A Drive to Beaverkill Valley Inn
One week ago Sunday, I took a drive through the Catskill Mountains with my friend, Kathy Sloane. Kathy and her husband, Dr. Harvey Sloane, have a weekend house there and they wanted me to see the renovations they recently have made. We were also invited to a luncheon at Beaverkill Valley Inn by Kathy’s good friend, Larry Rockefeller and his wife, Wendy. Larry has been very involved with restoring the inn and preserving the entire Beaver Kill area from any future development. Built in 1893, this lovely inn was a lodge for anglers coming to fly fish for trout in the nearby, pristine Beaver Kill River, a tributary of the East Branch of the Delaware River. This area has a unique and important history because in the early 1900’s, area resident Theodore Gordon and other local anglers invented the American technique of dry-fly fishing. They perfected the art of fly tying and the craft of making fly rods from split bamboo. After a very pleasant lunch and a visit with Larry and Wendy, Kathy gave me a little tour of the charming nearby town of Andes.
-
- Driving north on US-9 along the majestic Hudson River, we encountered some amazing ice formations.
-
- There was a turn-off, so we stopped the car to take some photos.
-
- Water was dripping through crevices on the rocky embankment, creating such interesting icicles!
-
- Ice-covered branches
-
- A cascade of ice
-
- It was just stunning!
-
- The icicles looked like beautiful stalactites.
-
- Just around the bend, we found the Bear Mountain Bridge.
-
- Although plans to build a bridge here date as far back as 1868, construction didn’t start until 1923 with completion in 1924. It was the longest suspension bridge in the world for a couple of years.
-
- At that time, there were no fixed vehicular crossings of the Hudson River south of Albany, New York State’s capital. Vehicles crossed via ferry boats.
-
- The Bear Mountain bridge carries one 12-foot-wide lane in each direction for US-6 and US-202.
-
- The roadway has eight-foot-wide shoulders for pedestrians and cyclists. Those shoulders also accommodate the Maine-to-Georgia Appalachian Trail through this scenic vista.
-
- Along this shore of the Hudson are the rails for Metro-North Railroad’s Hudson Line and Amtrak trains.
-
- This bridge connects the northwestern corner of Westchester County to the lovely Bear Mountain State Park and nearby West Point Military Academy.
-
- Meanwhile, Francesca seemed to be enjoying the view.
-
- This is a narrow stretch of the river, but still, from beginning to end, the bridge measures 2,332 feet.
-
- Nearing the other shoreline and looking down, you can see the tracks and tunnel of a freight train line.
-
- Approaching the tollhouse
-
- Tolls used to be collected from cars going in each direction. Today a toll of $1.00 is collected in the eastbound direction only.
-
- My friend, Kathy Sloane, on the porch of Beaverkill Valley Inn, which was built 1893 as a lodge for anglers. http://www.beaverkillvalleyinn.com/
-
- I would love to come back in warmer weather to fish for trout and to rock on this wrap-around porch.
-
- One of two sitting rooms, with their original oak trim
-
- The fireplaces are also original to the building.
-
- The dining room has all of its original trim, as well.
-
- The home-owner’s association for the inn chose wallpapers, fabrics, and furniture that were true to the building’s historic appearance.
-
- After lunch, we visited Laurance and Wendy’s farmhouse.
-
- The countryside is quite lovely with the rolling hills of the Catskills.
-
- The Rockefellers’ barn was turned into a huge and fun playhouse, with ping pong, a pool table, and even an ice cream bar!
-
- Laurance and Wendy Rockefeller hosted a friendly lunch for about 60 of their friends in one of the barns out back.
-
- Here I am with the adorable Fox Sloane, Kathy’s grandson.
-
- Kathy, her daughter-in-law Erin, and Fox
-
- Kathy’s son – Patrick and baby Fox
-
- This is a very scenic area along the Hudson.
-
- This is the beginning of what is know as the Hudson Highlands.
-
- We dropped in on a really fabulous vintage clothing shop called Clementines. http://www.clementinevintageclothing.com/visit_store.html
-
- I saw something I really liked!
-
- At Clementines, the clothing is hand selected specifically for the Catskill’s lifestyle – great classics that become old favorites.
-
- Misha Mayers, the owner of Clementines, has worked in fashion merchandising for many years and has a real eye for clothing.
-
- Misha’s shop is very popular with both residents and visitors passing through Andes.
-
- Entering the village of Andes, NY, we came upon this handsome old building. I just love those doors.
-
- Fisk Barn Antiques is housed in a beautiful two story, rescued and completely renovated barn. This shop has very distinctive antiques and collectibles.
-
- Our last stop was at Kathy’s newly renovated home – Abigail Davenport, Erin Sloane, Patrick Sloane, GK, Me, Sloane Davenport, Charlie Davenport, kathy Sloane, Harvey Sloane
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
