Travels in the 2nd half

  I first drove through the town of Hudson, New York , forty years ago. Back then it was in the midst of a huge local depression. The deindustrialization of the northern half of the United States had hit the area hard, and its main drag, Warren Street was filled with empty storefronts. It industrial buildings had been abandoned. There was no reason to stop in Hudson in 1986.   Over the decades things started to change. A few new businesses opened. Some artists were discovering the northern Hudson River Valley, where they could get large homes and studios at small prices, but Hudson was still a town in distress in the early 2000’s. Then the pandemic happened. People in New York City and Albany started looking for places to escape to, especially if they could work from home, and Hudson had a lot to offer. As a real estate agent might say, “It has good bones.’    Many of the buildings in town were constructed out of brick, and while they needed work, they were still in ...

  If you are visiting Lisbon, and you have a day with beautiful beach weather, I recommend getting our of the city and visiting the town of Cascais . Cascais has a long history as a seaside fishing town. It has been providing seafood to Sintra and Lisbon since the 12th century. In 1870 King Luis I made the decision to summer at the sea shore, and Cascais quickly became “the destination” for Lisbon’s elite. Today, tourists and the Portuguese alike flock to the town, which sits west of the mouth of the Tagus River. The easiest way to get to Cascais is by train from the Cais do Sodré station in Lisbon. The trip takes you along the banks of the Tagus, with beautiful views along the way. The Cascais station is a short walk from the three beaches in town.  From the station you can take a walk through the historic center of Cascais. Here you will find stores and restaurants that cater to both day-trippers and longer-term visitors. I stopped at Sacolinha , a wonderful cafe and pastry ...

  When you say you are going to visit the town of Sintra, Portugal, you will receive a lot of recommendations of things to see and do. Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle are high on everyone’s list. To me, there is one ‘must see” place - The National Palace.     The roots of the Sintra National Palace date back to the Moorish era (800-1100 CE), when it served as one of two castles in the town. Its modern formation began in the early 15th century, under the rule of King João I (1357-1433). In 1415 he began construction on a palace that included 26 rooms. The National Palace became the second home for the royal family, when they wanted to escape the heat of Lisbon.    The palace includes some amazing halls, including the Grand Hall, called the Hall of Swans. This hall was used for banquets, concerts, and public receptions. The decorations are tied to Henry IV of England, who was the brother of João’s wife, Philippa of Lancaster.     Other great halls in...