A Foliage-Filled Adventure in the Catskill Mountains

Chapter 1: A Foliage-Filled Adventure in the Catskill Mountains

I don't know if it was the rapidly changing colors of the leaves or the fear of missing out on that perfect fall foliage Instagram post, but I convinced my friends to set off on a spontaneous adventure to the Catskill Mountains. With autumn in full swing, I was determined to capture the essence of this season, and the Catskills seemed like the perfect place to do it.

My quest began with some research on where to witness the most stunning fall colors during that final weekend of autumn. The Adirondacks, a renowned destination for fall foliage, had already passed its peak, so I shifted my focus to the Catskill region, hoping to find vibrant hues in their prime.

None of us were keen on waking up early for this journey – after all, it was a Saturday. "Come on, don't be a buzzkill and wake us up at 6 or 7," they pleaded as they snuggled under their cozy comforters on Friday night.

Fully fueled and ready for adventure, our trusty Camry hit the road around 11 AM. We decided against stopping at Dunkin' Donuts for the usual English breakfast, knowing that our only option was to dine out. Instead, I prepared a typical Indian breakfast, Upma, and packed it for the four of us.

The journey began with the driver attempting to secure his phone with the map on the dashboard, while I, the passenger, took on the responsibility of keeping everyone entertained and the tunes playing. Vikrant, our passenger prince, didn't quite fulfill his co-passenger duties. He neither helped with optimizing the air conditioning nor with controlling the music system when necessary. As for our last passenger, Bhumika, well, she had an impending assignment deadline and her laptop was operating at full throttle. We didn't bother her much, understanding the demands of being a computer science student in the coding world.

It was a three-hour drive each way, and though it wasn't on the state highways, the journey took us through the beautiful countryside, passing by charming farms and towns. The winding road gradually revealed the stunning landscapes as we drew nearer to our destination.

Chapter 2: Unexpected Rain on the Road

According to Google Maps, we were just about 54 minutes away from our destination when Akshay suddenly had to activate the windshield wipers. Rain – at this unusual time and place, it was as unexpected as it was unwelcome. None of us were thrilled about it, but we clung to the hope that it would soon clear and make way for the bright, autumn sun.

By this point, we had ventured so far into the countryside that none of our phones displayed even a hint of network signal. All our beloved music apps had become virtually useless. We found ourselves stuck with just those four songs I had downloaded ages ago for my Instagram Reels.

Bhumika, on the other hand, didn't have much of a choice but to close her laptop and embrace the surrounding scenery. We had already had our breakfast in the moving car, which might lead you to wonder how the driver managed to eat. Fortunately, at least for the moment, Vikrant became useful. He fed the driver and himself from the same container, a gesture that displayed the heartwarming bond between these two brothers (with a touch of sarcasm, of course).

As we continued along the road, a portion of it was accompanied by a meandering stream, flowing serenely beside us. This added a touch of magic and cinematic beauty to the entire journey.

Taking a sharp right turn from the main wide road, we entered a narrow lane that led us to our destination for the day - Belleayre Mountain Ski Center, a picturesque mountain ski resort. To our great fortune, they were hosting a fall festival on the same day.

We were greeted by the sounds of live music, children running around, and a festive atmosphere filled with people of all ages. The festival had an array of food trucks, from those offering waffles to others selling hot caramel apples and funnel cakes. In the midst of the excitement, our group of four got momentarily separated in four different directions.

Bhumika was captivated by the festive vibes and drifted towards the lively crowd, while Akshay disappeared to the other side with his phone in hand, attempting to capture the perfect cinematic shot. Vikrant, meanwhile, stood there puzzled, unsure of which direction to follow. After a few minutes, we regrouped and explored the charming stores that offered clothing, cutlery, and a few liquor stalls where we were even offered free tastings.

Chapter 3: The Gondola Ride

The clouds had started to gather, and it felt as though we were being trailed by the impending rain. To avoid getting caught in a downpour, we decided to hop on the Gondola ride, for which I had purchased the tickets online in advance. The Gondola was a quaint, enclosed cabin, painted in a calming shade of blue, with tinted windows that allowed for a 360-degree view and soft cushioned benches inside.

During the ride, none of us actually witnessed the view with our own eyes; instead, we were engaged in an unconscious competition to capture the most stunning fall colors with our phones. I wasn't a fan of the tinted glass; it seemed to filter the fall colors negatively. However, we discovered a tiny gap at the top of the Gondola meant for ventilation. Risking our phones' safety, we dangled them outside to capture the natural color blend.

The Gondola ride turned out to be truly mesmerizing. It felt like we were ascending through a mountain filled with trees in a hurry to shed their leaves. Bright yellow, red, orange, pink – you name it, and it was there. It was a breathtaking canvas of colors that left us in awe of nature's autumn spectacle.

One of the many surprises that awaited us was a pickup truck, strategically positioned at the top Gondola station. Attached to it was a trailer that was already half-filled with eager adventurers. Curiosity piqued and with no inkling of what lay ahead, we hurriedly made our way towards it, fueled by excitement and a sense of adventure.

This wooden trailer, adorned with benches on either side and one in the center, had a sturdy roof and a gate for boarding and disembarking. As we excitedly hopped on, a middle-aged, bald gentleman in a safety vest coat greeted us with a warm smile while cautioning us to be careful. With a rush of cold air in our faces, the pickup truck embarked on a dirt path, flanked by trees on both sides. Slowly but surely, it ascended to a mountain peak, revealing an unobstructed view of a breathtaking mountain range.

The viewpoint at the mountain's peak had a wooden frame that seemed like a doorway to heaven, and long wooden benches in front of it. If it weren't for the chilly wind, I could have sat there for hours, soaking in the sheer beauty of the panorama.

Once we reached this vantage point, our fellow travelers from the truck formed a line, patiently waiting for their turn to grasp the wooden frame and capture a hundred pictures each. Unfortunately, the drizzle didn't allow us to linger for too long. We reluctantly returned to the Gondola station to catch a ride back down. On our way back, it was a designated "no phone zone," so we just relished the view and indulged in some playful mischief. As other Gondolas passed us by, we feigned mock battles, with one of us "pinned" to the glass, screaming for help – all in good fun and laughter.

Chapter 4: Culinary Adventures and Sweet Treats

Our growling tummies could wait no longer, and we set off to find our first food cart. The menu held a delightful surprise – fried Oreos. I had never even imagined the possibility of Oreos being fried! The experimenter in me, along with Bhumika, couldn't resist the curiosity. The other two in our group were a bit unsure but didn't object. We ordered one fried Oreo and an original funnel cake, and I eagerly peered into the cart to see how this elderly gentleman prepared them.

The gentleman handed us the fried Oreo, which strangely resembled an Indian dish called "Bhajji." I couldn't contain my curiosity and excitement, so I licked my lips and bit into the hot, fried Oreo. The taste was divine! It was an unexpected pleasure that blended perfectly with the cold weather outside.

With four hungry mouths and just two plates, it didn't take long for us to polish off our sweet treats. The drizzle intensified, so we hurried inside a nearby building where the food stall was located. We decided to indulge further and shared a glass of beer for $10, taking it easy to avoid getting too intoxicated. We found a high table to sit at, right in front of the apple and caramel store.

Vikrant couldn't resist the temptation and insisted we try the apple and caramel treat. It consisted of a juicy apple cut into six equal pieces, generously coated with hot caramel and topped with foam and a sprinkling of nuts. The visual appeal far surpassed the actual taste. Though it looked incredibly delicious, it didn't quite live up to our expectations, but we enjoyed the experience of trying something new nonetheless.

The gloomy weather had started to dampen our spirits, making further exploration seem less appealing. We decided it was time to find a nearby restaurant or a place to grab some warm, comforting food. Akshay took charge of this task and found a place on our way back home called "Oakley's Wood Fired Pizza & Grill." With an impressive 4.6 rating from 584 reviews, it seemed like a promising choice for our lunch.

Half-drenched from the drizzle, we made our way to the car. This time, I took the wheel, with Bhumika as my co-pilot, and Akshay and Vikrant settling in the back seat. The restaurant was only about an 8-minute drive from the resort, and we eagerly looked forward to warming up and indulging in some hearty fare.

Chapter 5: A Culinary Quest and a Homeward Journey

Our culinary adventure after leaving the resort was a bit underwhelming. The restaurant we encountered primarily served pizzas and grilled meats, which posed a challenge for Vikrant, who was a vegetarian. We decided to custom order a vegetarian pizza loaded with various vegetables and a dozen hot chicken wings to satisfy our non-vegetarian cravings. To our dismay, the pizza didn't quite meet our expectations; some of the vegetables were undercooked and felt raw, and the wings were overly tangy.

Disappointed with our meal, we packed the remaining food and hurried to get back on the road to return home as soon as possible, with hopes of enjoying some Indian cuisine. For me, the journey back was strangely calming. The rain, the scenic views, and the lo-fi music playing in the background seemed to create the perfect ambiance. The sight of cap clouds, forming over mountain peaks as moisture increased in the upper levels of the atmosphere, added a dreamy touch to the drive.

Three hours later, we finally reached our abode, all of us tired and ready to rest. Satisfied with the day's adventures, everyone retreated to their rooms, took a deep breath, and laid down with content hearts.