Explore the Local Area Pt. 2

As winter slowly creeps in, dripping its frigid fingers along the asphalt roadways, I make a continuing effort to take advantage of this seasonal plunge into lower temperatures and slower speeds by exploring the cities and townships of my local area. This episode’s cruise took me to the town of Rosendale. Like almost every historic district in the Hudson Valley, this small community boasts a bountiful collection of aged buildings mixed with modernized homes and businesses, to create a rather enjoyable visit. 

   

The main drag of Rosendale may lack in length, but makes up for it in sights worth dropping the kickstand and walking from shop to restaurant and back again. The Garden House Restaurant quickly made its way to being one of my favorite Mediterranean eateries in the area, with a full menu dished out by a friendly family staff. For the warmer seasons, there is plenty of outdoor seating with an outdoor bar, but during these winter months, it offers a cozy indoor venue which almost feels more like visiting a friend of the family than a business.

Aside from the town's Revolutionary era appeal, Rosendale's Main Street is also complete with a traditional tattoo parlor, backdoor record shops and vintage clothing stores, offering a more modern step backwards in time, just enough to slow down the hectic pace of New York living. You can dive back a few more decades by visiting the Rosendale Theatre, where I caught the monthly creature feature of The Wolfman and Werewolf of London this past Saturday evening.

Of course, to experience the best of Rosendale, you truly need to step away from Main street and enter the trails which lie just behind the eclectic businesses and colonial homesteads. There you can walk the train bridge from the rail trail, or enter the mining caves which have been used for everything from record keeping to local musical performances. Definitely worth the walk.

However, this isn’t a travel blog for trail hikes and holding hands with your significant other while you check out cute little shops; this is about riding motorcycles and Rosendale is only a small stopping point along a pleasant loop which runs along and crosses over the Rondout Creek. Once you pass through the main drag of the town heading west, the road begins to curve and bend on a delightful path, offering views of the caves and cliff sides as well as the creek itself, which much more resembles a rollicking river at this time of year.

Leaving Rosendale, you can continue into Marbletown or veer south towards the Mohonk Preserve, a fantastic and beautiful ride through the forests on ever deeper twists and turns climbing up and down the mountain, but that’s a story all its own. For now, let's just enjoy moment we're in.