June 14, 2014 Bear Mountain State Park

      It was overcast and humid when we began but the sun came out as we ended the walk.  There were eight of us.  We did our usual walk around Hessian Lake and down to the zoo.  The parking lot was beginning to fill by the time we left...mostly with hikers who were taking the main trails.
      Seven of us checked out the menu at the Inn but decided we wanted breakfast/brunch rather than just lunch; so we headed back to Cornwall to the Hudson Street Cafe  [where we ate last week] and enjoyed another excellent meal.

a type of dogwood

scenes along the trail

the mountain laurel is in bloom

the beginning of a trail up the mountain

and we're at the end

nice place to sit and enjoy the view

we could hear his song and finally saw the mockingbird high in a tree

one of the two black bears

and the other

some pretty flowers

close up

and another

the otter is gone but now there's a beaver

a tree of vultures

two swans and male and female mallards

they're so pretty but not very nice

this one had a badly damaged beak and had lost many feathers

I just missed shot of bear trying to climb tree.  Note all the vultures

June 7, 2014 West Point

      It was a perfect day for walking, with temp in 70's, nice sun, blue sky, a bit of a breeze; and 16 people agreed by participating.  It was a bit slow getting through the Stony Lonesome Gate as there were several events scheduled for that day.  We met at the px [commissary] and then combined transportation to the walk site.
      I find getting around West Point very confusing but, fortunately, Carol D knows her way around and she led us on the walk and back to the px.  We shared the trail with quite a few runners who were participating in a run, bike, run race.  They were on the last leg and some of them looked pretty worn out.  Kudos to all who participated in this difficult event.  We were pleased to see that there were a couple of women involved too.
      We walked slowly back to our vehicles enjoying the beautiful campus.  We're pleased to welcome Diana and JC as new members.
      Eight of us enjoyed a very good brunch at the Hudson Street Cafe in Hudson.  We rated it a 9.  Good walk, good food, good company...can't ask for more!

the beautiful Hudson River view

the battle monument and chairs at the concert area

checking out the memorial plaques

wild strawberry

some greenery along the way

and some more

the trail

another river view

we thought at first it might be an eagle but it turned out to be a hawk

the area where the chain was anchored

pretty place to sit.  I wonder how many marriage proposals have occurred here.

nice place to view the river

getting a little closer

we gathered at the top of the trail

army helicopters keeping watch over campus

wild rose

and a white one

campus view

equestrian statue of George Washington in front of hall named after him

statue at Trophy Point

another Trophy Point view

one of the canons

and some more