Sunday, August 31, 2008

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Liberty & Mt. Tremper

A view of the Village of Liberty from a hilltop.



Leaving Liberty, driving through Grahamsville, past all of the old reservoirs that hold water for New York City, we come to Mt. Tremper where an old silo has been turned into a giant kaleidoscope ~ you go inside and watch the kaleidoscopic show. This picture was taken at the Kaleidoscope Museum. There are workshops (the next one is Sept 6th) where you can learn to make your own kaleidoscope.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Under the Viaduct

Built in 1906 by the Erie Railroad, the viaduct is very impressive. A blogger friend and I walked underneath it for as far as we could.


We first saw it in the distance while on our way to visit Swissette Herb Farm near Salisbury Mills, NY.


It's all in the same mountain range, but the areas of hills and mountains have different names now --here is another shot taken at Storm King, not all that far from the viaduct.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Summer Days

Is this the last week to relax with friends before school begins?

Storm King Art Center is open until November. The 500 acre park is worth visiting in any weather.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Bethel Woods and Sixty Miles Away

It wasn't hard to get photos of couples kissing at the Hippiefest Concert on August 3rd. This was at the Bethel Woods Center, which is located on the site of the Original Woodstock Concert.
--Not to be confused with the Village of Woodstock NY, sixty miles away.

But there often is confusion, and here in Woodstock, stores rake in plenty of dough selling the idea of the Woodstock Concert along with the Sixties in general.


This shop is set up like a big maze -- of clothing and misc. There is no place like it, and if you hate enclosed spaces, don't go inside unless you want to freak out.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Guardians of the Veg

It's good to see kids in trees. (this was a smallish tree on a grassy hill above the market, and the kids are experienced climbers.) They were waiting for their parents, who went to buy fruit and bread. There was an impressive pile of veggies under their tree.


The kids were having fun both climbing and also just sitting, watching the market place below. They agreed to having their picture taken.



Me too, says little brother. Makes you want to climb a tree, and just sit up there, doesn't it?

Friday, August 22, 2008

Farm Fresh Food

Summer is going by quickly, so it's time to plan that weekend in the Catskills.


A mother and daughter at the Liberty Farmer's Market which opens every Friday at 3pm. Where else would you get fresh quail to make for dinner? The produce is fantastic. Organic breads, pies and pastries, jams, desserts, quiches, herbs, and espresso. You could easily spend a contented hour at the market.


An old farm vehicle in the Catskills (An International Harvester station wagon)

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Stone Arch Bridge

In 1952 this bridge that sits between Jeffersonville and Kenoza Lake New York, was designated a historic site. It is the last stone arch bridge (of its type) left in the United States. A few other famous stone arch bridges survived, but most were so well located for local travel, that the modern highways followed the route and replaced them.


The bridge is worth visiting and there are nice hiking paths -- you can enjoy a short ramble ( there's also a park for picnicking and grilling, and a playground.)

Well situated for a country drive, you will pass the bridge driving from Jeffersonville to Callicoon, or from Narrowsburg to Jeffersonville. It is also on the way to Honesdale, PA. which has an old fashioned downtown full of shops, is very pedestrian friendly, has a good farmer's market, and the anthracite coal museum. Callicoon has an old art deco cinema still in operation and many good restaurants, antique shops, and friendly locals. Narrowsburg is famous for the eagles that nest in the area and are seen soaring over the little town. Wherever you're headed, be sure to stop at the bridge.


(you can click on images to enlarge any photo here)


On this particular bridge, a murder was committed due to a long standing feud between two men. One man claimed to have put a curse, or hex on another, and frequently taunted him publicly about it. Whenever any bad luck came his way, the supposedly cursed man was gossiped about, and some people began to feel he was cursed. Finally, it became unbearable for the cursed man and he killed the man who had set a hex upon his family --on this bridge.

The Blue Mountains

It's easy to see why The Catskills were once called The Blue Mountains.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Old Green Car

Driving down Old Loomis Road towards the Village of Liberty.


We pass an old green car.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Friday, August 8, 2008

Liberty Farmer's Market

Mother & daughter at the market today, this daughter is a jewelry artisan. The market is growing more interesting every week. Handmade tote bags and string bags have replaced plastic bags, you can get a cup of fair trade organic coffee brewed to perfection, and buy seriously beautiful handcrafted items, herbal lotions, soaps and creams. The market has plenty of produce, organic breads and desserts, farm raised quails and chickens, and much more. You could easily spend an hour there, enjoying every minute.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Stairway Theme / Fire Escape

The Old Loomis Sanitorium