Helping to put on the Hudson Valley Pedal, a week long mass (150) bicycle tour from Albany to the Battery (-- well, actually to the Seaport) was an eye-opener. I did chores like cutting fruit, helping to pitch tents and rescuing tired riders. I knew the route well from a car, but seeing the Hudson and its countryside at bike-level was brand new. We visited mansions and farms (ripening apples & ripe corn), talked to farmers who hated Bush’s immigration rules which threaten the harvest (See an interesting NY Times report on this here.). We saw the Clearwater, climbed Bear Mountain, toured West Point (great breakfast at the Thayer Hotel).

Since you can’t go on that trip ‘til next year and may hate biking and camping, consider driving to Scenic Hudson’s Day Long Festival this Saturday, August 25, 2007. Free food, music and fun . It’s in three widely separated parks, so a car would be handy. Do try to RSVP, so they’ll know how much food and drink to bring.  read more »