I have a few itineraries up my sleeve, all of which are guaranteed to deliver a perfect day. There’s the Sick Day Matinee, where you call in sick and go see a daytime movie by yourself (use sparingly). There’s Bike to the Beach, which includes ample reading, swimming, and a popsicle. There’s Night Baking & Podcasts (baking apple pie or date cookies while listening to This American Life or Radio Lab are my favorite combinations). There’s Farmers’ Market & Frisbee; Fish Tacos & a Museum; and Forget the Laundry & Write. Last but certainly not least, there’s Pub & Hike.
While all of the itineraries make me smile, the Pub & Hike does more. It keeps me sane. If I don’t escape the city with Shaun at least once every two months or so, I begin to turn strange. I need to be away from the entire world. Or rather, I need to fill my senses with a world that I feel most connected to: a world of rivers, trees, and great sweeping landscapes.
On our hikes, I like the smell of mud and the sound of Shaun’s hiking stick tapping the ground with each step. I like lunchtime on the trail, sitting in the hollows of rocks and reading beat-up old paperbacks, retrieved from the crumpled depths of my backpack. I like the sting of wind and the warmth of the sun. I like the way my limbs tingle after 10 miles, like alkazelser fizzing in my veins.
Perfect hikes end inside a warm pub. There, Shaun and I take off our hats and gloves. Our hair stands up, crazed with wind and sweat. Our cheeks are rosy and our noses are running. The world is glowing in that love-struck way. We order hot toddies to warm up. We eat shepherds’ pie and spit a slice of pecan pie for dessert.
A few Sunday’s ago, to celebrate my birthday weekend, Shaun and I scheduled a little Pub & Hike in Cold Spring, New York. The village of Cold Spring is only 50 miles north of Manhattan but is an entirely different world. Best of all, its just over an hour away on the Metro North train line. Little Stony Point State Park, where most of the trailheads for the area’s hiking are located, is a short walk from the train station – the locals are happy to point you in the right direction.
For our hike, we chose Mt Taurus. The trail was rigorous. The weather was very windy, but mild and sunny. We saw massive birds of prey and from the mountain top, watched the longest train we’ve ever seen snake its way along the Hudson River below. After the hike, we dined at The Cold Spring Depot. The entire day was exactly what I needed.
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Towards the end of the trail, we came across the ruins of a Cornish estate. I’ve yet to investigate the history of this place, but it was fun to poke about in. It was haunted for sure.
***
***
***
What is your itinerary of choice? What are some things that you do just for you?
March 19, 2008 at 3:29 pm
I can see that as a day of recharging. I would wnat to stay there longer than a day I think though. As usual great pics!
All kind of Frost running through my head at these.
I don’t have an itinerary I choose much. I haven’t really enjoyed the ones I’ve had. All chores all the time.
June 25, 2008 at 6:50 am
I like the sound of all your itineraries, especially nightbaking and podcasts and bike and the beach. I have a new ‘boyfriend goes out and I have a bath and do yoga’ itinerary which is my current favourite and which i would recommend for stressful weekday nights. xxx