DIA: Beacon - A deep breathe of art

I frequently travel north between DC and Boston to visit family and friends in my old stomping grounds.

Recently, I took a different route and veered off the 95 corridor and headed west into the Hudson Valley. The route is beautiful with large vistas of New York's natural wonderland. Along the way, I stopped at the Dia:Beacon and was delighted by taking in a collection of art from the 60s that gave way to wide smiles and inner contemplation.

In May 2003, Dia opened Dia:Beacon, Riggio Galleries, a museum to house its renowned but rarely seen permanent collection comprised of major works of art from the 1960s to the present. The amazing thing about this museum is the location is set above the Hudson River and housed in a vast old Nabisco factory.

Since its founding in 1974, Dia has been dedicated to supporting contemporary artists that require expansive gallery space specifically designed for the display of artwork that's overwhelming in size and character.

Beacon is a refreshing side trip if you have the time to meander. There is a great bookstore and in town are other art galleries, cafes and antique shops. It's well worth the few hours off the clock to play in the mind of Warhol and others.

Enjoy and meander,

S

Directions; http://www.diacenter.org/dia/visitor/index.html

Let the day happen around you

I woke up at Cathedral Lakes, crawled out of my tent, and sniffed the air. Downwind, a 400 pound black bear was doing the same. Rumbling up out of the firs surrounding Cathedral Lakes the bear ambled closer. Thinking quickly, I grabbed a pot and a spoon and starting banging. The bear got close enough to look me in the eye and said: "That's a pot and a spoon! You got nothin. Ya hear me? Nothin. Next time I'm comin back and I'm gonna eat all your granola."

And then he turned and slowly shambled back into the woods.

Cathedral Lakes is a pristine alpine lake, off the beaten track (unless you are a bear), five miles from Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park. A couple of hours hike in on a rolling trail takes you to a wide open grassy meadow, a lake and the towers of Cathedral Peaks. Throw your tent down and let the day happen around you. On a weekday, you will have this place all to yourself.

Continue on (if you must) to connect with the John Muir Trail. Ambitious backpackers can make a 50 mile circuit, or hike down into Yosemite Valley.

Directions:
You can get to Tuolumne Meadows via the east and west entrances of the National Park along Tioga Road (Hwy 120 - closed in winter). The visitor center is 7 miles west of Tioga Pass and 55 miles from Yosemite Valley. Pick up the Cathedral Lakes Trailhead at the side of the road. Follow the John Muir Trail to Cathedral Lakes.
--sm

Secret Beach, Kauai, HI

Kauai, HI is an enchanted place. Mother Nature did a great job here, a well-deserved A+ for this garden island. There are oversized sunsets, billowy orange and white clouds, crashing waves, luscious waterfalls, vast grand canyons, orange scented hikes, misty forests and red footed boobies darting across azure skies.

If you are going towards Princeville (a forgettable place unless you are into the pro golf scene) on your way to the Nepali Coast (an incredible place right out of Jurassic Park) you will pass some of the best hidden beaches, the ones that are not seen in the Hollywood beach movies.

My favorite is Secret Beach, properly known as Kauapea Beach. It is a quick turn off on Highway 56, so keep your eyes peeled, no signs of course. Drive to the end of the road and park. Walk down a mildly steep path through the woods. It's a gentle hike. You don't need to be in the terrific shape and young kids can climb up and down in less than 10 minutes. Once you reach the shore, the trek ends and you found the secret. Aha! It's Secret Beach.

Secret Beach is about 1.5 miles, a big breathe of beach. There is wide stretches of white sand, crashing waves, tide pools, huge swatches of volcanic black lava and hidden coves for picnics, lovemaking and or serenity.

As a new adoptive family, we took our children to Secret Beach to celebrate our complete family with an etched memory of sun, champagne, lapping waves, laughter and adventure.

A couple of things to note, bring all your stuff from the car as going back to your car takes effort. Be careful of the tides and respect the waves, these walls of water can be playful as well as dangerous. At this time of the writing, the beach is clothing-optional so can enjoy the full natural if you so choose. Note, nude bathing is illegal in HI although the worst that happens is someone with a uniform will tell you to please put on your bathing suit.

We found going to the right once we hit the beach as our favorite direction. We walked amongst huge black lava formations and had fun in hidden beach coves, various tide pools and darting waves.


Enjoy.

Directions -- Head east [left] out of Princeville on highway 56. Take the 2nd instance of Kalihiwai road [after climbing out of the big canyon made by Kalihiwai River] at mile post 24. Turn north [left] on Kalihiwai road and then take a quick [about .1 mile] right onto a dirt road. Follow the dirt road .5 mile to a small parking lot at the end. Park in the lot or along the dirt road using care to remove all valuables from your car. The trailhead is at the north west corner of the parking lot. Follow the trail for about 7 minutes as it descends 180 feet and traverses 1/3 mile [about 500 steps] to the beach. Enjoy the varied plant life along the way.

Short walk long view

A short walk up a dirt trail in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area leads to Homestead Hill overlooking Mill Valley, Tiburon, San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, and the San Francisco Bay. In the fog this looks like Scotland. In the sun, this looks like paradise. Within minutes you are overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Cross Panoramic Highway, turn left, and take the Dias Ridge spur trail down into Muir Beach. Wild? Within 30 minutes you'll be looking over your shoulder for mountain lions. Stop for lunch and a pint at the Pelican Inn, a replica of an old English public house.

Directions:
From 101 take the HWY 1 Stinso Beach Exit. At Tam Junction follow HWY 1 1.8 miles. Turn right at West California. Make your first left onto Lattie Lane. Park at top of hill at dirt road.
--SM