I’m an early riser and wondered what to do before my scheduled breakfast. I had missed the origin of the days sunrise so decided to explore this public garden.
From the moment I saw the sun peeking over the trees and the inviting pergola and pond I knew I made the right decision.
At over 170 acres which started at 7 in 1977 by locals who wished to share their research and interest in horticulture.
Luckiest part for me is that this is only one section of the arboretum. I returned to me hotel for breakfast after this so there’s so much more to explore for the next time.
Link to the Arboretum below. MOUNTAIN TOP ARBORETUM, 4 MAUDE ADAMS ROAD, TANNERSVILLE
I came to Tannersville for a bike tour which turned out to be a strenuous and serious bike race. I opted for a slower ride and ride into the North South campground in Haines Falls beside Tannersville.
I found it’s also an area with several hikes to three overlooks. This blog is about Newman’s ledge.
The hike was only about a mile and a half to the Ledge. It is a bit of a narrow path as you approach the ledge.
There is literally a wedge of cliff off the ledge!
I look so relaxed don’t I!? I got you fooled! W
Watch your step and don’t look down! Conquer your fears. Don’t let anything stop you.
County Road 18 off of Route 23A, Haines Falls, NY. I stayed in Tannersville and enjoyed that town. Refer to blog below.
The little town of Tannersville was a big win for me! What a rush!
First it has a 2.7 mile bike path.
It is a dirt and gravel road so better for a hybrid versus road bike but fun nonetheless.
You can then return on route 23 through the town to a lovely variety of restaurants and stores. I loved how the shutters were all painted to coincide with the offerings.
You can stop at the local diner, get a healthy drink from the juice bar or stop at the Mexican restaurant for the best black bean soup at Pancho Villas.
The longest lines were consistently at Mommas Boy for hamburgers and ice cream.
Fun town. Very close to Kaaterskill Falls, North-South campground and Platt Clove. Lots of great things to do. Make the time!
I highly recommend Hotel Mountain Brook around the corner for lodging. Below is the link to my visit to the falls.
I chase sunsets and love to go to see them in different places and find unique perspectives.
In the Catskills I read to go to Ashokan reservoir and just stop your car.
I stopped the car on the side of the road, climbed over a barrier and stepped on my glasses to get these cell phone shots but that was all part of the fun and the great memory!
Not too far from CT, a couple of hour drive, is an achievable hike to the Overlook Mountain Fire Tower in Woodstock, NY.
The 2.5 mile hike up offers the remnant of an old Stone Hotel around mile marker 1.9.
It’s an easy hike up when you consider you are walking up a gravel road. However the grade is pretty steep at points. There were rocks along the sides where you could in theory sit a moment but the area speaks of timber rattlesnakes as a true concern.
The top of the creaky fire tower offers 360 views. I could only make it to the third platform as I was too chicken. The tower is listed on the National Historic Lookout Register
I hear this is where the rattlesnakes are most prevalent so stay on the trail. Apparently they come out mid day for some sun. I read there are the most here in comparison to any of the other Catskill mountain hikes.
Then there was the overlook on a ledge with expansive views of the Catskills, Ashokan Reservoir and the Hudson River. Some folks were able to sit right to the edge! No way. This was close enough for me.
There are even ranger volunteers at the top sharing a bit of history as well as providing some water for a donation of your choice.
Parking is for about 20 cars. I recommend going early if it’s a hot day.
Definitely enjoy a walk and lunch following in the town of Woodstock. I treated myself to a lovely meal at Cucina and a small “Joe Cocker” cupcake as a little reward at Peace, Love and cupcakes.
I’ll be honest, I was pooped! But it was a physically and mentally rewarding day!
Falling Water preserve is part of Scenic Hudson hikes and was opened to the public in 2011.
A few miles offering a variety of types of hiking including scenic views along the river, fun benches and structures and two small but refreshing waterfalls.
I even spied a snake taking a sip.
There’s parking for about 10 cars. Dominican Ln, Saugerties, NY
Tropical Storm Elsa had just passed. For me that meant it was time to chase waterfalls!
Located in the Catskills mountains, I heard of Kaaterskill Falls and how crowded the hike had become since the pandemic with the parking overflowing necessitating strict rules be put in place.
Fortunately this was a weekday and I was on a mission!
As I started the hike from the lot, the towering trees made me think I was in a storybook fairytale expecting a gnome to peek out at any moment.
The hike to Kaaterskill Falls is short to the top and then you can take a trip to the bottom!
Getting to the bottom does require a bit of scrambling as well as a walk down an uneven stone staircase. Also keep in mind that when wet the surfaces are quite slippery.
I think those gnomes were around on this day in July after the storm as they perfectly placed an everlasting rainbow at the foot of the falls.
I read from an article the following “If you visit on June 19, keep an ear out for the ghostly barks of a dog said to haunt the spot ever since leaping over the precipice on that date in 1868. “
Looked like a perfect place to discover on my bike.
Started at Nyack State Beach park and was definitely impressed as I started my ride along the shoreline of the Hudson River.
The first mile to mile and a half was flat with a gravel/dirt path with some parts paved. I was then surprised to start a climb up Hook Mountain.
Once starting up is when you head into a wooded and shaded trail with opportunities for scenic overlooks onto the water as well as various stone artifacts.
I learned there are also alternative hiking routes you can then take to Hike to the plateau. A volunteer group recently created a new zig zag trail made of stones to help get you up there (June 2021). I plan to try that soon.
The road again tapers off to a flat road as you reach the trailhead at Haverstraw. There is room for a few cars in this lot which is free. I chose to bike on spying Harbor cafe about 1/2 mile going through a residential street and construction until you reach the Harbor community with the cafe.
The view of the Mario Cuomo bridge on the way back was lovely even with the hazy, hot and humid day. The trail head at the Nyack State Park offered rest rooms and a vending machine was welcomed at the return.
I likely did about 14 miles in total. As an aside, with an annual Empire State Park pass you can park for free. Otherwise it’s $8 at the Nyack Beach location.
I started my launch in a new location in East Haven, CT at Farms River.
There were several choices in what type of paddle to experience. I chose to start with a paddle up River.
It was a nice and easy up river paddle with ospreys nests and houses with docks along the sides. Seemed like a welcoming community of people who decorated their shore line in boating fare.
At one point however, the paddle became tougher trying to get through an old “tide gate” of the river. I couldn’t make it through! I relented and allowed the flow of water to bring me back downstream.
I then turned into Farm River gut into Granite Bay. Lovely rock formations and cliff side shores until you find a small local neighborhood beach which appears to have been on Clark Avenue. I stopped for a bit of a respite.
Spying several paddlers on the water I decided to venture out again and while I was going to return to the launch I decided to first paddle beside Kelseys Island.
Performing quick research from the water I found that while there are private cottages on the island, the beach is public to those that can reach it! The area is also filled with different kinds of birds.
I stopped on it’s shore and found it lovely and serene. So cool to only be able to get there by boat! This was definitely one of my favorite launches for the variety!
Pivot and Pause in New England 