Synopses & Reviews
Beyond the bright lights of Broadway, New York State abounds with alluring backroad adventures and hidden treasures. It is a place where the history of a continent comes alive at historic forts and battlefields; where small-town charm emanates from communities set amidst deep river valleys and rolling farmland; and where the awesome power of nature joined forces with the progress of industry to lead the nation to a new frontier.
Whether you flirt with the outskirts of New York City or follow the call of the road all the way to the Niagara Frontier, each journey in Backroads of New York leads to scenic splendor, from sandy ocean shores to forested summits, from shimmering vineyard-ringed lakes to thundering waterfalls. You’ll come to know New York not simply as a land of mountains, but as home to the Hudson Highlands, the Shawangunks, the Catskills, the Adirondacks, the Alleghenies—each chain uniquely captivating. You’ll marvel at the power of Niagara Falls, but also stand in awe of smaller, yet no less enchanting, cascades. The serene countryside around cities such as Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo, as well as the countless smaller towns and villages throughout the state, are every bit as stimulating to the senses as the Big Apple’s nonstop energy.
With maps and detailed information to help get you where you want to go, Kim Knox Beckius’s insightful text and Carl Heilman’s stunning color photos will introduce you to a side of the Empire State that will leave you forever enchanted.
Synopsis
New York State's remarkable variety unfolds in its myriad splendors in the routes charted in
Backroads of New York. Whether you flirt with the outskirts of Manhattan or follow the call of the road all the way to the Niagara Frontier, each off-ramp leads to scenic splendor or historical intrigue from sandy ocean shores to forested mountain peaks, from shimmering vineyard-ringed lakes to thundering waterfalls, and from quaint villages to rolling farmland. Follow these routes, and you'll find that New York has a serene side that is equally stimulating to the senses as the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. Just be sure to pack a sandwich, as the one thing you won't find is a slice of pizza at midnight.
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Synopsis
New York State's remarkable variety unfolds in its myriad splendors in the routes charted in Backroads of New York. Whether you flirt with the outskirts of Manhattan or follow the call of the road all the way to the Niagara Frontier, each off-ramp leads to scenic splendor or historical intrigue—from sandy ocean shores to forested mountain peaks, from shimmering vineyard-ringed lakes to thundering waterfalls, and from quaint villages to rolling farmland. Follow these routes, and you'll find that New York has a serene side that is equally stimulating to the senses as the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. Just be sure to pack a sandwich, as the one thing you won't find is a slice of pizza at midnight.
Synopsis
More than two dozen trips to New York State’s splendors, from ocean shores to mountain peaks, from vineyard-ringed lakes to thundering waterfalls, and from quaint villages to rolling farmland.
About the Author
A native of New York's Hudson Valley, Kim Knox Beckius has always enjoyed exploring the many hidden corners of her home state. She is the author of Voyageur Press' Backroads of New England (2004) as well as The Everything Guide to New England (2002). She lives in Avon, Connecticut with her husband and daughter.
Carl E. Heilman II moved to the Adirondacks of upstate New York in 1973 and has been photographing the state’s rich landscapes ever since. His images have been published in books, magazines, and calendars, and he has won awards both regionally and nationally for his calendar photography. He is the photographer of Voyageur Press’ Wild New York (2005) and Our New York (2006). Carl resides in the town of Brant Lake, near Lake George.
Table of Contents
Contents for Backroads of New York
Part I City Outskirts: Same Sophistication, Different Speed
Outer Long Island: New York’s Cape
Westchester County: City Meets Country
The Lower Hudson Valley: River Tides and Mountainsides
The Hudson Highlands: Lofty Aspirations
Part II The Catskills and The Hudson Valley: Celebrated Landscapes
The Upper Delaware River Valley: Enjoy the Ride
The Shawangunks: So Well Preserved
Eastern Dutchess County: Horse Country
Kinderhook to Hyde Park: A Presidential Path
The Catskills: Immortal Mountains
Part III Around Albany: A Nurturing Environment
The Helderbergs: If Mountains Could Talk, What Secrets They Would Tell
Saratoga: A Pivotal Place
Waterford to Whitehall: Feeding the Dream
Schoharie County: The Power of Water
Cooperstown to Cazenovia: Out of the Park
Part IV The Adirondacks: New York’s Original Skyscrapers
The Adirondack Coast: Chapters of History, Volumes of Adventure
Westport to Lake George: Peace Prevails
The High Peaks: A Wild Rise
The Adirondack Trail: A Rat Race Escape Route
Lake Placid: Land of Miracles
Part V The Seaway and Finger Lakes Regions: A Liquid Center
When in Rome: The Black River Trail
The St. Lawrence Seaway: A Thousand Pieces of Paradise
New York’s Napa: Wine, Women, and Songbirds
Waterfalls of the Finger Lakes: A Gorge-ous Drive
The North Coast: A Swell Place
Part VI The Western Door: Niagara, Chautauqua, and More
Genesee Country: Watch It Wiggle
The Allegheny Plateau: Rocks and Rolling Ridges
Lakes Erie and Chautauqua: A Place to Grow
Cattaraugus County: Expect the Unexpected
Niagara: No Need To Rush
Suggestions for Further Reading
Index
About the Author and Photographer