HudsonValleyGoodStuff

My first snowshoeing adventure in the Hudson Valley brought to you by Overlook Mountain Bikes!

I rented snow shoes in Woodstock from Overlook Mountain Bikes recently. If you have wanted to try snowshoeing, but don't want to invest in a pair of snowshoes, why not rent them first? Overlook Mountain Bikes rents snowshoes for $15/day. Billy Denter, the owner, showed me how to put them on and recommended Wilson State Park as the best place to snowshoe in the Woodstock area.

I drove to Wilson State Park to test out the snowshoes. It is breathtaking and makes for a great winter background, though we could use a bit more snow. I didn't go on any of the long trails, but I did snowshoe for about 30 minutes and it felt great. I felt like I could snowshoe for hours. It's a lot more fun than the treadmill at the gym. Depending on your weight, you can burn from 185 to 380 calories in 30 minutes of snowshoeing. I might have to invest in a pair of snowshoes if they go on sale at the end of the season. Overlook Mountain Bikes sells Dion Snowshoes and Red Feather Snowshoes. Overlook Mountain Bikes also offers hand tuning and waxing for snowboards and skis during the winter months. Overlook Mountain Bikes, 93 Tinker Street, Woodstock, NY (845) 679-2122

10 Fun Holiday Events & Things to Do in the Hudson Valley December 2012!

Happy December! I love December in the Hudson Valley. Here is a list of fun holiday events and things to do in December.

1) Chop your own Christmas Tree: I have had great experiences at Battenfeld's in Red Hook and Bell's Farm in Accord. Newsday Westchester has a good list of Cut Your Own Tree Farms in the Hudson Valley here.

2) Frosty Fest will get you into the holiday spirit even if you don't see any snow on the ground. Great family fun and spectacular holiday light displays. I have never tried the Frosty hay ride, but it looks like fun.

3) Saugerties Holiday in the Village 2012 begins at 12 noon on December 2nd will give you the all-American warm and fuzzies. Horsedrawn carriages, raffles, petting zoo, face painting, and characters.

4) Sinterklaas in Rhinebeck is happening Saturday, December 1st. Your kids will love the Grumpus performers who dance and play trumpets. (They can do this on stilts too!)  There is a children's parade in late afternoon. See their website for the full exhausting schedule.

5) Uptown Kingston Holiday Open House will take place on Friday, December 7th starting at 5pm. Free stockings will be given to the first 1,000 people. Weather permitting there will be a holiday parade and fireworks. 

6) Woodstock's Holiday Open House will be on Friday, December 7th as well, starting at 5pm with Carolers, ice scuplting, free cookies, and the face-painting by the often forgotten Mrs. Claus.

7) Enjoy hot chocolate and photo opps with Santa Claus at Caitlin Gardens in Slate Hill, NY on December 15th from 9am-11am. Call 845-355-3555 to reserve spots by December 12th. Another fun way to see Santa is to look out for pancake breakfasts with Santa Claus at local firehouses.

8) Don't miss the arrival of Santa Claus in Woodstock on Christmas Eve. Who knows how he'll get here this year? It's always a well kept secret. 

9) Belleayre Mountain's opening day for skiiers is December 1st. Hit the slopes before it gets bone-chilling cold!

10) If you are looking for indoor fun check out the Kiwanis Ice Arena in Saugerties.

 

 

Chichester Yoga: All aboard the 9:30 am Express on Wednesdays to tone up & recharge!

I usually go to Chichester Yoga for their amazing weekend classes, but today I had a free Wednesday morning so I tried out the 9:30 am Yoga Express, a 60-minute class, which includes a core warm up, flow, and static poses. Suzanne led the small class through sun salutations, dolphin pose, pigeon pose, and bow pose, I feel recharged! There were only 2 of us in this class, which is great if you are a student. If you are looking for quick weekday morning yoga class to get you going on hump day, the Suzanne's 9:30 am Express class will do the trick! The studio is about 2 minute drive from the quirky Pharmacy in Phoenicia.$13 cash only or class card. Chichester Yoga, Chichester, NY (845) 688-9769