Thanks to New York State's budget crisis, a substantial list of state
parks and historic sites are closed, or have their operations reduced, as of tomorrow. In some cases the result is as relatively trivial as a reduced golf course season; in others, entire historic sites are simply being closed. It may be hyperbolic to use a word like "tragedy," but it's certainly exceedingly unfortunate--and, I think, a very great mistake--to be so shortsighted as to deprive people of the opportunity to learn about our history through visiting these sites. Several of them are connected with the Revolutionary War and, in addition to the signs and plaques explaining what's there, have also offered reenactments with people dressed in period costumes.
So, today I went and photographed one such site that I had never visited before--the
New Windsor Cantonment in Orange County, not too far from where I'm now living. This is where General George Washington moved his army for winter quarters in 1782-1783. These photos show a wide-angle view with the old monument and a tomb of an Unknown Soldier.
Another historic site to be closed in this area is the Stony Point Battlefield, a
strategic Revolutionary War site that overlooks beautiful Haverstraw Bay and includes the Stony Point Lighthouse.
F
arther upstate, in the Adirondacks just outside Lake Placid, one casualty of the closings is the
John Brown Historic Site commemorating the famed abolitionist.
I have no intention of getting involved in political commentary in my blog, but I can't post this "in memoriam" without expressing the hope that the November elections result in some common sense in Albany. The people of New York deserve that.
began at a very off-the-beaten-path waterfall (good choice for overcast conditions), proceeded from there to the Ashokan Reservoir where I made this image before the wind storm came in and nearly blew us off the causeway, and ended at the popular Diamond Notch trail. We rounded off our day with a drive up some fairly major roads that take you through the historic Catskill towns of Haines Falls (home of the Mountain Top Historical Society), Hunter, and Tannersville, where we stopped to eat at what, for us, is 
the gem of this picturesque town, the Last Chance Cheese & Antiques Cafe. "Cafe" is a bit too modest--this is a cozy restaurant that features delicious food, outstandingly friendly and efficient service, and an awesome selection of beer. There is also a cheese counter with an awesome selection where you can purchase cheese to take home--this trip we bought some Danish fontina along with many other examples of "Catskilliana" as something memorable from your visit. The Last Chance Cheese & Antiques Cafe is located on Route 23A (Main Street) on the --
right-hand side as you are traveling toward the New York State Thruway--so that if you're heading toward the Thruway you can enjoy your meal and then batten down for the drive through the Kaaterskill Clove while reflecting on why this geological feature struck such awe into our 19th-century ancestors.
