Upstate New York (Vacation part #2!)

Hi friends–  Wanted to “scrapbook” a few more photos here of our vacation this summer– after we left New York City, we picked up a car and headed north– a few days of endless greenery, small historic towns along the highway and some tourist stops as we went.  It all seemed so tranquil and restorative after the bustle of the city.

     Our pathway wandered along the broad Hudson River and our first stop was at the Vanderbilt Mansion, one of the early Hudson River mansions, built in the 1890’s and set on 213 acres overlooking the river.

     

A section of the 25 foot wall in the new classroom building

The most delectable stop was at the Culinary Institute of America.  A fourth year student led us on a tour, peeking into classrooms where students were baking cakes, cleaning vegetables, baking bread…  I wanted to sign up for classes on the spot!  Students cook and serve at the schools five restaurants and we had fun chats with servers over a couple leisurely lunches.

     In Poughkeepsie, we enjoyed an evening saunter over the Hudson River on the State Park Walkway.  Once it was a railroad trestle , but now it’s the longest footbridge in the U.S.

     

One morning, Ranger Bob guided us through Springwood, the home of Franklin Roosevelt, now a National Historic Site  –estensive cultivated grounds, the beautiful historic rooms where F.D.R. was born and lived out his life, and the Presidential library, full of fascinating displays and artifacts.

     We continued driving north on into the Catskill Mountains to land in the cozy town of Tannersville– and the Mountain Brook Inn.  I was completely charmed.  Sitting out by the fire in the evening, reading in the library in the morning, and a beautiful breakfast prepared by Terrance, our clog wearing innkeeper.

     

We spent a sunny afternoon, hiking up  a wooded hillside to the Katerskill Falls, the tallest waterfall in New York state.  We worked up an appetite, took too many photos and soaked up the beauty.

All in all, we were amazed by all the green wooded vistas, the charming small towns and the history all around.  Our next stop was in the far north reaches of New York, was to drop in on our wonderful in-laws, Alfie and Karen, for lots of good catching up and a chance to get to know their part of the country.  But that’s another post.