The Adirondacks, the Catskills, and our Hudson Valley

The Adirondacks and the Catskills are not nearly as high as the Rockies out west but to those of us who grew up in New York, they will always be beautiful.  We've had a busy week visiting friends and family and actually taking in some of the historical sites we've never had an opportunity to visit.

Last Thursday, we took a trip to visit a very dear friend who now lives in the Adirondack Mountains.  Although it has been 36 years since we worked together at the same law firm, we have kept in touch throughout the years.  She and her husband have been to the kids' weddings, family gatherings, and funerals.  With all our other trips back home to NY, she always made the drive down the mountains to visit us so this time we decided to make the drive to her "little" 4-bedroom cottage in the Adirondacks.  Jim and I were glad to spend the day with Betty and her husband, Art, and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.

RR tracks along the start of the Hudson River high in the Adirondacks

 

On Friday, we headed south along the Hudson to take in the beauty of the Catskills and explore one of the Vanderbilt mansions.  Not only is the location beautiful high atop the hills on the east side of the Hudson River, the Catskill Mountains are on the west side of the river.  The vista is magnificent - and the home is an absolute thing of opulence.  Built in the late 1800s, the mansion contains 55 rooms on six floors, was built in 26 months at a cost of $600,000 with another $2 million on the furnishings. 

 

The Vanderbilts were one of the richest families in American history and this little place was there spring and fall residence - they spent the summer in Newport and the winter in New York City.  The grounds are laced with beautiful gardens and magnificent trees. 

 

 

 

Across the river is a monastery that was being built around the same time the mansion was being built.  Because Frederick Vanderbilt wanted to make sure it was something beautiful for his guests to view when they visited, he opened his checkbook and gave them the money to build it right. 

The few pictures I've attached will give you just a taste of how we enjoyed our visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 We ended the weekend visiting Penny, Stewart, Tyler and Samantha in Poughquag, located 50 miles north of NY City.  Penny was away on business and returned Saturday night so while Stewart took Tyler to a soccer game on Long Island, we got to spend Saturday with Samantha and attended her dance recital on Sunday. 

 

On Tuesday, we will end our visit here in New York and head to Mystic, CT.  We are looking forward to continuing our journey.