Although I never left town, I may have seemed to have been in a far away place this week. In October of 2011 we really were far from home, some 3100 miles or so in New York State. When we visited the Hudson River Valley and Frederic Church's home, Olana, it felt even further away, both in miles and time. Approaching the house, you get a feel for what lies ahead when you walk along the intricate fencing.
You may have heard of the Hudson River School. It was a mid-19th century art movement that included many landscape painters who painted scenes of the Hudson River Valley and the surrounding area. Frederic Church, 1826-1900, was one of those artists. He painted many scenes of the Hudson River Valley, but his crowning achievement was Olana, the Persian inspired mansion he built on his property overlooking the Hudson River. It was completed in 1890.
Sadly, no pictures were allowed inside the house, but it is every bit as fascinating as the outside, and in much the same style.
The house is absolutely fantastic, but what takes your breath away is the view from the house of the Hudson River Valley.
Visible from Olana is the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, a cantilever truss bridge built in 1935. I wonder what Mr. Church would have thought if he looked out his window and saw a bridge crossing the Hudson. I have a feeling he would not have approved.
I'm linking up with Good Fences
at the Run "A" Round Ranch Report.
The photo of the bridge is my Index No. 1031, which was the number this week for Gaelyn's Foto Friday Fun 83.
