July 19, 1014 Wallkill Rail Trail/Nyquist Harcourt Sanctuary, New Paltz

      The temperature was in the 70s but it was a bit humid.  There were only eight of us to enjoy the walk.  The parking area was almost full due to a biking group tour but we were able to find space to park.
      We began at the garden where a very nice Chinese woman enthusiastically showed us her very large garden.  She was very interesting and offered to share her produce with us.  We politely declined since we were going to be walking for a while.
      After enjoying the garden tour, we arrived at the sanctuary.  It was a pleasant walk to the bridge that crosses to the Huguenot Street entrance.  After relaxing a bit on the bridge, we continued through the forest then back along the river to the parking area.
      We all decided to walk to the chalk fest on Water Street.  Six of us enjoyed brunch sitting outside at the Mudd Puddle Cafe.  It was very good [freshly ground coffee and local fresh eggs] but we forgot to rate it.  After lunch, we checked out the art work.  There were many well executed pieces at various stages of completion.  The work would continue on Sunday.  I hope the Saturday night rain didn't have too much of a negative effect.

We walked along the Wallkill

Korean zucchini/squash

There were many flowers among the vegetables

These were at beginning of walk

I think this is the Huguenot Dam

Wood Ducks

Oxbow view

Skytop at Mohonk.  Looks like they're doing some repairs.

There were many different wildflowers.

The bridge to Huguenot Street.

View of a lot of algae from bridge.

Robin with lunch

Some chalk fest art.

and some face painting

Chalking a car.

There was an area for young people to create

Cone flowers along the street to the parking area.

 

July 12, 2014 Madam Brett Park

      Although the temperature was in the 70s, it was quite humid but still not too bad for walking.  Sixteen people showed up, including potential member, Mary Jo.
      We first walked to the left to view the waterfall then back past the old factory buildings to the new Dave Miller trail that links Madam Brett to the Dennings Point and Long Dock trails.  [Dutchess County has done an excellent job of mapping the parks in the county.  Their map showed that the link is complete while the Madam Brett maps do not yet.]  We walked to the Beacon Institute and then most of us turned back while five of our more ambitious walkers continued on the Dennings Point Trail.
      We've missed fellow walker, David, who once tax season is over, rarely misses a walk.  I heard from him that he's been experiencing some medical problems that have prevented his walking.  We wish him a speedy recovery and a quick return to walking!
      Seven of us enjoyed an excellent lunch at Beacon Falls Cafe, rating it a nine.

first view of the falls [I think it's Tioranda Falls]

the Fishkill Creek heads for the Hudson

two more views of the falls

We're very near the river

We just missed seeing a train on these tracks.

there's a nice garden area at the Beacon Institute

the Beacon Institute

coneflowers

and a closeup

I included a pic of these last week not knowing what they were.  They're wild raspberries.

Factory ruins.  Factories in this area made hats and buttons.

and more ruins

I love old doors.