OUR GREAT ESCAPE

Saturday, October 18, 2008
Bear Mountain New York

Imagine our surprise! While reading about the great State of New York, we discovered there is a Harriman State Park. We thought for sure it must be a mistake. For years we have enjoyed visits to Harriman State Park in Idaho, an 11,000-acre wildlife refuge in the greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, where we have seen Elk, Moose, Sandhill Cranes, and Trumpeter Swans. It is a beautiful and tranquil place, with breath-taking wildflower displays not far from our home. Harriman State Park in Idaho served as a cattle ranch and private retreat for Union Pacific Railroad investors, the Harriman and Guggenheim families from 1902 to 1977. For us it is a favorite place to pull our trailer to, with lots of hiking trails and great fishing on the Henry's Fork, in Summer and cross country skiing in Winter. New York's Harriman State Park is one of the largest parks in New York, 46,613 acres. It is about 30 miles north of New York City, about a 45 minute drive from our home here in Astoria. Amazingly our home in Rexburg is about 45 minutes south of Harriman Park. The New York State park boasts over 200 miles of hiking trails, 31 lakes, multiple streams, camping areas, and great vistas. On its northeastern edge, Harriman State Park borders the smaller Bear Mountain State Park. We think the history of the park is interesting. New York was going to build a prison at Bear Mountain. The Harrimans were very opposed to that proposal, and donated 10,000 acres of land from their Arden Estate along with $1 million for the creation of a new state park. As part of the deal, the state would do away with the plan to build the prison, appropriate an additional $2.5 million to acquire additional land and construct park facilities. It was established October 29, 1910.

Our first stop on Seven Lakes Drive, was at Lake Sebago, where we watched Black Ducks diving for fish. The Fall leaves were incredible, like nothing we've ever seen. It was a showstopping

scene, shades of wine, bright red, orange, gold, and green to bright yellow, against clear blue lakes and green pine trees revived our spirits. We must admit that at times, New York City closes in on us. After our Saturday morning correlation meeting, we spent a glorious afternoon, not too far from home, and had such a great time together. We, like Edward and Mary Harriman, share a love for the beauties that can only be found out and away in New York and Idaho. We celebrate their generosity to both states and are grateful recipients after enjoying their contributions through out the years.