Storm King Art Center

Storm King Art Center www.stormking.org is one of the world’s leading sculpture parks and has welcomed visitors from across the globe for fifty years. It is located only one hour north of New York City, in the lower Hudson Valley. It is a beautiful, peaceful, very sunny place, different and great during all seasons.

My advice: after parking the car take your time walking through Meadows to Museum Hills.
After that, take the elevator down and get on the tram (running every 30 min). You'll give a rest to your feet and learn some interesting facts from the commentary provided on the tram.
The tram makes many stops on its way, but there is no guaranty the seats will be available at every stop. You can go all the way and come back to the elevator (this stop is close to the South and Upper Parking lots) or you can get off at the Three Legged Buddha or Storm King Wall (author A. Goldsworthy)., After walking around South Fields you can take the tram or walk to your parking lot.

Hours: Beginning April 4, 2012, Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:30 pm (grounds remain open until 8:00 pm on Saturdays, May 26–September 1, and on Sunday May 27 and Sunday September 2; until 5:00 pm in November). The place closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, except for the Monday holidays marking Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Columbus Day. Open only on weekends after November 11 (November 17–18 and 24–25). The 2012 Storm King season closes on November 25.
Fees:  Adults $12
           Senior Citizens (65 and older) $10
           College Students (with valid id) and Students (K-12) $8
           Children under 5 Free
The complimentary map is provided at the entrance.

Touring Storm King by bicycle is another great way to experience the art and landscape Storm King offers. Visitors may rent adult bicycles. For details about go to http://www.stormking.org/visit/bike-rentals/.

For navigation systems, MapQuest, or Google maps, please use the following address:
1 Museum Road, New Windsor, NY 12553.
Finally, very important: there is Storm King State Park and Storm King School you probably see on your way - please do not confuse them with Storm King Art Center.

Great News

With summer in full swing, I'm receiving many questions about possible destinations for vacations, long weekends and one day excursions. I am always more than happy to help with advice, however I realized that even though some places I think would be worth a visit have been described previously on my blog, they might not be easy to find right now, since so many articles have been posted over the past ?? years/months?.

Therefore, I created the Geographical Archive, dividing all posts, old and future, into 3 categories:

Tristate area (NY-NJ-CT)Around the US Around the World.

I also created the Helpful information tab, where you'll find different general information about traveling, i.e. websites, travel insurance, and hot travel deals of the week.

All 4 tabs are now located right under Blog title on the home page - next to "Contact me" tab.
Each post's title has the month and the year the post was originally posted. To go to particular article you would like to read, click on right site of the page on the month of the year the article was posted and you you'll get to desire article, without browsing the entire blog page by page.

The future posts will continue appearing on the home page and at the same time will be added to Geographical Archive for future reference.

Finally, I'd like to remind you that there are two ways to keep in touch with my blog:

One - to go directly to www.friendstravelclub.blogspot.com and check the new posts every week- you might want to place this web address in your Favorites for quicker access.

The other - go to www.friendstravelclub.blogspot.com, type your e-mail address in Follow by e-mail field and follow the prompts. Once you confirm you want to be subscribed to my blog, every new post will be automatically delivered to your e-mail address.

If you'd like to make a comment to any of the articles, just click on Comment below that article.

And last but not least- I want to thank all those who send me stories and information about the places you visited to share with my readers.

Have a great summer,

Liliya

lemkovsblog@gmail.com

Barcelona, Spain

My younger daughter's friend Victoria sent this article:

I would like to share my recent experience in Barcelona.  I was there 5 days at the end
of April.   The weather was perfect for walking; there was no need for heavy coat or to hide in a shade every 10 minutes.  Five days was not enough to see all of the city but perfect for the major attractions.  Firstly the Gaudi houses, Casa Milà and Casa Batlló, unfinished church Sagrada Familia, and Park Güell are must see!  The vision of this architect is unbelievable and leaves you breathless because of the immense imagination of this man.  The recommendation that I would make is when going to the park, if it is during warmer months, plan on having a picnic there.  The park is huge and beautiful.  It overlooks the city.  Get some tapas, a bottle of wine and enjoy! 

Speaking of food, the must go to place for incredibly delicious tapas and wonderful sangria is Ciudad Condal ( Rambla de Catalunya, 18, Barcelona).  The food was so unbelievable that I had to return to the restaurant again before leaving the city.  Walking around the city it was also absolute pleasure to stop in at one of the restaurants with outside seating and enjoy a glass of Cava, (Spanish sparkling wine remarkably similar to champagne), while people watching. 

Another wonderful part of the city is the old town, which you can enter from Las Ramblas, one of
the most famous boulevards in the world. Get lost a bit in the old town, and come to the Barcelona Cathedral, which is remarkable inside and allows one to go up to the roof with an incredible view of the city. 

The other must see place is Montserrat .You can get there on your own or take a tour.  If you choose a tour make sure it allows you enough time to roam inside the monastery.   Please do not miss the market in Montserrat on the way back to the city.  Local farmers sell their products there.  The cheese was unbelievable!!!  For practical information about visiting Montserrat go to http://wikitravel.org/en/Montserrat_(Spain).

Finally, last recommendation I have is to visit a Flamenco show.  The show I visited was at Tablao Flamenco Cordobes (http://www.tablaocordobes.com/tablao_flamenco/general/en/1/), which was spectacular and powerful.  The seating was a bit uncomfortable but the show was so breathtaking that you forget about being so close to your neighbor.

Enjoy this wonderfully charming city! 

DuPont Sites in Delawere, Part 2

Once a DuPont family country retreats, Winterthur's 1,000 acres encompass rolling hills, streams, meadows, and forests. Founder Henry Francis DuPont (1880-1969) developed an appreciation of nature as a boy that served as the basis for his life's work in the garden. He selected the choicest plants from around the world to orchestrate a succession of bloom from late January to November. For a listing of Winterthur plants that flower, berries, and foliage in summer and fall, go to Summer Color in the Garden or Fall Color in the Garden on the Winterthur website www.winterthur.org/

If you are going to Gardens with kids, do not forget to visit Enchanted Woods, a unique children's garden. In a three-acre plot of the Winterthur Garden, the fairy folk created a magical landscape for children of all ages!

Winterthur has now a new exhibit “Uncorked! Wine, Objects & Tradition” on view until January 6, 2013.The exhibition features wine-related materials totaling more than 300 objects associated with the history of wine drinking, especially in Britain and America If you are into wine or even if you’re not the variety and descriptions of the items are fascinating.
You can also raise a glass in toast to this fascinating exhibition by participating in various related events. There are guided gallery walks of the exhibition every Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:00 pm. To get more details about this exhibition go to www.winterthur.org/uncorked.

Winterthur offers the variety of dining and visitors are welcome to picnic on-site.

We had only about two hours to spend in this beautiful place, so we are definitely planning to come back. Besides, we were not able to visit the most beautiful of the DuPont Mansions- Nemours Mansion, for which advanced reservations are highly recommended. The reservations office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30AM - 4PM. To make reservation, call (302) 651-6912 or e-mail to tours@nemours.org.

Finally, I’d like to recommend the hotel where we stayed during out trip, Hotel Super 8 in Pennsville, NJ. The reason we booked it was the rate, great location just off I-295 at the foot of the Delaware Memorial Bridge on NJ side, and reviews on various travel sites. Upon check-in, the room we were assigned did not have a working TV remote and telephone. To make up for the inconvenience, within 15 minutes of reporting the problem, we were offered a suite. The front desk personnel recommended a great place for dinner – Riverside Inn, located within 2 miles from the hotel. The restaurant boasts live country music, delicious seafood, and a breathtaking view of Delaware River, and Delaware Memorial Bridge. If you do not want to drive to Riverside Inn, there is Applebee's right across from the Hotel.

It was a great trip! 

DuPont Sites in Delawere

Last weekend we decided to go on a mini getaway. We started our trip on Saturday morning, and returned on Monday afternoon. Our first stop was Grounds for Sculpture, one of our favorite places. We have not visited it in several years. In that time, many new sculptures and a new visitor’s center have since been added to the park. We took a short tour with a volunteer guide (which is available every Saturday at 1 pm). The tour was very enlightening. For example, we learned that the founder and creator of many sculptures, Seward Johnson, is part of the Johnson family that founded the Johnson & Johnson Company. Every visit to Grounds for Sculpture gives you the opportunity to discover new sculptures.  This time we discovered a sculpture called “Employee Shower”. Given the fact that showering is a private affair, the sculpture was well hidden. We encountered some people that were searching for this particular piece, having learned about it prior to their visit. Intrigued, we followed them, and understood why they were searching for it: see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaJwJTOOgas. To find the statue, look in the area between the lake and Rats restaurant.

Our final destination was DuPont sites in Delaware. The area surrounding Wilmington, DE is home to the mansions belonging to the DuPont family. There are several mansions worth mentioning & visiting. We were only able to visit two from that list – Hagley Museum and Gardens, and Winterthur Gardens. 

Hagley Museum and Gardens tell the story of the DuPont family. We had no idea that the DuPont Empire started with an immigrant who built this large facility for manufacturing explosive powder. What an interesting slice of history. The grounds are really fun to walk around and there is lots of material for picture taking. We took a tour of the grounds which had something for everybody: The DuPont ancestral home; gardens; river-side setting; antique automobiles; gunpowder manufacturing facilities; a vintage machine shop; a worker's home; school, etc.

You are allowed to walk most of the grounds, and there is a free shuttle that runs about every half hour throughout the area. If you get hungry, Belin House serves a quick menu of sandwiches and lighter fare at reasonable prices.

One important point: get directions from their website http://www.hagley.lib.de.us/info.html

Like many, we followed GPS directions and ended up at the Library/Soda House end of the facility which is a private area. So many people do this that they have directions on their website to get you to the correct entrance.

I'll tell you about the rest of our trip next time...

Maui, Hawaii

Carol S. just returned from a family reunion held in Hawaii and this is her review:

“With its gorgeous beaches, tropical flowers, beautiful waterfalls and plush golf course, it's no wonder Maui is called the Magic Isle, and anyone who visits, falls in love with it instantly. The weather in Maui averages 80 during the day, but a cool breeze off the ocean makes it very pleasant -just use sunscreen or sunblock to protect your skin from the strong sunrays.

Maui has 30 miles of beach where you can snorkel, scuba, water ski, surf board, paddle board, and parasail. You also can board a boat to watch the whales or board a submarine to see the colorful sea life. A tram ride around a plantation will show you how pineapples, sugar cane, palm trees, and coffee trees grow.
For the more adventurous take a ride in a helicopter to see the island or go zip lining; take a ride to Hana to see the gorgeous scenery, waterfall, flouring rainforest and beautiful seascapes. And of course, make sure to bring a camera!
Travel to the top of Haleakala volcano to watch the sunrise (be sure to bring a winter jacket or a blanket); watch the sunset during the torch lighting ceremony at black rock beach; hike or camp in Haleakala national park.

Kaanapali is favorite resort area on the west coast of Maui with its white sand beaches, blue green water and its variety of activities. Although there are numerous resort hotels, I recommend renting a condo if you plan to stay a week or more. The apartment comes with a bedroom, a sofa in the living room, and a completely equipped kitchen. Room service is provided daily. The condos have their own beach, pool, and restaurant. If you go sightseeing or spend time on the beach, it is easier to eat breakfast in the room and pack a picnic lunch. The condos also have an area for barbequing. The condos have free shuttle buses to take you into town, but if you rent a car you can travel at your leisure. To make a reservation go to http://kaanapalialii-px.rtrk.com/

In Lahaina at the Maui theatre (http://www.mauitheatre.com/) you can see Ulalena - a wonderful live show depicting the story of the Hawaiian people in song and dance.
There are also numerous restaurants and shops in Lahaina. You can eat inexpensive dinners at Cool Cats, Hardrock cafe or Cheeseburger paradise. Mama's fish house serves excellent food with a setting on the beach. The best shopping is in Lahaina, and Hilo Hatties and ABC stores in Whalers village Shopping Center have wonderful souvenirs. While walking through the town, make sure you see the banyan tree that encompasses the whole park.

Maui is a wonder place for honeymooners, singles, couple, and families. It's a place you will want to visit again and again!”

Crystal Cave in Kutztown, PA

My friend and coworker Mirlene, send me the following story: 

“On Saturday, my husband took the family to Crystal Cave in Kutztown, PA – the most popular natural attraction in Pennsylvania. There, we took the tour that I found to be very interesting.  The tour start in a theater where we learned about the history of the cave from the time it was discovered to now.  Then, a tour guide took us inside and was able to reiterate many of what we saw in the movie as visuals.  For instance, the crystals inside the cave, where the bats live, where people used to have their dance, the various natural shapes formed inside the cave by water dripping…..At one point, he turned most of the lights inside the cave so we can have a sense of what explorers experienced when there was no electricity inside.  
Besides the tour, there are other activities such as mini golfing and panning for gemstones.
Since it was the Mother’s Day weekend, my highlight of the trip was the gift shop where my sons picked my Mother’s Day presents.  Although, the cashier ruined the surprise for me by excitingly telling me that my boys did a great job at picking my presents, one could imagine the boys’ reaction…
I was not allowed to peruse the gift shop too much. I conclude that it must have some inexpensive, beautiful souvenirs.  I was given a set of crystal emerald earrings and a necklace made out of rocks.  Both pieces can be elegantly worn and do not look cheap at all.

Overall, I would recommend visiting this place, especially to families with kids. We got some good exercise from it as we were still tired the next morning.”

Crystal cave is open every day from March 1 trough November 30. For directions please go to http://www.crystalcavepa.com/MapDirections.html.

Old Westbury Gardens

It looks like the warm weather is finally here, and of course we want to spend more time outside.
I’d like to dedicate this post to what in my opinion is one of the most beautiful gardens in the world – Old Westbury Gardens (www.oldwestburygardens.org)

Old Westbury Gardens, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the former home of John S. Phipps family. Completed in 1906 by the English designer, George A. Crawley, this magnificent Charles II-style mansion is nestled amid 200 acres of formal gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds and lakes. I like this place very much!
Westbury Gardens welcomes visitors of all ages for guided tours of Westbury House and Gardens, in-depth tours of the formal gardens, classic car shows, indoor and outdoor classical concerts, summer pop concerts, etc. You can check the complete schedule of events on http://www.oldwestburygardens.org/05_calendar.htm

Long Island Mozart Festival, which will take place in the Gardens on Memorial weekend, returns for the fifth season. All activities are included in admission. Lawn seating: bring chairs or a blanket. Take the children to the Mozart Festival and introduce them to the joys of music in an informal setting!

Old Westbury Gardens is located at 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury, New York, between the Long Island Expressway (I-495) and Jericho Turnpike (New York Route 25), approximately 20 miles east of New York City. It is open every day EXCEPT TUESDAYS, from April 30th to October 31st, from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm (the House will open at 11:00 am), with the last vehicle being allowed onto the property at 4:00 pm.

You can honor your Mom on Mother’s Day with a visit to the Gardens:
Not only Mom gets a free pass Sunday, May 13, but all women 18 and older will receive a complimentary lavender plant, while supplies last.

Also, I’d like to remind you about a places I already covered that definitely make for a great nice weather excursion:

Grounds for sculpture in NJ, Kykuit, etc - see my September-October’s posts on www.friendstravelclub.blogspot.com

Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms!

" it’s like Paris, only created by Mother Nature…”

Ten days ago we returned from a very exciting trip. This was our first Caravan tour (www.caravan.com) and our first time out West! The trip was excellent and Caravan helped us enjoy it to the fullest. We saw a lot for a seven-day vacation. It was well planned and not too fast paced.

We enjoyed a leisurely pace, delicious meals, and, most importantly, outstanding side trips. Not only was there the breathtaking scenery of Grand Canyon, but everyday promised more and better things to see: Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, Lake Powell, Monument Valley.

All three canyons are so different! We started from the grandiosity of Grand Canyon with its colors changing at sundown; then were completely stunned by looking at colorful pinnacles, called hoodoos, which are up to 200 feet (61 m) high in Bryce Canyon. Finally, we enjoyed the tranquility of Zion Canyon with its wild life, many trails, and a wooden cabins with a fireplace, one of which we were staying in overnight.

Where else can you see the vista we enjoyed during our boat cruise through Lake Powell’s Antelope Canyon, lined with rich red sandstone walls, or go on a guided jeep tour of the restricted backcountry of Monument Valley, a beautiful, pristine area of buttes and arches accessible only with authorized Navajo guides?

If you do not want to join an organized tour, you may do it on your own. Just do it at least once because as my husband said: “These places we visited, everyone should take the time to see; it’s like Paris, only created by Mother Nature… ”

To All Bank of America Customers

If you have any of Bank of America (check, ATM, or credit), or a Merrill Lynch card, this message is for you. They are offering free museum days to a number of museums the first weekend of every month. There are 150 museums in 31 states that are participating.

To see eligible weekend date and locate a Museum near you or view full list by state go to http://museums.bankofamerica.com/ and just click “Details”.

The program starts this weekend!