Epic Fail — Summer in the Catskills curtailed!

We had planned to spend six weeks in the Catskills, NY this summer before heading to Asheville, NC to catch the solar eclipse. 

The house we rented was in the thick stretch of trees you see beyond this farm. 

Our closest neighbors were cows and they were great!  They didn't even smell! Our roommates however, turned out to be intolerable — mice. Lots and lots of them. 

We were a little slow to recognize the extent of the mouse problem, so we enjoyed 3 days of 60-70 degree temps, lovely views, and of course — Woodstock, man! 

It's official!

The site only recently was put on the National Register of Historic Places.

Bethel Woods

Originally Yasgar's dairy farm, the land was purchased in the 80's is now a non-profit concert and event space.

The Museum

Flower Power!

Beanbag Chairs!

You can watch a film sitting in bean bag chairs, which Curt and our friends took full advantage of!

Blacklight Poster Room

Of course....

Counter Culture Commercials

They had a special exhibit on how counter-culture went mainstream. 

Photo Op

The festival grounds, behind the giant picture frame — form a natural ampitheatre. 

The festival grounds

This field on Yasgar's dairy farm. 

The day before we left we went with friends to Roscoe, NY to visit Buck Brook Alpaca farm.  These animals are characters — if you ever have a chance to visit an Alpaca farm, do it!

Hey, man...you got anything to eat?

Adult males have fighting teeth, but others only have bottom teeth, so you can feed them. 

Not quite rabbits...

But the farm is nearing capacity. They started with 60 and have 160+ now. They run a breeding and boarding program. 

Sheared

The animals had all recently been sheared...they leave hair on their heads and legs purely for aesthetic reasons. Also, the guy who shears them comes all the way from AUSTRALIA!

Pompadour + Mutton Chops

Ears Up

Ears Down

Ready for her close up!

With a great assist from Curt's Mom, we managed to find a place to stay in Curt's old hometown of Mount Gretna until mid-August. It's a cute place, founded in 1892 as part of the Chautauqua adult education movement.  We look forward to telling you all about it!