Tuxedo Park

This sprawling, turn-of-the-twentieth-century, planned neighborhood is about 30 miles from the City (New York). But it feels a world away. In Atlanta, 30 miles is a drive to a special place for dinner. In this part of the country, ask someone to drive 30 miles and they look at you funny.

Some of the notable people who've lived around Tuxedo Lake include Mark Twain and Emily Post (the society of the area apparently inspired her etiquette writing). And where such storied families as the Whartons, Vanderbilts, Astors, Whitneys, Delanos, Pells, and Goelets circulated in the social gatherings and parties of their day.

The addresses range from 14,000 square foot estate mansions, to more modest cottages such as the house in which Daria and I are staying. Interestingly, some of the cottages pre-date the larger mansions as this area was first a hunting and fishing retreat. The later-dated cottages often started out as caretaker residences and then sold independently.

The Lake

The eponymous lake is quite a sight. First off, you need to know that it's dead quiet. No gas-powered motors are allowed on the lake. So any boats that pass by sneak up on you like a Prius. Our cottage is across the street from Tuxedo Lake, so we've walked the pups down quite a few times. Under both clear blue skies, as well as stormy clouds.

I'll let you be the judge which is more beautiful.

Tuxedo Trails

As an early hunting and fishing retreat, the wilderness feels close. The trails around the area are old - Tuxedo itself an anglicisation of the Native American phrase for the area. We were told that bears, foxes, porcupines, and skunks are common - though we didn't see any (much to Daria's disappointment). We did see a gaggle of Turkeys and a young deer - admittedly, a let-down from the prior list.

Tuxedo Park has been remade several times over its lifespan. From the original hunting lodges with little area development, to modern dwellings that sit on the ruins of older, diminished estates. As we walked the trails, Daria and I could see the foundations of buildings that once were. Laying off trails that were the roads of their time. Once such ruin can be seen in the third and fourth photo below - reduced to the most survivable components and overgrown with vegetation. It stirs the imagination to wonder what such a building once was.

One of the common features around the northeast that you're unlikely to know about if you've never lived here: swamps. They're everywhere. Being originally from Florida, I associate swamps with that area of the country. I expect a similar viewpoint is held by the natives of New York and New Jersey. Pay attention the next time you're driving through the area and keep an eye out. You will find acres and acres of cattails sprouting from the marshes that you'll see everywhere. Some of those cattails can be seen in the picture below.

Our Wards

The animals this round were Midge (tiny pup below), Socks (round pup below), Micky (tuxedo cat), and Blacky (black cat).

Another one of those things we're learning as we travel into the homes of new animals: start early and often with the treats. It's a stressful time for the pets. Their parents left and strangers are in the house. These new people look suspect and the animals don't know who's in charge. The animals come to us in a very wide state of training and socialization. Every now and then you get a prima donna pup who gets feisty or a wannabe alpha cat who marks the common areas to let you know who's house it is.

We had both on this stop in Midge and Micky. This is where lots-and-lots of treats and getting down on the ground to their level got us over the hump. Otherwise they were good animals - Midge especially is really a sweetheart (seen below under the bed ready to bite fingers). She just didn't know whether she could trust us.