Storm King Art Center is one of those must see places. I am not sure why we had not even heard of it until my sister told us about their visit. So now I have been there and you have heard of it. It is a vast sculpture park with a large variety of outdoor venues, most although appearing natural are created and sculpted into being over time. Even the Calder hillside was created and shaped for the placement of the Calder stabiles. At every turn there is a surprise if you turn your head from the main item in your view. As we climbed the Calder slope at the end of the day returning to the Museum Hill Area I looked off to the side behind me and saw this picket fence in mirror:
The newest item on display in the Maple Room is Three Legged Buddah, part of a larger exhibit of Zhang Huan’s work.
As I talked to Sandy we agreed that much of the work has a 70’s feel to it although the work in the North Woods area seems far more current.
The next day, Thursday, we hung around the coach in the morning catching up on things and I made some minor repairs and improvements. It seems there is always a hinge or a catch that picks an inappropriate moment to cause problems. In this case the drawer that contains the garbage pail decided not to latch closed also it would not retract all the way so we couldn’t close the door. Five minutes of getting my fingers greasy from the slides and I had located the sticky latch, freed it and lubricated it so it is good for another couple of years. I seem to be out of industrial strength Velcro to resolve a couple of other minor issues. It is on the shopping list.
After lunch on board we ventured into Rhinebeck to see what it is about. It is a fairly typical small town with some lovely shops where Carol found a pair of earrings that filled a need she had. One gallery we visited, a third floor walkup, was quite lovely and the owner took a lot of time with us. The work is mostly landscapish and I really liked the sculpture on display. Back to the coach for washup and preparation for a dining experience.
OMG CIA is huge. I never quite envisioned a large college campus when I thought about one of the oldest cooking schools in the US. We turned in on Chive Ave and continued on Campus Drive to the parking garage to find our restaurant Caterina de Medici (we left on Parsley Way). We were seated immediately even though we had arrived a few minutes early. The staff were very welcoming and helpful. We were seated in a room off to the side of the main dining room with one other party of 6, Italian speakers who added to the atmosphere with their broad gestures and apparent enjoyment of the moment together. Our waiter Steve was young although in his last semester at the school learning the “front of the house” by waiting table as part of the educational rotation. Neither of us was up to ordering a full five courses, but we did indulge in two courses each and a shared dessert.
Yes, that is a foodie picture. I know I don’t usually include them even though I do take them sometimes. The portions were small by some standards, but we were quite satisfied and Carol brought part of her main dish home. The tomato and bread soup she had was marvelous, but filling. and my leg of lamb main course was heavenly, although the presentation as a group of meatballs (or so they looked) in a tureen with marvelous vegetables was a bit off putting at first. Tips are not permitted but a 17% Service Fee is included.
The next day, Friday, found us heading into a nightmare of roads in the north Jersey area with Carol at the helm and me at the GPS trying to figure out which of the four ramps to the right it meant by “bear right now” OY! we did get to the campground and here is a view from the office:
Yes, that is the Statue of Liberty just off in the near distance.
A brief comment on the birthday party we are here to attend. Carol’s brother, Arthur turned 85 on Monday September 1. We wanted his Aunt Dorothy, only 6 years older, to be able to attend, but the trip from Hamilton ON would have been a bit much so we arranged with her son Mitchell to have a Skype session which ended up going on for 30 minutes. This was a highlight for everyone, especially Arthur and Dorothy (make that Art and Dodo). Everyone in Moshe’s house got to see and talk with Aunt Dodo and with Mitchell.
Enough different stuff for one post. The NYC adventure starts now!