August 9, 2014 Franny Reese Park

     EXCELLENT DAY!!!   The weather was sunny and warm but, again, not too hot.  Best of all.....David is back walking with us plus Lucille & Karl joined us for the first walk in quite a while; and we added a new member, Jan.  Our group totaled thirteen.  
     We walked up to the observation area and then followed the yellow trail to the white doing the entire white trail loop.  There were hills, some steep, but we [at least most of us] agreed it was a good walk.
     When we returned to the kiosk, we learned that this was the estate of Dr. Charles Roberts, a Poughkeepsie dentist.  He was also a successful dairy farmer and investor.  The estate had two mansions, servants' quarters, greenhouse, windmill, and a dance hall. The first mansion was built in 1868 and a larger one followed in 1880.  Frances [Franny] Reese was a major force in the establishment of Scenic Hudson.
     Five of us brunched at the Gateway Diner in Highland and rated it a 7.5. 

the trail from the parking area leads to this intersection...overlook to left & white trail to right

the bridge

the walkway

walkway closeup

nice day to be cruisin on the river

we think the hill in distance is Peach Hill, highest point in Dutchess Co.

one of the ruins

new barriers have been built around all the ruins

another view - perhaps this is 1st mansion

stairs to nowhere

this was probably the newer, larger mansion

ruins of a smaller building

we could barely see the river way down below

there are  many stone walls in most of the areas where we walk

the river is below

the view through the trees

    

August 2, 2014 Wallkill Rail Trail at Gardiner

          We had sun and it was a bit warm and slightly humid but reasonably comfortable and we continued our good luck with the weather.  There were seven of us for this walk and we walked toward the village of Gardiner from the Steve's Lane parking area.
           After the walk, five us brunched at the Village Market and Bakery where we made the final walk selections for the season.

some "wildlife"

there's a local skydiving place nearby

a nice place to rest in town

I feel like I'm more "in the woods" on this type of trail

gate to nowhere

and, as usual, a bunch of flower pix

July 26, 2014 Awosting Falls at Minnewaska State Park

      Five us got together at the diner in New Paltz and traveled to Minnewaska.  We drove around the parking area which was already almost full and didn't spot any of our walkers.  We decided to do something different and walk to  Awosting Falls instead of our usual walk around the lake.  We moved back down to the second parking area and walked to and past the falls to the trails end at 44/55. 
      The day was pleasant although slightly humid and we were thankful for another good walking Saturday.
      The five of us lunched at the College Diner and rated it an 8.

 

 

 

I always have to include some flowers

 

We walked along the Peter's Kill

the last of the Rhododendrum

near the top of Awosting Falls

a small waterfall and the top of Awosting

and the falls .. the water is pretty low

there's new life on the stump

two bent trees meet over the kill

there were many interesting rock formations

we're on our way back

the waterfall is in the distance

we view the falls again

just the top of the falls

trees along the trail have a tough time of it