"On the Trail"
Sunday, August 5, 2001: All That Jazz - Poughkeepsie to Catskill, New York, USA . 83 km
Frank here…
I awoke dry not because my tent didn't leak but because it did not rain. Somehow the forecast for heavy rain did not materialize here. I was lucky because not too far from Poughkeepsie there was substantial flooding.
After a few small adjustments on my bike, the morning ride was nice and cool and misty, but by noon the temperature went quite high. The big difference that I immediately noticed was the lush green surroundings. I also noticed that I said "good morning" in English for the first time in a long time.
The few ornery people I dealt with the day before were very much eclipsed by the kind and generous people that I met on this day. At a fruit stand I was given free peaches and well wishes for my journey. As I continued north mostly on highways 9 and 9G, I met a fellow on a training ride and we rode and chatted for several kilometers before he took off ahead with his very light bike.
I took a detour onto the very beautiful county road (CR) 6 where Chancellor Livington lived on some breathtaking acreage on the shore of the Hudson River. He was one of the five people who drafted the Declaration of Independence. Earlier, when I passed the town of Hyde Park I was close to Roosvelt's house but it was too early in the morning to visit. I picked up a tour guide of the area and found out that a free jazz festival was happening in the town of Catskill. Wow - I had a mission.
It was Catskill's first annual jazz fest. When I got there I asked if I could set my tent on the grounds (which also were on the Hudson River). Dee Dee, on of the volunteer workers told me that I could not camp there because it would be locked up so she invited me to set my tent in her back yard. YES!
The music was great. I especially liked the piano player from Tokyo and the violinist. They have been playing all weekend and the last act comprised of the band along with people who attended the music workshop. Boy I would have loved to be part of the workshop, but it ended before I arrived. They should have called the event the Jazz and Food Fest because the food was awesome and there were many healthy choices as well. Dee Dee commented that she saw me eat more that see me in the pavilion listening to the music. Priorities, priorities!
The music ended in the early evening but more continued in the outdoor Point Restaurant next door. After listening a bit, then introducing myself I jammed on stage with Kyle and Megan. Cool! I also chatted with her sister Kirsten who is also a bicycle tourist - great time, great conversation, great music! I cannot forget mention the great witty chats that I had with Yvonne and Andrew from the nearby town of Athens.
Before heading to Dee Dee's, I quickly introduced myself to her son David who was cooking up a storm in the restaurant kitchen. Then just before dark I made it to her place where her son Stewart answered the door and invited me to stay in the house. Great! I had the use of a shower, a great bed, internet and some great conversation. They seem like a very eclectic and interesting family and they made me feel totally at their big home of about 24 rooms. A funny thing happened in the house. I was looking for the place to leave my clothes because Stewart was volunteered to wash them for me. The house was very big and I could not always find a light switch so I took out my flashlight. It looked like I was snooping around. Fortunately I told them ahead of time about my limited vision and we all laughed about it.
I remember phoning Louise and arranging a place and time to meet up the highway. She was driving down to Glen Falls from Ottawa, Canada, and we were planning to cycle and drive together in the eastern part of Canada. I was looking forward to meeting her after a full year of keeping in touch via email. I was falling asleep on the phone as we spoke.
It was quite a memorable, long and hot day.
-"To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart." -- Donald Laird
-Frank Pollari
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