The Taconic Time Machine

The Taconic Parkway is a wonderful country-road alternative to I-87 when you're driving south towards NYC. The narrow country road twists and turns under old stone-arch overpasses and thick bent branches while threading past rustic farmlands and deep blue lakes. The speed limit is 55mph for most of it but I wouldn't want to drive faster. It's too beautiful and well-preserved to whiz by in a blur or let your mind wonder elsewhere.

While on assignment in Connecticut today I used the Taconic Parkway instead of the typically crowded trip down I-87. Boy, was I ever happy I did. Radio stations now come in with perfect clarity and my mobile phone only lost service twice during the 2-hour journey. An occassional deer was even spotted chomping grass on the side shoulder. The route is a relic from a past when Sunday drives were encouraged as recreational past-times. A few landmark restaurants and diners also remain open to serve hungry travelers nostalgic tales of past celebrities passing through. In a couple weeks make sure to spend your Sunday afternoon leaf-peeping on the Columbia County stretch - it's unbelievable.