Adventures for Anyone: Taking a Break from the Bucket List and Talking About a Great View!

It's been over a year since we started living our lives per the rules of Covid-19. We are in the age of vaccination, and that is great, but we still have a way to go and it's Spring. I decided to take a break from writing about all the exotic places that we all want to travel to, because I want to put some thoughts out there about some things that have helped me weather the pandemic. What I want to talk about is the view.

We may not be ready to get back to shopping malls, crowded restaurants, concerts, parties, movie theaters, or flying on airplanes yet, but mother nature is roaming on and bringing us some nice weather. During the last year or so, my life has changed as have most people's. One of the least changed parts of my life, are my casual activities. One of my favorite things to do is to get out and see a great view.

One of my favorite activities is to take a drive and take a walk on a bridge. I've found some whoppers. The first one I would like to mention is the Rip Van Winkle Bridge across the Hudson River in New York State. This grand old bridge hails 100 feet above the river and is pedestrian friendly. It is a great way to enjoy the area.

Olana Mansion and Historic Site are on the East side of the river with a great view of the bridge. The Olana Estate was the home of Frederick Church, a noteworthy Landscape Painter from the 1800's. The mansion is decorated as a Moroccan home, while incorporating various collectibles and a sometimes rustic atmosphere. The grounds house sculptures and have amazing views. Then after, go down and take a walk across the bridge and get another amazing view of the river valley from the Skyway Across the Hudson.

Olana and the Rip Van Winkle Bridge are at the edge of the Catskill Mountains in Greenport, NY, just a bit away from the old whaling city of Hudson.

Not far from where I live is the Arrogoni Bridge in Middletown, CT. This more than 1200 foot long bridge hangs more than 100 feet above the Connecticut River. The parking is best on the East side of the bridge. The view of the valley and the city is amazing, and the bridge is set up for pedestrians. The bridge towers so high that you have to look down at the old railroad bridge crossing the river below.

Another of the fabulous aspects of walking this bridge is that there are several state parks in the area, so you can have a great time outdoors.

One of my favorite views is from The Walkway Over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie, NY. This repurposed railroad bridge towers 200 feet above the mighty Hudson River. It was opened as a state park in 2009, and has become wildly popular year round. The trail has now been extended for miles on either side of the river as a rail trail system and this part belongs to Dutchess County.

There are so many ways to enjoy this choice. There is a road bridge, that has a walkway as well. These two bridges are connected by a marked trail to make a loop. So, one trip, two bridges; amazing views of the Hudson Valley.

I have been to this area during each and every season, and I can tell you that there is not a bad time to walk this bridge. During the pandemic, the people who use this bridge have been extremely courteous. They wear masks and social distance and it makes all of us feel comfortable.

If by some chance you get into the city, my all time favorite bridge walk is The Brooklyn Bridge. This world famous behemoth has been straddling the East River since 1876 and is one of the most famous pedestrian friendly bridges anywhere. It's a long walk for a bridge as you start well into the borough on either side, extending the walk by almost a half mile. I like to walk from Brooklyn to Manhattan, because it's some of the best views of the city in front of you the whole way. You can also see the Stature of Liberty in the harbor either way.

Little known fact to the visitor; there are many pedestrian friendly bridges in New York City. If you get a chance to get to the city, which is still struggling with the virus a bit, you can take your choice.

I like a high bridge, a long bridge, or just an unusual bridge. One of my long standing favorites is The Bridge of Flowers in Shelbourne Falls, MA. This bridge is a veteran's memorial made out of an old trolley bridge. It's like a walk in the garden, but over the river.

Both of the bridges in Shelbourne Falls are pedestrian friendly and have great views of the Deerfield River. The town is a little village where you can look at the local falls, see all the quaint buildings, and even stop at some independent bookstores. The town is right off the Mohawk Trail (Route 2) in Northern Massachusetts.

There are many ways that I have survived the pandemic without losing my mind. I do love a good bridge walk. I also hunt waterfalls, walk rail trails and greenways, I go on photography drives, I go kayaking and so much more. I've always spent a lot of time outdoors. I've actually been a bit miffed at times in the last year when the parks have been so overcrowded that I can't fit in. But, if you find that you aren't quite ready to jump on a plane and go to a crowded resort; take a walk outside and enjoy the view. Whether it's water, bridge, park, or anything else; getting outside can make everything seem better. Enjoy!

https://shelburnefalls.com/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g41809-Shelburne_Falls_Massachusetts-Vacations.html

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/bridge-flowers

https://www.traillink.com/trail/bridge-of-flowers/

http://www.mohawktrail.com/

https://www.nps.gov/places/mohawk-trail.htm

https://www.yelp.com/biz/golden-eagle-restaurant-and-gift-shoppe-clarksburg

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/poet-s-seat-tower

https://boswellsbooks.net/

https://walkway.org/

https://parks.ny.gov/parks/178/details.aspx

https://www.scenichudson.org/explore-the-valley/scenic-hudson-parks/walkway-over-the-hudson/