Returning to Woodstock- Part 1

It's been too long.  I think officially eight years.  My mom moved up to Woodstock, NY when I was eighteen years old.  She left the cookie cutter neighborhoods of Long Island to retreat to the peaceful Catskill mountain area.

The drive up to Woodstock from Long Island

"Friendship is a Sheltering Tree" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The trees were calling her.  Not the planned landscaping of the beautiful neighborhoods of Long Island, but the lush rich natural untouched landscape of the mountains.  Well-established old strong trees that cannot be replicated on demand.  Forests that have stood the tests of time and stress.  Trees that have weathered the winter storms and have stood to blossom and turn green and full again in the spring.  These trees comfort her like a warm cherished blanket.  They help her feel safe and deeply connected to to the earth, to herself. Grounded.......

The trees of Woodstock stand tall and surround you.

Nature, a Child's True Playground

We arrived at my mom's house in the late afternoon on a July day.  It was warm but the mountain air was thin and comfortable.  The kind of air that makes you take a big relieving breath.  We unpacked and the kids immediately went to explore the backyard forest where a stream runs.  My mom insisted we go a few minutes down the road to an even better place to explore.

One of the many cool shaded streams to explore.

Socks and shoes were off and the kids were "rock hopping".  Carefully at first and then with more confidence.

Hesitant on the slippery wet rocks :)

After slipping and getting wet in the cool mountain water we explored the woods.  My four year old immediately transformed into "jungle boy", which anyone who knows my son knows he must come from Tarzan's family lines the way he swings, climbs and loves to be naked.

Ignore his backwards underwear- I have learned to pick my battles!

Relaxed and Casual- The Woodstock Vibe

We went back to the house cleaned up and made our way into town to grab a bite at one of the oldie's but goodies, Wok and Roll.  I have been eating there since my mom moved to Woodstock over 20 years ago.  The family ordered some traditional Chinese and Japanese dishes but I felt the need to order a "vegetarian" (mock) chicken and broccoli.  Something about being in Woodstock makes you want to protest meat and burn some incense.

A typical Woodstock sign- welcoming EVERYONE :)

Walking around after dinner we happened across the Wednesday's Farmer's Market.  Beautiful fresh produce, home-made cakes and pies, herbs, teas, incense, falafel and antiques were all offered.  We enjoyed cider doughnuts and listed to the local band play while my mother caught up with her friends.  It's amazing!  Everyone knows each other in Woodstock and greets one another with genuine hugs and real promises of future get togethers.

Love finding an outdoor flea market or festival.

Beautiful produce offered by Clove Valley.

Have you ever seen such beautiful carrots?

Adults Can Forget the Importance of Playing in Nature

When we arrived back at my mom's house, my husband Jay began his traditional fire pit creation.  It's not most mom's that would put up with my husband's shenanigans, but my mom is my husband's biggest fan :)  He put the kids to work gathering rocks to build the pit and he started gathering wood.  It came together quickly!

Impressive impromptu fire pit!

We sat and enjoyed the fire and reminisced about the time we made our first homegrown fire pit in my mom's backyard when we were teenagers and almost burned the house down.  We have come a long way since then.....

Big flames provided nice toasty marshmallows for our smores :)

No Fast Food Joints or Chain Restaurants Here

The next day we made our way back into town for some lunch at Maria's Bazar.  Locals gather for the hot coffee and homemade food.  They sit and work on their current novels, discuss what's wrong with the government or catch up with the latest town happenings.  Maria is a long standing staple in the town of Woodstock and greeted us with hugs and some special soup she made just for my mom.

In the center of town- a must visit!

Unique Mom & Pop Stores=Love

After lunch we walked around the quaint stores in a light summer drizzle.  I photographed the latest art donations lining the street while my mom enjoyed the unique and classic toys in the local toy stores with the kids.  Only in Woodstock could my 4-year old find squid finger extensions and my 10-year old find a 5-in-1 spy pen in the same store.

Unique guitar creations- the current art donation lining main street.

The kind of novelty toy store you can spend hours in.

The Eluding Woodstock Bear

We came home and I sat in the sun room with my laptop.  The kids were playing outside and I was typing when I saw something black through the trees.  A baby bear!  We all kind of freaked out with fear and excitement and then he was gone.  My husband has a saying, "There are no bears in Woodstock".  Well, this was one more bear experience he missed because he was inside taking a nap :)

I know, not the best pic but the bear is the black spot just to the right of the double trees.

Fine Dining in Woodstock- Not a Cliche

Our last night we went to one of our other favorite restaurants on the edge of Woodstock, The Bear Cafe.  Situated on a hill overlooking a fast running stream coming down the mountain, it's a beautiful setting.  We were seated at a large round table in a room lined with smooth finished logs and high ceilings.  Although known for it's impressive wine selections I choose to go with one of the inspired drinks made with fresh herbs, citrus and agave.  The amazing salad of flat-grilled trevisano (like radicchio) with goat cheese, roasted beets, oranges, mache and citrus vinaigrette was the highlight of my meal, although my family equally enjoyed the New Zealand rack of lamb and calamari.  We left with full bellies and bid goodbye to the huge black bear that stands on his hind legs in front of the restaurant.  

The Bear Cafe- fine dining in the mountains.

Father and daughter bonding on our much needed break from our routine.

We Will Be Back Soon

We left the next morning as we only had two days to stay this visit.  We are leaving before seeing many things I wanted but having built upon my list for the next visit.  If you ever have a chance to visit Woodstock, NY don't pass it up.  The incredible nature, the welcoming colorful people, the relaxed vibe, the music scene and delicious homegrown food.  It will definitely feed your body, mind and soul!

10 Things I Miss About New York- Part I

I'm From LoongIsland

I'm a born and bred New Yorker.  It's in my blood.  I grew up on Long Island and left for a short time for school to Connecticut, but even then returned to New York every weekend.  I married a fellow Long Islander, bought our first house and had my first baby, all in New York.

Our first house in Merrick, NY!

The Grass is Always Greener

Some of my friends and family were anxious and curious to see if the grass was greener in some other location, California, New Jersey, Washington.  I never had that bug that made me want to leave.  I was happy in my hometown surrounded by my roots.  But then we moved!

Transplanted family, business and the warmer weather finally called us.  We moved to Florida 10 years ago. With our 9-month old baby girl, two cats and no place to live, we moved.  We packed up our house and moved in a December Nor'easter, a final dramatic New York goodbye.

The Nor'easter that bid us farewell!

Florida- Not a Great First Date

Florida has been good to us for the most part.  Aside from the couple of major hurricanes the first year, the disaster of the housing market and the 100% humidity of the summer heat, it's been great.  Good business, great new friends, beautiful beaches and year round shorts can't be beat, but New York still calls to me.

A New York State of Mind

We visit as often as we can as New York still pumps through my blood.  I have grown to love Florida, but considering myself a Floridian?  I don't know if I am at that point yet (or ever will be).  When I return to my stomping grounds as I did last week, the things I miss about NY jump right out at me.

Flying the friendly skies to New York!


Wouldn't You Miss It?

Every trip back to NY provides me with more to add to my list of the things I truly miss about my hometown.  Here are some of the latest list makers:

1.  Being able to drive out of the state for a day trip.  Over 8 hours to get out of Florida can be a little daunting!

Driving over the Throgs Neck Bridge- the beginning of the trip to anywhere!

2.  The bread- need I say more?  Crunchy on the outside and chewy and soft on the inside.  The bread outside of New York is just missing the character.

3.  The soft silky green grass between my toes, sans red ants.  The kind you can lay down on when you feel the urge.

4.  Having the opportunity to do something different every weekend that you have never experienced before.

5.  Wearing a new sweater on the first cold day in Autumn.

6.  The way people move, talk and respond at a faster pace that doesn't try your patience.  I guess that's why most Northerners who live down South have taken up yoga.

7.  Being able to re-connect with old neighbors because you know they still live there.

8.  Winding, tree-lined roads.


 

The view off 9W just past the Tappan Zee Bridge

9.  Appreciating the sun and warm weather, as you know it is only short-lived.


10.  Being in the heart of it all!

The city that never sleeps!

 

 

No hard feelings Florida, I really have grown to love you.  My 10 things I miss about Florida list starts to grow in my head the minute I step off the plane at LaGuardia Airport, NY, but that will be for another blog post.  Today I am in a New York state of mind as Billy Joel beautifully croones about.  My latest visit has truly fed my body and soul!