Leaf peeping trip to Taconic/Berkshire regions

**ChrisPlatt** · 10-03-2021, 01:26 PM - **1 Like**

We have booked a place in Columbia County NY for Columbus Day weekend.
We are traveling by car. Perhaps Montreal via Amtrak will be possible by 2022.

Any suggestions for pandemic-safe activities in the area would be appreciated.

TIA,
Chris

**Sholom** · 10-03-2021, 07:57 PM - **1 Like**

Haven't spent much time on the New York side of the NY/Massachusetts border but depends where you are staying in the county. The word is that Hudson, NY has become a hopping, artsy place with some good food. If you are near Copake, NY, I can recommend a trip just over the Mass border to Bash Bish Falls (both upper and lower parking lots: short walks to some great views). If you are near Hillsdale, you are close to Great Barrington, MA which has some great food and cultural activities. Way up in the northeast corner of the county is New Lebanon for food and Hancock Shaker Village just over the Massachusetts border. I've only driven around the county in summer but i suspect any reasonably sunny day and back road will make you happy you are there at this time of year. Have fun!

**ChrisPlatt** · 10-04-2021, 02:31 PM

Weather forecast there is for cloudy conditions with some showers on Sunday.
I was so hoping to finally try the E100 film I bought specifically for this trip...

Chris

**WPRESTO** · 10-05-2021, 11:14 AM - **1 Like**

If you're looking for things to do, I recommend this website. It lists just about anything and everything in Western MessyChewBits that's worth some time, and some things that probably aren't.

Fun Things To Do In Western Massachusetts | Explore Western Mass

BTW: Not sure how things are up in the Berkshires, but there's very little color in and around us except where there's permanent standing water. As usual, any plants standing in swampy soggy places change color a bit earlier.

Last edited by WPRESTO; 10-05-2021 at 03:27 PM.

**ChrisPlatt** · 10-05-2021, 12:18 PM

Thanks Walt. Another I found is at https://berkshires.org/

Sholom: We've been to Hudson, Hillsdale and Great Barrington,
as well as Lenox, Stockbridge, Lee, North Adams and Pittsfield.

We have stayed in cottages at Lake Taghkanic and Copake Falls State Parks,
and hiked the short trail - through three states - to Bash Bish Falls several times.

Thanks for the suggestions of New Lebanon and Hancock Shaker Village.
I also want to visit Chatham NY and Chester MA, once important railroad towns.

Chris

**WPRESTO** · 10-05-2021, 03:33 PM - **1 Like**

I did not look through the points of interest listed in the website I suggested above, but here is a list of museums for a rainy day:

15 Museums in Western Massachusetts : From the Most Famous to Hidden Gems

We have been to the top three listed = MASSMOCA, The Clark, and the Norman Rockwell Museum. All three are good rainy-day visits. The first two can occupy half a day (= about four hours wandering the halls).

**ChrisPlatt** · 10-05-2021, 04:14 PM

Thanks again, Walt. MASS MoCA is great. We have also visited The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield. We may check out some of the others listed.

If there's enough sun I'll use an SLR with polarizer and E100 slide film.
It is after all a leaf-peeping trip.

In case the weather is cloudy as forecast I'll also have a rangefinder camera
with yellow green filter and Tri-X or other contrasty BW film.

If it returns from Eric in time my daughter can try out her new black Pentax MX...

Chris

reeftool · 10-07-2021, 06:58 AM

I'm about 70 miles north so I can't be much help about Columbia County events but if you want to wander up into the Adirondacks, plenty is happening and since the foliage is late this year, it's just about reaching peak.

**WPRESTO** · 10-07-2021, 08:44 AM - **1 Like**

Another interesting place just south of where you'll be staying is the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. Further south is the Vanderbilt Mansion. Also both Franklin and Eleanore Roosevelt homes (she eventually had her own place). There's also the Sleepy Hollow area and Irving's home (nice place) although it's as far south as what I still call the Tappan Zee Bridge. Also in the Hudson Valley area: Lyndhurst Mansion, Motocyclepedeia Museum, Teatown Lake Reservation, Cohoes Falls (a quick stop), Innisfree Garden is uniquely landscaped, essentialy a series of "pocket gardens." but obviously best visited in late Spring. There's a Children's Museum at SUNY, but that's all the way to Albany. I think your list of possibilities must now exceed your allotted vacation time.

**ChrisPlatt** · 10-07-2021, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by WPRESTO

I think your list of possibilities must now exceed your allotted vacation time.

Yes, and thanks for all the ideas. I'm sure we will take in at least one or two of the many suggestions.

Now, if only we could count on some sun...

Chris

**WPRESTO** · 10-07-2021, 03:57 PM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

Yes, and thanks for all the ideas. I'm sure we will take in at least one or two of the many suggestions.

Now, if only we could count on some sun...

Chris

Be thankful there won't be a weather event like the one that hit a spot in northwestern Italy in recent days. If you didn't see the news item, just over 29 inches of rain in 12 hours. That would spoil a picnic.

reeftool · 10-08-2021, 06:13 AM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

Now, if only we could count on some sun...

Saturday and Sunday are looking good, at least for Albany and areas north. Partly cloudy and highs in the mid 60's. The Hudson Valley will be warmer. Showers moving in Sunday night. If the forecast holds up and the weather is nice, consider the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. The air show with the old WW1 planes is a great time and and a great photo op, too. They're still open.

**ChrisPlatt** · 10-08-2021, 08:39 AM

We took our daughter to see the air show at Rhinebeck when she was little.
The old planes are terrific. The show is a little bit hokey but good fun.
It felt like 100°F and 99% humidity the day we went.

Well, as usual I waited until the morning of our trip to prepare my photo gear.
Cameras, lenses and film are all packed, however I can't find my polarizers.

The same thing happened once before, and I bought duplicates.
I hid those away as well - instead of putting them in one of my bags!

Chris

**WPRESTO** · 10-08-2021, 11:25 AM - **1 Like**

RULE: Always purchase small indispensable pieces of equipment that will cause panic and delay when everyone else is ready to go. BTW. On a recent trip I took my equipment in a "messenger bag." It had numerous small slip-it-in-out pockets without closures. A Canon achromatic close-up lens slipped out of one somewhere, never to be seen again. Hope it was found by someone who knows what it is and can put it to use.

**ChrisPlatt** · 10-12-2021, 11:11 AM

The sun peeked through the clouds only once or twice all weekend.
Looks like it'll be at least another year before I get to try Kodak E100...

Chris

10-03-2021, 01:26 PM - 1 Like	#1
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694	Leaf peeping trip to Taconic/Berkshire regions We have booked a place in Columbia County NY for Columbus Day weekend. We are traveling by car. Perhaps Montreal via Amtrak will be possible by 2022. Any suggestions for pandemic-safe activities in the area would be appreciated. TIA, Chris

10-08-2021, 08:39 AM	#13
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694 Original Poster	We took our daughter to see the air show at Rhinebeck when she was little. The old planes are terrific. The show is a little bit hokey but good fun. It felt like 100°F and 99% humidity the day we went. Well, as usual I waited until the morning of our trip to prepare my photo gear. Cameras, lenses and film are all packed, however I can't find my polarizers. The same thing happened once before, and I bought duplicates. I hid those away as well - instead of putting them in one of my bags! Chris Last edited by ChrisPlatt; 10-10-2021 at 07:27 AM.

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10-03-2021, 07:57 PM - 1 Like	#2
Sholom Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery Posts: 125	Haven't spent much time on the New York side of the NY/Massachusetts border but depends where you are staying in the county. The word is that Hudson, NY has become a hopping, artsy place with some good food. If you are near Copake, NY, I can recommend a trip just over the Mass border to Bash Bish Falls (both upper and lower parking lots: short walks to some great views). If you are near Hillsdale, you are close to Great Barrington, MA which has some great food and cultural activities. Way up in the northeast corner of the county is New Lebanon for food and Hancock Shaker Village just over the Massachusetts border. I've only driven around the county in summer but i suspect any reasonably sunny day and back road will make you happy you are there at this time of year. Have fun!

10-04-2021, 02:31 PM	#3
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694 Original Poster	Weather forecast there is for cloudy conditions with some showers on Sunday. I was so hoping to finally try the E100 film I bought specifically for this trip... Chris

10-05-2021, 11:14 AM - 1 Like	#4
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,108	If you're looking for things to do, I recommend this website. It lists just about anything and everything in Western MessyChewBits that's worth some time, and some things that probably aren't. Fun Things To Do In Western Massachusetts \| Explore Western Mass BTW: Not sure how things are up in the Berkshires, but there's very little color in and around us except where there's permanent standing water. As usual, any plants standing in swampy soggy places change color a bit earlier. Last edited by WPRESTO; 10-05-2021 at 03:27 PM.

10-05-2021, 12:18 PM	#5
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694 Original Poster	Thanks Walt. Another I found is at https://berkshires.org/ Sholom: We've been to Hudson, Hillsdale and Great Barrington, as well as Lenox, Stockbridge, Lee, North Adams and Pittsfield. We have stayed in cottages at Lake Taghkanic and Copake Falls State Parks, and hiked the short trail - through three states - to Bash Bish Falls several times. Thanks for the suggestions of New Lebanon and Hancock Shaker Village. I also want to visit Chatham NY and Chester MA, once important railroad towns. Chris

10-05-2021, 03:33 PM - 1 Like	#6
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,108	I did not look through the points of interest listed in the website I suggested above, but here is a list of museums for a rainy day: 15 Museums in Western Massachusetts : From the Most Famous to Hidden Gems We have been to the top three listed = MASSMOCA, The Clark, and the Norman Rockwell Museum. All three are good rainy-day visits. The first two can occupy half a day (= about four hours wandering the halls).

10-05-2021, 04:14 PM	#7
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694 Original Poster	Thanks again, Walt. MASS MoCA is great. We have also visited The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield. We may check out some of the others listed. If there's enough sun I'll use an SLR with polarizer and E100 slide film. It is after all a leaf-peeping trip. In case the weather is cloudy as forecast I'll also have a rangefinder camera with yellow green filter and Tri-X or other contrasty BW film. If it returns from Eric in time my daughter can try out her new black Pentax MX... Chris

10-07-2021, 06:58 AM	#8
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,554	I'm about 70 miles north so I can't be much help about Columbia County events but if you want to wander up into the Adirondacks, plenty is happening and since the foliage is late this year, it's just about reaching peak.

10-07-2021, 08:44 AM - 1 Like	#9
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,108	Another interesting place just south of where you'll be staying is the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. Further south is the Vanderbilt Mansion. Also both Franklin and Eleanore Roosevelt homes (she eventually had her own place). There's also the Sleepy Hollow area and Irving's home (nice place) although it's as far south as what I still call the Tappan Zee Bridge. Also in the Hudson Valley area: Lyndhurst Mansion, Motocyclepedeia Museum, Teatown Lake Reservation, Cohoes Falls (a quick stop), Innisfree Garden is uniquely landscaped, essentialy a series of "pocket gardens." but obviously best visited in late Spring. There's a Children's Museum at SUNY, but that's all the way to Albany. I think your list of possibilities must now exceed your allotted vacation time.

10-07-2021, 03:33 PM	#10
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694 Original Poster	Originally posted by WPRESTO I think your list of possibilities must now exceed your allotted vacation time. Yes, and thanks for all the ideas. I'm sure we will take in at least one or two of the many suggestions. Now, if only we could count on some sun... Chris

10-07-2021, 03:57 PM	#11
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,108	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt Yes, and thanks for all the ideas. I'm sure we will take in at least one or two of the many suggestions. Now, if only we could count on some sun... Chris Be thankful there won't be a weather event like the one that hit a spot in northwestern Italy in recent days. If you didn't see the news item, just over 29 inches of rain in 12 hours. That would spoil a picnic.

10-08-2021, 06:13 AM	#12
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,554	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt Now, if only we could count on some sun... Saturday and Sunday are looking good, at least for Albany and areas north. Partly cloudy and highs in the mid 60's. The Hudson Valley will be warmer. Showers moving in Sunday night. If the forecast holds up and the weather is nice, consider the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. The air show with the old WW1 planes is a great time and and a great photo op, too. They're still open.

10-08-2021, 11:25 AM - 1 Like	#14
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,108	RULE: Always purchase small indispensable pieces of equipment that will cause panic and delay when everyone else is ready to go. BTW. On a recent trip I took my equipment in a "messenger bag." It had numerous small slip-it-in-out pockets without closures. A Canon achromatic close-up lens slipped out of one somewhere, never to be seen again. Hope it was found by someone who knows what it is and can put it to use.

10-12-2021, 11:11 AM	#15
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694 Original Poster	The sun peeked through the clouds only once or twice all weekend. Looks like it'll be at least another year before I get to try Kodak E100... Chris