AN INCREDIBLE GETAWAY ONLY ONE HOUR AWAY

Now, I may be a little late to the party, but -- have you been to Cold Spring, New York?
By RSO

Cold Spring is not exactly a New Yorker's secret spot -- unless of course, you haven't been yet.  Only an hour away on MetroNorth (take the Hudson line toward Poughkeepsie), it's less than $50 for two to get there and back, as Matthew and I did this Saturday on a twelve-hour adventure day.

I mean, who doesn't love trains?

(Gratuitous train window shot)

(It occurs to me at this moment that blogs may have replaced family movies and slide shows for showing other people things that no one cares about but you)

Taking the 10am train and arriving at 11am exactly, we began with a town survey and walk up Main Street.  Perfect for imbibing small town charm, walk from the train exit until you pass the pet store on your right at High Street.  If you're already overwhelmed and excited to check stuff out, turn back here... or if you came for a hike -- literally -- keep walking.  

(If you hit this steeple you've gone too far.  In more ways than one.)

Wanna lay by the coziest, shadiest beach of your life?  First grab a delicious iced coffee at Cup-o-ccino Cafe, and then, off the beaten path at Fair Street (head north/north-west), take the road ALL the way past the baseball diamond and keep going, keep going (turning onto "Lake Surprise Rd") and turn left at the signage pointing to the beach, walk through the woods (about a quarter mile), and get dumped off on a gorgeous shore.  We spent a relaxing an hour there.

(The woods to the beach)

(Looking up at the trees, laying on the sand)

Several of our pals recommended Cathryn's, and we were NOT disappointed...  A tidy apple and endive salad followed by pappardelle with pulled rabbit and downed with a glass of Prosecco.  The sort of meal you grunt during, and after you can't stop talking about.

(And that you take pictures of)

Cold Spring has several art and antique stores, and they're worth exploring mainly for their otherworldly charm.  I found some Life and Yank Magazines from the 1940s is excellent condition, and they gave me a killer deal. 

The number one restaurant recommended to us was Le Bouchon.  I have to be honest and say our experience is clearly not indicative of the experience most people seem to have... service was shitty, we were totally unattended, so badly so that, with no complaint of our own, half our meal was comped.  Considering that meal included 4 drinks, steak frite, two soups, and a side of asparagus... I suppose it could have been worse!

Another recommendation was the Ice Cream (deserving of initial caps, apparently) back at Cup-o-ccino... I had a pumpkin and Matt "the Kitchen Sink"... totally worth accompaniments to our walk to the river.  Night by this time, the silhouette of the New Jersey mountains across the Hudson was beautiful and romantic.  Yes, let your mind wander.

(We got it on)

Catching the 8pm train back home, I -- who love trains, but especially love traveling home on them at night, sleepy -- felt totally satisfied with a very full and very successful adventure day. 

And Tommy, our puppy, was not forgotten...

RYAN SCOTT OLIVER wrote the music and lyrics for Darling, Mrs. Sharp, 35mm, Jasper in Deadland and more. www.ryanscottoliver.com
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