Harvesting at the Gill Farm, Ulster County New York

Picking produce isn't an easy job but these guys at the Gill Farm here in Ulster County were doing just fine and smiling. Every year the same folks come back to harvest the great growth. They have living quarters and their own lifestyle. It is great to see people working hard and taking pride in hard work. I doubt if it fits my rambling but markets and farm stands have always drawn me in.

Travel Locally NYC Folks, Ulster County is Ready

We got some good news here in Ulster County, unfortunately it stems from bad news in the US. According to an Ulster County Press article, Judy Randall, president and CEO of Randall Travel Marketing, says,” the rising cost of gas and food not to mention airfare, will play right into the Valley’s hands” I am optimistic but a bit worried, our proximity to NYC should always play a big part in local tourism but I haven’t seen much of it over the years. Yet after a few ten dollar cups of coffee and eight dollar chocolate bars recently run into in Europe nothing travel wise surprises me. I can only hope enough NYC folks will battle the rising cost of fuel and head up to one of the prettiest places I’ve seen and I have seen plenty. Perhaps like some restaurants and shops in the Hamptons we should start taking the Euro, like I said I am optimistic!

Exploring the Mid Hudson Valley with Jeff

There are tons of bogs out there about traveling but I just checked out my buddy Jeff Hillman’s new one, Tripping’ the Love Fantastic. Jeff was on a press trip to Sweden and Finland with me a few months back. His happy demeanor carried the day and his laughter was infectious, I look forward to traveling again with him. Jeff’s main outlet is Business Traveler, in between issues I plan on keeping up with him on his blog.

The last few postings have been about his recent visit to my home area, the Mid Hudson River Valley. His postings about activities in towns like Woodstock and Warwick are insightful and complete with driving directions better than even a local can give. Just one complaint, Jeff was in Rosendale just down the road from me and passed us by. Next time stop in!

Ulster County, Willem Defoe and a Cup of Joe

It was a rough weekend as I dealt with an earache, painful and throbbing best describes it. I think I must have brought back some of the Caribbean from my recent trip to the Yucatan in my ear. The weather was perfect today so feeling a bit better, Lil and I took a little ride in the new Jeep to the New York Store in High Falls. It is a smoking little place that sells coffee, pastries and local products. It was so peacful to sit on the porch and watch the leaf peepers checking out the local flea market. One part time local we ran into was the actor Willem DeFoe one of my favorites. He is one of a few actors that either live in Ulster County or own a home here. Despite his ability to play some real bad guys, he is a real gentleman. He once invited my son and his friends to sit with him at a diner and ask acting questions. That kind of part timer I can really go for.

Ulster County Tourism and its Draw

I attended my first meeting of the Ulster County Tourism Board and Advisory Council tonight and found it fascinating. It was a glimpse into the side of the business of travel that I was not very familiar with, county budgets and their effects. I have long wondered why a place so filled with natural beauty, history and cultural events hasn’t reached its potential. I met a lot of concerned folks both from the private and county government sector. I also realized that as well as I though I knew Ulster County, there is so much more to learn. Tonight I spoke with Sherri Brittain about her experiences in Ulster County, she wears several hats. One is the Annual Music Festival at the Mohonk Mountain House that will be held on June 12-16 2007.

"Classics on the Mountain provides a unique opportunity to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings of the Hudson Valley by day and music from the world's finest concert halls, in an intimate setting with spectacular views." said Festival Director Sherri Brittain.

That is just one example of what can be experienced in Ulster County; I hope to share many more in the coming year. It was strange though to be at a meeting in a room named for your dad, complete with portrait.