Savoring the Sights with "Honey"

It was a crisp, slippery morning, but if a dog named "Honey" can climb Mount Overlook in the dead of winter, what's your excuse? This 10-year old poodle trotted his way to the top of a Catskills high peak with his Master in tow today. That's 35 ascents, descents and counting for this dynamic duo.

Nola and I were sharing a spot of warm tea near the fire tower, right past the ruins of the Overlook Mountain House when we spotted Honey's little red Christmas vest and cute red bow tucked behind his ear.

It didn't take long for the poor pooch to start shaking and shivering. The temps on top were much colder than down below. Honey's owner, wearing nothing more than a sweatshirt and jeans, cued the dog for the descent. Away the two trekked, gone as quickly as they came, with no way of catching up to either, even if we stripped off our crampons and extra backpack weight.

The wide old wagon road trail to the summit of Mount Overlook is 2.5 miles and takes about 2 hours to climb. Bundle up nice and tight, especially if it's windy and don't forget Kleenex, Chapstick and a good set of walking poles.

You'll pass hardy locals from nearby Woodstock wearing nothing more than tie-dye trench coats and ill-equipped Manhattanites wearing nothing more than long fur coats and mascara. Inevitably, only "Honey" and company will make it to the top for a cyclorama worth freezing for... well, not quite, but it is one hell of a view of the Catskills.