Rhinebeck - Outtakes

Here are some outtakes from our Rhinebeck vacation. As you will see, Everett is becoming quite a handful. I miss our vacation house in the country...

Bye-bye vacation home...

We'll miss you!

 

Hiking

We've had beautiful weather throughout our vacation, but the weather forecast has been calling for Summer showers and thunderstorms for today - our last afternoon here. So, to make sure we maximized the great weather we have been having, we took a couple of family hikes yesterday and this morning.

Yesterday's hike was a bit more traditional - in the woods, on a trail path, with animals and all that. Of course, before we could actually start hiking, I had to consult the trail map.

 

Once I figured out where we were heading, we were off...

And as soon as we got there, Jasper made a friend - an older boy who had just found a frog near the pond that was our hiking destination.

 Cool stuff.

Then, this morning, we went on a different type of hike - through a nearby "hamlet" called Rhinecliff. We didn't need a trail map this time, because our destination was clear, as determined by Jasper. Can you guess what it was?

 

Yep, what else? - The Kingston-Rhinecliff Railroad Station. And we made it just in time for the main event - the arrival of a big Amtrak train!

 I think you can tell how engrossed Jasper was. I went in for a look, too.

 Though I have to admit - I'm not sure how many other families hike to small-town train stations during their vacations... But at least this one was on the Hudson River, and there was a small park right next door, so we could run around a bit and enjoy the views before the rain came.

Just a little night reading...

Just a little reading before going to bed. Hope you get to read a good night night book too.

Butterflies, bunnies, tractors and special visitors

What a day! First thing this morning, we headed out of our family vacation compound in Rhinebeck and headed to Saugerties, a town a bit north and across the Hudson River from us. You might remember that Mommy, Daddy and I vacationed in Saugerties three years ago. Since Everett wasn't even born yet back then, I wanted to show him around town, as well as stroll down the proverbial memory lane with Mommy and Daddy. We sure did that - and more.

You see, the first thing we did upon arriving, was head to the Saugerties Farmer's Market, which we also frequented during our vacation. And as luck would have it, it was kid's day at the market! There were all kinds of activities just for kids, including pony rides, a farm animal petting zoo, and - wait, I'm getting ahead of myself. Because how could I enjoy any of that when there was also face painting?!

Yep, it appears that the Allure of the Seas is not the only place where a four year old boy can get a purple butterfly painted on this face for free...

Who do you think does the better butterfly - the Allure of the Seas or the Saugerties Farmer's Market?

As you can see below, Everett was more than a little skeptical of this entire enterprise...

But with some prodding and the promise of "just something little", he acquiesced to some body art for himself - though without losing an ounce of his initial skepticism... 

Well, what can I say - while purple butterflies and red hearts may not be Everett's thing, this definitely is -

Heavy machinery. In this case, heavy farm machinery. It took Everett no time at all to make himself at home on the vintage tractors participating in the kid's day. He looks like a natural born farmer, doesn't he (less the heart on his face, that is :-)

But I also mentioned a petting zoo, right? There were all kinds of animals for me and Everett to play with - like bunny rabbits, goats, ducks...

Even a giant turtle! 

There were also some things not meant for petting - and they seemed to be Everett's favorite -

So that's where honey comes from?!

It was a great morning at the farmer's market and in Saugerties. And then, I think you can guess what we did in the afternoon, especially since today was one of the hottest days since we've been on vacation. That's right - our super duper giant private pool. Except today, it was even betten because of some special visitors.

 That's right - Dziadek and Babcia came to visit us, and are going to stay with us through the long holiday weekend!

 This just makes our pool time - and the whole vacation - that much more perfect!

"The Aerodome"

I think that my passion (obsession?) for trains is well documented, but what may not be as well known is my recent fascination with airplanes. Believe it or not, I think that I may love planes almost as much as I love trains. Some days, I want to be a train conductor when I grow up. Other days, I want to be a pilot. Lucky for me and Everett, right near our house in Rhinebeck is the Old Rhinebeck Aerodome. It has one of the world's largest collection of flying pioneer, WWI and Lindbergh-era airplanes. 

It was hard for Everett and I to resist touching the planes. We really wanted to sit in one and fly it for ourselves. Since we couldn't do that, we had to settle for the "rocking airplane." Not quite the same but it will do.

The aerodome also features a big collection of motorcycles, automobiles and early engines from 1900-1935. 

The craziest thing is that they actually take these antique airplanes out and fly them during weekend air shows!! Since we visited during a weekday, we didn't get to see an air show but I did get to pretend to fly a plane. What do you think? Future pilot?

 

In the afternoon, we decided to spice things up a little bit. Instead of visiting the big pool at the house, we opted for the small jacuzzi which is right outside of the kitchen. It was nice and warm and cozy for two little boys like us. A nice way to end the day.