Month: September 2017

When searching for a moderate hike within striking distance from Brook n Wood Campground we found this hike listed as one of the top ten hikes of the Hudson Valley area. I’m so glad we found this hidden gem in located in Dover Plains, NY.

Following the guide book is critical on this one because hidden it is. They suggest parking in the Dover Elementary School just south of and across the street from the trailhead. We passed the trailhead, twice while looking for it.

The entrance to the trail is through a private drive. Once you descend the steps you cross through a meadow with columns of trees on each side, planted in orchard like rows. Just one tenth mile from the information sign, over a small footbridge you arrive at the intersection of three trails: yellow upper loop, red lower loop and the blue lookout point. If you go straight on through you’ll end up at the cave. We did just that first and later took the blue lookout point trail which is a 1.5 mile in and out.

The cave is an ancient cavern on the Stone Church Brook with a w.aterfall at the back of it. In the 1600’s a Pequot Chief, Sassacus and his warriors fled from the British Army and hid in the cave. According to a sign at the trailhead they were later found and killed by rival Mohawks.

We highly recommend this hike and it is child friendly. The cavern provides near instant hiking gratification and if you’re wanting more you can take one of the other trails before or afterwards.

We made a brief video showing these trails which can be found below. There’s some great commentary about seven and a half minutes in. Check it out if you’ve been entertained by our early series on Camping Interviews with Toddlers. Thanks for stopping by.

The end of August can be a sad time of year. School is about to begin, the temps are getting cooler and the summer camping season is winding down.

We spent the last week of summer swimming and playing at Lake Taghkanic State Park, visiting The Dutchess County Fair, picking fruit at Mead Orchards as well as just swimming and playing at Brook n Wood Campground.

There’s a great swimming beach at Lake Taghkanic. Lots of sand has been brought in for sand castles and sun bathing. When the kids aren’t swimming they’re trying to catch the numerous fish with the nets we brought with us.

We visited The Dutchess County Fair and got to pet and see numerous farm animals, we rode on the carnival rides and the kids each had a fresh milkshake on the way out.

On the last day of the week we picked apples, peaches, plums, strawberries and blueberries at Mead Orchards in Tivoli, just outside of Red Hook. To be fair, I think the kids ate just as much fruit while we were picking than we actually bagged. I’m sure Mead factors in the consumption factor but the kids were amazed in just how fresh and sweet everything was.

Brook n Wood Campground also offered up some activities, pine cone people (or animal) making and rock painting, and we got in our last swim as well.

Check out our video above chronicling our last week of summer. Hopefully we’ll get in some Fall camping before winterizing to show you next. As for now, thanks for stopping by.

• Just outside of Bolton Landing, NY can be found The Pinnacle Hike. It’s a mile and a half in and out trail that offers a breathtaking view of Lake George, one that people seldom see. 
• The trail was a bit steep at first but it leveled off as we made it near the 505 foot summit. A unique aspect of this trail was that it brought you straight to the view. Many of the hikes we’ve taken offer you glimpses as you make your way up but at the end of this hike you emerge from the forest right onto the ledge affording you a beautiful panoramic view of Lake George.

  

  Check out the following video of our hike and stay tuned for more adventures next as we begin to wrap up our summer. Thanks for stopping by.

• https://youtu.be/Ooj0XmNs1mking by.    Pinnacle Trail Video
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooj0XmNs1mk&feature=youtu.be