A Day of Slate and Goodies

The rain poured down upon Vermont, but the sun shone upon New York as I went down Route 22 through the Slate Valley and the Taconic foothills. Much of the area is a klippe, a body of younger, less deformed rocks that was pushed sideways over a set of older rocks discommoding them seriously. It was interesting to watch the rocks grow more and more contorted, then suddenly give way to gentle-looking green and red slates as I entered the klippe. Part of the day was personal, too, as I paid respects at the graves of my grandparents in Dutchess and Columbia counties along the Hudson River.

My bag will be heavier than it was a week ago, with all these rocks. But some things added no weight, like the pint of red raspberries from the Poultney farmers market (that was part of lunch) and the bag of lobster mushrooms (half for supper on pasta, half for tomorrow's breakfast with eggs).

Tomorrow I go to New York City for a weekend meeting of About.com guides and staff, something we do several times a year in different cities. That's what triggered this whole trip.