This spectacular Gilded Age mansion was donated to New York State in 1938. Those who bequeathed the property were living abroad they were America’s Million Dollar Princesses.

They wished the home to be a memorial to their family history which stemmed from the Livingston and Schuyler Families of the 1700’s who developed this area of the country.

The first home was built on the grounds in 1792, and burnt to the ground in 1832 by tenant farmers angry over their rent. The home was promptly rebuilt then enhanced in later decades by architect Stanford White to its current grandeur.

The maids room – over 100 servants worked to maintain the home. There were farms on the property.

Loved this property as the docent made it alive to our small group. If you visit arrive early to view the placards explaining the family history. It is fascinating.

The museum also has many special events such as..

The Gilded Age Black Community of Staatsburgh

A Closer Look: Curator Guided Exploration

Guided Hikes

Guided Landscape Tours

Concerts on the grounds throughout the summer

How I wish the property was closer to me!

Will close with a picture of the gift 🎁 shop which once was the billiards room of the man of the house..

After the 🩰 drove to the Lake George area, staying in the delightful, reasonable, Travel Lodge of Queensbury. The room was spacious and clean with a sparkling pool where I did laps. 🏊 the following morning..

🏊🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️🏊🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️🏊🏊‍♂️🏊🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️🏊🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️🏊🏊‍♂️

Drove to Lake George post laps to rediscover where my ex-husband and I once shared an idyllic day on an isolated beach.

This walk down memory lane was one of the those magical moments, and guess I was seeking to recapture the moment. 🕰️

On this perfect day swam in the beautiful Lake George waters. Originally known as the Lake of the Blessed Sacrament, its waters are pristine and silky making one wonder why they changed the name?.

What a view!

In closing…

To my good fortune July 11th was the opening day of the race track. Stopped between ballet performances and took in the horses.🐴 What a treat as hadn’t been in 10 years or more!

Then there are the 🧢

And yes somewhere in between are the horses.

And the track,

More shots of the track as I believe Saratoga to be the most beautiful Track in the country, if not the world 🌎

Another wonderful visit..

This was next on the agenda in this action packed 30 hour trek.. Had made arrangements to see the afternoon and evening performances of this great troupe.

Saw Jewels in the afternoon with its gorgeous dance routines, and spectacular costumes.

And my favorite- Diamonds

In the evening I viewed more avant- guard dance numbers loving 3 out of 4 of their numbers. Guess the age is showing as the last dance was so loud that my tinnitus was activated badly for 12 hours!

Here are the bows..

Wish you could see the costumes close up but if you have the chance it’s Contemporary Choreography and the dances were:

Underneath, There Is Light

Red Angels – my pick

Gustave Gray No. 1

Didn’t care for The Times Are Racing…

🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎

So what did I do between performances?

Stay tuned, remember this is Saratoga!

🐴🐎🎠🏇🐎🎠🐴🐎🎠🏇

that the rapist prez was shot. 🔫.

When I told those I worked with their comment was..

Is he dead?

☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️

And this was said with hope.

🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

If only for a millimeter of an inch.

Shucks!

😭🥺😢😔☹️😞😕😞☹️😔😢🥺😭😕😞😔

Just down the hill from Olana is the Thomas Cole House. Take the Rip Van Winkle Bridge over the Hudson and follow the signs.

🌉🌉🌉🌉🌉🌉

Somehow I missed the turn ending up in Hudson, New York. And for those with antique interest this town is a treasure trove. Also, many City dwellers have relocated to Hudson, renovating the old and glorious homes of this once vibrant city.

Worth a look 👀 if you have those interests.

🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️

But back to Thomas Cole..,

Thomas loved to hike into the Catskills and 🎨. He also was a traveler spending much of his time away from his family to promote his works.

His studio

Another Studio View

His famous series

They are building an art center on the grounds to display the works of others..

And for a laugh – they left the Cole outhouse on the property, but guess that has historic value also. Art is everything! Ha! Ha!

Had to get away from the tree 🌳 removal debacle. Headed north after the end of my 12 hour shift and what a find.

Born in 1826 to a wealthy Hartford, Connecticut family, Frederick Church, was expected to follow his family fortunes in the now Aetna insurance industry. However, much to his families dismay, he took a different path…

After much discussion, his family succumbed, and allowed Frederick to study with Thomas Cole in his Hudson River School of Painting. With Cole’s guidance he continued his work learning all from this landscape master then moving beyond. While noted as a “school,” there were only 2 students with Church the prominent one.

Some of Church’s works..

In his first New York City showing his painting of the falls of Niagara was displayed. Patrons lined the streets for blocks to view this work which now hangs in the Met. It is spectacular.

In his early 30’s at this time he was world renowned. In the viewing line he noted a lively young woman from Ohio who had taken the train to NYC to view Niagara. After much arrangements, as this was the Victorian era, the couple were formally introduced and within a year wed.

A land purchase was made near the Cole’s and their first home on the Olana property was constructed.

Here 2 children were born who sadly died within 8 days of each other. The couple escaped their grief traveling to Jamaica where Frederick painted while visiting friends. Frederick traveled the world painting, often in unsafe areas.

I had been to Olana some 30 plus years ago when it was a bit of a wreck with massive plans for improvements. It was wonderful to return to see the beauty of this amazing spot recreated with the plans completed.

This was due to the works of many inclusive of Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Nelson Rockefeller.

The home and grounds are magnificent and a must see. Spend the day, walk the trails, bring your dogs, then journey across the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, a 1935 icon, to Tom Cole’s Home.

I’ve said enough. After 30 hours without sleep will let the pictures say all of Olana as sometimes pictures better define than words.

Today after returning from my 12 hour shift on the psych unit waited for the tree man’s crew to arrive. However, they didn’t.

With big storms on the horizon decided to do a video hello to the guy..

Thought my readers would be interested in seeing the property I so often speak of.

Let’s hope I get some action..

Off to Saratoga for the ballet 🩰 and hope to return to a job well done!!

🌲🎄🌴🎄🌲🌴🎄🌲🌴🌳

🤥🤥🤥🤥🤥

I said I wouldn’t mention this again, but I lied, as I have to.

After hearing President Biden on Morning Joe yesterday I am more confused than ever.

🤫🤫🤫🤫

Joe was phenomenal on his call in chat with Mika and Joe.

Check it out on utube.

Which leads me to wonder – did the rapist president put something in the debate water to make Joe feel off?

💦💧💦💦

I’m not much for conspiracy theories, but this one makes sense..

So, I wrote Joe told not to drink the debate water next time.

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

I love you Joe ❤️❤️❤️

FOUR MORE YEARS!!!!

I finally completed the corner bathroom cabinet. And with that the bathroom renovation is complete.

How proud I am of my ingenuity!

Assembly instructions are not easy.

🎄🌲🌴🌳🎋🎄🌲🌴🌳🎋🎄🌲🌴🌳🎋🌳

On Tuesday I will be having over 40 diseased trees 🌳 removed. Each time I hear heavy rain, the crackle of thunder, and/or a bolt of lightning, I cringe. It would be the end of the cabin should one of these 175 foot giants fall on the roof.

⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

So to reward myself I took a bit of a breather reveling in my accomplishments. I visited our community pool’s free day.

💧💧💧💧💧

While the pool is lovely am unsure if I will be able to break into the crowd.

I tire of the game I fondly call,

“Hello, my name is…”

Perhaps next year I will take the plunge?.

🏊🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️🏊🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️🏊🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️

Pardon my pun.

🤞🤞🤞

Next on the agenda was this spot.

The Center was having a community day, and it was a perfect.

Visited the temple, received a tour, and participated in a meditation session.

The inside of the temple.

They also have classes, and retreats of which I am going to explore.

And did I mention the food available? Yum..

After these tasty items walked the several trails on the site.

Know this spot deserves another visit.