Wassaic
A couple of months ago we loaded the bikes onto our car and drove to Wassaic. Just like many other small villages and hamlets around Dutchess County, Wassaic has roots from the 1700’s. You can get to Wassaic by taking Metro North and Harlem line from 125th street in East Harlem. We’ve been here before, but that time we ventured into the old mill, Wassaic Project, and discovered cool art. Wassaic is not only known for Wassaic Project, but this is also the start of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail that can take you to Millerton, and soon even farther. It is almost 20 miles in total (to Millerton and then back to Wassaic again), so it is still below the 25 miles or so we did in the city that nearly killed me. And now, when I finally press publish we’ve returned to Wassaic many more times, and even done the bike ride yet a second time. The second time was right after it had finally been official that Biden had won the election. There were celebrations in Millerton with a small parade, and at Wassaic Lantern Inn they served Victory Milk Punch. Maybe it’s not that hard to figure out what political view many of the cool places around here have. There are plenty of supporters of the other party here too, so don’t be fooled.
You could think that Wassaic is yet another little small and boring village, or hamlet, but I think Wassaic is up and coming, slow and steady. Maybe we should even buy a house here, if we had the money. Not yet, but maybe a project for the future.
Harlem Valley Rail Trail
We were pretty stoked even before we started to pedal along the rail trail. Everything felt so great, the move, the countryside, the nature, the cool places we’ve found. We biked past horses and cows, that is the most common animals to see around here, because we live in the countryside now. Harlem Valley Rail Trail follows the old railroad and also all the old villages and hamlets.
We arrived to Millerton surprisingly fast, and what a cute place. Millerton is a lot bigger than Wassaic, which mean more people. We walked along Main Street and found out that there are more than one antique store here. That seem to be the rule, at least two antique stores and one diner.
After some ice-coffe and a small lunch we got back up on the bikes and started the ride back to Wassaic. It felt a lot faster to get back, and I think it is slightly uphill to get to Millerton, which gives you some good speed coming back to Wassaic.
Culture
I mentioned earlier that Wassaic feels like a small culture hub out here in the countryside. And besides Wassaic Project this little hamlet has Wassaic Commons, which probably reminds you of a small farmers market but you can also rent a bike here, or fix your own bike if it needs some light tuning. During the summer and late fall Wassaic also have a small pop up stand where they have sold everything from bread to LP records. Wassaic Lantern Inn is an old hotel and speakeasy bar that just turned 130 years. Wassaic Lantern Inn was actually bought by the owners of Wassaic Project and they are old real estate developers from the big city. It is worth mentioning that the chef at the lantern inn has worked at a Michelin star restaurant in the big city, and the food is really really good. Recently we discovered that there used to be a brewery here too. Unfortunately they got so popular that they outgrew the space in Wassaic and moved to Brooklyn. It would have been the last deciding reason to move to Wassaic otherwise, hehe. Apparently it also used to be a dream for the owners of Lantern Inn and Wassaic Project to establish a brewery in town, not sure why they never went for it. We have been to Wassaic Lantern Inn many times now and it is one of the only places we have been to that serve food and drinks since the pandemic started in March. They only serve food and drinks outside and face masks while you order and walk in and out of the beer garden is a must. Last weekend was the final days for outside dining though so if anyone wants to enjoy their food they have to order take out from now on. I hope we will be able to enjoy their food outside in their beer garden in the spring, as long as this pandemic is under control.
