Ellery Stimulus

Ashokan Reservoir - beautiful

So we have Saturdays and Sundays off from the studio.  But if you don’t mind, we’re not counting yesterday (Saturday) because we spent the day with the kind auto mechanics off of Ulster Ave.  (Our van had been overheating; turns out it was a seized fan, and it cost us over $500.  Ouch. *sigh*)

So today was our first free day in the Kingston area.  Justin made us breakfast (he gets so many points for this), and our plan all week has been to hike a trail somewhere in the abundance of beautiful forestry around these Hudson River Valley parts…

The Ashokan Reservoir had been recommended to us by a few folks, so we set out this morning with the promise of trails and shade and (bless our hearts) some lovable forest creatures.

As we drove on Reservoir Dr, the forest opened up to expose a bridge over the massive reservoir, and we were breathless.  It spilled out into an amazing scene: Mountains to the right, topped with cloud and mist, an expanse of water on either side of us, and forests ahead.  We took a few pictures–

Unfortunately, everywhere we looked there were chains along the roadside, blocking off the trees, and even blocking off the many trail entrances we’d spotted. (”No Trespassing Except for Fishing with a Permit.”)
Curious!  Where were all the hiking trails we’d been promised?! 

Mrs Deer

While temporarily confused, we did walk along a very cool pedestrian bridge, and we came across a sweet doe who had no problem with our close proximity.  (And - we confess - with our insistence on attempting to speak with her.)  We’re such city folk.

We soon had to *ahem* find a restroom, but I’m glad we forsook our original plan (drive around until we spot a trail?).  Because the kind man at the convenience store informed us that we could in fact hike on all those blocked-off trails, but, we needed a hiking permit to do so.  (Wow!  Our Ohio forests have spoiled us!)
To their credit, the permits are free.  Still, we’re permit-less.
No shady walks with forest creatures for us.

We were a bit disappointed, but it began to rain anyway.  So we headed back to Kingston, where the rain let up long enough for us to get a jog in around uptown.  (Uptown Kingston is historic, settled by the Dutch in 1652, and it’s quirky but nice.  Like a disheveled Marblehead MA.)  (Speaking of historic and Dutch, check out the nearby Hurley Stone House, where our NY guests are staying.  Seriously: The home itself (and its hosts) are amazing.)

Things to hit. And Josh's leg.

We’d been invited to a Sun. evening barbecue in New Paltz, which we discovered today to be littered with musicians and former musicians.  Very fun.  Even more fun, we were able to finally meet (in person) my good friend Kate.  And let me just say, Kate Bradley is great at what she does.  And she’s a great person.  And she’s reeled me into this, which is so lovely.  If you’re a musician, look her up.

Now we’re huddled inside, a slow, dark evening under lamplight and the sound of the window unit.
Tomorrow we track drums.  I mean, tomorrow Josh tracks drums.
And I spend some time learning how to sing the new versions of these songs –

Picture by Sam Scoggins, owner of The Stone House.

So.  We took off this morning from Hurley NY, where we had a beautiful stay at The Hurley Stone House.  It had been a dark and rainy day, a return to February by all appearances, so when we finally arrived it was a gift to be greeted by Mila, a tabby cat who was as friendly as his masters and quickly stole our hearts.  (Not that such a thing is difficult.)

We’ve been anxious for our visit ever since I stumbled upon the Stone House website a month or so ago and immediately fell in love with the architecture, decor, and general vibe of the place.  We quickly decided we needed to stay there for a few nights this Summer while we’re recording in next-door Kingston NY… And we’ve included a stay at The Stone House as one of the “prizes” in the Ellery Stimulus campaign.  (You can come to the studio for the afternoon, meet our producer, listen in, etc… And then head back for a restful night and an amazing breakfast.  See ellerystimulus.com for details!)

We were disappointed that the weather wasn’t better; The house sits on a hill overlooking the Esopus Creek, and it’s right around the corner from an amazing walking/bike path.  But the inside was fabulous to explore, and we were treated to a fantastic tour by Sam, one of our hosts.  The place is vibrating with its history…  Until a few decades ago, it was kept within the same family that built it in the early 1700’s.  The folks who owned the home before Sam & Nadia (our hosts) were gardeners for the last descendant of the original builders, and they inherited it from her.  (Isn’t that awesome?)
Sam & Nadia, who opened The Stone House Bed & Breakfast in Fall 08, purchased it from them and have been restoring and finishing portions of the house, with a deep respect for its history (which you can sense when you talk with them; it’s lovely) and with fabulous style.  The Goldens (that’s us) love simple decor, clean lines, deep rich woods, natural light…  And this home had all of that and more than we could take in.

Such a beautiful room...

We were fed an amazing breakfast this morning, and a couple danish pastries are wrapped up in our van awaiting a moment when we finally feel like we can eat again.

The drive today was dreary again, although we were accompanied by (big surprise) Peter Sagal & Carl Kasell… And Ira Glass.  We have an evening to visit with family in NJ before heading to Philadelphia tomorrow.