Bennington Vermont

Today we drove north to Bennington, a sweet college town. First stop was Robert Frost's stone house (pictured)which wasnt open yet- because we travel super early. However, I may have or may have NOT gotten some milkweed seeds from his garden. Then we visited the Bennington Museum which had a very eclectic collection. The statue pictured is "Waiting (for Trayvon Martin) by local artist Matthew Perry who has 3 sons. It was a moving sculpture to see and reminded me that I have seen more "Black Lives Matter" signs in New England than I see at home. In addition there were old artifacts like a case of sewing machines, lace making equipment, a Robert Frost exhibit, the unbelievably intricate 1863 Jane Stickle quilt with 225 patterns and much much more. Our stop for the night is in Manchester Vermont which has a fabulous bookstore and a library with very interesting programs.

Forest Bathing

"Forest bathing" didn't make much sense to me until i walked through Innisfree Garden in New York. Distractions always crept in to any walk Ive ever taken until I experienced this garden. At the beginning of the walk a sign explains that this is a Cup Garden- a Japanese concept of having small areas with focal points - The focal point might be a tree or a rock or maybe a mossy area. What is a focal point to me might not be a focal point for you. I felt totally immersed by nature in this garden and Im sure my blood pressure dropped significantly.

New York State is closed on Monday and Tuesday

Most tourist sites are closed Monday and Tuesday. In addition, many places have cut back due to covid. Advance planning is really important for any travel now. Luckily the Culinary Institute of America was open for its students so we ate with them at their student cafe The Egg. Then I visited the Conrad Hilton Library for a look around this fascinating place. After wandering into the Archivist's office I had a wonderful time learning about the odd collection of artifacts like a Roman amphora, an ancient glass vase and menus that were designed by famous artists like Ellsworth Kelly and Allen Ginsberg for the NYC restaurant Chanterelle. After tea time at the clssic Eveready Diner. A walk at the Vanderbilt Mansion gave us beautiful views of the Hudson and the Catskills in the distance.

Matisse and Chagall in Sleepy Hollow

Stained glass windows by Matisse and Chagall were commissioned by their friends, the Rockefellers at the Union Church of Pocatino. Then we visited Harney & Sons Tea Company in Millerton NY and lunch at McEnroe Farms

Pumpkin Blaze near Sleepy Hollow