Hudson River Valley Fall shoot - 10/19-10/22 (hosted by the DC/MD/VA Cafe contingent)

[KristinB]

Mark your calendars! October 19-22, 2012 Hudson River Valley Fall shoot

As some of you may have noticed, the DC/MD/VA area Cafe members get together fairly regularly... among other things, we have been doing spring and fall weekend shoots on Virginia's eastern shore and other mid-Atlantic areas since 2007. We decided to change it up this fall, in part because one of our members, SonyaM, is moving to West Point, NY this summer. So here's a great opportunity for you NY/NJ/CT folks to join us for a shoot!

We're going to be based in Fishkill, NY, because sbruno (Steve) has a friend who lives a bit north of there who will be able to advise on shooting locations, and Fishkill is roughly equidistant betweeen Steve's friend and where Sonya will be. It's also convenient to several hotels and we've found a property that offers rental cottages, if anyone is interested in that option. More info to follow.

We chose the third weekend in October because that weekend appears to be historically the best for fall color. The plan is for the shoot to run from lunchtime Friday (meeting at a local restaurant TBD) through Monday morning.

So far we have the following Cafe members attending... we hope to see some of the NY/NJ/CT folks too!

KristinB
MParker (Mike)
hunybun1967 (Wendy)
victor
sbruno (Steve)
SonyaM
DaniLew (Danielle)
Jeff A
SLRShooter (Norm)
JRYoung1947 (John)
GreyBeard (Dave)
pinn8 (Steve)

 

[Sailing Bum]

Put me down as tentative. I think there's a business trip in my future to NYC the week of Oct 15. :biggrin:

 

[sblebo]

Please add my name to the list. I live about 15 minutes from Fishkill so I would love to participate.

 

[dlosasso]

Kristin,

I may actually be able to attend this one! I'll put it on my calendar and hope for the best.

 

[Jaws]

Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area
http://hudsonrivervalley.com/Home.aspx

Travel Hudson Valley
http://www.travelhudsonvalley.org/

Historic Hudson River Towns
http://www.hudsonriver.com/

Historic Hudson Valley
http://www.hudsonvalley.org/index.php

The Hudson River Valley Institute
http://www.hudsonrivervalley.org/

Frommer’s Hudson River Valley Travel Guide
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/hudsonrivervalley/

Hudson River Valley New York Directory
http://hudson-river-valley.com/htm/index.html

Hudson Valley ‘Staycations’: Historical Hotspots
http://pearlriver.patch.com/articles/hudson-valley-staycations-historical-hotspots

 

[KristinB]

Thanks for posting the links, Stan! I hope you can join us!

Put me down as tentative. I think there's a business trip in my future to NYC the week of Oct 15. :biggrin:

Excellent, Kim! You may end up getting the "travels farthest, most often" to join us award if you keep this up... :tongue:

Please add my name to the list. I live about 15 minutes from Fishkill so I would love to participate.

Scott, that's wonderful! We look forward to meeting you and enjoying your lovely area of the country.

Kristin,

I may actually be able to attend this one! I'll put it on my calendar and hope for the best.

Dorine... woohoo! P.S. Your profile location still says Stafford. Do you consider Florida or Delaware home now?

 

[sonyam]

A few ideas for thought. Let me know what interests you so I can make arrangements for a group tour.

Constitution Island - Mike says this could easily be an all day event. Picnic lunch, etc.

http://www.constitutionisland.org/wp/?page_id=723

Fort Putnam - again, 4-5 hours, hiking, but worth it.

http://fortwiki.com/Fort_Putnam

Both of these places will do tours on request, I just need a general number of people, and a solid date/time before I submit a request. It's not a guarantee, but if you guys are interested, I'm happy to jump in and ask.

I will also be getting a map with highlighted routes of "allowed" access here on West Point property. I obviously can't get you into the cadet areas, but there are some places we can go to get photos. I will make sure everyone gets a map, and we can go in as a group or you can wander around at your own risk. I will also do my best to find out if there are any special cadet events/formations going on that weekend.

 

[asaya]

I would like to attend

 

[sbruno]

Hey all,

I think I mentioned that I have friend living near Rhinecliffe. He's also going to do some scouting for us. Here's a quote from our most recent convo this afternoon:

"With the river comprising your main theme I assume we'll want a combination of water, natural features and historical or contemporary structures that resonate with history, like light houses and docks would be to the Chesapeake for instance.
So let me work on some spots locally where I know the turf. I'm not as familiar with the Newburgh area but have spied some spectacular scenes along the Hudson while taking the train south from Rhinecliffe into the city."

I plan to visit Bill for a day in early October, so should get to visit at least a couple potential shooting locations then. Looking forward to the trip!

 

[KristinB]

I would like to attend

Wonderful, Tony! We always enjoy having new folks join our group. :smile: If you have any suggestions on shooting locations, please weigh in.

A few ideas for thought. Let me know what interests you so I can make arrangements for a group tour.

Constitution Island - Mike says this could easily be an all day event. Picnic lunch, etc.

http://www.constitutionisland.org/wp/?page_id=723

Fort Putnam - again, 4-5 hours, hiking, but worth it.

http://fortwiki.com/Fort_Putnam

Both of these places will do tours on request, I just need a general number of people, and a solid date/time before I submit a request. It's not a guarantee, but if you guys are interested, I'm happy to jump in and ask.

I will also be getting a map with highlighted routes of "allowed" access here on West Point property. I obviously can't get you into the cadet areas, but there are some places we can go to get photos. I will make sure everyone gets a map, and we can go in as a group or you can wander around at your own risk. I will also do my best to find out if there are any special cadet events/formations going on that weekend.

Great ideas, Sonya! I, for one, am definitely interested in Fort Putnam.

Hey all,

I think I mentioned that I have friend living near Rhinecliffe. He's also going to do some scouting for us. Here's a quote from our most recent convo this afternoon:

"With the river comprising your main theme I assume we'll want a combination of water, natural features and historical or contemporary structures that resonate with history, like light houses and docks would be to the Chesapeake for instance.
So let me work on some spots locally where I know the turf. I'm not as familiar with the Newburgh area but have spied some spectacular scenes along the Hudson while taking the train south from Rhinecliffe into the city."

I plan to visit Bill for a day in early October, so should get to visit at least a couple potential shooting locations then. Looking forward to the trip!

Thanks, Steve! Looking forward to hearing your/Bill's suggestions.

 

[KristinB]

Lodging info and meeting location for the first day

Scott (sblebo) has suggested that The Stadium, which is just across the river from West Point, would be a good place for everyone to meet up for lunch on Friday, October 19th. Sonya, unless you can think of a better place, I think we should plan on making reservations there for our group for 12 noon or 1 pm, once we have definite RSVPs from the Friday arrivals.

Many of us will be staying at Willow Lake Vacation Rentals in Fishkill, which is about a half hour away from West Point. There may still be lodging available there. Since a lot of our shooting locations will be north as well, Fishkill was chosen as a good central lodging spot - especially because there are several other hotels nearby, such as the Ramada and the Homestead Studio Suites. (Unfortunately, the Courtyard by Marriott does not have rooms available for the entire time period that we need.)

Given that this is a prime time for leaf peeping, I suggest that everyone who is attending make their reservations as soon as they can. :smile:

 

[KristinB]

I've asked Scott to post his suggestions on this thread as well, but I did some research on one he mentioned that really piqued my interest, and found this: Bannerman's Castle. I think this just went to the top of my list. :biggrin:

 

[pinn8]

Kristin -- I am in for 4 (Jacqui and the twins are planning to come up). I think we will be driving up on Thursday, so we will be ready to go and not all car fatigued when the group meets for lunch on Friday.

Do we have any more details on destinations while we are there?

-SteveR

 

[KristinB]

Kristin -- I am in for 4 (Jacqui and the twins are planning to come up). I think we will be driving up on Thursday, so we will be ready to go and not all car fatigued when the group meets for lunch on Friday.

Do we have any more details on destinations while we are there?

-SteveR

Glad to hear it! Steve's (sbruno) friend Bill, who lives up there, has some definite ideas for us - Steve asked him to register on the Cafe and hopes to get details by this weekend. One sunset location sounded particularly intriguing, an industrial estate on the river.

A couple other locations that Scott (sbleblo) mentioned to me in a message that were of interest, besides Bannerman Island are:

• The Chuang Yen Monastery -- here are some photos.
  
• The Walkway Over the Hudson
  
• As previously mentioned, I think Bannerman Island is at the top of my list.
  
• And of the locations that Sonya mentioned (besides West Point itself, of course), I think Fort Putnam sounds interesting.

 

[pinn8]

Thanks, Kristin. Those look interesting, especially the monastery and bannerman island.

Another possibility I came across is Kaaterskill falls. It looks to be about an hour north of Fishkill. Unless you had your fill of waterfalls in Quebec.

 

[MParker]

My bit of research indicates that Bannerman Castle continues to fall in upon itself and there is not much left. Can we confirm that?

 

[RickW]

I will not be around that day, but if you folks are not aware of these locations, look into them.

Fahnestock Park http://nysparks.com/parks/133/details.aspx

and Bear Mountain Park, specifically the 7 Lakes Drive. Google these and you will find the details.

Both are excellent places for fall foliage shooting (plenty of water present in all of the locales) and not far from Fishkill.

Enjoy.

 

[KristinB]

I received a PM from Tony (asaya) letting me know that he wouldn't be able to make it after all, but offering up a suggestion that we check out the Tarrytown area (Sleepy Hollow), and mentioned a great Greek restaurant there. So now I'm proposing that we have our initial lunch gathering on Friday at Santorini's. That gives everyone an opportunity (coming from the south) to check out the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery either before or after lunch. Then we can head over to West Point, where hopefully Sonya can show us the sights that afternoon - or visit Fort Putnam. Then check into our cottages/hotels, etc.

Thanks, Kristin. Those look interesting, especially the monastery and bannerman island.

Another possibility I came across is Kaaterskill falls. It looks to be about an hour north of Fishkill. Unless you had your fill of waterfalls in Quebec.

Steve, I'm always interested in waterfalls! But in reading up on those falls, it appears that they are best in the spring/early summer and may not be very impressive at this time.

My bit of research indicates that Bannerman Castle continues to fall in upon itself and there is not much left. Can we confirm that?

Mike, that is true. But according to this article (and photos, at least one from 2012) - there still appears to be plenty of interest to photograph, it's just more of a ruin. Two walls collapsed in 2010, but the rest was stabilized after that.

I will not be around that day, but if you folks are not aware of these locations, look into them.

Fahnestock Park http://nysparks.com/parks/133/details.aspx

and Bear Mountain Park, specifically the 7 Lakes Drive. Google these and you will find the details.

Both are excellent places for fall foliage shooting (plenty of water present in all of the locales) and not far from Fishkill.

Enjoy.

Thanks so much, Rick! Those both look like great locations.

 

[NYracefan]

I live like 2 minutes from the Walkway on the Hudson, if you go there I may meet up for a shoot, depending on when you will be there. No way I could attend all 3 or 4 days, but I might be able to make it one day on the weekend.

 

[KristinB]

I live like 2 minutes from the Walkway on the Hudson, if you go there I may meet up for a shoot, depending on when you will be there. No way I could attend all 3 or 4 days, but I might be able to make it one day on the weekend.

Great! Do you mind if I ask what your first name is? :smile: Do you have any other suggestions for the area or any input regarding the other locations that have been referenced in the thread so far?