Spring

"Awake, thou wintry earth. Fling off thy sadness! Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth your ancient gladness!" ~ Thomas Blackburn

Featured Post

The Plattekill (No Trespassing Edition)

The summer has been quite hot and ripe for a nice swim at one of the Hudson Valley's great swimming holes.  The Plattekill doesn'...

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Olana

Rip Van Winkle Bridge



Every year the Onteora Road Runners Club puts on a chilled spring series on three Wednesday evenings that fall in May and June.  The first part of the series is a run up Platte Clove Road (1st mile is flat, the last two are incredibly steep).  Supposedly it's the oldest continuously run race in the Hudson Valley.  The second part of the series is held at the grounds of the Olana House.  It's a 10k (it's more like 5.5 miles) on carriage trails.  It's a very rough course with three steep ascents and three quad busting descents.

Overlook, Plattekill, Indian Head, Twin, Kaaterskill High Peak & Roundtop


Blackhead looming large in the distance




A barge on the Hudson

As I did last year, I showed up a little early to take a brief stroll around the property. They landscaped the grounds to be similar to when Frederic Church lived here and the grounds are far more interesting to walk around.  There are some wonderful views of the Catskills and the Hudson River and some of the surrounding farmland.  There were numerous people taking advantage of the well placed benches.  There are lovely meadows to walk through and appreciate the Spring colors.  I briefly saw a cardinal and the bees were out pollinating the wild flowers.  For an easy stroll, Olana's a great spot.    
Kaaterskill High Peak & Roundtop









5 comments:

  1. Olana is one place I have not made it to. On my list of things to do. What kind of snake was that???

    ReplyDelete
  2. Not sure, but it's not poisonous.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great pictures. Dig that corn snake. You should tell the MC about that run.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's it, Corn Snake. Not sure why I cannot remember the name.

      Delete
  4. It's a milk snake silly. Turn it over, it's belly will be black/white checker board. I've also seen ring neck snakes and eastern hog nose on the property

    ReplyDelete