Volunteered at Bethel this evening and after duties was allowed to view the show. Since I only get CBS plus haven’t seen these guys in quite some time but decided to stay and view the show.

These three boyhood friends of 40 years can certainly entertain and did so for over an hour. They have 11 seasons in the can and now are branching out across the pond to London with their humor. I wish them well.

Their audience, is diverse with all shapes, sizes, and colors in attendance. While they are bizarre, the 3500 audience was enthralled on this pristine night.

Check them out for a laugh.

While at the Staatsburgh property the docent mentioned the family was buried in St James Church Cemetery, Hyde Park, which I knew to be the Roosevelt family’s church.

Have always wanted to stop and today was the day.

While the church was closed explored the famous cemetery which a local Boy Scout troop memorialized.

Here are some of the famous interred here.

One of his sons

A Blackman who was a church rector

Quite an interesting visit and walk through history. For all those cemetery buffs a definite must see..

Passed by the Vanderbilt Mansion on my return home and did a uturn. Glad I did as the evening grounds at the Vanderbilt are beautiful and serene. While dog walkers abound, all are friendly.

Take a gander with me.

The Gardens

Stopped in Rhinebeck on my way to other destinations. Ate at the famous Beekman Arms where George Washington was known to have stayed. The lunch was delicious and reasonably priced.

After this took a walk through town..

Some gorgeous Gothic homes which are now bed and breakfasts.

Church conversion to a restaurant

Some other things to do in the area. Also, the Walkway Over the Hudson is not far from here as well as FDRs home Hyde Park, and his cousin’s home Wilderstein,

And a final goodbye to Rhinebeck

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!