I have come to realize I have lived across the river most of my life from Rensselaer County, but I hardly know the land. I've been to Grafton State Parks, and over Route 2 and 7 dozens of times, but really do not know the land. I've seen Troy and I've seen North Greenbush and Rensselaer. But what's beyond that country?

A couple of weeks ago I went out for a look. I drove out to Grafton Lakes State Park, taking a detour over Berlin Mountain in search of Cherry Plains State Park. I never made it to the later, but I got a good feel for the land that makes up part of Senator Bruno's district. And it's rural – especially around Berlin Mountain – spectacularly rural, not unlike what I've seen in the Northern Adirondacks.

This country out there is real hill country. There aren't a lot of farms, but there are a few people scattered among the hills and curves in the road, mostly living in rundown trailers and falling down houses. Yes, there is the wealthy tucked along scenic lakes and far off the road, but the vast majority of folk are working class. They either mine the earth, log the woods, or do other activities so common in our vast rural parts of our state.

Part of what is so shocking is how close this really is to the city. I probably wasn't much farther out then my house in Westerlo. Yet, the twistiness of the road and the mountainous of the area has kept people out. There is developments closer to the city, like around Averill Park. But up here there isn't a lot beyond the mountains and their dwellers.

To be sure, Rensselaer County has it's farms. There are some fantastic ones to the southern part of county near the Columbia County line. Most of them are in the valleys though, and not in the mountainous country that makes up most the county. Albany County is hilly, but those Hilltowns are much flatter and different.

Exploring Rensselaer County help dispel the myth for me that all of the county was heavily developed under Senator Bruno's pro-sprawl policies. The mountains are still pretty wild and free. Yet, with Bruno's leadership we have to wonder if they will forever remain wild, and the rural redneck culture be allowed to flourish in this area. Regardless, this is still very good country.