Scenic Driving for the Red Cross

Scenic Driving for the Red Cross

          Heading toward retirement in 2015, I thought about what to do next. Added a few more frivolous activities, including creating this blog and taking up golf after 30-some years away from the game. More usefully, attended a Volunteer Fair where the Red Cross seemed a natural fit; Marjorie used to work for them and I’ve been a long-time blood donor. So I’ve become a “Blood Services Transportation Specialist.” That fancy title means I drive their vans to deliver boxes containing blood products to regional hospitals. 

In addition to filling in as needed, I’ve settled into a Tuesday morning slot that rotates among 3 routes: South (usually including Kingston, Rhinebeck, and Poughkeepsie, plus sometimes Hudson and Ellenville), 

Far South (to Carmel), and West (Amsterdam, Gloversville, and Cobleskill). Southern routes entail as many as 7 hospitals, 3 for the West, plus some trips to local hospitals in Albany, Schenectady, and Troy, and north to Saratoga and Glens Falls. Pictured are Northern Duchess in Rhinebeck and Vassar in Poughkeepsie (with fellow volunteer Matt on my “training” drive). 

In 2018-19 my Tuesday schedule meant I drove both Christmas and New Year's mornings. 

I continued my driving during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, past signs for health care "heroes."

I’ve enjoyed working with the other drivers and the lab technicians (some of whom are pictured here). The drives are quite scenic: along and across the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, the Catskills, hilly rural areas, changing with the different seasons. Such scenery provides a justification for including this in my travel-oriented blog.

 

 

 

South 

          The South route takes me mostly down the Thruway, with nice views that include the Catskills. Here I’ve represented both summer and fall.

A drive to Hudson along I-90 offers a view of particularly pretty farms with Catskills in the distance

 

and the scenic Lucas Van Allen House circa 1737, and Martin van Buren's home.

Crisscrossing the Hudson River offers panoramas from bridges

and by the Vanderbilt Mansion.

Landmarks along the way include Kingston City Hall next to one of the hospitals, a giant flag at a huge RV dealer by the Kingston Thruway exit, 

for a while decorated horses in downtown Saugerties, 

Northern Duchess Hospital in Rhinebeck

and decorated house

a colorful mural as I pass thru Hyde Park near the FDR historical site. 

another mural in New Paltz

demolition of the old.Hudson River Psychiatric Center outside Poughkeepsie, some buildings still remain after construction of a commercial plaza anchored by ShopRite,

beautifully landscaped condos near Vassar Hospital in Poughkeepsie

 

 Marist College campus.

Culinary Institute of America

and Locust Grove, summer home of Samuel F. B. Morse

Later a delivery site was added near Wallkill for helicopter flights, in the midst of lots of orchards.

Far South 

          The Far South route takes me 125 miles from Albany, down the Thruway and then east on I-84. The Newburgh-Beacon Bridge provides, I think, my prettiest view of the Hudson. 

 

Or straight from Poughkeepsie goes by Fishkill Rural Cemetery. 

  

Past looming Downstate Correctional Facility to a convenient & scenic rest area.

Then past a big farm, beautiful in both summer and winter,

and pretty lakes that often have swans floating about.

Sometimes this route takes me over the Shawangank Mtns. ridge to Ellenville

The return drive is also scenic.

West 

          The 3^rd of my regular routes goes west on the Thruway to Amsterdam, then north thru pretty rural country to Gloversville, seen here in winter. 

I've done quick tours of Riverlink Park at Amsterdam, with pedestrian bridge over the Mohawk, a striking glass sculpture, and other interesting features. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And a bit of roadside "Americana." 

 

There are some nice views along the Thruway to Amsterdam, and along the Mohawk on to Fonda and an old courthouse..

Little Fulton County Airport near Johnstown for helicopter flights.

Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville has lovely landscaping, lots of geese.

The drive heads south thru rural areas toward Cobleskill. 

past a pretty little church nestled in the hills outside of Cobleskill. 

and even a Mama Eagle nearby.

Southwest

Southwest is a more recent addition that extends from Cobleskill into the Catskills at Walton and Margaretville, especially pretty in the Fall.

and for a Valentine's Day getaway in 2023

The return to Albany along I-88 offers more scenic vistas.

Berkshire

Berkshire run takes me over hills to pretty Pittsfield.

flowers outside the hospital

and mountain views

Church in New Lebanon

The Good and the Bad

 

           I enjoy driving, especially along scenic routes. But things don’t always go as planned. I’ve had one very long delay in backed-up traffic along the Thruway (tho the Thruway information radio station said there were “no issues”!). On another trip my van died at Putnam Hospital in Carmel, 125 miles from Albany. Luckily I was driving with another volunteer to pick up and return a van that had been left in nearby Newburgh. So I had some companionship and the tow-truck driver went to Newburgh to let us get the other van before continuing on to Albany. Altogether a 10-hour day!

Whatever the driving conditions, it’s always good to get back home to Albany, with a skyline view coming in. 

          The “bad” has been very limited. And there can be other perks (besides free packages of cookies!). Marjorie and I volunteered at the Red Cross’ “Fire and Ice Gala,” a major fundraiser held at the just-opened Capitol Center in downtown Albany. A chance to get all dressed up and to see the new convention center,

 including large wall murals illustrating the history and culture of the area.