May 10, 2014 Walkway Over the Hudson

      It was most definitely an iffy morning but, after a couple of phone calls, our little group of five decided to chance it.  After all, we could always go out for breakfast.  Fortunately, six others decided to chance it and it turned out to be an excellent walk.
      The sun came out by the time we arrived, there was a nice breeze just perfect for a walk on the bridge.  There was a walk for celiac disease scheduled and the parking area and road shoulder filled quickly.
     Six of us brunched at the nearby Gateway Diner and discussed potential walks.

nice new sign

love the various shades of spring green

view from Highland side

the Poughkeepsie waterfront

up river view

not the best pic but included anyway...I think cheese works better than money

Poughkeepsie from the bridge

waterfalls on the Highland side

May 3, 2014 Cornish Estate

     We numbered 8 and it was a beauty of a day.  Weather was perfect...we had sun and it was coolish.  A group of volunteers from I Love My Park was busy clearing the area around the ruins.  They've done quite a bit of cleaning and it's starting to look much better. 
     This time I forded the stream with the others and  made it to the bigger waterfall.  [Actually there are several.]  Due to the large amount of rain during the middle of the week, the stream[s] was/were full and there were many waterfalls.  [I took pix of many of them but am only sharing a few...don't want to get too boring.]
     When we arrived at the bridge, Rich said it was about a 10-15 minute walk to the old dairy barns so I, along with five others, decided to continue on.  Two of the group chose to go back.  It probably would have been that short a trip for Rich who is a hiker but it took us quite a bit longer to get there.  We had to ford several sections of stream and thanks to the assistance of John & Rich we made it just fine.  I've wanted to see the barns for some time now and am glad to have finally made it.  The round trip added almost an hour though...not so great for the person waiting at the bottom.

the first of many 'fordings'

the estate pool with the Hudson River and Storm King in background

one view of the estate ruins

and another

we crossed here to reach the waterfall

another building ruin

one of the big waterfalls

and the top

just a little below is another big waterfall

view of Storm King

and Breakneck Ridge

the bridge

the bridge to the barn ruins

stream coming from the former lake

the dairy barn

the former lake now planted with trees ... the dam was deemed fragile and destroyed

     Three of us brunched at the Yankee Clipper in Beacon.

April 26, 2014 Poughkeepsie Cemetery

      It looked a little iffy when we left home but the weather report promised sun and we did see a little although it was mostly overcast.  Due to the cold winter, the spring blooms were just beginning.
     This was more of a stroll than a walk.  There were 10 of us and we spent time looking at the graves, peering into the mausoleums,  [many had stained glass and I took pix of several], looking at the flowers etc. 
      This cemetery has so many beautiful trees it was unfortunate that only a few of them were in bloom.  It was still an enjoyable walk.
      Four of us had lunch at Perkins.

beautiful magnolia tree

stained glass in mausoleum

more stained glass

view includes Mid Hudson b

ridge

a nice place to sit and observe the river

there were several homes in one section...this is part of a beautiful back yard garden

I think these were from Civil War

one of the fountains in the pond

the island had been planted with spring bulbs

interesting

 

angel with mardi gras beads and branch