Chapter 656

Sep 25, 2023

Thousand Trails Rondout

fam camping trip

The highlight of the trip was a visit to Woodstock. We visited Cafe Espresso where I also visited decades ago when it still hosted notable musicians. It was one of Bob Dylan's haunts where he composed Mr. Tambourineman in 1964.

We hit the weekly drum circle moved to the community center due to the rain. The whole weekend was dulled by Hurricane/Tropical Storm Ophelia rain. My grand daughters in the background participated on the drums. Who does this?

A far cry from my family camping trips from the 60's.

The hippie in the background was nice enough to give up his drums and instructed the girls on their use. He said it was "just a happening". Spoke to him earlier and he keeps a trailer in Woodstock, while also frequenting Tuscon, Arizona and Ashville, NC.

Had nice cabins at the RV Park. 

Kids had a ball up in our loft and around the park grounds. 

We made it to the Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center and did a few short trails. This nature trail led over the the East Trapps trailhead and on to the Mohonk Resort. Some day I will continue the hike. 

The  Mohonk Resort is part of this huge track of land an exclusive place to stay for around $1000 per weekend but we can hike on the numerous trails around the property for a $14 day hiking pass fee. Not to mention the 50 miles of trails around the adjacent Minnewaska State Park.

Had wanted to experience the rock climbers on the world famous Gunks here, the 70 mile long  Shawangunks Ridge. We could barely see the rock formations in the rain but they are accessible further up the trails we were on. A climber that we met in Boulder Colorado on the Flat Irons had honed his skills right here.

Here a guy does the Dangler 5.10 rated route.    Rock Climb The Gunks web site.

Best video summary I found was The Lifer. Though this is a slick vid of a female climber, Whitney Boland.

Begin by bouldering.

Had a tremendous lunch/dinner at the 70 year old German family Mountain Brahaus in Gardiner that overlooks the Gunks . Some of the best German food I've had.                                                        

An Irish Band played Saturday night in the pavillion. Wet weather didn't dull the enthusiasm of our kids.

Some miscellaneous shots of the weekend. Also wanted to do the Steam train Catskill Mountain Railroad from Kingston but weather not great. Lots to do in Ulster County.