Before the weather got so humid that we couldn't leave the house without a fine misting of sweat, we made it out of the city. We didn't know at the time it was going to be our last trip out before fall officially fell. Striking up northwest, we aimed for High Point State Park, in New Jersey. It contains a part of the Appalachian Trail. It was a lovely hike, up over High Point (the highest "mountain" in NJ - East Coast mountains are different than West Coast mountains. I maintain the West Coast alone has 'real' mountains). We climbed the ridge, a sudden quick ascent with a lovely tree cover, hiked across the bouldered ridge, and then half skidded, half fell, and kind of rockclimbed (without gear) down the other side - on the "trail," it must be said - to the lake. We turned around at the lake, feeling a little cheated by the fact that there's a road for cars, campers and boats to come in without working themselves over the ridge like we did.
Back in the car, we headed back into New York state towards the Catskills. Driving along the gorgeous, winding Delaware, we stopped to see an early bridge by John Roebling, the German-born engineer who, later in his career, designed the Brooklyn Bridge. The bridge was beautiful, beautiful enough that E managed to lose his wallet in the parking lot.
Of course, we didn't realize we were short some identification and purchasing power until we made it to our B & B, the Pura Vida outside of Bethel, NY.
The B&B was off an alley, on a creek, with a lovely hammock - peaceful. We were a little thrown by the teenagers who were staffing the place in the owner's absence, who despite their sweetness made us feel like babysitters. The TV and internet, which were "for guests" to use "any time" were always dominated by them, and we had to ask them to get off the phone to use it to call out (no cell reception!) to cancel all of E's cards. They had no recommendations for dinner either, so E and I tried a bbq place with horrible food (if driving through Bethel, do not put any south in your mouth!) but a lovely view of the lake. When we got home, they asked where we had been, and upon hearing, said, "Oh that place is awful." Well, it's why we asked you before we left, but ... ok...still some lessons about hospitality to be learned here. Not feeling comfortable watching bad Lifetime TV with the teenage boys and their lady dates, E and I went upstairs and hid out, taking a luxurious bath in the great bathtub and then playing Trivial Pursuit. To the place's credit, the owner did upgrade us for free as her other guests hadn't made it. We thank her for that! Our privacy upstairs was much needed, as the teenagers got into a shouting fight shortly after 11p and we were thankful to have a locked door and some stairs between us & them.
Sunday was not as gorgeous as Saturday, but lovely in a mournful, autumnal way. After our teen hosts made us breakfast of eggs and about 30 pieces of toast, we went driving through the Beaverkill Valley in the Catskills, and made it one third of a soggy hike around Alder Lake before turning back (too many piles of bear poop means there are bears nearby)!
Alder Lake has an abandoned mansion on its shores.
We finished the day off with a lovely meal and a drink at the Dancing Cat Saloon. Our waitress was cheery and positive, and we enjoyed the rustic, quirky atmosphere as well as the sandwiches and healthy pub food made on local Flour Power Bakery bread!
The Dancing Cat Saloon in Bethel was the best food we had in the area. I highly recommend it; if you're ever in the area, stop by - the waitress is charming, the food healthy and delicious, and the live music vibrates the wood floor so you can feel the beat in your feet.
No comments:
Post a Comment