This is the underrated way I went hiking and had a farm-to-table dinner in the Shawangunk Mountains.
Since displace to Brooklyn , I set up a goal for myself to expend as much prison term in nature as I could . But despite having lived here for over two year now , I had neverridden my bikethrough Prospect Park , nevertaken the Metro Northto New York State’splethora of nearby raw preserves — I had never even been upstate . So it feel like a good omen whenTreetop Journeyspopped up on my provender .
Treetop Journeysis a nature expedition extend by Jacob Willner . antecedently a wilderness guide , as well as a project coordinator for Prospect Park Alliance , Willner has always been cognizant of the grandness of exposing the great unwashed to everything the outdoors has to proffer . But being a Brooklyn resident himself , he also knew the strenuous effort , stress , and money that move into planning twenty-four hour period trips and pickup , especially the challenges that amount with most of us not having access to a car .
That ’s why , with Treetop Journeys , everything — including transit , meal , and collation — is leave , that is , depending on which escapade you choose . They host supper wage increase and all-night bivouacking trip in plaza like the Catskills , Nyack , and Hudson Valley ; for the latter , Willner send out a packing list ahead of time . Both experiences include a nature pleasure trip , a originative workshop ( like link death or yoga ) , and a five course , farm - to - table meal with carefully selected wine pairing , all rove from $ 149 to $ 500 .
Wade in swimming holes, hike in state parks, and camp with Treetop Journeys.|Photo courtesy of Treetop Journeys
Since I had discovered Treetop Journeys at the tail close of their 2023 season , I opted for their last outcome , a supper hike in Upstate New York . quickly at 9 am , a large passenger van draw up in front of Bernie ’s in Greenpoint , and our driver , Sergio , popped out to introduce himself . The mathematical group — an eclectic mix from their early twenties to later 1950s — piled into the car . As soft indie euphony act on the stereophonic system , we confabulate amongst ourselves , discussing how we discovered the company , and how we were all constantly clamor to flee the turbulence of the metropolis . Once we arrived at Minnewaska State Park , Willner encounter us at the foundation and after a few debut , we made our way up the trail .
The cost increase must go on , pelting or shine , and in our case , we were enwrap in a uniform drizzle . But despite the overcast , the persuasion were jaw - dropping ; as we walked , we made detours and stood atop various cliffs , looking out onto what seemed to be land mile of lush sweet birch trees , reddish maples , and hemlocks . small-scale mushroom litter the grass , and the auditory sensation of a rushing waterfall reflect in the background .
Throughout the journey , Willner paused to break in with us on a regular basis , offering granola bars and giving everyone time to photograph picture , demand questions , and look up to the opinion . “ This is a peak if you ever get athirst , ” he say , seize a fistful of moss and wring it between his hands , gushes of water drop out . We started mimicking him , digging up the moss , seek to replicate his survivalist proficiency .
The group goes on hikes in places like the Catskills and Hudson Valley.|Photo courtesy of Treetop Journeys
Once the hike was over , we were again whisk off forth in the van , this time toCalisto Farm , an 88 - Accho farm at the base of the Shawangunk Mountains . Willner at once distributed glasses of wine-coloured and excuse our originative workshop , candle - making . Gathered around a fire , we melt wax and take our pick of essential oils to intermingle into our candles , sipping on natural wine as the farm ’s ruck of goats bleat at us .
For dinner party , we migrated to the candlelit b , where a tablescape clad with bouquets of dried flowers waited for us . Chef Matthew Yee ( Mena and One White Street ) presented each course , which were inspired by his Chinese and Judaic inheritance . Sat at a long wooden table , passing around plates of braised boodle and shrimp with lobster sauce to strangers ( who had since become new friends ) , the meal evoke all of the affectionateness that comes with a family dinner , sans the pandemonium .
before long enough it was all over , and I realized I would have to impart this idyllic , staring oasis . On the sleepy railroad car drive family , I muse on the mean solar day : how , ab initio , I lamented having to fire up up early on a Saturday , how I was hesitant about spending hours outdoors in the rainfall , only to find that by the death of it , I was sitting in the backseat of the van , well - fed and exhilarated . Our hike that solar day was the last of the nightfall season until Treetop Journeys returned in the spring , and I was already mentally mapping out when I would do it again .
Every dinner features intricate tables capes and farm-to-table food.|Photo courtesy of Treetop Journeys
