The Catskills!

O.K. so it wasn't the best time to go to the Catskills what with the mess left over from Hurricane Irene...

We stayed in Kingston (one of the few places that had affordable hotel rooms left on the labour day long weekend) and rented a car there too. F.Y.I - car rentals are MUCH cheaper outside of New York City.

I liked Woodstock. It's in a bit of a time warp - a lot of the residents still seem to be living in the 60's and have the tie-dye clothes to prove it.
Had a great brunch in Garden Cafe and checked out the flea market. Did a lot of window shopping in the boutiques and bought a souvenir pair of rainbow candles from Candlestock.








On Saturday we took a tour of Farm Sanctuary www.woodstocksanctuary.org where we met some of the residents:

Alfonzo the turkey

Miss Piggy

Louise the cow

On Sunday we visited a Tibetan Monastery
www.kagyu.org
The head of this Buddhist sect escaped Tibet from the Communist government of China in a similar way to the Dalai Lama.

Later, we hiked up Overlook mountain which normally has fantastic views from the top but was overcast and foggy on the day we were there. The fog did manage to make the ruins of a hotel on the hike very atmospheric and mysterious.

Fire Lookout

Kaaterskill Falls

Such a pretty area and a nice mini-break.