Things to see and do around Ashokan

synthesist

synthesist

So many knives so little time
Joined
Sep 14, 2004
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I am going to Ashokan :thumbup:............flying into Newburgh (about an hour south I'm told) on Thursday (maybe Wednesday even) morning, a day early, and driving north.

I'm curious about:

1) Things to do along the way. I've never been to this part of NY with any time to look around.

2) Sites worth seeing

3) Towns/food worth a detour along the way

4) A place to stay on Thursday night

I'm also curious about if there is anything ESSENTIAL to bring with, other than safety glasses, decent shoes and a camera, since I am going to learn as much as I can.

What's the weather like in the Catskills this time of year?

I'm open to other advice as well.................

Syn
 
Syn,
Having been to ashokan a dozen times youd think I'd be able to help out alot, Well I do know that there is a motel near ashokan but I can't remember if its in shokan or olivebridge.
Kingston is bigger and not that far away and you might have some lusk staying there on thursday night. I have always wanted to cruise around there and see what is there, so you can do that and let me know whats there. Fall in northern new york is great when its not raining, its a lot like northern michigan(except for the people who sound like they are talking through there noses)-Just kidding.
I would bring at leats one notebook, there are always things you will want to write down.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Thanks,
Del

Once you get there there is nothing to worry about, you will have plenty of people to chat with, including me.
 
bring earplugs, years of breathing in coal charcoal and gas fumes and dust makes for some HORRENDOUS SNORING, NOT JOKING. Weather hereabouts this time of year, well let's just say i will be going swimming:D.
 
Syn, While you are in the area I would recommend the Reservoir Inn for diner plans. It's right off of Rt 28 on Basin Rd. 845-331-9806. Also a visit to Woodstock would be nice if you have the wife along, it is a quaint little artist's colony with lots of galleries and shops. Follow Rt 375 off of Rt 28 to get to Woodstock. I would stay somewhere in Kingston on RT.28, that way you won't be getting lost going back and forth to Ashokan. Or if you want an exclusive place to stay, http://www.emersonplace.com/ Don't get any ideas about taking a ride around the reservoir itself, the roads back there are tricky and sometimes takes hours to get back out.
Have Fun
Dave
 
Okayyyyyyyyyyy then, good stuff. I am looking forward to just cruising around a bit. I think I will bring my Valentine1 (http://www.valentine1.com/) just in case. Better safe then sorry

I didn't think I'd need wet weather gear :thumbdn: but I will bring some goretex and boots, just in case.

As far as Mohonk Mountain House :thumbup:, believe it or not I've been there several times over the years for Mystery weekends. Hell, I sat on the porch there with a 6 pack and had Stephen King :thumbup: bum one from me (I didn't know it was him until my wife showed up and her eyes got BIG :eek:). Great place................ I thought about spending the night there on Thursday but it seemed like overkill to use that place like a motel, it really deserves its STELLAR reputation.

As far as the dust goes I have asthma and sleep apnea so I was going to bring a good dust mask and my CPAP (pressurized air medical gadget that I use at night) so it won't be my snoring keeping people up at night.

Del, I always carry a notebook and I'm sure I won't have any trouble finding people to hang with. Looking forward to seeing you again bud.

Thanks. I appreciate the ideas............

Syn
 
I second the suggestion for a notebook....especially if you're going to be within earshot of Del and myself, or Kevin Cashen. :D

-d
 
ashoken is beautiful country.
1.monhonk mountain house is a great visit as stated above.
2.albany is about 1 hour north the nys museum in albany has a great 9-11 display (read fantastic) houses wtc knives that made the circut the past few years
3.if you are a baseball fan. cooperstown (hall of fame) is not too far away (2 hours ? )
 
Bring cash

People will be selling tools, steel, etc. You will need $15 for the T-shirt. Most of this cannot be had with plastic.
 
A couple places worth checking out in kingston.
1. Stanz antique shop! That is where I found my 155# kohlswa,Last time i was up there he had some tongs and oddities,post vices, whole crates of hammer heads,files, punches and......a really nice old coal forge( i have been wnating to buy it but i'm broke :o) with a hand crank blower.He keeps odd hours I think it's 11-4 or something.

2.P&T surplus,on the roundout in downtown kingston.My favorite spot for non ferrous metals and weird things.electric motors and industrial surplus.For you plate quenchers they normally have big aluminum plates. you could get a lifetime supply of brass pins from this place:thumbup:.worth looking into :thumbup:

3.The steel house in kingston.restaurant/niteclub good food :thumbup: I'm not 100% sure on the nitelife...I'm married :)

There is a bunch of stuff to do in newburgh, the Orange county choppers hq is in montgomery(1 town over) If youlike that sort of thing,lets say watch out for the natives in D-town newburgh....not too friendly:eek:althogh the waterfront is happening at night,might be late in the season.
The hotels in newburgh are nothing special except the ramada inn....aka the menopause lounge:D
While your in newburgh there is also alot of George Washington history to follow.
I reccomend calling Mcdonald&Mcdonald spring shop and asking them if they want to sell there little giant:p.....friggin guy wont budge but it's worth the laugh.
see you soon!
 
Wurtsboro has a sailplane airport .A really fine one ,great views of the Shawangunk Mtns. Or go east of Ellenville and hike on top of the Shawangunk at Minnewaska Park [near Mohonk House].
 
J.Marsillo said:
I reccomend calling Mcdonald&Mcdonald spring shop and asking them if they want to sell there little giant:p.....friggin guy wont budge but it's worth the laugh.
see you soon!
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They didn't have an LG when I was there, but they had a disassembled hammer frame, cannot remember the name, must be clouded by the cool stories the guy there told, and also the tour of the spring shop and the 175 ton press, and bunch of spring stock scrap bits he graciously dropped in the truck:D.
 
Sam Salvati said:
They didn't have an LG when I was there, but they had a disassembled hammer frame, cannot remember the name, must be clouded by the cool stories the guy there told, and also the tour of the spring shop and the 175 ton press, and bunch of spring stock scrap bits he graciously dropped in the truck:D.
Click to expand...

Was it vinny??

wasnt that hammer an LG :confused: it looked good to me.but what do I know ;)

Did they show you the "pile" of 5160? it's hard to miss :eek: I need to bring some knives over there!!
 
If you want to do some forging while you're there, I would bring your favorite hammer(s) and some decent tongs. You can probably buy some nice tongs, but usually not until Sunday. I always bring my cameras and a notebook (and pen). It's also good to have a folio to store any handouts.

I don't know where you are coming from, but I pass the Hancock Shaker Village on my way. One of these times I'm going to leave early enough so that I can stop there and check out all the cool old buildings and furniture.

As far as things to actually do near Ashokan, I can't really help you. There doesn't seem to be much around it, but I always take the same route, so perhaps I'm missing out on some things.
 
I'm coming from Chicago via Detroit into Newburgh on Wednesday, then picking up a car and heading out. So I have the better part of 2 days to just cruise around and enjoy the scenery, although the long range weather forecast is looking wet. So the goretex is looking like more of a sure thing.

I haven't ever had the opportunity to forge anything so I'm looking forward to watching, learning and maybe smacking some hot metal. We'll see.

I do have a question though................ I haven't received any kind of confirmation from Ashokan. I emailed Tim Neu about that today. Should I be worried?

Syn
 
synthesist said:
I haven't received any kind of confirmation from Ashokan. I emailed Tim Neu about that today. Should I be worried? Syn
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Nah, they always wait until the last minute. They usually don't even cash your check until about a week before the seminar. They're very accommodating, so if you sent your money, they'll find room for you.

Be sure to bring eye protection. If you plan on forging, you might want to bring some leather gloves. Tim usually has kevlar gloves for sale, but they are the "one size fits all" (with smaller hands) type. Anything else you need you should be able to beg or borrow.
 
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