Places to go

Mohonk Mountain House and Mohonk Preserve – Throughout my travels in the US and Europe I have yet to come across a more breathtaking landscape and building/castle than here at Mohonk. When my children were young, we would often take a day trip to Mohonk and climb the challenging crevice, otherwise known as the lemon squeeze. Back then they didn't have ladders as they do now but this climb is still a must activity if you go to Mohonk.  As I travel throughout and share my love for Mohonk, more and more families are enjoying one of my most cherished places on earth.  I have heard from those who have made the pilgrimage telling me that they were most delighted and rewarded by the experience.  In fact, two families who flew from California to experience Mohonk, even though met with a rain filled week, found Mohonk to be the nicest place on earth!

            I have been walking through Mohonk for thirty years and have yet to see all of this six thousand acre paradise. If you do go, make sure you follow the signs for the Rock Scramble to the Lemon Squeeze. Follow the red arrows and don't get off the path (unless you're like me!). If your budget doesn't allow you to stay overnight at Mohonk, I would recommend staying below at the Minnewaska Lodge. This is a new lodge with only 26 rooms, built in a beautiful arts and crafts style.  If you stay there, you can even walk up the road and take the nature walk to Mohonk along the Shawangunk ridge and beautiful trails. It is about a two hour walk but it is worth doing. For some reason I always take the wrong path when I getting close to the mountain. Make sure you take the path to Skytop! If you're budget is even too lean to stay for their once-in-a-life-time lunch, then you can park at the Mohonk entrance and walk up the trails and experience this magnificent property. If there was a place that was close to what the Garden of Eden was like, it is Mohonk!
            And there is more. If you follow the road up the hill past Minnewaska Lodge, past the hairpin turn, for about two to three miles, you can park at Lake Minnewaska park. There is a beautiful lake , and waterfall (below),

and miles of trails with breathtaking beauty. Don't let anyone know I told you this, but if you walk back down the highway after you've parked, you will see a trail to your right that has a gate. Walk along that trail and stream and it will take you to the bottom of the waterfall—just a spectacular sight! And—if you walk across the highway to the left, you will also find several hidden cliffs and waterfalls that are just breathtaking…don't go in the winter time or you might find some people lacking some apparel doing their polar bear swim!

            Oh I forgot to mention: if you don't purchase one of the meals at Mohonk, you would not be considered a house guest and therefore not allowed in the Mountain House. It is worth experience their food and the House and especially tea and cookies at 4 O'clock. If you stay for after dinner (ladies must wear a dress and men a jacket), there is usually some soothing musical entertainment to end the evening. If you go, drop me an email and I will let you know where there is a view that is just breathtaking and few have found.  By the way, they say that you can see five states from the tower. When you get to the tower, you will want to either sing, pray, or just silently be in awe.
Mark Hamby