summer travel

Hudson Valley postcard: the Hudson-Athens lighthouse, Athens NY

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Typically the first place I expect to see lighthouses is by the ocean. So when I heard people talking about lighthouses in landlocked upstate New York, I was initially a bit surprised- but naturally, there are lighthouses on the Hudson (as on any navigable river and even some large lakes, like the Great Lakes). For anyone interested in lighthouses on the Hudson, Kevin Woyce’s book “Hudson River Lighthouses and History” is an excellent source for histories of the lighthouses along the Hudson from New York Harbor to Coxsackie. Continue reading →

Time on the water in Boston- Georges Island, in Boston Harbor National Recreational Area

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Boston cityscape from Georges Island

The ferry to Georges Island, one of the thirty-plus Boston Harbor islands, only takes about 45 minutes from Long Wharf, but it could easily be a world away. The ferry itself is a treat- as you watch the skyline of Boston recede, the sea breeze will give you respite from the summer’s heat. As you look out across the harbor, you’ll see the other harbor islands dotting the horizon, and each of them has their own unique and interesting story. You’ll pass Castle Island, which has been the site of a fortification since 1634, and Logan Airport on the opposite side of the harbor. You’ll also pass Spectacle Island, which has been used for a variety of purposes over the years, and currently boasts beautiful walking trails (with spectacular views of the city), picnicking areas, swimming facilities and a weekly clambake on Thursday evenings during the summer. Georges Island hosts Wednesday evening barbecues during the summer months. Continue reading →

Visiting the last Howard Johnson’s restaurant- and other things to do in Lake George, NY

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Lake George
CBS Sunday Morning featured a delightful piece on the last Howard Johnson’s restaurant in Lake George, NY, this past Sunday- if you missed it, the video’s here, and is well worth a watch.

While visiting the last Howard Johnson’s, you might want to take in any of a number of other attractions Lake George village and its surrounding area has to offer. Lake George is located within the Adirondack Park, created in 1892, which is today the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States, greater in size than Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon National Park combined. Continue reading →