A Mini-Vacation

We are spending two nights at Overlook Lodge in Bear Mountain State Park.  We checked in a bit early on Wednesday at 3:30 pm after an easy ride from Princeton--about two hours.  (taking 287 and 87) We ate an early dinner in the bar where I tried one of their specialty drinks--Spring Awakening.  That was so good that it made up for a chicken quesadilla that was not so good.  

We wondered why there were signs for a $5 charge for spectators in the parking lot.  We soon found out!  There was a huge car show with lots of wonderful vehicles from the 50s and 60s and some new models.  

It was a decent night of sleep (in spite of kids jumping in the room over us and dogs barking in the hall).  We had Keurig coffee and the cereal we brought along for breakfast.  I enjoyed mine on the deck looking out at the Hudson River. Jim enjoyed his in the room followed by his 30 minutes of Hebrew reading.

After breakfast we drove to the main parking lot and then walked past the Bear Mountain Inn where we had registered the previous day.  We walked along Hessian Lake and on to the path leading to the Hudson River Docks.  It was quite a long walk under the road (9W) and down past a pool and deserted train tracks finally to the river with a great view of Bear Mountain Bridge. 

 But all that walking downhill meant a long walk uphill.  Fortunately there were many benches along the way which were a very welcoming sight for me.  Jim is tougher than I am and I took advantage of his arm much of the time.

We stopped at the Inn to replenish our Keurig coffees for tomorrow morning and are now back in the room cooling off and relaxing.   

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Dan and Alex made the one hour journey from their home near Walkill to meet us for dinner at the 1915 Restaurant where we enjoyed good food and mostly good drinks and definitely good company for the evening.  (and a shared creme brulee for dessert--always a treat!) 

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This morning we tried to take 9W South home--hoping for a scenic ride along the Hudson.  But somehow we got directed to the Palisades Parkway which was nice enough but then to the NJ Turnpike past Newark which was just crowded and stressful. Jim stayed calm and drove defensively and well.  We reminded ourselves to avoid that route next time. 

 It is just a bit past noon and we are home and happy to be home.  It was a great mini-vacation with exercise, beautiful scenery, and time with family.