So much to do in the Hudson Valley, but where do you start? We have some answers and resources.
The Duchess Rail Trail is a wonderful 13 mile paved treelined trail that runs from the former Hopewell Junction train depot, north to the Poughkeepsie entrance of the Walkway over the Hudson. Continue reading Smooth Cycling on the Duchess Rail Trail
Diana spent three weeks in Nepal with work for a Walls that Unite project, more on that in a moment. She fell in love with the Nepalese people and their cuisine. You don’t find dining as exquisite as this everywhere in Nepal, yet it did bring back such fond memories for her.
One of her favorite dishes were Momos, pictured above. They are a type of dumpling from neighboring Tibet, thought to be from the people of the Newari civilization who’ve dwelled in the Kathmandu valley for may centuries. Continue reading Jewel of the Himalayas, an Evening Back in Nepal
Created during the American Revolution the North Redoubt and South Redoubt trails in Garrison lead to an awesome vantage point. They carry a great deal of history. It is palpable, you can almost feel the spirits of Continental soldiers who passed this way. Continue reading Hiking the North Redoubt Trail Steeped in History
Across the river near West Point is the historic town of Highland Falls. It has seen its better days despite being so close to the Military Academy, but there are some high points worth exploring.
We liked the farmer’s market which is held every Sunday from 9:00-2:00 through October. We also explored the “The Highland Falls ArtWalk: Leadership and Wisdom” which is on display through Nov. 20. A link to the NY Times Article and a video on this show is below . Continue reading A Visit to Highland Falls Farmer’s Market and Sculpture Walk
Picture yourself high in the sky with a birds eye view, on the watch from the crows nest of a tall masted schooner, yet you are on solid ground, a bridge in fact with a beautiful view, north and south, of the mighty Hudson.
Walking or on your bike, it is quite a spectacle. A modern structure that connects the rail trails from Highland to Poughkeepsie and beyond, east and west.
At both ends are information centers and great signage to guide your journey. Along the bridge are bits of Hudson River history and trivia.
On the Poughkeepsie side there is a guide to side trips around town.
On the west end there are food trucks and a picnic area. Parking is easy on both.
A delightfully versatile white wine pleasant as a starter with cheese or olives but then very able to pair with a rich sausage roast like this one we made with meat from Marbled Meat Market in Cold Spring and fresh produce from the area.
Made by the small Adega Marea Alta in Galicia, Spain whose wines are mostly consumed in Spain it is a delight to find her at Dylan’s Wine Cellar in Peekskill.
It comes forth with a glistening soft straw yellow color with a touch of green. It was reserved at first with a tight grapefruit lemon aromas and flavored that morphed into apple and tart peach, even pear much like a good California Sauvignon Blanc. The trick with this wine is to let it breath, after being open for a little over an hour the aromas and flavors really intensified.
Made with classic and exotic Spanish grapes Albarino, Caino Blanco, Godello, Loureiro, and Treixadura that give the wine a beguiling complexity that we adored.
Watch what David Hunter of the great Chelsea Wine Vault has to say.
i have been awoken.
with my eyes still closed.
by the rising sun
from an unknown island
where the grave of my saint lies
The rays of the the sun,
bows upon my spirit
with pleasure
leaving some kind of enthusiasm in me
like a rose left with a smile.
As i open my arrogant eyes
just to see a beautiful sun
rising from defeat
at a far distance where i could not touch.
i was statued like i was electrocuted
but a smile spread over my visage
just to experience a beautiful morning.
Solomon Bright Dankwa
From an ocean and hemisphere away Diana reports great success with her work in Rwanda,
Her company ArtWare for Good has a program called Walls That Unite that combines art and education to create change in the world through the universal language of art.
For the last week she has been in Rwanda with her friends and partners Nancy Uslan and Jeanine Polizzi for the culmination of a recent projects for the Kabwende and Bisate Schools there.
The project engaged 5th grade students of the Bullock School in Montclair, NJ and students of Monmouth University to create an art installation and literacy project. Together they wrote and illustrated stories that were published in a book that was distributed to 2,000 children in Rwanda. ![BookCover[2]](https://hudsonvalleypleasures.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/BookCover2.jpg)
The stories were inspired by each letter of the alphabet that were also made into art that became part of a tile wall mural that was brought across the sea and mounted at the schools.
The project was a tremendous success, a life changing experience for all involved.
This past weekend I went on an expedition south and east in search of new booze purveyors. My trip took me to Hudson Valley Beverage in Mahopac, NY which was a disappointment and Suburban Wines and Spirits in Yorktown Heights which was an utter delight.
I felt like a kid in a candy shop, so many intriguing wines and liquors to choose from. It is without a doubt the best wine and liquor store in the 20 mile radius from our home base of Garrison Landing.
I am still getting used to this separation in New York. Wines and Spirits under one license and beer and malt liquors under another. In New Jersey you can get both in the same establishment.
Suburban celebrates “vive la différence.” Yes I am stretching the meaning of that phrase to make a point. While you can get the standards, I walked away with my purchases in a Barefoot Wine box, but none of that for me, I like the exciting different and unique finds, and here there are many.
A new Garrison friend suggested I try Suburban as we discoursed on the wine and things. I told him how much I like Viscount and Mid-Valley, but he smiled and said wait till you see Suburban. Frankly the thought of driving down into the congested roads of Yorktown was not encouraging. I enjoy being here in the quiet realm of Putnam, try to avoid leaving at all cost. But leave I must and am so glad I did.
You see Suburban is a place where they call their staff with titles like Wine Maven, Whiskey Fanatic and apt names they are. For even as traveled and seasoned in the world of wines and spirits that I am, I found many new and exciting things here.
Can’t wait to get back for more.
Suburban Wine & Spirits
379 Downing Drive
Yorktown Heights NY 10598
Phone: 914-962-3100
