We’ve also Been West of the River

Biking and Lunch, Ashokan Reservoir and Sunfrost Farms

In Ulster County near Woodstock is the great Ashonka Reservoir which has a great walking or biking path. There are a lot of great biking routes in this region, you can find maps and information here. We like to bike along water and so we picked this route. After a vigorous ride we drove over to a favorite lunch spot, Sunfrost Farms. And then into Woodstock for a casual stroll. More Continue reading We’ve also Been West of the River

Hudson Valley to Supply Water to California

April 1, 2015 Albany, NY

Brown and Cuomo

In an Unprecedented Bicoastal Agreement

Desperate times call for desperate measures said Governors Brown and Cuomo upon the announcement of the most expensive the public works project since the “Big Dig” in Boston.

With NASA sobering announcement that California will run out of water in 2016. an emergency summit was called by the two states that share so much. With funds previously intended for the Keystone Pipeline project, thousands of Americans will be employed to build a massive modern technology aqueduct that to span the country like the Interstate Highway projects of the 50’s.

Jilted Great Lake state governors and Ted Cruz have expressed great objections to the project which is projected to cost over One Quadrillionth Dollars. Brown and Cuomo justified the effort by citing the vast amount of wine reserves the states can share in exchange for water that other states may contribute.

Further details are coming on April 1 2016.

The Gazebo on the River in Glenclyffe

We came across this magical place quite by surprise

while on a walk to Arden Point we were excited to find the path that branches off to Glenclyffe was now clear of snow. It must be even more surprising to discover this gem once it is hidden by the lush green trees we will soon enjoy.

Two stone paths, one on each side, lead up to structure. As we approached images of monks stepping carefully forward, hands in prayer or frolicking partiers balancing glasses of champagne, played in my mind. As we stepped inside, the spanning view of the river captivated our attention.

Continue reading The Gazebo on the River in Glenclyffe

Inspiring Young Artists’ Work Exhibited at the Garrison Art Center

We loved experiencing these young artists’ work

on display in the Garrison Art Center School Invitational Theme and Mentor Exhibition. The work is inspiring, uplifting. We were fortunate to catch the last day of the show.

Continue reading Inspiring Young Artists’ Work Exhibited at the Garrison Art Center

Weekend Getaway Guides

There is Never Ending Beauty to Enjoy

throughout the Hudson Valley, like Kykuit, The Rockefeller Estate, in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. This hilltop paradise was home to four generations of the Rockefeller family, now open for your pleasure.

Continue reading Weekend Getaway Guides

Beautiful Even On A Cold Snowy Day

Stonecrop Gardens Will Warm Your Heart

with the awesome beauty of nature so carefully nurtured and preserved. Here are some images we captured during a visit here with friends for the Stonecrop Members Spring Open House today.

We will be visiting here often, I can tell.

Located in hills of Cold Spring, Stonecrop is a beautiful public garden and horticulture center where you will find an extraordinarily diverse collection of flowers and plants in greenhouses; woodland, grass, gravel and water gardens; exquisite raised alpine stone beds; as well as an enclosed English-style flower garden and a magnificent conservatory surrounded by water. And so much more.

Yellow Flowers

Once the home of Anne and Francis Cabot. Mr. Cabot was a financier and self-taught horticulturalist who created two of the most celebrated gardens in North America. Stonecrop Gardens

Continue reading Beautiful Even On A Cold Snowy Day

Please!

I Love How Easy It Is

To Get Here

From Here

For This

Alyssa Vitrano at Seoul Chicken 3

Read On

Forget the Toasts, Ditch the Flute Glasses, Just Drink Champagne!

To get to the dining mecca of the “LES” just take Metro North to Grand Central, walk a few blocks to the F train, cross 42nd to be on the NY Public Library side, hop on the F train, get off at Delancey, walk north on Essex, you are there.

An Intriguing World of Antique Books, Maps and Curios

Can Be Found at Antipodean Books

a fabulous book store and gallery on Garrison Landing created and owned by David and Cathy Lilburne. David was the first person Diana and I met here in Garrison when we were searching for a new home. His warm personality told us we were in the right place.

That’s Diana and David marveling over one of the many antique prints for sale in the store. Continue reading An Intriguing World of Antique Books, Maps and Curios

Happy Persian New Year 2015

Tonight we celebrate the Joy of Spring, Nowruz, with very good friends

A festivity of the joy of spring. Nowruz (Persian: نوروز‎, “[The] New Day”) it is at least 3,000 years old. The first day of the Persian calendar, this year the holiday began on March 21st and lasts for 12 days. This date makes so much more sense to me than January 1st. For me life begins with spring.

It is a secular holiday, yet Nowruz is deeply rooted in the rituals of the Zoroastrian religion. It is celebrated and embraces the unique cultures of Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Tajikestan, Pakistan and parts of India and among the Kurds. And all over the world by people of these wonderful lands. We will be celebrating in Montclair in NJ.

The photo “Tajik girls celebrate Nowruz in Dushanbe, Tajikestan” is from the website of Dr. Kaveh Farrokh who is dedicated to the Advancement of Ancient Iranian and Classical Studies. Continue reading Happy Persian New Year 2015