"This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affectations glow and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn."


Saturday, September 21, 2013

Rhinebeck

I flew to NY, landed at JFK at 11:00 p.m. Chris met me and we set off on the two hour drive North to Rhinebeck.  I purposely chose a late night flight - because - those of you who have driven the NY freeways during *rush hour* know how dreadful it is...  we sailed up the freeway....and passed through pockets of.....FOG... but very different than SF Fog... more fleeting and gossamer-like.  But, at 1:00 a.m., I didn't see much - except for the beautiful Stag at the road's edge, staring at us as we drove by... (sadly, I didn't take a photo..)

 I awoke to find myself in a most beautiful part of the World....the Hudson Valley.




 Rhinebeck is a small village...population 3,000. 














 The weather gave me a taste of everything!  My first two days - it was REALLY hot....and humid...







Jinx, one of two neighbour cats....gets as close to cooling air as she can...

Here's Picholine..the other Kitty.. 






But soon, it began to cool down..... and we had some lovely storms - complete with Thunder and Lightning!  I loved it!











Autumn then began to make a beautiful, gentle entrance and Chris and Bofie took me to visit the wonderful Ferncliff Forest and Game Preserve....














Too slow with my camera...  all of Ms. Doe I was able to capture!







Chris and Bofie

Bofie says: *Come on, Mom...no time for photos....I want to EXPLORE*!


We discovered this marvelous *Viewing Tower* - for those brave enough to ascend.... of course, I HAD to!  Chris and Bofie kept watch below...(too hard for Bofie to climb so many steps..)

Halfway up, Chris said to turn around and wave!

Once on the top.....you had a fantastic view of the Hudson Valley .and (lucky me), a boat sailing up the Hudson!









Bofie patiently waiting for Mum to finish the climbing the Tower....




There are many Mansions in the *neighbourhood*...the Vanderbilts, the Roosevelts.....but one extraordinary one, though in a state of decay....Wyndcliffe....





We did visit the grounds and home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in Hyde Park.  I have never been to a President's home before (the White House doesn't count)...and I found it all interesting and quite moving.

The Stables!  

*New Deal* was the name of one of President Roosevelt's Horses....

President and Mrs. Roosevelt's Memorial Marker.  The President is buried right where the American Flag is.  Both graves were unadorned and beautiful in their simplicity.



The famous Roosevelt car....build so he could drive it without pedals....  (If you saw *Hyde Park on Hudson*, you saw a great replica of it.)


Many beautiful flowers in the gardens..  it's a lovely peaceful setting.



Part of the Berlin Wall has been added here too....


And.... Hyde Park Geese!  








Of course, there were less famous sites to visit.....like:

The Rhinebeck Farmer's Market

Bzzzzz...fresh honey !
Look at that shade of Purple!
I brought home a jar of Fig Marmalade......OMG!  Delicious!!!!

My last night, we ate at the Beekman Arms Hotel...the oldest hotel in America (1766).

We opted to dine in the Wine Cellar part of the hotel.....I adored it....you could imagine Women and Men in powdered wigs and brocade dresses and jackets, eating by candlelight...



 A romantic evening.....

All too soon, my 10 days had ended and we made the reverse trip down to NYC and JFK... but, I had a really happy time...and I hope to return to Rhinebeck and my two wonderful guys soon.

Love,

♥ Robin ♥


Posted by Robin at 12:50 PM
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11 comments:

  1. Cris, Oregon ArtistSeptember 21, 2013 at 1:26 PM

    Oh wow.. lovely place. I just saw an art series on PBS with David Dunlop who did a series of landscapes around the world, including Monet and he did a few in the Hudson Valley talking about the Hudson River painters. some pretty famous in the early 1900's. Sounds like you had a fun time with the whole gamut of weather. :)

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    1. RobinSeptember 25, 2013 at 7:53 AM

      Hi Cris...yes, the Hudson Valley is famous for (among other things) it's Artistic Community. Today, it continues to thrive....many Art Galleries and Exhibits in the area - including Rhinebeck!

      Love, ♥ Robin ♥

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  2. SnowbrushSeptember 21, 2013 at 4:16 PM

    My, Robin, you sure do travel a lot. The photos were wonderful. I've been the Warm Springs, but not to Roosevelt's New York home. There is certainly a great contrast between the two. I read a few books about Benedict Arnold year before last and thought about visiting West Point and Ticonderoga, but when I realized I would have to fly to NYC, rent a car, and fight traffic all the way, I lost interest. Been there, done that, don't want to do it again. Eugene traffic is bad enough.

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    1. RobinSeptember 25, 2013 at 7:57 AM

      Snow! It's always great to see you have visited. I actually thought of you when I was at President Roosevelt's Home... it was rather grand outside...but inside, really rather humble and not ostentatious at all.His favourite room was the Library... thousands of books, great window light to read by day - and beautiful (but not *fou-fou*) lamps to read by night. He came to Hyde Park often during his 3 1/2 year terms as President to re-charge... I understood that!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  3. TeriSeptember 22, 2013 at 9:08 AM

    Wow oh wow, what a beautiful place. Loved seeing it all. Thanks for taking us on the trip. So much to see...maybe I need to put this on my bucket list.
    Hugs

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    1. RobinSeptember 25, 2013 at 7:59 AM

      Teri.....you would be totally enchanted with the Hudson Valley... so many small, lovely villages...and a lot of Art Galleries!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  4. studio loloSeptember 22, 2013 at 11:43 AM

    Such a beautiful post! I loved the rain video and so hoped you'd get a good thunderstorm while there. It was tough knowing you were so close, yet so far away :(

    Great trip photos LS! I'm so glad you went.

    xoxo
    Love,
    BS

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    1. RobinSeptember 25, 2013 at 8:00 AM

      Dear BS,
      Yes, it was hard being so close to you...wish there was a short, direct route from Rhinebeck to Warren... next time, I'll have to stay longer and tough it out on Amtrak to see you!

      Love,

      ♥ LS ♥

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  5. marianneSeptember 28, 2013 at 10:26 PM

    What a beautiful trip you had with everything in it!
    Loved seeing all those pictures and good to see you had such a wonderful time.
    Hahaha that picture of Mrs. Doe!!!!!
    Have to talk soon. Today we will continue building the kitchen walls.........We did 1/3 yesterday.
    Hope to finish it in one or two days and then all will slow down as the builder will continue.

    Love to you dear!
    M

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  6. Amanda SummerSeptember 30, 2013 at 9:30 AM

    what a gorgeous getaway - i'm still remembering your trip to visit chris and bofie last year in santa fe - what a wonderful contrast this was to the desert! i love the hudson river valley and sounds like you had an exquisite tour!

    xoxo

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  7. kjOctober 21, 2013 at 6:43 PM

    Hi robin, I'm just now applauding this wonderful trip and definitely your photos: better and better.

    :-)

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