Duanesburg Schoharie Area

The Duansburg/Schoharie area is a sleepy place about 35 miles west of Albany. Duansburg was originally known as Duanes's Bush and was then established as Duanesburg in 1765. For a brief period it was combined with Schoharie, NY as the United Districts of Schoharie and Duanesburg on March 24, 1772, It split off again from Schoharie in 1789 and was its own town once again.

Early on, James Duane whom the town was named after, aspired to make Duanesburg the future capital of New York State. It was never to be. Though it never reached that goal, Duanesburg became an important railway center, boasting by 1907 the largest coaling station in the world located in the Village of Delanson.

Duanesburg remains a characteristically rural area.  With the completion of Interstate 88, Duanesburg is called home by many who work in the Albany, Schenectaday and Troy areas.

As you drive through the Duanesburg/Schoharie area, you are surrounded by vast, sleepy fields with horses quietly grazing and scattered farms of all types.  The quiet country roads are dotted with diners and signs boasting fresh eggs and poultry. As I got out of the car to take photographs, the silence was overwhelming.

I came across the Silver Maple Farm and glanced to my right. I passed this next picture but pulled over fast. 

I found two friends waiting for me, and posing for my picture.


Horses are the easiest thing to photograph. Their beauty can't be erased, even by the most inexperienced photographer. I couldn't go by these guys (or gals) without capturing them.

Two of my favorite places to visit when I am over this way is the Carrot Barn and the Apple Barrel.  Too bad for me, the Carrot Barn was closed up.  It is a great fall and summer place to visit. Its a huge barn full of goodies, and flowers and fresh produce.  I once heard that the mayor of Schoharie ended up on a late night talk show somehow. I think it was Letterman or the Tonight Show but I can't be sure.  I do remember though that the host asked "So what kind of perks do you get being the Mayor of Schoharie?"  And he replied "I don't have to stand in line at the Carrot Barn."

The Apple Barrel is just up the road and I love to go there. It is the neatest little store with all kinds of things from greeting cards, wall pictures, clothing, jams, jellies and any gift you can want to give someone.  But the thing I love about it is the atmosphere. I could just walk around here all day.  The back room that used to be just another room is now a sit down cafe.

Usually by the time I reach this place I'm hungry.  Although all I purchased was one small chocholate covered Oreo cookie (my favorite), the woman behind the counter, whom I presume is the owner, gave me a complimentary Apple Barrel tote bag full of goodies.  I thought that was very generous and I was touched by the gesture.  Then I felt guilty for buying just a cookie, but she didn't seem to mind one bit.
 

On my way back to Albany, I had one last place to stop in Duansburg.  Its called  The Bear's Steakhouse and is run by a family. The Dad, who I think owns the place walks around greeting the customers. A son, or two work in the restaurant.  Steak is their specialty. It is so good. Make sure and give it a try.

 

I love this area. Its a great day trip, especially when you want to take it easy. I really didn't want to take it that easy. My goal was to go to Duanesburg Sky Diving. But, you wouldn't believe how hard it is to find a willing soul. I had 3 lined up, but each of them got scared. I don't think of myself as someone who really wants to jump out of a plane, but I vowed that I'd let this blog take me where ever it goes. I promise, before this is over, I will jump out of that plane and it will be posted here. Hmmm...maybe for the letter S for Sky Diving.

Stay tuned!

C stands for Cars! Saratoga Automobile Museum

A few years ago I walked into this next site, my "C" picture place (for cars) and I fell in love. You know that feeling, when you see someone and your knees feel shaky, the room goes hazy and you are a goner from the start.

But this wasn't a someone, it was a something. It was a stunning white Shelby Mustang with a black interior. I think if I had 100,000 dollars in my pocket I would have tried to buy it. It truly was love at first sight.

So I set out to get a picture of it. As it turns out, the museum turns over its collection and years have passed since I saw that car. On my visit, the museum had The Jack Gillette Corvette Collection on display (until May 2, 2010). It seems I will have to wait to see my long lost love, tbat Shelby Mustang. In any event, I found stunning cars to photograph. By the way, I tracked down a link to the Shelby. Here it is, judge for yourself.  This is not my picture by the way but it is the same car.  http://04snake.com/images/Carroll_Shelby_pics/03102005_SaratogaAutoMuseum012.jpg

The Museum is located in the Saratoga Spa park just up from the Gideon Putnam Hotel.

As I started out on the tour I came across these very nice cars. By the way, I have to give credit to the guide that the museum gave me for some of my descriptions below. So keep that in mind.

A 1975 Corvette Convertible. This would be the last year for a convertible until 1986, Federal regulations were now requiring no-lead fuel and catalytic converters were required, A big-block option was not available, and engine outputs were sharply curtailed.

Next I came to this really cool limited-edition silver and black 78 Pace Car Replica showcased during Corvettes' 25th Anniversary. It was listed at $13,653.21. This Indy Pace car, with its 220-bhp 350 V-8 is a big collectors item.

1957 was to be Corvettes biggest year, due to the Rochester fuel-injected 283-cid small block V-8. Corvette started building on its performance reputation.

This 1960 Corvette was sharp. It is finished in the rare shade of Cascade Green with white covers. Only 140 cars had this shade of green out of 10,261 cars produced in 1960. The interior is black and it has a removable hard top.

I have so many pictures and it is very hard to pick from them for this small post. What is better than ending the Corvette section than a red 59 Corvette.

There are many other cars of interest in the museum but since I want to keep this short, I will give you one more. A car owned by Charles Lindbergh. I saw this car whenever I visited the museum so I think its a mainstay.

I hope you enjoyed the tour of the museum and someday get to see it in person.  At $8 a pop, it really is worth the trip.  Here are some other random pictures to enjoy.

Bolton Landing

After my visit to Ausable Chasm in Keesville NY, I started making my way south back down through the Adirondacks

As I got closer to the Lake George region I remembered the little town of Bolton Landing, a spot that is a neat place to visit for a day tripper. I thought, what a great spot for my "B" picture.

So when I reached exit 24 of the Adirondack Northway, I turned off and headed down the hill to the village I've missed. As the road descends towards the village there is a spectacular view of Lake George cradled by mountains, like a pair of hands offering you something precious to welcome you. It's only there for a few seconds so pay attention. It sinks out of view as you descend and the street and buildings swallow up the lake and you enter the village.

The town of Bolton landing was formed from the town of Thurman in 1799. In its early days it was mostly made up of mountains and valleys and forests. I've read that these forests were roamed by a substantial population of Indians. Lumber was the main business in town and there were many saw mills and grist mills.

Today the streets are lined with shops and eateries. The village has managed to keep the quaint feel and the buildings are colorful and fun. Many Adirondack trinkets and unusual gifts can be found, especially for the Lake House or Cabin dweller.

Bolton Landing is just north of Lake George Village and is right on Lake George itself. Lake George is touted as one of the most beautiful lakes in the Country. The scenic views are breathtaking and  the section of lake that rolls up on Bolton Landing Shores is no exception.

Many visitors to Lake George Village put Bolton Landing on their list of things to do. A nice afternoon of shopping followed by an early dinner, looking out over a mountainous blue lake full of white sails drifting by is a must do. It's also fun to watch the pier full of speed boats and visitors coming and going by boat in casual summer wear. It is a beautiful place in the fall, as the Adirondacks Mountains are known for vibrant fall colors.

I have many special memories of this place, from sitting with the family with a dish of  Ben and Jerry's ice cream, watching the world walk by, to passing through while out on fall leaf peeping tours. It felt like I was visiting an old friend.

While taking the following pictures I noticed how many people came out to enjoy the village. Though a favorite summer place, there were plenty of people still out enjoying the rare day of January sun.

I didn't take any pictures of the shoreline because it is January after all. Check back for my "L" project and you will see plenty of Lake George pictures.

I concentrated more on the town of Bolton Landing itself. Enjoy!

Ausable Chasm

Ausable Chasm is located just off exit 34 of the Adirondack Northway in Keesville, NY.  Its just short of Plattsburgh.


The Chasm has been a tourist attraction since 1870 but it has existed since the last Ice Age. (Pleistocene) It was 15,000+ years in the making.

As I jumped into my car on my way for picture "A", I wasn't sure what to expect. I haven't even been there in the summer, and now I was in the car headed through the snow covered Adirondack Mountains alone on the road under a very gray sky. My cell signal was long gone and I was headed north to hang over a cliff in the ice and snow! I wondered if this was a good idea.

It was a long drive, but I finally made it. After my $5 admission fee was paid, I was turned out onto the trail for my self guided tour.

Because it is winter, the wild Ausable River is tamed a bit as it churns its way through the Chasm on it's way to Lake Champlain. The frantic summer activity is just a faint memory now, but the winter ice and cold turns this site into a place almost frozen in time. The quiet isolation, daunting views and the overcast sky all give you a chance to put yourself back into prehistoric time even if for a little while.

The first thing I saw was an interesting building and the river well below me.

Next, I came upon a spectacular frozen Waterfall.

I went up the trail a little way in the opposite direction.  This picture was taken very quickly and with a shaky hand.  I'm not good with heights, especially on an iron staircase. I mean, look at that staircase!  This is as far as I was going

The last picture is a formation known for its likeness to an elephant head thus named Elephant Rock.This was the neatest thing. Although I didn't go down into the chasm on a tour below, I doubt I would have seen something I liked better than that.

A little bit closer...

It was quite a place and one I'd advise you to check out. But since I have a little bit of a fear of heights, I was glad when I was back in the car and headed south. I plan on going back to see it in the fall.  Maybe I'll have the courage to go down that staircase!  But....I doubt it.