As a native of western N.Y. (that means west of Buffalo, a.k.a the 10th "worst place to live in New York State"), I recognize both its majestic beauty and the dark evil lurking underneath. For all of its wondrous nature, lively ecosystems, and fresh air, it's a minefield of allergens, driving there is dangerous, and a lot of it is haunted (which isn't necessarily a bad thing, mind you).
But as popular a destination as upstate is for weary city-dwellers and New England travelers, preparing for the downsides can greatly enhance your trip. Read on, and the next time you venture to upstate N.Y. be sure to pack plenty of Claritin, drive carefully, and beware of vandals.
Skunks
They're the size of cats, prefer to live in human residential areas, will eat literally anything, and they're cowards. Because they're cowards, they'll spray your pet (or you) whenever you take one by surprise. The Department of Environmental Conservation has no good solutions for this, saying, "This happens in early fall because skunks search for cubby holes to spend the winter. Damaged building foundations and spaces underneath porches serve this purpose well. A free roaming dog often aggravates the situation by chasing the prowling skunk. The resultant 'dog training lesson' can offend a whole neighborhood. The remedy is to close or screen all holes and crawl spaces, and to keep dogs confined." Skunks are a scourge. Avoid skunks.
