Who Did I See?

[bkmaxvrb]

I had a great ride today! I was wondering who I saw southbound on Rt 209, in NY this afternoon on the Red & Black 1700 Nomad? I hope it was a KawaNOW member since it was a great riding day.

I left NEPA around 10-ish and filled up in Honesdale, PA before the journey. Headed on Rt 652 to Narrowsburg, NY and headed south on NY 97. Yup! Went up and over the Hawk's Nest and down into Port Jervis where I stopped for lunch at Arlene & Tom's Diner, home of the world famous Meany Burger.

After lunch, I headed north on Rt 209. This is where I passed the other Nomad going in the opposite direction. Just after going through the town of Ellenville, NY, I took a left onto Rt 55. After a few miles, and an aggravatingly slow cager, I pulled over next to a bridge for a water and butt break.

I took off, still following 55, and after a few miles, I had to detour around some bridge construction and on to Rt 55A. Turns out it was a great detour! I was taken almost all the way around one of the NYC reservoirs. If you never seen one, they're HUGE! And, being in the Catskill Mountains, quite scenic.

I met back up with NY 55 and continued southwest, toward PA. I hit NY Rt 17B in the town of Bethel and decided to take a short detour. I had always wanted to check out the site of this little concert that was held in 1969. Maybe a couple of the older folks here might have heard of it? Woodstock? Had a couple of bands and a small crowd?

The museum that has been built to remember the event is first rate! Very well done! However, eat and drink before you get there. $3 for a bottle of water is outrageous. That is my only gripe. I haven't seen a concert there yet but it looks like it would be a great venue. You can check out the museum and then wander over to the new amphitheater for the show. It does not sit on the site of the original stage.

I wonder how many folks know that this site wasn't considered for the concert until almost the last minute? The organizers wanted to hold it in Woodstock, NY since many artists lived there. There wasn't a suitable site to hold the show in Woodstock, so they settled on the town of Wallkill, NY. After many threats and other problems, they scrapped Wallkill once they received permission from Mr Yasgur (the farmer) and Sullivan County to hold it in Bethel.

I attached a pic of the site monument. If you look past the upper left corner of the monument, you'll see a flat area with some gravel. That was the original stage location. The slope going up and to the right was the crowd "seating" and you can make out the museum at the top of the hill.

After a relaxing and enjoyable couple of hours, I was back on the road. I hopped on Rt 17B, west and turned left onto CR 115, south. It merged with NY 52 which ended at Rt 97 again. I took the right, headed back to Narrowsburg, crossed over the bridge and headed home.

Overall, it was a really great ride on a fantastic day!

[sly]

Thanks for sharing, this is on my TO DO list for sure..

[Cajunrider]

Thanks for posting the summary and the monument picture. I remember Woodstock well but I've never been to the site. Very good picture. Have any more?

[cactusjack]

Yasgur's farm...sweet! Please post more pics if you have some.

[glwilson]

That was cool... ;) Thanks for sharing.

I am old enough to have been around when Woodstock happened... I would like to go to the site myself someday.

A lot of great musicians played at that exact spot; contributing to a major historical event... it had to almost feel like hallowed-ground to some degree.

[ringadingh]

It sounds like you had a great day riding, I'll have to get out to the Woodstock site oneday. Ive been in that part of NY a few times and have never made it over there.
Thats a neat picture of the plaque for sure.

[fish]

COOL, Groovy The wife and I were in Woodstock this spring but nothing more then just a ride through the town and are planning on getting up there shortly. Hell, Wallkill is only one hour south of Woodstock
I rode along one of the other reservoirs on rt.30 excellent road and scenery. Also want to check another reservoir on rt.10.
I'll have Elaine read your report and she will be ready to go today
Hey Russ, we talked about putting a ride together this year and I think Woodstock area would be great area for our old hippie members and since you know the points of interest of the area you can be our guide

[Griz]

Sounds like you had a great ride. I can tell by your write up that you really enjoyed the trip. Thanks for sharing and for the picture of the monument.

[bkmaxvrb]

Thanks, everyone for your gracious comments. I'm sorry to say I only have a couple of other pics and they're variations on the monument. I thought of taking pics of the museum itself but that wasn't the essence of the site. There is no photography or recording allowed in the museum itself, unfortunately.

Fish, I have no problems being a tour guide for a day. I'm surprised you haven't at least been by the site. I know you've traveled down NY 97 and over the Hawk's Nest, which is always fun. The reservoir on NY 10 is nice as well. It's got some cool views.

Fish, give me an idea of when you might like to ride and I'll see what I can come up with. I'll try to make it interesting for everyone. Maybe an idea of where you've been or where you'd like to go would be good. It'd sure help me figure out a good route.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I remember Woodstock well. Didn't make it up but heard all about it.