Something for Everyone in The Catskills

One of the things I love about being in the country is the great demographic diversity that it attracts. With so many small towns and attractions, there is something there for everyone. Whether its swimming, fishing, boating, hunting, gambling, antiquing or eagle watching, the crowds are wide and varied.

Monticello is the county seat for Sullivan County and is where the Monticello Raceway and Casino is located. It attracts a 35+ adult crowd that is drawn to both gambling and nightlife, with live bands often performing cover tunes. Open daily from 6am to 12am, it is a big attraction for many in the region who want to socialize. If horse trot-racing is your pastime, there is also a full raceway with races taking place every month, over 206 days each year.

Situated along the Delaware River, Sullivan County also offers up a many options for river sports, attracting families and groups, large and small, of all types. Camping is enjoyed by all kinds of people, creating a great mix of old and young across the countless campgrounds, including the Boy Scouts  of America located on Ten Mile River in Narrowsburg. From naturalists to city dwellers who bring boom boxes, the camp sites have an eclectic mix of folk.

Some of the most dedicated garage sale shoppers I know are from the Catskills and they never miss a good deal or the scores of antique shops in the area. For visitors who want to join in the fun of collecting heirlooms or just some period pieces, Sullivan County Visitors Association keeps a great list to add to your trip planner.

When it comes to hunting season, suddenly the woods are filled with men (primarily) who come for their annual guys weekend. It's not like summertime when town or the roads are busier. These folks tend to hunker down in the woods where you don't exactly see them. But, you can feel their presence and if that isn't enough, you can certainly hear the gun fire! It can be a bit scary in some places if you're not used to it, but they are situated on large private properties and hunting clubs with enough distance from others. Bow and arrow hunting starts as early as September and then rifle hunting begins in November. The season is also categorized by big game, turkey and furbearer.  Hunting sure does attract an altogether different segment of the population!

I know many people who enjoy cruising on their motorcycles and there are famous routes that they ride. One of these famous rides that many bikers enjoy is along Route 97, near Pt. Jervis, NY. When you enter into Sullivan County from that side, it places you along a high perch above the Delaware River along a winding road at Hawks Nest. From there you not only get some of the best river views, you can also catch hawk and eagle sighting. There is enough room for a dozen cars or motorcycles to pull over  and capture the beauty of this scenic spot. From May until October you can not only see but often hear the roar of the motorcycles driving along 97 on their ride up into the Poconos. Even that group of people is highly diversified, all ages and lifestyles represented.

The Catskills attract people of all types for all kinds of purposes and activities. While I mainly enjoy quiet hikes and kayaking, the area is loved by so many for so many reasons. I love that race, politics, sexual orientation and general lifestyles are not driving the feel of the area or in any way dictating the vibe overall. I see people of all types not only enjoying what the area has to offer but integrating in a way that is normal, nice and easy. There is even a large Hasidic community sprinkled throughout the region. I don't doubt that there are those who may have their own mixed feelings about others, but I do not see it interfere with the tourism and second homeowner communities, which really lends for the tolerance that we hope, where ever we go.

Building My House in The Catskills

The meaning behind this blog is directly related to my own experience of escaping to The Catskills. For many years I spent my summer weekends at the beach: Jones Beach, Long Beach, Fire Island, Mystic and my most beloved, Montauk. It was usually a house rental or descending upon family, but I always had a plan to be out of the city and step into that sandy paradise.

Six years ago I made the decision to buy a vacation home for weekend use and soon realized that coastal towns in NY and CT were mostly unaffordable. I didn't look too deep into it, since the story was the same all around: even if I could find a home at my price point, the taxes would often make it financially prohibitive. The funny thing is, at that same time I stumbled across a newspaper article about The Catskills of Sullivan County and particularly about a builder who was developing the region with cute cottages and farm houses. I immediately knew it was where I wanted to be.

I didn't know much about the area, only that it was a 2 hour drive from NYC, and along the Delaware River. I made my first trek up in July 2009 and by October, I went into contract on a small cottage in the woods of Narrowsburg. As a single woman, it was a huge, bold move, but one that would also teach me many lessons.

The process of building can be hectic, confusing, exciting and downright insane.  There are so many decisions to be made and then changes that you want to make. Thankfully I come from a long line of contractors and tradesmen, and I was fortunate to have my brother guide me every step of the way. As a person who is visually stimulated, I often could not imagine how things would come together, but they did. I kept my eye on the prize; having my own little retreat on 7 acres in this tiny country town.

It has now been 5+ years since I moved in. I've met other weekenders, locals who are true locals and others who transplanted from nearby urban cities (mostly NYC) and now reside full time. I wave to everyone on the road, keep country distance when driving and have gracefully ingratiated myself with the community. It took a few years to feel like it was my town too, but now it is and I love being part of it.

As a homeowner it is not always easy to explore the region. Once I arrive on a Friday night, I don't really want to spend anymore time driving to other towns. However I have found myself in the position of freelancing over the years which has allowed me to spend longer periods of time in Narrowsburg. This also enabled me to wander to other towns and hamlets, try other restaurants and find new markets to enjoy. Coupled with the group of friends that I have made, it is much easier now to navigate the area and I no longer hang up the car keys upon arrival.

The best part for me is having a place to getaway. It makes such a difference to my mind and body by leaving the busy city with all of its chaos, and learning to sleep in the pitch black night with not a sound to be heard. I can now see how important it is to explore life outside the concrete jungle, including birds which I once feared. I also understand why many of my new friends made their move permanent.

I won't be doing that anytime soon, but I will continue to spread the joy of escaping the city for a rural retreat. I will also continue to explore the region and share my findings.

The Four Catskill Counties

There are four counties that make up the Catskill region: Sullivan in the southwest, Delaware in the northwest, Ulster in the southeast and Greene in the northeast. I've been mainly focusing on little towns and hamlets in Sullivan County, an area I know and have traveled to often. But there is much more to consider when looking for an escape from city life.

I found a great visitor site, Visit The Catskills, that covers all of the counties and also shares a wealth of information for each: 200+ lodging options that include retreats, spas, inns and cabins, over 50 camp sites, attractions for family fun and historical sites, and activities that have something for everyone in all seasons.

When on the site, you can click on the individual county which will take you out to separate sites, highlighting their regions. Each provides a robust offering of places to eat, go antiquing, agritourism including farm visits and stays, and a list of cultural events. While Sullivan and Ulster counties are a bit closer to NYC, both Delaware and Greene counties are worth traveling the short distance further. The Baseball Hall of Fame is located in Cooperstown, in Delaware County, and both Windham and Hunter Mountains are in Greene County, which offer winter and summer activities. It really is an endless list of travel options for your great escape from urban living!