Our own combination sculpture garden and ancient ruin

Of course I’m referring to Minnewaska State Park. (This image is from earlier in the Spring.)  The Lake can be thought of as a sculpture garden, with boulders carefully arrayed on its carriage roads along with scenic vistas that were created for the enjoyment of the guests of the two hotels which once perched on its cliffs.

And it can be an eerie ruin.  For instance, I still get taken aback when I come upon the lilacs that I remember framing the entryway to Cliff House hotel but now stand in stark isolation.  The feeling is along the lines of, “If this could happen to Wildmere and the Cliff House, whatever is going to happen to me?

Yes, the hotels are gone.  But generations have been able to share the beauty of this place, thanks to the hard work and persistent advocacy of a handful of organizations and individuals decades ago, who had the vision to make Minnewaska available to all.

We all owe them a great debt of gratitude.

Stay cool–take a walk around Minnewaska!