Enjoying your trip report !
I’m a lover of rocks too. I bet there’s some app for rock geeks to identify them, not hinting 😂
Here we have similar hand sanitisers at entrances and social distancing in place, although not masks. I hope this becomes par for the course.
Lovely photos and your joy at seeing family is uplifting.

TS Fay came and went. This morning, patchy blue skies and big clouds.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d4cda11431.jpg
Fay is gone and blue skies are here this morning.

Yes, seeing ½ my family has been wonderful. Weird with the SD but better than nothing. Because it was pouring last night we didnt get together at either of our houses. Strange! Now i have to figure out how to see the other ½ of my family in Santa Monica.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...dd963435f.jpeg
Seeing family is the cherry on top💕

Oh no, my bad...most of the photo creds go to you, Yestravel. Though all these photos are a treat for those of us readers from stay at home places.
I am really enjoying this TR and following in your trip North. Continue to enjoy and visit and photo....and thanks for taking the time and trouble :)

Saturday - Day 4
Saturday dawned bright and sunny after the overnight deluge. For the second morning we discovered we have a night time critter scavenging thru the rubbish or recycling this time. We thought we outwitted the critter by placing an immense cinder block on the Trash. He couldn't budge the rubbish can and took his revenge on the recycling bin. Ah, country living.

We enjoyed a leisurely morning followed by another lovely meandering drive through the countryside to Rhinebeck, one of our favorite villages in the area. We immediately sought out a wonderful old favorite carryout right outside the village. The Matchbox Cafe was as good as ever. Gottravel had a burger with bleu cheese. I had a scrumptious veggie burger with avocado. Both came with a ton of fries which were not eaten. We finished off a piece of carrot cake with coconut icing. We were stuffed. The food was as good and the owner as irascible as we remembered from our past visits.

From there we drove back to the village and because its corona time easily found parking. We wandered in and out of a few stores until our hands became shriveled from all the hand sanitizer. One store had a sign saying it was at capacity and to please wait which we did. Unlike Woodstock, most of the stores were open. Everyone wore masks and signs were everywhere. One local we chatted with said people were shamed if they did not wear a mask. We noticed all the restaurants with the exception of 1 had tables with at least 6’ between them.

We met up for for our final meal with my daughter and her family at Dixon Roadside in Woodstock. It actually it looked like it was designed for a pandemic with an immense high ceiling structure half open to the outside. Sadly we said our goodbyes which were forlorn waves at each other. I am so happy to have been able to spend time with them. They return to Manhattan tomorrow.

On our drive home we pulled into the Woodstock Volunteer Fire Dept on rte 212 so gotttravel could take photos Of an intriguing wall he spotted yesterday. A local artist, Nick Della Penna, had built a brick and stone wall mostly from river rocks starting in 1988. That and the adjacent sculpture garden are visible from rte 212 and represented an immense artistic effort.

It was low key, fun day.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2a89a67a5.jpeg
Great place!


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...02678ffe1.jpeg
Signs everywhere

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8b1040ac7.jpeg
Della Penna Whimsical Structures by the roadside

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...93f39565e.jpeg
End of a nice day

Day 5 - Sunday

Sunday brought us a spectacular day, sunny, mild summer temps and lower humidity. This was was probably the best weather day so far and we had big plans. We had reservations at Innisfree Gardens, then were going to Wethersfield Gardens and finally a visit to meet Fodorite Taconictraveler. Took some effort to plan the logistics as data has been not so great.
We put the top down and off we went to enjoy the ever lovely ride to Millwood. We had visited here about 6 years ago and looked forward to our repeat visit. Tickets are a Bargain for seniors at $5 pp. Because of the pandemic we needed advance reservations given out in 2 hour blocks. Ours was scheduled for 12:30 - 2:30. You had to walk the garden counterclockwise around the central lake. This caused a touch of delay as people sorted out distancing and where they wanted to walk. No one got closer than 10’. Innisfree is a 150 acre garden in the Chinese style. It has streams, waterfalls, terraces, retaining walls and rocks and plant based on principles of Chinese landscape design. Most of the plants are native, & the rocks come from the nearby forest. We did one of those crazy attempts at recreating the past. We searched for a rock I had posed behind, but alas we could not find it. I figured I had changed alot in 6 years and so had the rock.

As our 2 hour time allotment was drawing to a close we headed back to the parking lot and potty spot. This is a first for one of my TR but bathrooms can be an issue in the time of COVID so we had been avoiding them. I knew that would not be possibLe today as we were apt to out for at least 8 hours. So I took my spray and tp and went to the Johnny on the Spot. No one was there and I didnt need to touch anything. I kept the door ajar with my foot as I had read to have as much air circulate as possible. Hand sanitized as I left and then again in the car. All in all it went smoothly. ( of course I’ve got 14 days before I find that out😱.)

Taconictraveler had recommended Wethersfield Estate and garden about 30 minutes away. It was an easy drive and actually had road signs directing us. These formal gardens are very different than the Chinese style at Innisfree. There were also spectacular views over the countryside. The first group of people we have seen anywhere in NY were a group of nuns. Obviously they must have had some sort of papal dispensation.

Taconictraveler had graciously invited us to her patio for some drinks. It was a delight to meet her. We enjoyed travel talk & other fir an hour or so. We followed her recommendation for dinner at the nearby Barbaro. Very good meal, once against tables were generously spaced apart.

After a long day out we headed homeward.

I’m guessing that was the most single-day activity you’ve had in nearly 4 months? Sounded like a perfect day: weather, attractions, food and especially a Fodorite!

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9fc2b362b.jpeg
Innisfree Gardens
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3095e02fe.jpeg
Innisfree Gardens
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...65eaadd79.jpeg
You never know who you’ll meet when traveling
OMG! You are so right. We got home and were exhausted!

BTW, I see I left off the nuns did NOT wear masks, thus my comment. Also Wethersfield was waiving rntrance fees to provide a place for serenity during the Pandemic.

Here are some photos from yesterdays gardens.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e4d1ec50e.jpeg
View from Wethersfield
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b0dafb858.jpeg
Wethersfield Garden and Estate
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...07a1067fa.jpeg
Wethersfield had some beautiful flowers

Yes travel: You are such a great trip reporter!! Loved the photos of the gardens. We never go to talk much about those two gardens when you visited my patio. Maybe I'll email you off-line! Hope you enjoy the remainder, and I'm looking forward to more very good photos!

Thanks to both of you!

its especially sweet to see the pics of your grandchildren, considering how long it’s been since you hugged them in person.

Once and if the border ever opens we’d love to take an easy drive to the Catskills. There seems to be lots to see and do and enjoy in nature.

I’m glad you are following along and enjoying it. This entire area has so much to see. Definitely worth a visit.

Day six, Monday, dawned with bright sunshine and a touch of crispness in the air. I decided to do the walk recommended by our host. He had said its about a 20 minute walk around a very long block. Five minutes in huffing and puffing my way up the first hill it suddenly became hot outside. I regretted my decision to not just sit on the deck and enjoy the morning. But I preserved up and down the Mountainous “hills.” Wont be doing that tomorrow.

Today we planned to hike the Falling Waters preserve and go again to Opus 40, a world famous sculpture park and museum which was closed. Not sure what its famous for. We had visited Opus 40 many years ago and didn't love it, but figured give it another chance.

We had the usual beautiful drive to Falling Water Preserve. We hiked around for about 2 hours including a lunch stop overlooking the Hudson. We passed 3 other couples. No problem SDing. The Preserve is quite nice and worth a couple hours. There has been so much rain in the area, the falls even had water.

Saugerties was nearby and we decided to explore the small historic district. Maybe half the businesses were open, but being a Monday that could account for it. We cooled off with ice cream at Stella’s. Unfortunately the famed Alleyway Ice Cream was closed. Oh well, next trip.

After wandering a few blocks we headed back to the car. Gottravel was keeping an eye on the meter. He put his only quarter in which got us 15 minutes. We definitely overstayed. In DC we would already have a ticket and the tow truck on its Way. Small town living...

By now it was time for our reservation at Opus 40. Admission for seniors was $8pp. Didn't love Opus 40 the first time and didn't love it the second time either. It was a monumental undertaking that took 40 years to complete. Its often described as the Stonehenge of NA. If this is what to expect at Stonehenge i’m passing on it. We spent well under an hour and then hit the road.

Had dinner at home and enjoyed a quiet evening other than a rather large tree falling about 40’ from the house. Oh well, thats the excitement in Willow today.

Seventy two hours from now, we’ll be back in DC.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...847db60c2.jpeg
Falling Waters
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9d8ffe1d1.jpeg
Saugerties Butterfly Street art selected for 2020 because it symbolizes love and hope.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9713efb78.jpeg
Hudson River
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3a65a7a25.jpeg
Opus 40

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...46529cc79.jpeg
Fancy potty set up st Opus 40
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...673245639.jpeg

Hello, anyone out there in cyberspace following along?


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f308a9487.jpeg
Roadside Distraction
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...416dccea1.jpeg
Poughkeeu from the Walkway
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...759793444.jpeg
Hudson River
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...79d5cd8c7.jpeg
Cdc warnings on picnic tables
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...76d8990ff.jpeg
The end of another lovely day in the Catskills

Today is our 7th and penultimate day of this COVID travel.

Once again we were greeted with bright sunshine and cooler temps. We passed on breakfast to make a bakery run. Our drive looked like the aftermath of a bear banquet. It was trash and recycling pick up day and residents put their cans on the road for pickup. Several of the trash cans had been knocked over by bears and the contents strewn across the road. One poor woman trying to clean up the mess apparently fell and was having difficulty getting back up. We stopped to offer help but by then she was half upright and just cursed at the bears and was trying to gather the trash. The car in front of us had 2 young women pull over, don their masks and rushed to her aid. Always nice to see gestures of humanity.
Bread Alone had its usual line spaced 6 ft apart. Everyone waited patiently for their turn. You can call in advance and order and then you can skip the line. We enjoy looking over the delicacies and choosing in person.

After a quick breakfast we headed off to the Walkway Over the Hudson about an hour East in Poughkeepsie. On the way we made a stop at Steve Heller’s Fabulous Furniture, another roadside distraction of space age artifacts. We took photos of the eccentric sculptures outside, but the store was closed.

We arrived around 1 at the Walkway having gotten stuck in construction traffic in Rhinebeck. This is probably our 3rd or 4th time at the Walkway. Equally as enjoyable as the spectacular view of the Hudson is the birds eye view of downtown Poughkeepsie. We walked ⅔ of the way before the intense sun got to us. we returned to the shade and picnic tables which of course had signs with CDC guidance. we ate a quicklunch and headed home.

On the return home we detoured to Upper Byrdcliff Rd. This was initially a Utopian community that became an artists colony. Now it has a theater and art center and seems to be a high end community.

We ate out at the Red Onion enjoying some delicious duck and lamb with a starter of smoked trout with apples and pecans. We sat on the veranda which had 3 nicely spaced tables. Oddly the owner chose to chat with 2 friends in close proximity to us. Only in COVID times would I ask them to please move away from us. The owner immediately apologized as did the 2 guys to whom he was speaking. Odd times indeed.

Back at home we planned our next days hike.

Yestravel, still enjoying your report. ( Didnt check during the couple days, due to last minute tax prep, after with a three month extension (-:. ) Great descriptions and images. Love gotravel's gray barn,and your lake against the mountain, among other photos. Such a lovely area!! Family and I did classic summer vacations at a huge hotel in the Catskills (near the village of Fleishmanns) back in the mid1950s. I should get back there one of these years!
Minor correction: the picnic sign with standard hygiene advice is from W.H.O. not C.D.C. That in itself is interesting!
Is this your last day?

Thanks for the ideas for our next trip up the river. Waiting for the Covid all clear, so it will be some time.

Thanks! Ah, tax time, my Dad was an accountant and I remember those days and nights. You are absolutely right about WHO and not CDC. I remember thinking when I saw the notice I was surprised it was WHO and not the CDC, a sister org to NIH where I worked. Wednesday is our last day.😢

AJPeabody- There is so much to see and do in the Catskills and the adjacent Hudson Valley. Well worth visiting. we have been in this area many times and still haven't seen it all.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...681f811afe.jpg
Lovely, relaxing mornings at our cabin.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...eb89e5b87.jpeg

Still happily following this charming TR, Yestravel. We lost our Internet (and cable) yesterday so had to catch up this morning. A morning pleasure, I must say. My in-laws live in the area, so we have enjoyed many of the stops you have been making...and enjoying them again, with you. Safe trip back home. :car:

Thank you! heading home Thursday. we’ll have to plan another SD lunch. although i hear brutal temps ahead.🔥

Loved traveling with you in my mind. I can empathize with you on the grandkids. I finally saw mine for the first time since February and so wanted to hug but they want to protect us in the “likely to die if you get COVID” group, so no touching.

I love the photos and am a rock person too.

Thanks for reporting

Thank you, Yes, it was strange, but just to be around ½ my family was wonderful.