Fantastic day with my old pals from London at Merida’s lovely farmhouse in Dutchess County, NY. The trees are starting to change color but it was still summer warm as we took a short walk on a ridge overlooking a beautiful valley with wooded hills in the distance. We drove about 45 minutes on narrow winding roads lined with trees and dry stone wall fences, past old red barns and cream colored farmhouses to Woodstock which still has a refreshingly old hippie vibe, decades after the famous 1969 rock festival.
THen we headed south along the Hudson at sunset to the riverfront path below the Mills mansion and Norrie State Park to take in the river scenery.
Dinner was at Bocuse, the French restaurant that is among several available to visitors to the Culinary institute of America in Hyde Park, which is run by students. the food was delicious, modern takes of French staples by chef Paul Bocuse.
Very reasonable 3 course prix fix menu for $45 in a contemporary but warm dining room with attentive service. Passed by but didn’t have time to go on the footbridge across the Hudson starting in Poughkeepsie. Next time!