The River That Flows Both Ways

Searching for a shorter route to India In 1609, Dutch explorer Henry Hudson sailed from the Atlantic coast into a beautiful valley formed by the great river that would later bear his name. The local indigenous tribes called the river "the River That Flows Both Ways," because of the swift tidal flows and brackish water that reach halfway up its 150-mile course. We enjoyed cruising up river to Waterford, NY just north of Albany before turning west on the Erie Canal.

In addition to the Pattons who joined us earlier in Croton, Jackson friends Tish and Haden Hughes boarded in Kingston, NY, where we were able to get a car and tour Olana, the beautiful home of artist Frederick Church in the Catskill Mountains. Church was a leader in the Hudson River Valley School of artists whose work captured the wild, romantic beauty of America between 1825 and 1900. He had traveled widely to South America, Europe, and the Middle East, and his home was filled with artistic treasures from these exotic locations.

Olana Entrance with Hughes and Pattons

Olana Rear View

Olana Fireplace

Olana Dining Room

Hughes' 47th Anniversary Celebration