Newburgh architecture

This building--it appears to be apartments, judging by the balconies/ staircase on the right--was across the street from the historic site in Newburgh.

And I took a picture for no better reason than it caught my eye, and I loved that cupola on top. Being able to see things that don't look like the things I see every day is one reason I love travel, and nothing in my neighborhood looks like this.

Beautiful downtown Newburgh

A look at Liberty Street in Newburgh from the grounds of the historical site, and the back seating at Ms. Fairfax's, where we had lunch at the picnic tables.

It is so odd that after a year and a half of longing to be anywhere else that in many ways this weekend away didn't feel like a big deal. I'm grateful that it didn't, that it felt as though getting in the car (a car that I have owned for all of a month now, though that's probably worth its own posting) and heading out of town is something I do, and have done, regularly.

There were many small pleasures--fog-draped trees, nectarines from a farm stand, breakfast in restaurants, driving down country roads--and honestly I don't think I could handle anything more exciting than that. Not yet.

Inside the Tower of Victory

The statues that are usually here have been removed temporarily, but I love those spiral staircases.

From a distance -- I could walk up without much difficulty but would probably have to spend the rest of my life up in the belfry rather than attempt to walk down.

George Washington slept here

The Washington Headquarters historic site overlooking the Hudson in Newburgh. The memorial stone is actually from the Civil War, erected by the Newburgh Guards in June 1860.

The structure on the left is called the Tower of Victory. It was built in 1887 to celebrate the centennial of the end of the Revolutionary War.

Urban poetry

A mural on Washington Street in Newburgh.

We stopped at a restaurant around the corner for lunch on our way upstate, and liked it so much we went back on the way home. There's a state historic site across the street, where Washington had his headquarters during the final year of the Revolutionary War. Much as I like this rock 'n' roll version of the General, I am especially amused to note that he also appears to be wearing a Fitbit.