From the Himalayas to the Appalachian Plateau

XXXI.
Into this Universe, and Why not knowing,
Nor Whence, like Water willy-nilly flowing:
And out of it, as Wind along the Waste,
I know not Whither, willy-nilly blowing. 

(The Rubaiyat Of Omar Khayyam - Poem by Omar Khayyam

Translated into English in 1859 by Edward FitzGerald)

As my plane touched down at the airport once again a tornado was brewing up along the East Coast of USA. The joy of a safe landing and the pleasure of meeting up with my daughter's family, especially my granddaughter made me feel relaxed. Soon we were winding our way home and my daughter was regaling me with her plans for the little one's vacation. "Mom" she said" don't bother to unpack for next week we are going on a drive to Poughkeepsie"!!!"Whazzat?" I said? Was it jetlag or the English accent ? I could not make out the name but I kept quiet reluctant to publicize the fact that I did not understand!

One week whizzed by and soon we were all packed into the spacious car, major part of which was occupied by the baby's car seat and away we went on a long drive. Poughkeepsie, as the signages soon indicated, was not really such a long drive being situated within the Hudson Valley in New York State itself though the constant stream of nursery rhymes were soon getting on every one's nerves. 

It is the largest town on River Hudson';s East bank on the way to the Catskill mountains. Hyde Park, associated with the Roosevelt family especially the Vanderbilt Mansion, a national historic site, is in the neighbourhood.

However we only looked forward to a relaxing time roaming around and hence drove towards the mountains past a quaint little town called New Paltz catering to the students from the liberal arts college and the Culinary Institute. Shops with palettes , brushes and colours, dotted the village main street indicating discounts for students. Paying guest  and Bed and breakfast accomodation boards were visible everywhere. The ambience was one of total relaxation and enjoyment as the fall admissions had just been completed and the youngsters seem to look forward with hope and eagerness.

After a plodding through a lazy lunch served at a vegan restaurant and walk through a village market displayed with artistic works we were soon ready for more.We drove onwards to the Minnewaska State Park preserve that was originally noticed by two Smiley brothers, Albert and Alfred,  who bought land and established the Mohank Mountain House and later buiilt another resort by the Lake Minnewaska . They started hotels which were decades later destroyed by fire. Meantime the more than 6000 acres of land around it was purchased by the Nature Conservancy, New York State in 1970 and in time the now further aggrandized 2600 acres of  land of the Smiley brothers, including the hotels  were also included to form the Minnewaska Park.  Located on the Shawangunk Mountain ridge is one of the most unique and beautiful parks in New York State. A two hour drive from New York through scenic country sides takes one directly there. It features numerous waterfalls, lakes, and stunning cliff-edge views.(5281 Route 44-55, Kerhonkson, NY 12446   (845) 255-0752). 

The fantastic views from the side of the Lake urged me to go on clicking photos but I kept aside my phone to enjoy and drink in the beauty. The peace and quiet was shattered off and on only by the shrieks of children playing nearby. What surprised me was the concern of the keepers of the park requesting visitors to be sure that they do not carry seeds or grains of plants from other regions to prevent them growing in the preserve. Even the weeds growing seem to entice visitors with a smile. Conveniences for bringing and launching yachts and rowing boats close to the parking area was thoughtfully provided with clear instructions alongwith basic amenities. 

The Shawangunk Ridge of which the Minnewaska Park is a part is situated to the southeastern edge of the Catskills  mountains. It is a part of the geologically distinct Ridge and Valley Province.  The Catskills form the northeastern end of the Allegheny Plateau (also known as the Appalachian Plateau), a once-flat region subsequently uplifted and eroded into sharp relief by watercourses. The Northern Schawagunk area consisting of mainly coniferous northern forests meet the mainly deciduous southern forests and hence it has a unique ecology. Information to enhance one's knowledge and to encourage creativity as well as precautions to be taken to avoid polluting the atmosphere are prominently displayed.  

As clouds started to gather on the horizon and it started getting colder we decided to pack up and go to the hotel booked for the night. A deep sleep in the comfortable four bedded room with a bath saw us ready to start the day afresh. Our next stop was at the Ulster County fair where live music from the 70s and 80s was being played in typical Woodstock style by the local musicians whose heydays were long gone. The quality of music however was good and well appreciated by the audience gathered to take shelter from the sudden shower. Soon they started playing country songs by audience preferences and soon the evergreen favourite "Country Road take me home... " blared through the mike to the wholehearted crooning of the main singer. The sunny afternoon soon took over and we walked through the shops displaying so-called locally made products sold at exorbitant prices at times. It appeared that they went from one fair to the other at times coming from across the country too! We did end up buying a few of the products made of wood after a long chat with the manufacturer himself who had used a saw to cut and smoothen to make replicas of bears, owls etc keeping the grains and curves of the branches intact!

On the return drive we decided to take a walk on the longest elevated pedestrian bridge over the Hudson. originally a steel cantilever double track railbridge completed in 1889

https://youtu.be/oixtaw94Faw

The grand finale was the drive back home at sunset.............!