Daytripping: Garrison, N.Y. Just A Stop Along The Way (No, Really)

As far as I can tell, Garrison, N.Y., has two things going for it: the view of West Point Academy across the Hudson River and a Metro North train stop to get the hell out of the lil' township and head to civilization. Put it this way: A search on Yahoo! Travel under "Things to do in Garrison" comes up with an empty home page.

From what I've researched, Garrison is "renowned" for 1) a fatal train wreck in 1897 that killed 20 people (great!) and 2) the locale for filming Yonkers scenes for 1969's Hello Dolly starring Barbra Streisand. The film company spent $1 million to "beautify" the area for the movie; apparently, it must have been a short-term fix.

In addition, former NY Governor George Pataki lives in Garrison. Big whoop. Apparently, heiress Patty Heart also has a home there. Why? To hide?

I love The New York Times Travel section take: "In the Hudson Highlands community of Garrison, quality of life is not defined by a lavish buffet of services and amenities. On the contrary, the culture here thrives on a shared antipathy toward conveniences that might mar the long-revered landscape."

In other words, big snooze! Mind you, it's all good, since this was one more stop along the way to Nyack, N.Y., during my Saturday daytrip with Leo. At least it made for some coolio photographic opportunities... and fun adding some digital effects to a wickedly wondrous old phone booth.