I’ve often written about outdoor adventures in the pages of this magazine. In May 2008, I described clinging to a cliff face at Mohonk Preserve as I chronicled my exploits as a first-time rock climber. In October of that year, I shared what it was like to tool around Poughkeepsie’s Italian neighborhood on a Segway Personal Transporter. Just last month, I wrote about piloting a small plane for the first (and let’s be honest, probably last) time. And although this doesn’t really qualify as an adventure, on this very page I’ve even noted my joy in being able to run around barefoot in the summer since leaving New York City several years ago.
Basically, I think the great outdoors is one of the finest things about living in the Hudson Valley. And that’s true whether you’re taking part in a formal adventure sport, or just walking barefoot through the grass.
In this month’s issue, we highlight 10 different outdoor adventures — all of the sporting kind — that you can do in the Valley. Some of them are unique to our region, like world-class rock climbing on the legendary Shawangunk Ridge or fly-fishing in the Catskills. Many of them, like hang gliding or mountain biking, you can do in a multitude of places, but we’ll fill you in on exactly where to go and how to make the most of the experience right here at home. Next up on my personal list is tubing down the Esopus Creek. I did try it once as a child but my sister took my tube halfway down (I can’t recall what happened to hers) and I’m just waiting for a super hot summer day to try once more to complete the course.
So whatever your passion, get outside and enjoy it in the Hudson Valley this summer.
Cheers,
Olivia J. Abel
Editor In Chief
