Irvington

Great day taking the train up to Irvington. Lisa joined me as we trekked to Washington Irving's home, Sunnyside. Beautiful blend of styles, part of the romanticized era. The ground were

lovely with the addition of a most enjoyable garden. We found a trail that nicely wound through treelined ravines giving a great buffer from traffic and a vicarious view into the backyards of the homes of the rich, maybe even famous. It was a nice walk on a beautiful pre-fall day.

On the walk, Lisa was enjoying her roll as a mid-morning sanck. Little did she see the dangers that posed until after she was mugged by a huge, slobbery golden retriever. Notice teh wet paw print and the tiny roll remnant left in Lisa's gooey hand in the picture right. At least she's still smiling.

So on teh way there we run into a few cross streets winding down into residential areas. We ask a local where teh Sunnyside turn off is. He points straight ahead where my iPod map is telling me to turn left and meander dow towards the Hudson but we follow the local's advice. Bad advice. We end up in Lyndhurst. We backtrack and finally make it to Sunnyside.

The grounds are truly enjoyable and bucolic. We find a freindly cat in the garden. Flowers abound. I saw some sort of muscrat of mink scurry down into the marsh area before the railroad tracks. Happy squirrels frolic. The home was a blend of many styles but all placed in a homey and compact estate. I appreciated the smart use of light, windows, heat, breezes, and nature to light, cool, and heat the home. And the sustainable feel of the grounds with orchards, an ice house, and garden acreage - it seems such a perfect life but I know I kid myself about the work that goes into that life. It was a perfect day for a picnic on the veranda. We also got a great history lecture on Washington Irving and the social scene during those days. very enlightening and interesting. I also loved how he rerouted the main drive so it curves through the landscape past a babbling brook stream before one can see the home. Just a lovely way to present a country place.

In contrast, there's Lyndhurst. We had time so decided to head there for a tour. We walked from Sunnyside along the same dangerous dog mauling stretch be this time unaccosted.

The Lyndhurst estate is grand. Large, expansive grounds always remind my of the JA quote in Emma, "People with extensive grounds are always so pleased to meet other people with extensive grounds." The entire estate, with the shell of a glorious green house sitting in ruin, had the feel of something sad and ghostly, conjuring up Brontë novels. I think I'd much prefer living at Sunnyside where there was more warmth and surely more artistry abound. Now if the greenhouse was in order, I may have been tempted towards Lyndhurst. Overall a lovely way to spend the day, in the prime of the Hudson.