rhinebeck

 

on the taconic parkway north . . 

 

since i had the kittens to take care of this morning, we didn't get on the road until much later than normal: 9:20 am. thus, we arrived much later and were assigned a very different parking lot than in past years. it felt wonderful to be out in a grassy field with a big blue, cloud strewn sky.

 

the first stop was my knitting group meet up; a group i became involved with during covid due to the fun zoom sessions it would have.

we managed to get organized for a group photo . . 

 

with lisa . . 

and cheryl and amy (who began the knit collage company a bunch of years ago through her love for hand spinning and creating soft, bulky, very woolly yarn) with her latest little one, barrett.

i then went in search of greg who was wandering around by the food trucks . . 

and we headed to the llama area.

 this little fellow was very interested in them also.

 

i saw quite a few instagram photos of this lady in her colorful outfit and gorgeous bag.

our next destination were the sheep . .

these were tammy's beautiful cormo sheep from wing and a prayer farm.

waiting patiently for me . . 

the lincoln longwool breed (from which i knitted a sweater a few years ago with yarn from prado de lana farm).

sweet dorset sheep who liked when i rubbed their noses.

everyone was admiring this one's beautiful brown wool.

this poor guy did not like having his fleece blown dry,

while this one didn't seem to mind his scissor trim.

 

heading over to the food trucks for lunch . .
 

in my kaleidescope sweater (you can see it closely on its ravelry page) . .

(grandma taking pics of her granddaughter)

i had a greek salad with falalfel and greg had a taco salad . .

and also apple pie with ice cream.

last pit stop before going home . .

i took a slice of pie home with me. the line for the donuts was too long (at least an hour!) and i wanted to get back on the road as i was concerned about the kittens, even though chanda was handling giving them their afternoon meal (she also had work at the cafe today). there was also a very large rainstorm on its way which i didn't want to get caught in. we were at the fair for about four hours which is probably the shortest rhinebeck visit we've ever done. i bought beeswax tapers and a bulky skein of gold colored yarn from sheepy valley farm. i only browsed through one barn very quickly. we thought it best to stick with outside exhibits.

the sky is always so beautiful.

and then we were on the road and home by 6 pm. it was a really nice day.

val-kill

korrina and i were up early to get on the road to hyde park as we had plans to visit eleanor roosevelt's home, val-kill.

we first looked around the beach that was near our room whose creek led out to the hudson.

it was a cute little park.

 

 

 we drove east over this bridge to get back on the highway.

 

in hyde park we stopped for breakfast at the eveready diner, which had been recommended by brian as he used to frequent it with his parents and friends while at the culinary institute of america.

they had an interesting - and large - mascot.

it felt very cozy sitting there with a nice hot cup of coffee in front of me.

(posting foodie pics on instagram)

(well, it was an extremely delicious breakfast)

finally, val-kill, named after the nearby stream.

the house was made of fieldstone and was completed in 1925.

winston came to visit and took a dip in the pool . . 

a menu for a picnic on june 11, 1939: virginia ham, hot dogs, cold turkey, sausages (hot), cranberry jelly, green salad, rolls, strawberry shortcake, coffee, beer, soft drinks . . (very american sounding, i think!).

a letter from queen elizabeth from 1946.

linens that eleanor monogramed herself. there were a few photos of her with a simple knitting project in her hands. she was known for having needlework or knitting with her that she worked on while "engaged in conversation," (with winston churchill, i wonder, while he was taking a dip?)

the living room . . all was decorated in a warm and cozy manner.

the dining room . . 

eleanor's study . .

i love the fireplace and the large floral lamps behind the couch.

the tennis court . . 

the garden where vegetables were grown for the meals, and also many flowers. val-kill was home to a handcraft factory until 1936 (woodworking - replicas of early american furniture - and weaving and pewter pieces), and then a working farm in later years, organized with help from her son elliot.

it was a wonderful visit that we had talked about doing for awhile, so it was extra nice to be there.