Pond in High Falls

Better Homes & Gardens is paying a visit to my sisiter's house today for a possible piece. I can think of no better gardens in the Valley. Here is a view of the pond. 

Hudson Valley Corn

We wait patiently for the sign to come up every summer. The Hudson Valley grows some of the best corn in the country and we eat alot of it right here in the Valley. The stuff is so sweet that butter isn't needed, of course it sure is good slathered on. Spending a day on the farm soon to see if a piece about corn growing in the Valley leads to something. 

Springsteen and Glory Days in Kingston NY

While I was watching hundreds of guys reliving their, “Glory Days,” in Cooperstown, the Boss was hanging in one of my hangouts in Kingston NY. Springsteen ate three nights in a row at Portobello in Kingston NY. He also came in one night with another woman, his daughter Jessica. Jessica was attending a riding show, Hits-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties. Bruce returned with red hair wife Patty the next night. Bruce’s choice of Portobello was a good one; it is laid back and situated in a visually perfect old town setting. My dinners however were in a crowded Steakhouse filled with crying kids and grown men strategizing their kid’s games being played at a tournament during induction weekend, while swiping fries from wives plates. To lift my spirits I’m headed to the Port for the fantastic Chicken Sopresso tonight, humming Glory Days.

Visit Jordan Now and Support Sanity

I spoke with my good friends at the Jordan Tourism Bureau, just to wish them well. This board is one of the most professional and friendly in the world. Unfortunately with things in the ME going as there are currently I feel for the people of Jordan. Fear can be horrible thing to over come in travelers. For that reason I try to tell anyone I can about the wonderful visits I have made to Jordan. There truly are not many places I have visited where I have been exposed to such warm and friendly people, not to mention amazing sites!

Jordan is a very moderate Muslim country and King Abdullah II a very intelligent and wise ruler. The country’s position on terrorism is unmistakable; they fight it and abhor it. Jordan along with Egypt has treaties with Israel. Jordanians have a built in sense of honor and accommodation. If more countries followed Jordan’s policies the world would be a better place. I feel for them and what just may happen if travelers are guided by misconception and fear. This country deserves our support and I urge those who are looking for an amazing destination to go, I would in a flash. I look forward to returning!

Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame

Three strikes and I’m out, out of luck that is. As an off season traveler coming to Cooperstown NY during inductee weekend for the Baseball Hall of Fame is high and wide at the plate. I am the only male in town without a baseball cap or in sneakers. Others may call it luck that I ventured here at its peak turnout. The streets of what appears to be a very picturesque town are jam packed with bat carrying fanatics with future fanatics in tow. Lil and I are paranoid that everyone will discover that we do not know the standings of either league or that we came to see the Fenimore Museum. I am tempted to use the name Abner Doubleday when making dinner reservations tonight. Better yet I just may buy a hat and join in the fun. 

Jordan and the Bedouins

While putting the finishing touches on my piece about camping with the Bedouin for GoNOMAD I came across this old Bedouin saying that was interesting.

I against my brothers
I and my brothers against my cousins
I and my brothers and my cousins against the world

It was strange because I really felt the friendliness that they are know for, as are most Jordanians. Traditionally the Bedouins will offer anyone in need, hospitality and protection for 3 and a third days or about 80 hours.

Summer Floats By

 

Iranian Ads

Talk is cheap when dealing with a creep! The Iranian President came out with some real dumb comments recently according to the Post Wire Services. Iran’s state-run media launched a TV campaign telling consumers to boycott “Zionist products” such as Pepsi, Nestle and Calvin Klein. The voice over stated that, “Pepsi stands for, pay each penny to save Israel”. If this is true will there be a UN resolution for Pepsi to pull back its Burger King positions? Will Coke call on 7 UP to join its cause?
I would love to get the creative genius’s take on the Fajar Missiles that are being supplied to Hezbollah. “Fajar brings death from afar or Hezbollah, guaranteed to rock and roll ya”! Like I said talk is cheap.

Take me Out to the Ball Game in Cooperstown

The continuing tour of places near home is taking a new direction this week by heading to Leatherstocking Territory in New York State. I have never been to Cooperstown before so now is the time. Cooperstown is home to the Baseball Hall of Fame as well as the Farmers Museum. How I avoided traveling the 72 miles from my home to get there amazes my friends. I frequently got comments like, “you fly all the freaking way to Indonesia and have never been to Cooperstown” over dinner with friends last night. I was assured that it is beautiful and there is much to do. In any case the trip there is easy and I will be back road driving that I love.

My Visit to an IDF Base

As the IDF gathers on the border of Lebanon I hear a lot about fire power and danger on the news. I also think about a visit I made in Israel once to an IDF base with some French performers for a concert. The first hour we were allowed to freely roam amongst tanks and a display of weaponry. Better yet we had ample opportunity to mingle amongst the very young women and men that were doing their compulsory military service. They could all answer questions about the equipment but like young people everywhere they were far more interested in life in the US and France and what was cool there. They posed gladly for pictures with a shy demeanor.

They flirted amongst themselves and danced to the music with great joy at the concert. They ate with relish at the buffet provided after and sang songs of their own. They hugged and partied and had a hell of a time. They were so very young yet so very sure and came from all different backgrounds. Some had long hair and some orthodox dressings but all seemed as one. Tonight some of them are awaiting orders to cross a border and fight. I hope they remember some of the good times and remember that those on the other side of that border have memories also.

American Airlines, For Mice or Men

Forget that Christie Brinkley’s sleazy hubby cheated on her with an eighteen year old, the real news in the NY Post was all about mice. Come to think about it Peter Cook is a rat of sorts! A piece by Bill Sanderson in the Post was about the infestation of mice on an jet from LA to Kennedy Airport in NY. This cannot be good for American Airlines and its place in the biz. At least on Blue they would be trained to entertain.

For years I was a frequent flier on AA (I was Gold) with a yearly membership at the Admirals Club, it ended when I flew to London on a weekend trip and four flights were cancelled. Added to that was the time I sent in receipts for flights on their partners and never heard from them again. My 19 year old son still gets letters about his miles! I really miss the days when I & AA worked. However as a customer that was loyal, I lost faith, not even a Dear John letter. Glad the 17 little fur balls caught were not rats, there are enough flying the sky.

Perfect Truck II

 

The Peace of Wadi Rum

As the bombs burst I think of my time recently in the Wadi Rum. The peace and quiet and the friendly bedouin people. I also thought today about how close all the countries in that part of the world are, space wise. From the Dead Sea the lights of Jerusalem are clearly visable. It is a short drive to anywhere from anywhere, that also means shells and missles do not take long to find a target. 

Floating with Travelers' Tales in France

It’s nice to have an ace up your sleeve, even better is two. I picked up a new book today called Floating Through France: Life Between Locks on the Canal du Midi. It is published by Travelers’ Tales and is perfect for me because my other ace is a trip on the Canal in late September. The first ace is of course the book. I have always been a fan of TT but rarely does my timing work so well. This time I’ll have the insight of twelve writers glimpses of la france profonde. Thanks Larry Habegger and Barbra J. Euser, the timing couldn’t be better!

Haifa Daydreaming

I once spent a beautiful day gazing over a deep blue Mediterranean Sea from a hilltop covered with fragrant trees. Interspaced with the foliage were stylish coffee shops and busy stores. From my vantage point I could see remains of a crusader castle and a port busy with commerce. My guide was very happy that at least two of his four charges traveled up to Haifa with him, we celebrated with my first Arab coffee at his friend’s café. We ended the day at the fantastic B’nai B’rith complex, centered on a hillside.

No doubt if I had been some miles up the coast I would have had an equally wonderful day at a city once called the Paris of the Middle East, chances of that happening soon are at best minimal. Beirut is also a casualty of mankind. As I listen to news reports I have no doubts that people in both cities wish for just one more fantastic day.

Red Hot and Sexy

Commadore Gogg undertook extensive renovations on the SS Bonita while we were in Maine. He took her on several shake down cruises on the Hudson River and repaired the cracked bow. Glad to have such a man as the Commadore on top of things. 

No Place Like Home

We woke early at Cosy Cove the day of departure because we had a wedding to go to; Joe Stote and Val Paul were getting married. Better yet the wedding was on the grounds of one of Ulster Counties premier stone houses. The history of the Paul homestead goes way back into the Europeans comings here. All around the fertile valley grows heavy with the growth of great corn. The house itself is just fabulous with history and gardens and a bunch of my fellow residents of Ulster. Being a local does have some great vibes attached and puts ya into the place you feel at home. Hope Max feels great being back in Mass. also. Click heels, there is no place like home! 

Lobster Gangs

Rainy or overcast days on Coastal New England are town days, folks gravitate to the harbors and towns to shop, eat and people watch. Today is just such a day and fine. In fact I usually enjoy a chance to kick back, and haunt a bookstore. After several days of watching lobstermen pulling out of Cosy Harbor to pull their traps, I wanted to learn more about the lifestyle. I purchased the book The Lobster Gangs of Maine and returned to the cottage to read about the lobster and those who catch them.

The chapter on the social system was just great and here is a joke that explains how these guys think about outsiders: “I had an awful dream last night. I dreamed my own car had Massachusetts license plates on it”. In reality I have never been mistreated by any locals in Maine, maybe I am just not worth it? 

Biking Boothbay

My buddy Ken Cooper traded the ocean for the road and peddled 42 miles today. He enjoyed the ride to Ocean Point especially. He had lunch with some local fishermen at a roadside chowder stand. We however remained out to sea with the kayaks. There is enough for all to do here! 

Working the Sea, Maine Style

While I am here living the life of vacation this guy is going to work. That is one reason I like Southport Maine, It is a working harbor even the local though kid are learning to sail on it. Summer time and the livin is breezy. 

Kayaking off Boothbay

Took Coop and my son Chance out through the cove to the Atlantic this morning. We had to stick Coop in the two person because of his inability and lack of athletic prowess. As the tides came in the waves picked up causing quite a rush for us. 

Maine Rental Yah

This is the Harbor we paddle through every morning to the outlet to the Ocean. The sailboats are interspaced with lobster boats. The tides are varied with low tide emptying alot of the harbor. The afternoons are spent walking the short distance to the beach complete with lighthouse. Finally dragged ourselves into town for dinner last night. Still the best water front dinning is right at our rental. Already will book next year! 

Happy on Southport ME

This is the view from the cottage on Cozy Harbor, fantastic. The cottage is just wonderful and well laid out. The kayaks have been used everyday and the beach is just down the road. Internet is tough though. I am sitting outside the Boothbay Library and it is closed. More in the Morning! 

The Rooster King of Cannan Maine

Even this proud guy's crow hasn't woken me up early here at P&E's compound in Cannan Maine. This is one place that I actually sleep through the night, of course eating two lobsters and some crisp cold white wine factor in. 

Boothbay Maine/ Wifi in Demand

Off to Boothbay today, Wifi detector in hand. I can only wonder what has lead me to even owning one. Will try to keep in touch via the blog. 

Cannan Maine Gardens

Sitting on the porch at Penny & Ed's in Cannan Maine is one of the best summer experiences. Sixty arcres to explore and Ed's magical gardens to chill out in. Tonight is lobster bake for eighteen complete with fireworks.

Pack up the Kayaks on the Old Roof Top and Smile Smile Smile

The New England summer tour continues as we loaded the kayaks for Maine. First up is a family visit in Cannan. Then its on to Boothbay and the Cozy Harbor house for a week. We have never rented in Maine before but the Cottage is on the water so no lugging the kayaks around. Coffee on the ocean coming soon!

Luxury Hotels, Gotta Love Them

Lets face it, who doesn’t like a little bit of luxury every once and awhile? Beds and bath products are just a few enticements to up the lodging ante. The battle for luxury bucks started in Boston in 1829 according to the book, When the Astors Owned New York: Blue Bloods and Grand Hotels in a Gilded Age. The Tremont House was the first hotel built on grandiose lines according to author Justin Kaplan.

“Single and double guest rooms upstairs- the $2 daily rate, exorbitant for its time, kept out all but well-to-do private citizens-offered not only comfort, security and prestige but novel features such as a unique lock and key for each door.”

In the 1880’s Henry Flagler single handedly developed Florida by building a rail connection and luxury hotels. When he died his widow had his body embalmed and placed in the lobby of the Ponce de Leon, his first Florida hotel. Maybe Paris Hilton isn’t so weird after all! 

Adios Max

Today my buddy Max takes off for Singapore on the longest commercial flight possible, anything for GoNOMAD. He will spend some time in Malaysia. I not long ago took that same trip and surprisingly didn’t mind all that time in the air. The strange part is that Max will not experience the fourth of July. The day will disappear as he hurls across the Date Line. Fortunately he will get back a day on his return. Also on his trip is another old buddy of mine, Jon Haggins, a personality on cable TV in NYC. With both Yahoo and MSNBC picking up our GN content we all will need to spend a lot of air time. 

July 3 Countdown

 

Mohonk Mt Madness, Light up the Sky

Regardless of the divide in policies here in the US, I love the 4th of July and celebrate it with gusto. This year will be no different; Chance went to PA to buy the biggest aerials possible and we will set them off at my sisters. She has a picture perfect old stone house and massive field. The explosive colors over the pond are magical and even better is the fact that we have a view up to the Mohonk Mountain House and their pro display. I was told however that guests of the Hotel think our display in the valley below is damn impressive also. Just like a little kid I will do a few test shots over the next two nights, some things never change.

Providence Sunday Journal is no Exception

You can tell a lot about a place by its Sunday paper and The Providence Sunday Journal is no exception. In the Money & Business Section there was a piece called To Boat or Not to Boat. While most of the country is wondering about the high cost of driving, here in this state it is all about fueling up your boat. After seeing thousands of water craft plying the Narraganset Bay yesterday the article made perfect sense. No doubt that my home paper will have something about the price of corn due to the flooding last week. The local paper is a great way to get inside info on an area

Cuban Revolution

Comrades, the revolution is in full stride here in Providence. 

Bristol RI Road Rules

Bristol RI has the record for celebrating the 4th of July continuously in the US. The red, white and blue are the no pass lines down Hope Street