I did a lot of moving in July, making tracks eastward till I hit Massachusetts. Eight stops, from Ohio to New York, where I spent most of the month, crossing the Mass state line on July 28th. Read on to see where I was and the adventures taken…
My Favorite Boat
In another lifetime, I fell in love with a boat. Not just any boat. This boat. The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. And, as it turns out, more than 35 years later, I’m still in love with that boat. Just look at her, she’s beautiful, in a functional, working-class boat kind of way. I had the opportunity to take a two-hour evening sail on the Clearwater last week and jumped on it. I hadn’t been aboard since I moved out of the Hudson Valley in 1987. So how did it feel to be back? In a word, magical.
Manitoga Center, NY
I lived in the Hudson Valley for several years in the early to mid 1980s and yet, I had never visited Manitoga, an artist’s retreat created out of the remnants of an abandoned rock quarry. Last month, it was time to rectify that situation and see what Manitoga was all about. In the end, it was worth the two hours drive (one way!) to see this place, even on a very hot and humid Saturday.
Corning Museums, NY
While I was in the Finger Lakes region, I couldn’t resist the half-hour drive down to Corning to visit one of my favorite museums, the aptly named Corning Museum of Glass. Such gorgeous creations in there, and it is a treasure trove for photographers. While I was in Corning, I also checked out the Rockwell Museum down the street, since there was a combined ticket for both. I’m always up for a new museum. Read on to see the treasures I found…
Hiking the Gorge, Watkins Glen, NY
Last time I passed through Watkins Glen, the parking lots were stuffed full of cars and I was towing a trailer, so I didn’t stop and check it out. This year, I planned way better: four nights at the state park campground, giving me plenty of time to wait out the rain and heat (yes, there were both!) and hike the famous Gorge. It was definitely worth the wait.