Fall in Queens & Rhinebeck

A Surprising Fall Getaway to Queens and Rhinebeck

October 2018 

          One of my regular Red Cross runs delivering blood to regional hospitals takes me to Northern Duchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, then thru town toward hospitals in Poughkeepsie. That takes me past an old inn, the Beekman Arms, in the center of the pretty town, often thinking what a nice getaway that would make. I saw an opportunity this year when Marjorie was spending her mid-September birthday in Kansas City with her sister Mary. We couldn’t do anything for her birthday then, so I thought to combine birthday & our mid-November anniversary (#47, for those keeping score), making it a surprise  ̶  telling her only to keep the dates open. Our friend Marlene, who lives in Poughkeepsie, was a co-conspirator, advising on places to eat. Adding to the outing, we decided to visit the Queens family  ̶  son Matt, daughter-in-law Anthea, and grandsons William & Miles  ̶  to start things off.

Friday, October 19: “Special Deliveries to NYC”

We’re pretty much back to normal following a wonderful trip to the Balkans (Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, and even a bit of Bosnia!) October 4-14, so I guess we can handle this more limited outing. The car’s pretty full of things to take down for the family: t-shirts for William & Miles from our trip, framed photos Matt wanted for Manhattan School of Music, treats baked by Marjorie, and more. A bit of our first frost in early AM. A nice PM drive down, some Fall color tho not too spectacular yet. A lunch stop at our favorite Plaza Diner outside New Paltz. Festive Halloween decorations, and another surprise for Marjorie: my credit card has fallen apart, so we’ll have to use her card to pay for things on “her weekend;” she manages to keep grumbling to a minimum.

We’re able to find parking after a couple of swings thru the neighborhood. Past some nice Halloween decorations as we walk to their building. A list in the elevator of recently-elected officers of the building’s board includes “President Matt Ward.” Upstairs we meet the new neighbor who exclaims what a “good man” Matt is, “helpful” and “trustworthy,” making his Mom a bit misty-eyed. 

Greeted by grandcat Roxy. The rest of the family comes in stages: William off the subway from high school, Matt from MSM, Anthea & Miles from his dancing. We meet their “Alexa” sitting on an end table. William plays popular interactive game “Fortnite” with someone who he has learned lives near us in Troy! Small world. I get my first look at their “annex”: they bought the studio apartment next to them and turned it into their master bedroom, office space, and Roxy perch, giving the boys their own rooms (tho we’ll take over William’s for our stay).  William seems quite thrilled that we found a soccer jersey for his 1^st-choice Croatian star Rakitic, and Miles likes his Dubrovnik shirt. Tasty take-out Greek dinner to complete the day.

Saturday, October 20: “Futball and Footloose”

          An overcast start, then some sun and 60s. Today takes us in two different directions for soccer & dancing. Anthea & Miles leave for an early dance rehearsal for a show this afternoon; Marjorie will join them later for the show. For now the rest of us drive thru Queens, passing William’s Academy of American Studies. Over the Ed Koch Queensbury Bridge with a nice panorama of the Manhattan skyline and Roosevelt Island tram. 

Past rows of publicly shared “citibikes” (Matt uses these sometimes to get around) to “Asphalt Green,” an astro-turfed area of soccer fields on the Upper East Side that we used to see from friend Sarah’s apartment. Lots of activity. William scores the winning goal for his team! 

On our way back a stop at a “Spirit Halloween” store to get costumes for Matt & William.

          Marjorie leaves before the game, riding the new 2^nd Avenue Q Line (the “rich people train” Matt says), and having a “fancy” Mediterranean lunch with Anthea. Then on to the show: “The Laurie Berkner Band’s Monster Boogie Halloween Concert” at the NY Society for Ethical Culture on W 64^th. Laurie B is apparently big with the preschool crowd, many of whom come to the concert in costumes. Miles is one of 4 recruited from his 92^nd Street Y dance program to be part of the show. They do a wonderful job as part of a very energetic show; Marjorie and Anthea take some videos to share the experience.

          All of us back home for a bit. Miles: “That was my 1^st gig.” Matt: “Are you being paid?” “No.” “Well, then it’s not a gig!” It’s tough having professional musicians for parents! Matt heads out to rehearse with percussion ensemble Talujon for a gig (they’ll be paid) next Sunday at the Clark Institute in Williamstown. William teaches Grandma some stretches to help her sore knee.

Sunday, October 21: “Pumpkins, Vultures, and Race Cars”

          A cloudy, chilly AM, but some nice sun later. Grandma’s famous “cheesy eggs” for breakfast. William & Miles play together on “Fortnite;” a cooperative multiplayer battle game that seems all the rage now. Our getaway is taking a “surprise” turn: a spur of the moment decision to visit the NY Botanical Garden, a favorite place. Getting away is a little tricky, some streets are blocked off, maybe a parade later? 

          At the NYBG a very nice parking attendant lets us in for free tho we had left our member passes back home; Marjorie brings him some thankyou cookies when we leave. It feels like Fall, breezy and a brisk 48, tho there isn’t much color here yet. Past “The World’s Largest Pumpkin” (2,528 lbs!) to the Children’s Garden decorated for Halloween. 

Interesting Tim Burton style stick-figure pumpkins spread around. 

Into the Conservatory with a “Georgia O’Keeffe in Hawaii” theme. But no mums! We run into Helen McCumber, who was a secretary at Matt’s elementary school and is a fellow St. Pius parishioner. Soup & sandwich in the Café, out of the city over the Mario Cuomo Tappan Zee Bridge. Some more color as we continue north. Marjorie’s still wondering where we’re going.

          Things become clear when we pull into parking for the inn. The Beekman Arms is “The Oldest Inn in America,” operating since 1766. Visitors have ranged from George Washington to Chelsea Clinton’s wedding guests; FDR began each of his political campaigns from the front porch (Hyde Park is just down the road). There are a number of other buildings, but we have a large beautifully furnished room in the main inn that Marjorie finds quite acceptable. 

         

We stroll thru town: pretty shops, signs & windows, beautiful houses. 

An impressive church. Perched atop another church: vultures and gargoyles, oh my! 

We’ve come at the end of the annual Sheep and Wool Festival at the county fairgrounds on the edge of town; we hope my brother Doug & sister-in-law Ann will come out for this next year.

A short walk for dinner at Marlene-recommended Liberty Public House. Wonderful food and good company in the historic restaurant. Marlene has brought some gifts for our celebration. Another surprise, this one for me: Her son Michael got an autographed picture from a race car driver named Russell Ward! I’ll take this off my retirement to-do list, do my racing vicariously. A lovely evening is topped off by churros with chocolate dipping sauce.

Monday, October 22: “Fall Colors and Crafts”

          A good night’s sleep, tho reminders that it’s an old inn: squeaky floors, gurgling radiators, plus some truck traffic along the main street. A filling continental breakfast in a pretty “greenhouse.” I’d originally planned a leaf-peeping drive to Ellenville and up to Kingston, a pretty route I’d taken for the Red Cross that looked like a good Fall drive. But two more serendipitous “surprises” have changed plans. Marjorie called Sarah’s sister Posey, who lives near here and we haven’t seen for quite a while, to get together later this AM. And a brochure for “Crafts People,” in West Hurley, a scenic area between Kingston & Woodstock that should take care of leaf-peeping needs, has caught our interest.

After breakfast we get a head start on leaf-peeping with a drive around the area in nice sun, about 40. A bit south to historic site Staatsburg for views over the Hudson River. Past Dinsmore golf course, fairways sweeping down with panoramic views of the Hudson and Catskills beyond; would be a lovely place to play. Past a bus with the destination message “Nowhere in Particular;” sounds good on a lovely Fall day. 

Onto the pretty Vanderbilt estate for more Fall views along the river. 

A pond with many geese; seems like a rest stop for their migrations. Thru the town cemetery, some graves marked by red flags for fire department people. We join Posey at “Bread Alone” for coffee and enjoyable catching-up conversation.

On the road, a short drive north to Crafts People, which proves to have a very rustic backwoodsy setting: 4 rather ramshackle buildings on 25 forested acres that have handcrafted work of many types (glasswork, pottery, ornaments, jewelry, delicate wood creations, etc.) on consignment from some 500 craftspeople  ̶  “the largest collection of fine crafts in the Hudson Valley.” It seems so out of the way, and we’re the only customers now, but apparently this is a big draw on weekends and especially near holidays. And another attraction to entice Doug & Ann. Marjorie thinks she’ll consider putting some things here next year. Very friendly people, and tasty free cider. Marjorie buys some pretty amber earrings. I’m amused by 2 magnets offering words to live by: “You can’t make everyone happy. You are not a cupcake.” “Always be yourself. Unless you are Batman. Then always be Batman.” 

Properly inspired, we head back home.

I’m pleased that my sneaky surprise was successful! Plus changes and additions to the original plan made for a very enjoyable last jaunt of what’s been a very busy travel year.