So here is another catch up entry. As you can see, I have quite a few. It’s not that I don’t have enough going on these days, it’s just that I have this folder full of pictures looking at me every time I get on the computer. And then, of course, there is that nagging feeling like there is someone out there who enjoys reading these things. I hope so, because I really enjoy writing them.
So here were go…Woodstock, NY…home of the great “Radio Woodstock,” errr, ummm, WDST? (great music) Anyway, yes, so we LOVE to go to Woodstock, even if it just a drive-through on our way south from somewhere north. The village is not large, only a few dense roads and a bunch of country ones. The reason we love it is…well, take a look. I have always wondered what this guy does for money. He probably won the lottery.
Now, I have been to some pretty cool towns in my day (Ithaca, NY), but none quite like this. When we arrived, Laura and I planned to walk around a bit and go into some of the shops and then maybe later on go to lunch. There were TONS of people in town that day. I remember the sidewalks were so full. Everyone was pretty cool and, shall I say, environmentally friendly. Yes, environmentally friendly. There are lots of great shops that like to sell candles, little books of phrases and incense. There are also a few jewelry vendors on the sidewalks that sell beads, silver, etc…
After we did our moseying, we got to the top of the hill, and bumped into a guy trying to pull people around in some sort of a carriage.
This was pretty amusing to watch because the carriage owner couldn’t keep his feet on the ground. Look closely at the photo. He kept bouncing up and down trying the get the thing down. I’m not sure what I would’ve thought if that was me sitting in there preparing for a ride.
So we were watching this guy, checking out some stores to go into and we hear a noise that sounds strikingly like a drum, and then another drum and then another. We turned around to see a crowd of people gathered around the Village Green for a drum circle.
It was a peaceful demonstration. These guys were going at it. I think the greatest thing was how anyone can join in, all they needed was a drum. We saw this guy who looked like he just got off work from an office wailing away on his drum. He was sweating and wailing. I was pretty excited because I thought this stuff was dead after I graduated college.
We have been back to Woodstock many times throughout the years, but never at Christmas. I heard that the village lights up quite nicely around the holidays. This year we’ll visit, and yes, you will see some photos.
I remember going to woodstock once, at least I think it was woodstock. We had a van and we used to follow the dead around alot, I think. Didn’t they play there or something, no, that was later. It was nice.
hi, lots of love miss old wdstk many fond memories, alvin at the side of joyous lake, mary lou’s chocolate mousse and french onion soup at the bear cafe, the wimmins land at lucy’s blackmans, ruppa the goat at susun weeds, the great folks at the old a & p , manny katz’s great pastrami, hanging out on the steps next to the news shop, the old health food store, les visable, papagalos–is it still there? wow so much to remember, will have to check back to see if any old wdstkers have replied, for now we leave, peace sky & liz
In Florida by displacement from Cali. Could you inform me of ‘summer of Love’ events taking place in Ithaca or point me in the direction of knowing? I haven’t been to NYC in 24 years nor Upstate in 35 years. Peace sign to You.
hmm. nice.
I spent 3 weeks in August in Woodstock and wow, I walked the streets of the town everyday and loved it!!! What a place to visit!!! I loved it and met some really nice people! Cant wait to go back! thanks for the pictures.
When I was a little girl we had a summer house in Saugerties, 3 miles north of Woodstock but within walking distance Of this pleasant little town. Since we didn’t have running water in our summer home, tho a large 6 bedroom home ,we swam at all small creek about halfway to Woodstock, this is where we would bathe, and yes we have an outhouse. All
my cousins would come up
and spend the summer in
this dreamy little town. Hiking, fishing, crossword puzzles and yes, rocking on the front porch till midnight
watching the city folk drive up for the weekend from N.Y. Then came the late sixty’s and this little town of Woodstock became history with a live music festival, which of course we all went to. I was 18 yrs old by then and my whole world changed forever for the better. You couldn’t buy this education or read it in a book, imagine it or dream it, but only long for it for the rest of your life and be able to tell your grandchildren you were there. At 63 now I keep thinking about it and wishing I could go back. Memories are made of this. PEACE, LOVE AND FREEDOM WERE BORN THERE AND I WAS A WITNESS. Thank you for letting me write my true
story. Bonnie Mae