Clockwise from top left: Trapeze at Stone Mountain Farm, dancing at the Freestyle Frolic, The Great Hudson Valley Pedal, skydiving in Gardiner, Plein Air Painting, hot air balloon rides in the Catskills. (Trapeze photo by Christopher Lawrence; Cycling photo by Robin Dropkin, Parks & Trails NY)
Nobody likes winter. It's long, it's dark, and it's cold. And the longer, darker, and colder it gets, the more depressed we get. From shoveling snow and scraping ice off windshields, to bundling up just to check the mail, every aspect of everyday life seems harder in the winter. And in the Hudson Valley, it can be brutal.
There is, however, a bright side to winter. There exists a shining light at the end of the proverbial tunnel of high heating bills and chapped lips. That light is called summer. As sure as the melancholy of winter's blues is the promise of summer's rainbows. And the longer we must wait for summer's arrival, the more glorious it is.
After an extended sentence in the dreary confines of winter's gloomy cell, we emerge as hatchlings from their eggs, with a renewed zest for life. The blessing of winter is our profound appreciation of summer's splendor. We tend to experience this magnificent season as a time for living. At the first sign of warmth, we begin planning outings in the great outdoors. We come together for barbeques and volleyball games. We go camping, hiking, and rock climbing. Some people relax on the golf course, while others organize softball leagues. Others prefer the quiet stillness of gardening, or painting landscapes under an open sky. And there are those who enjoy sailing, fishing, or simply reading within the shade of a tree.
Let's face it: Summer in the Hudson Valley is like heaven on earth. With breathtaking mountains, green rolling hills, enchanting forests, and spectacular rivers...is it any wonder why, year after year, we endure winter?
Once summer arrives, winter seems like a small price to pay for the majesty of summer in this beautiful region.
However you choose to spend your summer, one thing is certain: Much of it will be spent outdoors. So, for anyone new to the Hudson Valley, or for old-timers looking for a change of pace, we've compiled a list of some interesting summer activities.
Behold the breathtaking splendor of the Catskills from "above the clouds" with Above the Clouds, a family-owned and -operated ballooning company in Middletown. All flights come with a complimentary bottle of champagne and a keepsake photo, and breakfast is served with morning flights at no extra charge. Price: under $250 per person.
(845) 692-2556; www.abovethecloudsinc.com
Try your hand at jumping out of an airplane at Blue Sky Ranch in Gardiner.
Whether it's your first dive or you are a seasoned veteran, try enjoying the sights and smells of summer while falling through the sky! First-time jumpers: $185per person. For an extra $89, you can get a DVD of your jump.
(845)255-4033; www.skydivetheranch.com
The Trapeze Club at Stone Mountain Farm, just north of New Paltz, offers classes in Flying Trapeze for all ages. Lessons are designed to meet each individual's goal, whether it's climbing up the ladder for the first time or working on executing a double flip. Two-hour outdoor classes cost $40 per person, class size limited to 10.
(845)658-8540; www.trapezeclub.org