There is a railroad station on the Harlem line of the Metro North Railroad that drops you smack dab in the middle of the Appalachian Trail. Along the 2,175 mile long trail, there is only this one station. It's tiny, just a fourteen-foot wooden platform painted bright yellow along the side of an otherwise undeveloped stretch of track. The train only stops there on Saturdays and Sundays and even then, it's wise to remind the conductor that you're headed that way.
We took the trip on Sunday and spent the day breathing in so much country air that I'm frankly not sure we knew what hit us. James took lots of photographs of creatures blending into their natural environs. I took lots of photographs of mushrooms popping out of theirs. We ate egg salad sandwiches with roasted tomatoes that Curt made and homemade cookies that Cait made and together we picked our way through a sack full of trail mix to get to the chocolate bits.
Details:
// 65.9 miles from Grand Central Terminal
// 1 hour 52 minute train ride from the same place (perfect for munching on bagels and catching up on Sunday Styles)
// $28.00 round trip ticket
// Snakes and frogs and ferns and mushrooms if you're into those sorts of thing.
// Pretty views of farmland and hills and wetlands if you prefer.
// Fresh air aplenty.
Gorgeous photos, I love the railway line! x
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place to spend a Sunday afternoon! That country scenery is amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful! I'm a little enamoured with the Appalachian Trail after following a walker's blog last year. It's great that parts of it are so accessible.
ReplyDeleteWow! I haven't been to the East Coast in ages, but this is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove Sunday trips to the country! Ours usually end up in the mountains. Beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable! What a PERFECT way to spend a weekend day
ReplyDeleteYou had me wanting to move into the middle of that field until you said snakes lol. It's absolutely stunning, I would love to check it out, on a day that snakes are away.
ReplyDeletelove this. your pictures are breathtaking, i would love to go there
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a wonderful way to spend your Sunday. I'm glad you had such a wonderful time. :)
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, especially those first two. It sounds like a great weekend excursion.
ReplyDeleteperfect day trip! and what a way to welcome fall.
ReplyDeletemaybe i need to get away from the city...
Lovely pictures!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful scenery.. looks very peaceful which is perfect for just a day to just relax :)
I like the "fresh air aplenty".
ReplyDeleteYou have brought the peacefulness through your photos. Lovely.
Just found your blog through Today's Letters. Really love the beautiful pictures on your blog - especially your make believe feature. Also love how you explain your passion for connecting bringing people and places to life through your photography in your "about" section.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I hiked the AT a few years ago in PA, and your photos brought me back to your hike. Great memories of a beautiful place!
Look at that cute red mushroom! Thanks for letting us know about this. I'm spending a few months in NJ and planning to visit NYC regularly. The Appalachian Trail has interested me, but I never thought I could make it as I've no car... Is it a safe trail and easy enough to walk by oneself?
ReplyDeleteHi Fiona! I'd say the trail is pretty safe! It's not terribly isolated and we passed a number of other merry hikers!
DeleteWow. My husband and I have discussed hiking part of the Appalachian Trail - I think this seals the deal. Pinned to my travel board, though that's no certainty - but really, I want to go there. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYour photos have such tranquility to them!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love this area! If you enjoy bicycling, look into the Rail Trail which is accessible about thirty minutes farther on the train. If you follow the trail to Bash Bish Falls you won't be sorry!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds wonderful! If we're brave enough to bring our bikes on the train, we'll definitely check it out!
DeleteI was looking for a good place to enjoy the fall foliage this year. Is this a good choice? Or you do you know of a better one?
ReplyDeleteYour blog really calms and soothes me :)
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