Pivot and Pause in New England
A Photographic Journal of Opportunities
Today was a perfect day for forest bathing.
The wind shook the trees sending the leaves of many colors through the air and over the waterfall to the babbling brook until finally resting on the mossy rocks.
It was a great show!
Saugatuck Fall in Redding CT
491 Redding Rd, Redding, CT 06896
Park across the street at John Reed High School.
Recommend The Barn or Redding Roadhouse for a meal.
Fall, biking, farm dinner, music, apple cider donuts, new friends, old friends, puddles, overlooks, sunshine . . .
So many gifts from the weekend!
Options to ride various number of miles from 15 to 125! The Berkshires are hilly so 70 was enough for me!
Look up Farm to Fork Adventures and give back to the local farms.
I was asked tonight if I ever tire taking pictures of the sunset.
I enjoy not only sharing the beauty of the capture but I have a forever memory of who I was with, what we shared, watching that bird circle the rocks (that I slipped and fell upon from the slime), seeing the 5 rabbits scurry the path, watching the elderly couple sit in the car admiring the view, welcoming the pink shadows against the NYC skyline, almost getting locked in as I overstayed my welcome in the park.
So no, I never tire of taking pictures of the sunset as there’s always a joyful unique story behind each one.
9/20/23
For the past four years, Caramoor has offered morning sessions of meditation or yoga accompanied by music.
I had the opportunity to attend one of the events within the beautiful sunken garden.
Starting with the sounding bowl, the audience was led through the mediation which seamlessly led into the live music of violin and cello.
Many brought a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grounds subsequently.
A wonderful evening at Aquilas Nest at dueling pianos.
Favorite wine is their Dry Rose
While it was cloudy and humid, I found the moment when the sun peeked through to capture the sunset opportunities overlooking the vineyard.
One my favorite vineyards in CT!
While I love the Catskills, I found Sullivan County hit or miss so I share my favorites.
Entertainment – Bethel Woods – cooking demonstrations and tasting – the home of 1969 Woodstock
Dinner and Wine – Seminary Hill Vineyard
Cattail Brook Falls- Livingston Manor – a bit hidden in plain sight.
Livingston Manor Covered Bridge -1869;
Roeblings wire suspension bridge – oldest in US and used to be an aqueduct with cars now where the water used to be PA on the other side.
Hawks Nest road overlooking Delaware River- originally a dirt road in 1859;
Enjoy a great weekend in the Catskills. Sights may need a bit of research for best trajectory and timing for your trip. That’s my main tip!
We continued dodging the rain but we decided that under the tree canopies we would be protected – together with our raincoats anyway. So off we went to Lasdon Park for our walk and not a moment to regret.
Well, this certainly appeared like destiny for me as I have loads of cut up wood and need ideas! We loved the fairy walk in the woods!
We continued with a stroll around the Chinese pavilion area. We saw geese, rabbits hopping all about and unique birds. The reflections in the center pond continued to allure us.
Our visit was a brief one and we felt it was time to go as the humidity increased and my pace slowed. This park is fun in all seasons and also offers special events.
Lasdon Park, Katonah – gates lock so don’t dawdle!
My favorite event at Caramoor is their annual American Roots Music Festival. Beautiful venue, great artists with the option to bring a picnic with BYOB!
While this year was a day with periods of rain, it was nonetheless a great place to bring my dear friend to share in the appreciation of the environment.
Instead of a picnic we wound up going into the cute town of Katanoh in between sets and had a great lunch at Jay Street Cafe and also stopped at Lasdon Park to share the Chinese Pavilion.
Caramoor, Katonah, NY
On top of the world is how I felt as we climbed to see the view from the top of Bonticou Crag at the Mohonk Preserve.
As it was Fathers Day, I reflected at the top of my Papa who would have been so nervous by knowing I made this climb. He was scared of heights and anything that could even scratch his Bubba.
At first I too was intimidated by the reviews of the hike which describes the rock scramble to the top as challenging. Stuck in between was a review that spoke of an alternate less strenuous route to the top. That’s the one we chose and it was well worth the jaunt.
Come early as the lot is small and necessitates either a Mohonk Preserve pass by person or $15 pp.
I can hardly express how much joy I get from this tree – together with friends who each year return to view it with me. Especially in the spring where its flowers look like snow flakes in the foggy background
I was gifted a wind chime with a low pitch gong that periodically reminds me to be present and appreciate the sounds, the scents and the view. It was perfectly placed on the tree by another friend. I appreciate each of my friends and recall of their contributions each time the tree blooms and the chime sounds.
But of course they’re not snowflakes. They’re beautiful magnolias that only bloom for about 3 weeks a year. They may even shed sooner if there’s a hard April shower.
All the more reason to stop and smell the magnolias every year around Passover and Easter and celebrate the new beginnings of Spring with friends – new and old.
Pivot and Pause in New England