viet in pok

Good Asian food is hard to come by in the Hudson Valley. But right across from the entrance to Vassar College in Poughkeepsie is a cluster of places that cater to the students. Saigon is a charming little place where you can get yer Pho on.

margaret norrie state park

on the hudson in dutchess county.

rusty's farm fresh eatery

On one of our weekend outings in May, Bryan and I found ourselves on Route 9 in Red Hook, (Dutchess County, not Brooklyn) where there is an abundance of antique stores. We started out at the Red Hook Flea Market, (in the Holy Cow parking lot) then ventured to Hoffman's Barn Sale, a cavernous, well-organized and decently priced place. (and the store that Kevin from the Bottle Shop suggested I check next for a lock) Somewhere in that area is another store- can't remember the name, but you won't miss it- loads of stuff is displayed out on the lawn. While there I made sort of a crazy purchase, given that I'm watching my money and not really buying stuff right now. Wandering through racks of mugs and dishware that are left out in the elements, I found a half bushel basket filled with vintage glass ramekins. I kinda have a thing for little bowls and dishes, and I had never seen glass ramekins this old- each one is marked with an etched, beveled lip. I thought the owner would just give me a price for the basket, but she made her employee take each one out and count them, as she sat in her car. The basket was filled with water from the last rain and damp evergreen leaves sat in most of the cups. I had to work the woman down, but finally she gave me a decent price. you drive a hard bargain, lady! she said with a thick New York accent, her face covered by large, Chanel sunglasses.

After all of this we were quite hungry! Somehow, whizzing by this tiny strip shopping center several times, as we kept overshooting the antiques places, I noticed the sign for Rusty's Farm Fresh Eatery. And were we glad I did! One of the very best things about being in the Hudson Valley is the farm-fresh food, made by owners to cater to any type of dietary taste or need. Being on a mostly gluten-free diet, I am so happy to be able to eat sandwiches on the go! Like a normal person! Rusty's was dee-licous. And given that it was a day to splurge, we did. With their very delectable sandwiches (house-roasted turkey anyone?) they offer a choice of salad or homemade potato chips. So I ordered both! Bryan had a burger, which seemed to be the most popular thing on the menu. The people sitting next to us couldn't resist their fried treats either, ordering the fried zucchini and sweet potato fries for the table.


Rusty's very basic exterior belies the gourmet wonderland inside.


THE SLAW on gluten-free bread.


You can catch a glimpse of rusty's home made potato chips on the right.

bottle shop antiques

bryan is doing some work on his mom's house in hawaii and he needed to replace a lock. he sent me some photos and measurements, asking that I stop by kingston's zaborski emplorium to see if they had the one he was looking for. piles of old locks salvaged from old buildings. who knew? zaborski has their locks pretty well organized, but we couldn't find the exact one bryan was looking for. stan (zaborski?) suggested that I try The Bottle Shop in salt point. so away I went on saturday, GPS in hand. b and I had been out to this part of dutchess county before, but had taken a different route. I drove through country roads and farmland until I came to where routes 82 and 44 meet. kevin, proprietor of the bottle shop, was very helpful in trying to find me just the right lock. but to no avail- I had no idea door locks came in so many different sizes and configurations. while I was there, how could I not look around? If you're looking for an old bottle, this is the place to come. and I was looking for some old bottles, as I am finding homes for the spice collection I've been rebuilding since after the hurricane. kevin referred me to another salvage place, this one in red hook, and one that b and I have been to before. In the mean time, b is probably just going to get a different type of lock for the door.