Freshwater Life

Not too far from the New York-Pennsylvania border is a small vacation town of Hawley, on the Lackawaxen River and close to better-known Delaware river. Though this is a summer haven for campers and other nature enthusiasts (and hunters), a friend of mine had year-round residence here as a growing gal as her father managed a 4,700 sq. foot private membership recreation property. As her guest, this sprawling, lush land would be my home for the next couple of days. But first, I had to get there.

With day activities set, I’d need to pick up veg-friendly eats to chow down on. This was more easily managed “on the way.” I stopped in Main Essentials in Rockland County’s Nyack, right off the NYS Thruway. Main Essentials is an all-vegan Ital eatery with a range of offerings, including the usual ‘protein + side’ serving standard at veg Caribbean places, along with vegan versions of American-style fast food made from the ever-processed soy protein. I picked up a burger and a smoothie to meet the CC minimum. Main Essentials’ service made it a worthy stop. 

I also checked out True Food, the kind of spot you’d expect to have more of a choice for vegans. I bought the vegan options that were available–a scone and a bar (which was actually not vegan, containing honey)–and was on my way.  

Blueberry scone.

Then Pennsylvania welcomed me.

Fast forward some time and we were tubing down the Delaware river–a languid 3-mile float down its refreshing waters. 

It was a dreamy way to spend the afternoon.

We hit a Japanese and Indian restaurant for some dins to-go, as we wanted to catch the sunset by one of the 3 glacial lakes on the property in Hawley. Clockwise: Chana Masala with basmati rice and a few globs of mango churney, sweet potato roll, avocado roll, Asian pear salad, assorted pakora. 

A beautiful setting to eat pretty okay food.

A cartoon-looking sun said goodnight. 

After the sun went down, we explored the large Swiss gothic clubhouse’s creepy decor (taxidermy). The place was built in 1899 and seems to have not change much since. There was an eerie Shining feeling inside that was exhilarating. 

More rustic PA adventures tomorrow…