Adventures for Anyone

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Olana and the Rip Van Winkle Bridge and Why They Are Inseperable

Welcome to the land of Rip Van Winkle; that's what the sign says. This is that land. You may remember the story of the man who went to sleep and woke up 100 years later. This is the land that claims to have spawned the legend created by Washington Irving, and the locals are very proud of that . There is a statue of Rip Van Winkle not far from the bridge of Rip Van Winkle in the center of historic downtown Catskill, New York. But where do the legends stop and the real world take over? Right about at that bridge. It's an impressive sucker. Between the beautiful steel structure and the open connecting part of the bridge, it's just a few feet shy of a mile long. It's more than 150 feet over the water too. It's a beautiful old steel bridge built in the 1930's as part of the work program during the depression. Eventually, it became a toll bridge as have all the New York Bridges crossing the Hudson River. You can always go west, but it will cost you to come back east. The Rip Van Winkle Bridge costs $1.50 to cross.

The best part about this bridge? Along one side is a sidewalk, so you can walk this bridge and enjoy all the amazing views that it provides. There are some interesting signs along the way, and I agree that life is worth living. There are also suicide prevention phones along the way just in case you are not of good mind to be walking on a high bridge over the Hudson River. Most Hudson River bridges have suicide buttons and phones, just in case.

The Hudson River Valley is loaded with beautiful sights. One of the best things about walking any bridge is the view. The Rip Van Winkle is a great old bridge on Route 23 in Catskill, New York. It's a passageway to the Catskill Mountains and the resorts there for skiing and festivals. There are a thousand things to do in the Catskills. The bridge is just the beginning. Walking a bridge is something that I've always enjoyed. The views are something that you just can't get any other way. From the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, one of the things that you can see is the Olana Mansion. That's where we are headed next.

Olana Mansion was the home of Frederic Church and his wife. Church was a premiere landscape artist of the mid 1800's and founded a style that is still used today in landscape paintings. His work became so well known that other artists started to follow his lead. The movement became known as the Hudson River School and the artists were its members.

Church is an artist that is still studied today, and unlike a lot of artists, he was famous during his lifetime. He was fascinated with light and perspective. He loved Niagara Falls, South America and the Andes, and the Middle East. His works were enormous and cannot be kept in the house. The small copies of his paintings that you see in the house are called studies of the originals. Most of them were painted by Church. Today there is a modern collection at any given time intertwined with Church's work in the upstairs of the mansion. Other than that, the house remains virtually the same as when Church lived in it during his life. It is one of the best preserved historic residences in the world.

When you first see the mansion, you know that the Church's loved the Middle East. The building was largely designed by Church himself and the designs remind me of Morocco everywhere I look. The arches, the painting, the windows and everything are Moroccan in likeness and Middle Eastern as a secondary style. It's one of the most unusual mansions adorning the Hudson River Valley.

One of the main reasons that this mansion was built in this location was for the view. Church loved this view of the river. He loved it so much that he and his wife bought land down the hill and built a small house on it in 1860. Today it's called the Cozy Cottage. Once the property was available at the top of the hill in 1870 he bought it and started work on the mansion that we see today. I've always believed that the view is important anywhere you go. I think that Church agreed, and the views are amazing.

For years, the Church's called this home The Farm. They finally settled on calling it Olana. Olana was similar to a term the Persians used for treasures storehouse. A place to store your treasures. And store them he did. Church was an avid collector and traveler. Everywhere he went, he brought home treasures and kept everything he ever acquired pretty much. The house is filled with all kinds of things. There are some things that look like they were found in a tomb, there's weapons, china, tapestries, statues and all kinds of things. Not to mention, the house itself was a treasure; hand painted on the outside and inside and carved stairways and other things. The house is beautiful. The paintings are beautiful. It's an amazing place.

My favorite part about Olana, however, was the view from the porch. You can see for miles. You can see the modern art on the grounds. You can see up and down the Hudson River. You can see the Catskills. You also get a great look at the Rip Van Winkle Bridge.

So, my journey ends here for now. Olana Mansion in Hudson, New York. Rip Van Winkle Bridge between Hudson and Catskill, New York. You can't beat the views. You can't beat the art. You can't beat the history. I will visit here again, as I have visited many times before. But you can't find a nicer way to spend the afternoon than walking a great old bridge and looking at a great old mansion with a view that's to die for. Enjoy!

http://www.nycroads.com/crossings/rip-van-winkle/
http://www.olana.org/
https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/23/details.aspx
https://walkway.org/olana
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/14/garden/14olana.html
http://www.historic-structures.com/ny/hudson/olana.php
https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/attachments/OlanaLandscapesandGardensintheHudsonRiverValleyMap.pdf
http://www.hudsonvalley.org/
http://www.vintagehudsonvalley.com/planner-historic-homes.shtml
https://www.hudsonvalley.org/historic-sites
http://www.jmscollective.com/historic-hudson-valley/historic-homes-in-hudson-valley/
https://www.booking.com/city/us/catskill.en.html?aid=306742&label=msn-HmW69m3ClEiOduRpZU8kIg-8491419238:tikwd-17101136280:neo:mte:dec:qscatskill%20new%20york&utm_campaign=NY%3A%20New%20York%20State&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=bing&utm_term=HmW69m3ClEiOduRpZU8kIg
http://www.visitthecatskills.com/
http://www.townofcatskillny.gov/Public_Documents/index
https://www.iloveny.com/places-to-go/catskills/
http://www.villageofcatskill.net/
http://gotohudson.net/
http://ilovehudson.us/
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/31/travel/hudson-valley-new-york.html?_r=0
http://www.nysba.state.ny.us/bridgepages/RVWB/RVWBpage/NYSWeb_RVW_page_NoLogo.htm
http://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=newyork/ripvanwinkle/
http://www.greatnortherncatskills.com/outdoors/rip-van-winkle-skywalk
https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=the+ring+of+the+queen
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y17BJP8
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1520990944
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B06Y1C2MS7
https://www.createspace.com/7059989
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34781535-the-ring-of-the-queen
http://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
https://www.zazzle.com/imagings
https://terri-dixon.pixels.com/
https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts
https://www.fictionpress.com/u/530752/Nina-Kindred

Kayaking is Something New and Fun For Me, So I Thought I Would Share

It all started for me a couple of years ago. I started to go to a little town close by and rent canoes to take out with my at that time young son. I used to live in a canoe when I was a kid. Not literally, but every summer, me and my friends would continually take off in our parents' canoes and go up and down our local river. We camped out like Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn, and we probably got into more trouble than we should have. But, the long and the short of it was this. It was a great way to get away from it all and it was fun.

As an adult I tend to revert to some of my old ways that were part of my childhood, but at this point in life I enjoy them for different reasons. After a bout with breast cancer which has obviously caused a little cash flow issue as anything will these days with the state that health care is in, I find that I am not traveling far right now. I am the type of person that needs to get away from it all on a regular basis, and since surgery and cancer, I need it even more. Knowing that about myself, just after Christmas I went and bought my little Pelican kayak. This thing is barely seven feet long and weighs only 26 pounds, so I can handle it. It allows me to get away and with the variety that my travel bug requires. I can do all of this and have some serene time, good exercise and a great view; all not far from home.

The little gem you see above is Burr Pond State Park and it's right in my town. This place is a beautiful wooded mountain lake with smooth water, a beach, hiking trails, and a waterfall. It's beautiful and it was a lot of fun kayaking there. Spending an hour on the water can make you feel calm and happy. It's not travel per se, but it is an alternative during the lean times.

Also right in my town is Stillwater Pond. This is another beautiful place to get away from it all. It's right along a main thoroughfare and It's still peaceful and beautiful. You can't beat it. Especially in Connecticut there are a ton of lakes that have state boat launches on them. With a kayak, all you have to do is get your gear which should include water shoes, life jacket, paddle, and I recommend a waterproof pouch. I use my waterproof pouch to put my iPod in so I can listen to music and take pictures on the water. Kayaks are extremely portable, so you can take them to a variety of places for a little gas money. It's a great bargain travel idea.

This one is Highland Lake and it's a huge residential area in the next town over from me. One of the things that I do to have the most fun kayaking is to check out new and interesting venues for my new hobby. In my case, our state Department of Environmental Protection has a map of all the state boat ramps right on their website. You will find that most state DEEP websites have a list or a map or something. This way you can find new and interesting places around you.

Irregardless of how you enjoy your time on the water--I of course take photos and videos while listening to music--it's a great way to get away from it all. Keep in mind, I have chosen lake and still water kayaking. I have a little kayak. There are different kinds of kayaks for rivers, ocean and such. Make sure you buy the kind of kayak that affords you the experience that you are looking for. All things considered, once the bills are paid I will hit the road more. For now, I love my kayak! Whether it's Dog Pond, West Hill Pond, Lake Waramaug, or wherever, it's a lot of fun. Enjoy!

http://seakayakct.com/
http://www.visitconnecticut.com/state/paddling/
http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dmf/recreational-fishing/boat-ramp-locations.html
http://www.visit-massachusetts.com/berkshiresandpioneervalley/boat-ramps/
http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=325288
http://www.austinkayak.com/blog/2012/02/therapeutic-paddling/
http://www.ctfishtalk.com/kayaking-canoeing-laws-t9209.html#.WUA5f9y1u70
http://connecticut.cbslocal.com/guide/guide-to-kayaking-in-connecticut/
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7832.html
http://www.ct.gov/deep/site/default.asp
http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?A=2686&Q=381794
https://kayak-therapy.com/
https://kayak-therapy.com/about/
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/canoeing-and-kayaking-health-benefits
https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=the+ring+of+the+queen
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y17BJP8
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1520990944
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B06Y1C2MS7
https://www.createspace.com/7059989
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34781535-the-ring-of-the-queen
http://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
https://www.zazzle.com/imagings
https://terri-dixon.pixels.com/
https://www.fictionpress.com/u/530752/Nina-Kindred
https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

More of the Things that I Wanted to Write About From Switzerland...Interlaken!

Interlaken. This is a very well known city in the Alpine Region of Switzerland. It's kind of the gateway to the Alps and sits in between the lakes. The lakes being Brienz and Thun. The in between is the flatland of Interlaken. The views from this city to the surrounding lakes and mountains is unmatched. It is another one of the most scenic places on Earth.

One of the best parts of Interlaken is the convenience. There are trains stopping in this burg every ten minutes or so. There are always a barrage of taxis and carriages at the train station to get the travelers where they're going. It seemed to me that everyone in that city spoke English too, which is great for us Americans. One of the important things for Americans traveling in Europe tends to be areas where people speak English. I don't subscribe to the idea that everyone should be able to speak my language, which is why I speak a few; but a lot of Americans never learn a second or third language and they need that gap bridged. Otherwise the only option that they have for travel is a guided tour. Guided tours are fine, but I like the freedom of independent travel. So, let's review. If you don't speak other languages, traveling to a beautiful area of Switzerland where most people already speak English is a good thing.

One of the amazing things about Interlaken is its variety of experiences. This is a modern city with all the shopping that you could imagine. This is a city with modern transportation and one of the most advanced train systems coming in and out of it. But, it also has turn of the century (19th into 20th century) buildings and horse and carriages on the streets. There are great modern boat tours to take on the lake as well as older sailing boat tours. There are mountain roads for you to drive to the summits in some areas and in others there are centuries old funiculars. It's an amazingly diverse atmosphere with highly contrasting experiences.

In Interlaken you will find everything that you might want to purchase on your trip to Switzerland. You can buy all kinds of modern things at Claire's Boutique or the Swatch Store. But, you can also buy traditional liederhosen. There's a wide variety. You can visit the cleverly camouflaged modern water closet underneath the street, but you can also stay in a grand old hotel. You never run out of options.

One of the things that I loved about Interlaken was the people. It was a place where you needed to go while staying in the Bernese Oberland like we were. The smaller towns don't have all the touristy shopping and restaurants that you find in Interlaken. The people of Interlaken seemed to expect to see all of us that were actually traveling to other places, but did our shopping and such there. They seemed to enjoy listening to our stories of our travels. It probably bored them to tears in reality, but they acted as though they were enthralled. The people that I met in Interlaken were friendly, helpful, and never seemed to take themselves too seriously. They wanted to help. I found that you could book one of the mountain tours of the area, and the lake tours and all kinds of tours from agencies in Interlaken. For an extra 10 ch you could book anything right there in the city and be all set when you arrived on site at your attraction. Very convenient. The Swiss know how to make tourism convenient, and that makes lots of tourists want to visit. The country is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen, but you throw in major convenience and it will be a booming tourism industry.

Another thing that you will find in Interlaken is all your American fall backs. There's McDonald's, Best Western, Baskin Robbins and so forth. It's all there if you don't like to try the local things while abroad. I do advocate trying the local fare and hotels while in Switzerland, however. The food was great everywhere I went, and if you like cheese and pork; you will love this country. I also would not have traded my experience with the hotel that we stayed in in Lauterbrunnen. We stayed at the Staubbach Hotel, and it was a fabulous experience. I still keep in touch with friends that I made while I was there. So, do it your way, but try something different. Fall backs are great, but adventure is great too.

To be honest, we only spent a day once and an afternoon another day in Interlaken. What I can say is that it was a great day and a half. There are a lot of day tour type things to do, both on the lakes and in the mountains. The shopping is great from giant flea markets to stores that remind you of Walmart to antiques, to traditional Swiss items, to watches, and beyond. One of the best things that I did in Interlaken was to sit at an outside cafe and eat and watch what went on before me. It was one of the best people watching experiences I ever had. It's a stop on the train or on the road. It's the place where you do your shopping and see some sights. It's that place where you get your supplies or catch your next train. It's full of wonderful people and grand old buildings. If you need a fix of American, you can get that there too. I wouldn't have missed seeing the touristy Interlaken. Would I visit again? I visited twice the last time I was in Switzerland. Of course I would. It's a great place, and if you run into some weather, which is always a possibility in Switzerland; this is your place to see a show or a movie or go on a pub crawl. There are so many reasons to stop off in Interlaken that you should give it a try. Enjoy!

http://www.wheretogowhattosee.com/switzerland/interlaken/excursionsFromInterlaken.php
http://www.interlaken.ch/en/cruises-lake-thun-and-lake-brienz.html
https://www.yatra.com/international-tourism/activities-in-interlaken/jet-boating
http://www.myswissalps.com/boatlakebrienz
http://www.myswissalps.com/boatlakethun
http://www.funimag.com/suisse/beatenberg01.htm
http://www.interlaken.ch/en/excursion-interlaken-heimwehfluh.html
http://thetrustedtraveller.com/things-to-do-in-interlaken/
http://swissvacations.com/pages/en/Interlaken.html
https://www.hotels.com/ho329182/hotel-interlaken-interlaken-switzerland/
https://www.raileurope.com/europe-travel-guide/switzerland/interlaken/index.html
http://www.magicswitzerland.com/activities/interlaken.htm
https://www.smartertravel.com/2017/02/09/interlaken-things-attractions-must-see/
https://www.alpenwild.com/trip/best-of-the-swiss-alps/overview/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Best%252520of%252520the%252520Swiss%252520Alps&utm_term=Jungfrau%252520Hiking%252520Tours&utm_content=Best%252520of%252520the%252520Alps
http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/articles/interlaken2.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3JbMUUilXk
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/switzerland/berner-oberland
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/switzerland
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/switzerland/central-switzerland-and-berner-oberland/interlaken
https://www.booking.com/city/ch/interlaken.html
http://www.interlaken.ch/en/discover-interlaken.html
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/interlaken.html
http://www.visitacity.com/en/zurich/activities/all-activities?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Zurich%20Activities%20G3&utm_term=day%20trip%20to%20interlaken%20from%20zurich&utm_content=jungfrau%3FactivitiesCategoryId%3D9059&activitiesSearchByName=Jungfraujoch&activitiesSortBy=reviewersNum
https://www.swiss.com/us/EN/Book/Flight/sidkcy6?openJaw=False&WT.mc_id=SEA_US
http://www.interlakenfreetour.com/en
http://www.swissvacations.com/pages/en/Interlaken_Attractions.html
http://www.interlaken.ch/en/walking-tours-interlaken.html
http://www.pureswitzerland.com/index.php/offer/swiss-guided-tours
https://www.getyourguide.com/-n41/?partner_id=4E76E&cmp=BING&campaignid=285007258&adgroupid=1250144724737159&targetid=kwd-78134046093402&matchtype=b&network=o&device=c&creative=78134045466670&keyword=%252Bswitzerland%2520%252Btours&partner_id=CD951
https://www.duvine.com/tour/switzerland-bike-tour/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=*Europe%20(USA)&utm_term=%2BSwitzerland%20bike%20%2Btours&utm_content=Switzerland%20Bike%20Tours
https://www.toursbylocals.com/Switzerland-Tours?s=BA_02_051B_%2Btouring%20%2Bswitzerland&utm_source=MSAC&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=02_051B
https://www.goaheadtours.com/tours/europe-tours/switzerland-tours?countries=switzerland&k_clickid=1c2762f7-e1f1-45cf-8fcd-378fffb0ef05&mt=b&popup=slider&regions=europe&utm_campaign=US_GAT_Western_Europe&utm_device=c&utm_group=Switzerland_Tours&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=bing&utm_term=%2Btours+%2Bswitzerland
https://www.affordabletours.com/Switzerland/?utm_content=8672641465&utm_term=%2Bswitzerland%20%2Btours&utm_campaign=Tours&utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=cpc&bquery=tours%20interlaken%20switzerland&bmatchtype=b&borderitemid=118013975944&badid=8672641465&device=c
http://www.hoteltravel.com/switzerland/interlaken/interlaken-public-transport.htm
https://www.makemytrip.com/holidays-international/transportation-in-interlaken.html
https://www.holidayme.com/Interlaken-tourism-CT31043/transportation
http://www.hoteltravel.com/switzerland/interlaken/guides/transport.htm
http://www.interlaken.ch/en/information-and-journey-to-interlaken/nightlife-in-interlaken.html
http://www.jungfraupark.ch/en/
https://theculturetrip.com/europe/switzerland/interlaken/entertainment/
http://www.hostelworld.com/blog/city-guide-interlaken-switzerland
https://www.trivago.com/?sLanguageLocale=US&iSemThemeId=4221&iPathId=47493&sem_keyword=b%26b%20Interlaken&sem_creativeid=75522721361680&sem_matchtype=bb&sem_network=s&sem_device=c&sem_campaignid=180518736&sem_adgroupid=2530049457&sem_targetid=116205238889&cip=122004022
http://www.hoteltravel.com/switzerland/interlaken/shopping-in-interlaken.htm
http://www.interlaken.ch/en/information-and-journey-to-interlaken/shopping-and-services-interlaken-holiday-region.html
https://www.smartertravel.com/2017/02/27/interlaken-shopping-shops-stores-best-buys-inside-tips/
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/interlaken/restaurants/overview
https://www.viamichelin.com/web/Restaurants/Restaurants-Interlaken-3800-Bern-Switzerland
http://www.rugenpark.ch/interlaken/en/interlaken_restaurants.htm
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y17BJP8
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1520990944
https://www.createspace.com/7059989
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B06Y1C2MS7
https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=the+ring+of+the+queen
http://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
https://www.zazzle.com/imagings
https://terri-dixon.pixels.com/
https://www.fictionpress.com/u/530752/Nina-Kindred
https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts
https://twitter.com/NinaKindred

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

A Little Hidden Gem in Litchfield, CT!

It's amazing how much time I have spent visiting all of the State Parks and State Forests around the tiny state of Connecticut. I have lived here for 25 years now. I can't believe it's been that long and I don't know where the time has gone. I have lived in the northwest hills of Connecticut for 23 years, and I can't believe that in all that time, I am just hearing about a magnificent place called Topsmead State Forest. The very first time I ever heard of this place was last year. It's right up the road from my house. Amazing.

Topsmead State Forest is the former summer estate of Miss Edith Morton Chase, daughter of Henry Sabin Chase and Alice Morton Chase. Henry Sabin Chase was the first President of Chase Brass and Copper Company in Waterbury. Chase Brass was one of the leaders in the brass industry when Waterbury was the Brass Capital of the world. -CT.gov DEEP.

That means that there is a beautiful old manor house on the 500 acre property. Don't kid yourselves, this place is a State Park, not just a forest. It has manicured lawns and great views from the hilltop. I think that it may have been a funding thing that led to it being labeled a State Forest. Connecticut does have severe budget problems.

At any rate, the place is gorgeous! Unfortunately, the house is not open. There are bathrooms provided on the grounds, and I do believe that the house is available for rental for special occasions. The house itself on a regular basis is just for view from outside. It is lovely however, and the view from the hilltop is well worth it.

There are 500 acres in this park and a lot of that space is devoted to bird watching and open space. They do have one thing that I found very cool. They have a wildlife viewing blind in the middle of one of the vast fields across the dirt road from the manor house. This blind is overlooking the butterfly garden. This is a great place to view butterflies when in season. I only saw one while I was there this time of year, but since it's still pretty early; I'm guessing that later on there will be tons of butterflies for viewing. There's a lot of information right in the blind to teach you what you are looking at and looking for. It's a great place to take the kids to learn about nature.