Like Flypaper for Freaks

Hey, Friends.

It's been a day. It started off with a bit of weirdness, hence the title of this post.

I had plans with my friend, who I always refer to as Gertie to give her some privacy. The plan was to meet at her house, go for a walk, and then go to the movies. Nothing too crazy.

The first hitch in the plan comes about because I can't go my normal way to Gertie's house because there is an Eggnog Crawl / Holiday Festival thing that's causing traffic chaos and closing streets.I have to drive a longer way to get there, but not a big deal.

So I'm sitting in traffic on my way to Gertie's, and I see this woman pull into a little plaza, make a u-turn, and pull out right behind me. Didn't think to much of it, assumed she was lost or something.

I'm driving along, and at the next traffic light I notice she is still behind me. As we are stopped I take a better look and she is waving hello to me. I don't know this woman. I don't recognize her at all, even as a patron who comes to the library. I don't wave back. Maybe she's trying to wave to the person behind her or something.

I keep driving. A while later I'm stopped at another light, and I decide I should really put on some chapstick because my lips feel dry. I look in the rear-view mirror, and the woman behind me is staring right at my car, and she starts clapping after I put the chapstick on. Maybe it's a weird coincidence. Maybe she's just super into whatever she's listening to in her car, or she's on the phone.

We, because she was still behind me for quite a ways and traffic was ridiculous, drive quite a bit before we get to a major intersection. I'm going straight ahead, and the woman pulls into the lane to turn left. Of course, she ends up right next to my car for the longest traffic light.

She starts motioning for me to roll down my window. At this point I'm assuming she is lost and needs directions, or maybe she finally figured out that we don't know each other and she wants to explain her weird behavior.

She definitely wanted to chat, Friends. Allow me to briefly paraphrase our conversation for you.

Woman: Hello!

Me: Hi?

Woman: How are you?

Me: Fine...

Woman: I just wanted to say hi! On the weekends I like to go out and drive around until I see someone interesting, and then I like to follow them.

Friends, I hear a lot of weird shit on a regular basis. I don't know if I just give off a vibe of someone who is willing to listen or what. I work in the public library. There are always some eccentric personalities -- like the lady who wanted to give us apples that "had only been run over a little bit" when she found them in the street, or the gentleman who told me his entire conspiracy theory about the JFK murder, or the astrology lady who desperately wants me to get together with a Virgo man, or the woman who spent an entire book group telling us all how President Obama told her to "look for the bodies hidden in the houses" on a local road. Let's not forget the woman in a parking lot who told me my car was evil and I was a devil child. I'm used to weird. It's a new twist that it is now finding me while I'm driving.

Woman: You're a really good driver.

Me: Thanks?

Woman: What's that song you're listening to? It sounds really nice.

Me: Um, Pull Me Deep by Logan Henderson.

Woman: Oh, I like that. I'm going to have to look it up.

At this point I was really wondering how long this freaking light was going to be. Not gonna lie.

Woman: Well, looks like we're going to get to go! You have a good day. It was so nice to meet you and maybe we'll bump into each other again!

Me: Bye.

And then, finally, the light turned and we parted ways.

So I get to Gertie's house and I'm still trying to figure out what the hell that was all about. So I tell her my little story, and Gertie thinks that the woman was hitting on me.

Excuse me? I mean, it's flattering if that is the case, but I don't swing that way. Why couldn't it be a cute guy chasing me down in traffic to flirt? Love is love is love, and I firmly believe people should embrace it and follow their hearts to whomever makes them happy. I hope this woman finds whatever she is looking for. It just won't be with me. Props to her for coming up with a creative new way to meet people. I think she might just be a bit odd, or maybe very lonely.

When Gertie said we had to stop at a local brewery first to pick up a growler for her husband before we went on with our plans for the day? I was more than ready to have a drink. We got there and the beer he wanted was gone, so we had to try a couple to see what we should get him instead. We are totally going with it being his fault that our plans for the day derailed at that point.

You need to go here if you have a chance. 

We eventually get his growler, and then decided that we should really go get something to eat. The place I suggested wasn't open until later, so we ended up at Melzingah Tap House in Beacon.

I recommend the Downeast Cider Winter Blend. So good!

We finished lunch, and Gertie pointed out that we had never actually gone for our walk. I mentioned that we could walk across the street to look at the waterfall, and wasn't that other brewery she liked also within walking distance? Why yes, yes it was.

I love waterfalls. 

It was cold out, but since we were supposed to have been going for a walk we decided to walk on over to Hudson Valley Brewery and see what the new releases were. We did not plan this terribly well, as Gertie ended up getting 4 four packs of the new releases to take home for her and hubby and we were going to have to carry it all back to the car.

This isn't at the brewery. I just saw it on the walk to get there.

So we walked back to the car. Gertie was bemoaning that we really hadn't walked that far. My thinking might have been a little fuzzy still at that point, but I rationalized it as totally counting as a walk. "It's freaking cold. And we're walking uphill. That makes it count as like four times as far as it really is. Plus, you're carrying all that beer. That's like weight lifting. You're working out your deltoids or trapezoids or something!" (Why yes, I am a bit of a light weight. It's a good thing I wasn't the one driving at that point.)

So then we went back to Gertie's to hang out for a while. I like to think we were amusing to her hubby before he left for work. I got to snuggle with her dogs. I am claiming Maxie as my boyfriend.

He's adorable!

And that was my day, Friends. We never made it to the movies, but it was still a very nice way to spend a Saturday. Time with the bestie is always well spent, even if it ends up in accidental day drinking. It was a long week.

I kind of wonder where the lady in traffic wound up. Does she really spend her time driving around each weekend following people? That's a little strange, and maybe a bit creepy. I would also think that she would encounter some less than pleasant people doing that. Good luck on your travels, lady. Hope you find whatever it is you are seeking.

Of Abandoned Buildings and Neil Gaiman

Hey, Friends.

Yesterday was a good day.  It started out with a nice walk with my friend (we'll call her Gertie to keep it nice and anonymous) and ended with an evening at the Fisher Center at Bard where we got to be the first people on the East Coast to see the first episode of American Gods, followed by a discussion with Neil Gaiman and Bryan Fuller.  Not too shabby, if I do say so myself.

I had to take some photos, of course.  I took a lot of photos, actually.  You see, when Gertie and I picked the location for our walk we decided on a park we hadn't been to in a while.  I somehow managed to totally forget that there was this awesome abandoned building full of graffiti there. Needless to say, once I saw it I had to go in and check it out.  Gertie chose to stay outside as she was afraid the building could be falling down, or the roof could collapse -- you know, little things like that. Probably a wise and sensible decision, but I chose to go on in.  I mean, it looked sturdy to me, and she'd be right outside to call 911 if it should fall on my head.

Looks like a nice, sturdy brick building, right?

Not creepy at all

We went around to the back to make our approach, as I remembered the back half of the building being pretty much wide open for easy access.

Exploring an abandoned building. pic.twitter.com/ScBI4gAFds

— Tammy (@tammyshampoo) April 15, 2017

That should give you a pretty good feel for the building as I entered.

There were a couple other people inside who must have come in from the front of the building.  Not gonna lie, they startled me at first.  There was a bag in the corner that looked like it had some clothes and a mattress, so I was afraid it was going to be a pissed off person that was living there and wanted me out.  Nope.  Just two fellow explorers checking out the scene.

I happen to love graffiti and consider it to be art.  I know if you handed me a can of spray paint I could never pull off anything this good.  I had to take pictures.

This was my favorite

I don't know, but it looks happy

Flower

Stay classy

Fair question

"When it's something you live for".

I don't know if these are song lyrics or what, but there were random phrases throughout the building.

The corner of a larger area that said Peace

The wall next to it

Closer view of the artist's statement

Not at all creepy that there's a rope hanging from the ceiling over the one raised object on the entire floor.  (It wasn't a noose.  I checked.)

Pyramid and eye

A much less colorful corner

Cherish this moment

"If I could change my name I'd run away" -- can't read the last word

After I had my fun time playing in the abandoned building, we ventured back out on our walk.  It really is a beautiful area.  Things are just starting to look green and Spring-like.  It also makes it easier to notice things.  The last time we were here the leaves were all on the trees, everything was in full bloom.  Yesterday you could see much further off the beaten path.

I wouldn't advise eating the fish.  It is the Hudson River. To each their own.

Never knew that building was back there. 

There were a lot of fallen trees and damage that had occurred over the winter.

Little bit of greenery

Washed ashore

Some jackass felt the need to tag a tree.  Really doesn't surprise me that they wrote this either -- they clearly give as much of a shit about the environment as this administration.

Ruins of a building

Back along the water's edge

It really was a beautiful day to get outside and spend time in a park. That also means following the rules.  You are not supposed to be camping or setting fires in this particular park, and yet there were clearly people doing both of those things.  We could see the tents down by the water from a distance. More troubling, you could also smell the fire.  Now, I'm going to assume that they knew what they were doing and had made the fire safely and responsibly.  It is more than a bit disconcerting to be walking through the woods and suddenly smell fire -- especially when said woods are dry as hell and full of dead, fallen trees and last autumn's crunchy leaves.  It's like walking through a tinderbox.  It's stupid to do at all in an area that does not permit camping or fires, dumber to do it when it is an area full of incredibly flammable material, and idiotic to do it when you would be trapped between the Hudson River behind you and a fire in front of you with no escape. Don't be like these people.  Enjoy nature and follow the rules -- keep yourself and others safe!

Later that evening I went with friends to see Neil Gaiman and Bryan Fuller discuss the new Starz series American Gods at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard.

It's a really cool building

They said we were the first people on the East Coast to get to see the first episode.  I'm a big fan of Neil Gaiman to begin with, so this was fantastic!  I can't wait to see the whole series when it starts airing later this month.  I'm not going to share any spoilers, but I did take a few pictures.  If you're just dying to know what it's about you can Google it, or read the book!

Neil Gaiman giving the introduction.  Yeah, we had good seats.

Discussion with Bryan Fuller

Up close and personal

So that was my Saturday, Friends.  Pretty damn good day.  I hope you had a great day as well. 

Happy Easter or Passover if you celebrate -- or just have a terrific Sunday if you don't.  

A Walk in the Woods

Hey Friends.

Sometimes you just need to take a break.  I don't know about you, but sometimes I just need to get away from it all and take moment for myself.  To remind myself that the world is full of beauty even when it seems so ugly.

For my part, the best way I have found to do that is to go out and enjoy nature. Pick a place -- a local park, the beach, the mountains -- whatever you have that is convenient.  I'd love to go to the ocean and just relax, listen to the waves washing against the shore, but that's not really an option due to the distance.  I choose to go explore the mountains and the woods.  It's quiet, peaceful, and I love the feeling of the wind blowing through my hair.  Added bonus:  you normally can't get any service to get on social media even if you wanted to, so avoiding it is that much easier.

I think I mentioned it before, but I have set the modest goal of trying to visit all of Scenic Hudson's parks.  Since I was on vacation this week, I decided to visit more of them.

As you may or may not recall, Friends, not all of my adventures go smoothly.  I'm glad to report that this one was easy and went off without a hitch.

My first stop?  Lighthouse Park in Esopus. I had already been to Esopus Meadows Preserve, although I didn't realize that these two parks were practically on top of one another.  Turns out that Lighthouse Park is literally just a park with views of the lighthouse, and some picnic tables.  All of the hiking/nature trails were the ones I had already explored in the preserve.  Kind of a bummer, but there were some gorgeous views of the Hudson River.

View looking South

Looking North

The lighthouse, of course

While I was there, I noticed this strange piece of machinery at work out on the river.  I think it's like a lawn mower for the river, which I admit sounds strange.  That's the best description I can come up with for it.  I watched it for a while, and from what I could tell it was going back and forth over certain areas of the river, chopping up the heavier vegetation growing on the surface of the water.  You know, like a lawn mower but on the river.  I'm assuming this is to help keep the channels clear for boats.  Maybe I'm wrong.  This is the best picture I could get of the machine in action, since it was a fair distance away.

River mower?

As there was no more to that park and I still wanted to get a hike in somewhere, I decided to check out Black Creek Preserve.  I've driven past it so many times on the way to other places, and since it was nearby it was the perfect choice. 

The park has a couple miles of trails all together.  I imagine it would be breathtaking in the fall, when all of the leaves are changing colors.  I should note: if you don't like walking up hills, this is not the park for you.  You are going to have to go up a pretty steep incline to get to 90% of the trails.  There will be more uphill climbs in your future if you take the trail that leads down to the river's edge.  You go out the same main trail you came in, so if you go down to the river you will have to come back up again at some point.  

The entrance is pretty cool -- Black Creek is spelled out on the top.

Wooden bridge -- which you can get to without having to do the uphill climb, for those that want to check it out.

Lots of stone walls

I just liked the way the light was falling on the tree stump

River view

It literally stops right there.

Pretty now, probably gorgeous in autumn

This is the best I could do to give a vantage point of the hill near the beginning.  You go out the same way you came in.  This is from about the halfway point on the hill, looking down toward the bridge pictured above.  

Great way to unwind and unplug for an afternoon. Also,  it is two more parks off the list.  I'll get to them all eventually.  

In the Fog

A little advanced warning for you, friends:  this post is going to be very heavy on photography.  Just wanted to let you know, as sometimes it drives me nuts trying to get pages with lots of photos to load -- especially on my phone.

We've had an odd last couple of days here in terms of the weather.  Yesterday was snow, sleet, and rain.  Today was up into the 40s, causing quite a lot of fog.  I'm sure it was a pain if you had to drive any distance in it.  Personally, I saw it as a great opportunity to go out and play, to try to capture the fog in pictures.

It was a bit more challenging than I thought, as the fog was heavy in some areas and almost non-existent in others.  Plus, many areas were just a mess from the snow, and I didn't particularly want to experience getting my car stuck somewhere.

I eventually wound up at Longview Park, down by the Hudson River.  Let me start by sharing some older pictures of what the you would normally see if you were to visit the park.  I mean, the pictures of the fog are lovely and all (in my opinion), but not quite the same if you have nothing with which to compare them.

From earlier, less foggy days:

Looking South.  You can clearly see the Walkway Over the Hudson and the Mid-Hudson Bridge.  Pretty big landmarks.

The view looking North, toward Hyde Park.

Most obvious of all -- Highland, and the mountains in the distance, on the opposite side of the Hudson.

A view looking down along Longview Park, starring my mother, my niece, my nephew, and many geese.

Great!  We are all on the same page now as to what you would expect to see.  

I knew it was foggy when I headed out, but I truly did not expect how thick and heavy it was going to be -- especially down by the river.  As I stood looking across toward Highland it was quite impressive.  I was able to see maybe halfway across the Hudson River.  The meeting of the river and the fog was seamless.  It was like everything just stopped and turned into a blank grey canvas.  It was surreal, a bit like stumbling upon the edge of the world.

 No Highland visible, no geese, no one around.  Just some driftwood in the water.

No, the darker shades are not the other side of the river, just some shadows.

Remember that view looking South, where the Walkway and the bridge should be?  Not a trace.

Looking North.  Can't even see past the bit that juts out.

 This gazebo sits on top of a hill in Longview Park.  Normally there are beautiful views.  Today it was as if a curtain had been pulled closed behind it.

Someone else had been to the gazebo at some point, and they made a little star.

Looking at the Hudson from the top of the hill.

Even my car in the parking lot is starting to be absorbed into the fog.

There are train tracks on both sides of the Hudson River.  You can actually see them in the photo above, running underneath the power lines on the right-hand side.  A train happened to come down the tracks on the Highland side of the river while I was at the park.  I thought for certain I would at least see some lights, or a vague, slightly darker shadow snaking its way along the edge of the water.  I saw absolutely nothing.  It was so quiet other than the train, and the echo seemed different.  If I hadn't known the tracks behind me were empty it would have been hard to tell which side of the river the train was on.  I shot a short video.

Ghost train!  All the sound, none of the visibility.

That concludes today's adventures in the fog.  I did attempt to go out on the Walkway Over the Hudson as well, as I thought that would be pretty cool -- like walking in the clouds.  Sadly, it was closed.