Karen's Blog ~ The Woodstock Inn ~ Catskill's Bed and Breakfast

Saturday, back to some cold after a rather balmy Friday of 40 degrees.  I took advantage of the warm weather yesterday and ran a few miles–I long for the spring–it is so much easier to get out there when it is warm out.  Yesterday felt like spring.  Tonight if you are around don’t forget to check out The Colony Cafe on Rock City Road in Woodstock.  The Vicars of Texas will be playing along with some other fantastic local talent including Paul McMahon. 

Next Saturday at the Bearsville Theater –do not miss one of the area’s finest bands–and one of my personal favorites–BIG SISTER.  They will be rocking the house on Sat. Jan. 31.  They are GREAT!!  I rocked home to RI the other day listening to one of their cds….  www.bigsister.com

peace,

karen

National Day of Service–what better way to celebrate the man and his dream!  And the inauguration of our  44th President–Barak Obama!  He inspires me–so much that I responded to his call through usaservice.org to volunteer locally and help start the change we so desparately need.  I will be headed to the UCSPCA Shelter on Thursday for a volunteer orientation.  I must say, it is the first time in a long time that I have been moved by a politician! 

It has been quite a holiday season…busy at the Inn and tons of friends and family visiting.  I had my brother Andrew from Portland (we may be serving HIS coffee soon at the INN), my dear old friend Wendy (a Woodstocker from my early days here) and finally my great friend Marie from Paris.  She and I get to see each other –oh once every 7 years…the itch!  And now, I am ready to take a nap.  It is cold but beautiful here–blue sky, white snow and warm compared to what we have been experiencing as far as temperatures go. 

This weekend you can catch a great show at the Colony Cafe featuring The Vicars of Texas, my beau John’s new band.  He will be playing along with Paul McMahon (a must see!) and others.  It is just a short walk from the Inn—and a great place to hear music.  Coming up on Jan. 31st–get your tickets now for the Acoustic Ramble at Levon Helm’s!.  Don’t miss it!

peace,

karen

The Old Millstream on a cold winter’s day….

It is cold up here in the Catskills this weekend!  We couldn’t even brave a run outside ( I think I’m getting wimpy in my old age!)..used the treadmill instead.  Even Willy and Zelda were ready to go in after about 15 minutes–paw freeze!  It is a great time to try Ice climbing–if you have ever had the hankerin.   A place in Rosendale..Alpine Endeavors will take you beginner or advanced.  Check out their website at www.alpineendeavors.com

 There are some great upcoming concerts at the Bardavon and/or UPAC including Jorma Kaukonen on Feb. 8 and one of my favorites..Emmylou Harris at UPAC on Feb. 21st.  you can check out the website at www.bardavon.org or www.upac.org .  My favorite guy will be playing next Sat. night 1/24 at the Colony Cafe with Paul McMahon.

Woodstock will celebrate Martin Luther King’s birthday at 2PM on Sunday 1/18 at the Community Center, Rock City Road with speeches and music…and then there is Tuesday–the inauguration of Barak Obama –hallelujah!

keep warm!

peace,

karen

We are suppose to get more snow starting around noon today–possibly 5-8 inches.   After Wednesday’s sleet and ice–i welcome the snow.  Believe it or not you can’t get across the lawn!  It is a sheet of ice–Willy, Zelda and I slid across this morning on our …..We took a beautiful if not messy walk around Cooper Lake the other day with a few flurries adding to the picture.   I love that scene in the winter.  My long time Woodstock friend Wendy is in town visiting (she now lives in Georgia) and we are reminiscing about our early Woodstock days.  She has a new beautiful daughter Brooke–and I have my new baby pup Zelda.   We introduced the girls and Zelda was a hit with Brooke! 

There is a new funky place in town to hear music called the “Woodstock Mothership.”  John will be playing there on Sunday with his new band–not yet named!  These three have hit magic playing together and we are all excited about the new music that’s coming out of them.   Other fun places to check out this weekend…of course the Ramble!

peace,

karen

More snow and weather on the way.  It all started about 9PM this evening.  I only hope we all wake up to a snow covered Woodstock in the morning!  I had a lovely young couple here two  nights ago  and they walked up Mead’s Mountain road to then climb the Overlook Mountain trail to camp for 2 nights!  Brave YOUNG souls!   John gave them our cell number and some crampons for the ice…just in case.  Ambitious–the climb up Mead’s Mountain wears most out!  Of course John and his buddies run up it and then up the trail to the firetower a few thousand times to train for 100 mile races. 

I see they have added another Acoustic Ramble on Jan. 30th–if you can–snap up a ticket and go!  My friends all went last Friday night and have not  stopped talking about it!  I am off for the next couple of days hopefully I will get to play in the snow with Willy & Zelda.

peace,

karen

Well, I just saw a bunch of friends off to the Levon Helm Ramble.  It should be a great show tonight–an all acoustic evening starring Amy Helm, Teresa Williams, Larry Campbell and who knows…. I should have been on the bus–but couldn’t go at the last minute so I gave my ticket to a friend. UGH.  Real Saturday night blues.

peace,

karen