The Big Trip - Hudson, New York

About a half hour south of Albany, along the banks of the Hudson River, you’ll find the charming little town of Hudson, New York. With a population just over 7000, Hudson has been experiencing a rebirth over the past several years. Apparently the word is out in Manhattan, and a modest contingent of urbanites have left their apartments and condos in the city for the quaint small-town familiarity of Hudson.

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Such was the case with my friend Dan. After years of working as a lawyer in Manhattan, and living in the same small walk-up in the East Village, Dan finally reached burn-out. Having previously visited Hudson, and already having friends living there, Dan decided that a change of scenery would do him good. Armed with his laptop and a broadband connection to the internet, Dan was able to continue on in his current job while escaping to the slower pace of Hudson. While en route to Rochester, NY, I stopped in for a visit with Dan, and was myself quite taken with the town of Hudson.

Everywhere you look there is revitalization underway. The gracious old homes are being painted, remodeled, brought up to date. The downtown is experiencing a resurgence as new businesses set up shop, ready for tourists and locals alike. The imposing brick edifice of the Hudson Opera House along is enough to strike awe in you as you pass on Warren Street.

I enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Earth Foods on Warren Street. The salads were fresh and flavorful, the ice tea very satisfying on a hot day, and the customers and waitresses alike were alive with chatter and smiles. I engaged in a little talk with a local about Apple Computers as well as local attractions while I enjoyed my meal - such a pleasant repast!

Dan spent some time showing me around town, and I was captivated by the way in which the original flavor of Hudson is being lovingly preserved. Even new structures are often designed to reflect the original surrounding architecture, in spite of the extra expense. It all makes for a lovely feel as you stroll the side streets.

As dusk began to fall we worked our way to The Red Dot. This bar & eatery pulls in lots of locals, and has a great feel of a neighborhood bar to it. All kinds of curiosities adorn the walls of the bar, and joviality and mirthfulness abound! The real surprise for me, however, was the patio out in back of the bar. A small fenced courtyard now contain about a dozen tables or so, all nestled with simple but lush and lovely landscaping. The feel I got was overwhelmingly of a small, exclusive Manhattan bistro. The food likewise was terrific! With plenty of great choices, it was hard for me to settle on the Fish & Chips. An appetizer of delicious calamari whetted our appetites before the main course. The service was warm, friendly, and fast. I left the Red Dot feeling full and satisfied.

It was hard to leave the next morning for the next leg of my Big Trip, because I felt as though I wanted to linger a bit more to let my travel-weariness subside. Alas, I had miles to travel ahead of me yet. So I waved goodbye to Dan and headed for the New York Thruway, bound this time for Rochester, NY.

If you get a chance to visit Hudson, then by all means do so! It truly is a jewel on the banks of the Hudson River! But if you can’t make it there yourself, then click on the image to the right to visit my Gallery for more pictures from Hudson.

Mirth Maker