still there and accessible. (I know that you know that we call them “rail trails.”) And they make for wonderful hiking adventures for you and your four-legged friends!
The Parksville Rail Trail goes about 1.3 miles, and can be accessed at 981 Parksville Road, or 40 Main Street in Parksville. Parking is usually not an issue. Though it’s not a paved trail, it’s a smooth path in general, and it offers pleasant views of the Little Beaver Kill stream. I would categorize it as being an easy walk. Much of the trail is shaded by what the official website calls a “lush tree canopy,” so getting sunburned there is unlikely for both you and Crackers, your animal companion.
Walking is, of course, permitted on the trail, as are bikes and horseback riders. Pedestrians and folks with disabilities are highest on the food chain—they have the right-of-way. (Hunting, motorized vehicles, alcoholic beverages, and racing aren’t allowed.)
The trail is open from dawn until dusk, and bicyclers are encouraged to wear helmets. Plus, you’ll need to have Crackers on a leash, which I would recommend anyway.
Of course, I’d be slacking in my duty as a veterinary professional if I didn’t remind everyone of a few things that will make for a happier, safer experience for both Crackers and you.
To begin with, if Crackers is new to hiking, a little prior training can help. She should understand—and obey—some simple commands, like “come.” Or “stay.” Or “drop it.” You get the idea.
I also recommend that you do a little research to determine whether or not you and your furry friend can handle the difficulty of any given trail, rail or otherwise. As I’ve mentioned above, the Parksville Rail Trail isn’t a tough one, and it’s not particularly long, either, so you should both be good there. But it’s always a bright idea to keep in mind your pet’s general health and endurance when choosing a place to hike.
One of the nice things about the Parksville Rail Trail is that—on the southern end—you wind up pretty much in downtown Parksville, which means you can access food, drink, and other amenities. (Just check if businesses are pet-friendly before barging in with Beaulah.)
Of course, it’s always a good idea to bring food, treats, water, and a collapsible bowl. And a simple first aid kit is a smart thing to have as well.
I also highly recommend doing some research on the wildlife indigenous to any area where you might like to hike. (And have I mentioned keeping your puppy on a leash?) You know you are bound to see some deer, maybe a hawk or two, and some beavers. (Hey, it is the Little Beaver Kill stream, after all.)
But some of the most dangerous wildlife can be the ones you don’t notice unless you’re looking for them. Think ticks. We have a lot of them in Sullivan County, and they’d like nothing better than to burrow into you and/or Beaulah. If you’re hiking at this time of the year and the temperature is below freezing, you might not have to sweat the tick thing too much. But in spring, summer, and fall—and warmer winter days—these critters are extremely active, so bug repellent is a GREAT idea. And make sure to comb through Buddy’s fur after the hike is done.
That, plus I’d say taking breaks as needed is a smart thing to do. And it’s always kind to pick up—and properly dispose of—Buddy’s poop.
If you do find a tick on Buddy later, you’ll want to take action immediately. Get some tweezers, and pull that sucker out gently with a steady motion. Then clean the wound with soap and water or an antiseptic (find one that won’t sting).
After that, keep an eye on Buddy. If he shows signs of infection and/or illness, you’ll want to give us a call. We can test the tick for disease if you keep it, or we can draw some of Buddy’s blood. If he is, indeed, sick, we can prescribe the proper antibiotics to get him healthy and back out on the trail again.
Oh, and keep your eyes open! We have a new website coming soon: CATSKILLS TAILS ON TRAILS www.catskilltailsontrails.com. Our plan is to make recommendations on excellent places to hike that you can share with your pets. Stay tuned!
Dr Barbara J Bodolosky DVM
Animal Hospital of Sullivan County