Birthday Part 3: Foliage & Food

After making it to my dinner destination the night before, the day following my birthday was a bit more open. I wanted to wander a bit, remove myself from the track of routine set destination. But I knew I had to get good coffee and a baked good before exposing myself to the pace and rhythm of the Catskills. I started the day at Alternative Baker in Rosendale, a quaint little town 20 minutes or so from my motel in New Paltz. They had several vegan muffin options available but I opted for the strawberry-lemon. Looking out the lace curtains to the waking town before me, Rosendale seemed an idyllic small town. With its independent movie house, its tiny little recording studios, The New York Times on the bakery table and a lack of Paladino for Governor signage, I understood the allure of upstate New York. I was content as the resident pooch sniffing my boots under the table… and the muffin was moist and delicately delicious.

But I had to make the most of the morning if I wanted to make in back to the city in time to share dinner and drinks with my people. I needed to see fall’s foliage. It was one of the main reasons I opted to day trip north. And the region’s deciduous trees were wearing their finest peak colors and would soon be losing leaves. It is the deciduous trees of the temperate forest that trumps all other climate zones. Having an autumn birthday, I have always associated the colorful fall–trick or treat weather–with excitement. Below are some of my best shots, delivering us from Rosendale to New Paltz and into Woodstock for lunch.

Ah, lunch at Garden Cafe in Woodstock. This is one of my absolute favorite restaurants. Everything is always spot on: flavorful, fresh, thoughtful. Even a simple tofu sandwich is transformed into magic with a delicious curry base, sliced mango, caramelized onion and red pepper pressed into a scrumptious panino with amazing texture and taste. Even the side of greens is absolutely delish!
Time to head home!