Snapping Turtle Walk at Boscobel

Here’s a remarkable Hudson Valley phenomenon you probably never knew about. Every year these prehistoric creatures climb the banks from Constitution Marsh to Boscobel to lay their eggs. If you’re an early riser, pack your camera and head up to Boscobel’s Belvedere, overlooking the Hudson River and its Highlands, to witness the snapping turtles’ annual amphibious landing on the shores of Garrison, NY.

Your day starts with complimentary donuts and coffee and a primer by the experts from the Constitution Marsh Audubon Center & Sanctuary. Then you’re off on a self-guided search of the grounds to eye the egg-laying females. Explore the Boscobel gardens and grounds that include an apple orchard, rose garden, herb garden and orangery, and the 1.25 mile Francis Stevens Reese Woodlands Trail.

Check out the breathtaking views of the Hudson River, the Hudson Highlands, Constitution Marsh, and West Point from the front lawn and belvedere. On display this time of year is their annual summer sculpture exhibition, Current, which features large-scale outdoor works of five artists. Including, Barbora, a monumental stainless steel sculpture by the Lithuanian artist Vladas Vildziunas.

While you are there, you can shop for dinner at the Cold Spring Farmer’s Market on the Boscobel grounds. Load up on comestibles from mainstays of the Hudson Valley farmers’ market circuit such as Pura Vida Fisheries, Bread Alone, Madura Farms, Dutch Desserts, and Whitecliff Vineyard.

You can also take a tour of the Boscobel House, built in 1804 by Elizabeth and Peter Dyckman, which is considered one of the finest examples of Federal-style architecture in New York. The house features one of the leading collections of furniture and decorative arts from the Federal period, including a world class display of Duncan Phyfe furniture.

Boscobel is also the site of the theatre for the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, which is a What To Do Fave Rave that made our 2010 bucket list 55 Things To Do Before You Die or Move to Taos. Sat, 6/8: 7:30-9am. (Boscobel House & Gardens, 1601 Rt. 9D, Garrison, NY) www.boscobel.org