Great Adventures in the Northeast

By Nate Feldman

A painting at the MOMA museum

The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)

On Monday, February 24, I did a day trip to New York City to visit the Museum of Modern Art, or MOMA, in Manhattan.

Before I arrived there, I bumped into six of my students from the ELS language center I teach at, and we sat together for a while.

At the museum, I saw both older and contemporary works of art, ranging from Vincent Van Gogh's iconic Starry Night to works by Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and other famous artists.  

Some paintings that really stuck out to me included Andy Warhol's Campbell Soup Cans paintings.  He painted all of the types of Campbell's Soup he had eaten over the years.  It made me think of things I often eat and if I should paint or draw pictures of them as well.

Andy Warhol's Campbell Soup Cans series of paintings

There is also the Sun Mad Raisins painting, that shows the Sun Maid woman, found on all Sun Maid Raisins products, but as a skeleton.  It says on the painting: Unnaturally Grown with Pesticides.  What is interesting about that is that for years I ate the Sun Maid Raisins, but I specifically always got the Organic kinds to avoid that very issue.  The artist was depicting something I had always wondered about Sun Maid products.

An afternoon at the MOMA is a great way for both art enthusiasts and others to enjoy their time in New York City. 

Ryers Farm for Aged Equines

On Monday, March 10, I visited Ryers Farm for Aged Equines in Chester County, PA.  Since 1888, this farm has been a refuge for retired and disabled horses, donkeys, mules, and ponies.  The animals have stalls where they reside, and during the day, they are able to graze and relax in the scenic fields on the farm's property.

Visitors are able to come between 10-4 PM on a daily basis and can feed the animals treats as well as pat them if they animals permit it.  In addition, people are able to volunteer, and if they desire, they can sponsor one of the animals for $500 a year.  This gives a person access to the animal of their choice.  They can groom and get one-on-one time with them.

Walking throughout the farm, I find it enjoyable feeding and interacting with these amazing creatures and strongly recommend people come and visit and do the same.

A horse at Ryers' Farm

Kalmus Beach in Hyannis, MA

Kalmus Beach

On a trip to Cape Cod in Massachusetts last June, I spent a couple of days in the town of Hyannis.  In Hyannis, there is a place called Kalmus Beach, located on Nantucket Sound on the southern part of the Cape.  I went there several times during my stay, and I found the atmosphere relaxing and enjoyable.  It is not a particularly large beach, but people who go there will more than likely have a good time.

Riverfront Park in Harrisburg, PA

Riverfront Park in Harrisburg in the spring

At the beginning of spring in 2024, I visited Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, for an afternoon and took a walk in Riverfront Park, along the Susquehanna River.  The view was splendid, and it happened in the middle of March, so the spring flowers were blooming. 

Trees blooming at Riverfront Park

Lehigh Valley Adventures: The Moravian Historical Society Arts & Crafts Festival

The Moravian Historical Society Arts & Crafts Festival

By Nate Feldman

For the past two years, I have been a vendor at the Moravian Historical Society Arts & Crafts Festival in Nazareth, PA.  This event is held every year at the beginning of June and gives artisans of all types a chance to promote their creative work.  The event, which has been around for 46 years, supports the work of the historical society, which tells the story of the Moravians, a group of Protestant Christians originating from Germany who settled the Lehigh Valley almost 300 years ago.  

This year, my daughter Sara and I teamed up to form a small business, Sara and Nate's Posters and Postcards.  Sara created a group of posters she designed on her tablet, and I sold post cards of various kinds.  Luckily, it was a warm, sunny June day, so it was pleasant to be outside and interact with local people.

Postcards at the Festival 

Using Public Transportation from Berwyn, PA to the King of Prussia Mall

 By Nate Feldman

The King of Prussia Mall, one of the largest shopping complexes in the U.S., is about a 10-minute drive from my house.  For that reason, I've driven there with a car all of my life.  However, yesterday, I wanted to experience what using public transportation to get there would be like.

A Bus Stop for the 106 bus in Berwyn

There is no direct form of public transportation between Berwyn and King of Prussia.  You need to go from Paoli for that.  There are two ways to get to Paoli from Berwyn via public transportation: either take a train from the Berwyn train station (Paoli is only two stops away heading west on the Paoli-Thorndale train line), or take the 106 bus from Lancaster Ave. and Bridge Ave.  I took the train, and from Paoli station, I walked about half-a-mile to the intersection of Lancaster Ave. and Plank Ave.  There is a Starbucks located there, so it's hard to miss.  

Lancaster and Plank Ave.

You cross the street and take the 92 bus, which connects the city of West Chester to the King of Prussia Mall.  From the Paoli stops, it's about a 20-minute ride to the mall.  The bus stops in front of an entrance area in the Plaza section of the mall (for those unfamiliar, the King of Prussia Mall is divided into two parts: The Plaza and The Court).  

To return to Berwyn, use bus 92, but head back the other way, and you can either get off at Paoli train station to take a train back, or get off at any stop that has a 106 bus heading towards Berwyn.  

Traveling this way is definitely more time-consuming than using a car, but it's good if you are in an adventurous mood and have time to spare.  

Inside the King of Prussia Mall

A Group Hike at Watchung Reservation

 By Nate Feldman

A Trail at the Watchung Reservation

Today, I was a part of a group hike at the Watchung Reservation in Mountainside, New Jersey in Union County.  The hike was organized by the 20s/30s/40s Social Group on meetup.com.  The hikers, six people including myself, walked on trails through the woods and sat at a table with benches beside a pond (I believe it's called Seeley's Pond).  

The pond at Watchung Reservation

The reservation has many trails of varying lengths.  In addition to that, it has a play area for young children and the Trailside Nature & Science Center, which has exhibits of local plant and wildlife, as well as an auditorium, library, and gift shop.

The park is a great way to enjoy scenic and pristine nature in an area that's only 20-30 minutes away from the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area.  




Here is a video report of my hike.

Performing at Make Music Upper Perk 2024

By Nate Feldman

The keyboard at the Chibi Cafe 

For the third consecutive year, I performed music at the Make Music Upper Perk festival, which celebrates local musicians on June 21, the International Day of Music.  I played two venues.  The first was Chibi Cafe on Main Street in East Greenville, PA.  The second event, also in East Greenville, was at the Center at Open Link, a community center for mostly seniors in the surrounding area.  

I played the Chibi Cafe from 9-9:30 AM.  I performed a number of songs all related to a season of the year.  I started with songs related to summer.  Then, I did my fall medley and followed that with six Halloween-related tunes.  I concluded with my Winter Medley.  

From 10:45-11:15, I performed at the Center at Open Link.  At this event, I showed three videos I have posted on you tube during the past year.  This was my first time showing videos at a public event, so I was very excited to show that side of my creative pursuits.  The three videos were Nate's News March-April 2023, A Snowy Week in PA, January 15-21, and Nate's Frightenin Films, Episode 1.  I concluded by playing my summer related tunes on keyboard for the audience.  

After I was done my performance, I enjoyed having lunch at the center with visitors and April, a volunteer with Make Music Upper Perk.  Afterwards, I stayed around to watch the next performance by Steve Walker, a local guitarist who makes enjoyable, and often quite amusing, songs.  

As usual, my time playing with this venue was enjoyable and I met some very friendly and supportive people, both at the Chibi Cafe and the Center at Open Link.  I am hoping to play at both places again soon in the future.

My Trip to Upstate New York

 By Nate Feldman

Background: I came to upstate New York to bring my daughters, Sara and Sofia, to their mother who lives in Clarence, a suburb of Buffalo.  The girls go to school in Berwyn throughout the year, but they spend summers with their mother, step-dad, and two siblings.  I agreed to drive the girls up here after I was permitted to have them for Father's Day.  

Day 1:

We left Berwyn around 8 AM and headed up I-476 North which connects with I-81 north, taking us into New York around Binghamton.  I-81 heads into downtown Syracuse, which is famous for its university.  The girls and I stopped for lunch in the downtown area at a restaurant called Panini.  I ordered a vegetable panini, and they had a Chicken Caesar Salad wrap.  

After finishing lunch, I headed out of Syracuse on I-690 West and connected with I-90 West, which takes you into Buffalo.  I got off the highway before Buffalo to take the girls to their mother's home in Clarence.  Then, I headed into downtown Buffalo, where I am spending the night at a hotel on Delaware Avenue.

Delaware Avenue by coincidence plays a very important role in American history.  William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, was assassinated in Buffalo in 1901.  He was shot on September 6 and died eight days later on September 14 due to complications from the bullet wound that was initially thought not to be life-threatening.  The place where he died is on Delaware Avenue.  His then Vice-President, Theodore Roosevelt, took the oath of office on Delaware Avenue as well and became the 26th President.  The spot where he became President is now a National landmark.  Theodore, AKA "Teddy" Roosevelt, became one of the most iconic Presidents in American history.  

In the evening, I jogged along Delaware Avenue to Delaware Park, a beautiful recreational area beside a lake, sports fields, and trails through the woods.  For dinner, I ordered Chile Poblanos and a Guacamole Salad from the Taqueria Ranchos Dos Mexican restaurant on Delaware Avenue.  

Downtown Syracuse, NY

Statue of Theodore Roosevelt at the Inauguration Site

Day 2:

I stayed in Buffalo until 12 PM and then headed south towards Hammondsport, a small town along Lake Keuka, one of the Finger Lakes in New York.  Along the way, I had a couple of stops.  

I bought homemade maple syrup at Kehl's Farm.  Upstate New York is well-renowned for its maple syrup, and Kehl's has been well-publicized.   

I stopped for lunch at the Vertical Cafe in Warsaw.  I ordered a signature salad with almonds, craisins, and blue cheese and had coffee and a gluten free cookie.  The cafe has a nice homey feel, and you can sit on leather seats and enjoy a book while having your meal.  

Across the street from the cafe is Homemade Treasures, an antique store that has all kinds of vintage furniture, books, movies, paintings, records, tape cassettes and more.  I bought some books and a mug.  I enjoyed this shop and highly recommend it.  

From there, I drove through the town of Mount Morris, where I briefly stopped to film a scene for a movie I have been working on.  Then, it was onto Hammondsport.  I checked-in at my hotel along the 54 state highway and then spent the late afternoon and early evening at Depot Park along the shore of Lake Keuka.  You can relax here and take in the breathtaking view of the lake.  You also can go swimming in the lake in the roped-off section allotted for swimmers.  I don't recall the last time I went lake swimming, so it was an amazing experience.  

I ordered things from the Hammondsport Grocery Store in town, a local supermarket, and had dinner at the hotel.  

The swimming area at Depot Park, Lake Keuka

  

Homemade Treasures in Warsaw, NY

Day 3:

I spent the morning in Hammondsport.  For breakfast, I went to Vern's Bakery.  They make freshly made pastries each day.  I ordered a blueberry scone, croissants filled with spinach and feta, and some coffee.  The owner said that the croissants had been made the day before, so he was giving them away for free, something I really appreciated.  

I left around noon and headed East on I-86 towards Binghamton.  Before Binghamtom, I-86 connects with I-81.  In the Binghamton area, I stopped at Otsiningo Park, a very scenic place with a walking trail along a river, multiple picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields.  According to a sign, the area was inhabited by Native American tribes previously, and that the name the area was called Otsiningo by the tribes living there.  

After finishing my picnic, I walked around, practiced hitting some softball on a sports field, and then headed back onto I-81 and back into Pennsylvania.  

A pond at Otsiningo Park

A sign with the history of Otsiningo Park

A Day at Ontelaunee Park in New Tripoli, PA

 By Nate Feldman

If you want a great way to enjoy scenic countryside in Pennsylvania, take a trip to Ontelaunee Park in the small town of New Tripoli, located in the northwestern part of Lehigh county.  When you get there, you should do many different things.  First, after you park your car in the parking lot, go up the hill to the soccer field.  You can play there with friends or family.  Below the hill, there is a playground with a swing set, seesaws, and a jungle gym.  After that, take a walk around the park.  There is a 1.1 mile trail that loops around the area.  Go to the covered bridge above the creek and begin your walk.  The trail goes through a wooded area and past the Ontelaunee Creek.  Also, there is a dog park.  If you have a dog, you should bring it there to play with other people's dogs.  In addition to its natural scenery, Ontelaunee Park has a lot of events throughout the year, such as the Pioneer Apple Fest and the Native American Intertribal Pow Wow.  So, if you are traveling in the Lehigh Valley, make sure you stop by Ontelaunee Park and have a wonderful time.