Teal Harrison-Hertz created a “Hidden Treasures” of the Hudson Valley blog for his 2012 WISE project.

“I have always been infatuated with the outdoors and have been taken to national parks, rivers, waterfalls and beautiful places around this world, starting with Patagonia, Chile when I was only three months old,” wrote Teal in his first blog entry. “So for my WISE project I decided to create a [blog] about all of the beautiful places around where I live in the Hudson Valley, mainly the conglomerate mountains and cliffs of the Shawangunks, a climbing mecca for many.

Chile at the End of the World Pool, a seven foot deep swimming hole at Peterskill.

During his senior year at Rondout Valley High School, Teal and his hiking partner, a black Doberman Shepard named Chile, explored scenic areas in the Hudson Valley. As he traveled, Teal wrote personal reflections and took photographs of the hidden treasures he found for his blog. Using his father as a resource, Teal got an inside look at some of the most “magical” places to visit in the Hudson Valley. His website, which he still occasionally updates, offers an original glimpse into the natural beauty of the Hudson Valley.

Since his WISE project, Teal has continued to travel and pursue his passion for photography. One of his most recent outdoor adventures was guiding a trip down the Rogue River in Oregon. He is currently attending Keene State in New Hampshire.