Tag Archives: Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast

When Was This Walk?

Instead of my usual Monstrous Monday Post, I thought I would share a few pictures I took on one of my Sunday walks.  I had meant to make a Pedestrian Post with Pictures that day, but, you know, Wrist to Forehead Sunday and all that.

Great new event!

I wanted to give a shout-out to Brookwood Market in Brookwood Park.  Oct. 15 will be the last day for this year.  I understand they are going to have some Halloween-y things going on.  You can check out their Facebook page for more information.

Nice place!

While I was giving shout-outs, I turned around and took a picture of Raindrops on Roses Bed and Breakfast across the street.  They have a wine tasting room.

It’s beautiful on the inside!

Wanting to give equal time, I walked down to the other bed and breakfast on German Street, The Grand Colonial.  They have a gift shop which is occasionally open to the public.

This is taking my walk out of order.  I took some pictures in between the two B&Bs but will save them for another day.

Full disclosure:  I am finishing this post Tuesday morning.  I started it on Monday night but just did not want to continue.  I don’t know what my problem is, but it seems I have one.  As usual, I ask your indulgence and thank you for tuning in.

 

I Did Not Take the Pictures as I Ran

Yesterday (Saturday) when I went for my run, I purposefully ran by a few places I have pictures of in my Media Library, thinking I could include them in my Saturday Running Commentary Post.  Then I wrote the post late, in a hurry, and did not bother with pictures.  In my defense, I was anxious to get out for Sunday’s run before I talked myself out of it.

As I ran today (Sunday) (I guess you could have figured that much out), I also ran by a few places I have pictures of.  So I thought I might do a Sunday Running Commentary Post and use a few pictures.

A handsome building, and beautiful inside.

Both days I ran by the Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast.  It is handily located on German Street.

I did not pause to read it today either.

The informational plaque on the walkway over what used to be a hydraulic canal appeared to be coated with ice.  I did not examine it closely.  Yes, I run slowly, but not that slow.

I did not step on the colored spots either, but I do not rule out doing so in the future.

I continued down the path, thinking I might also run by my beloved Herkimer Historic Four Corners.  Then I saw something that changed my mind: a Do Not Enter sign.  Regular readers know how I love to Enter where it says not to.

I suppose they mean vehicular traffic, not slow running middle aged females.

It was not a bad run, and I enjoyed a full ten minute cool down walk.  I am planning in my head which days to run on in the coming week.  I also hope to continue my daily walks.  Physical fitness,  here I come!

 

Sunday Stroll into the New Year

I have not been running or walking since mid-December when I got sick with the flu.  I decided to take January 1st to re-start with a walk.  I took my phone with me, so I could make a Pedestrian Post with Pictures.

It was warm for January, upper 30s, lower 40s (my thermostat is not strictly accurate).  It had been raining.  I had not gone very far when I saw it was still sprinkling.  I could not worry about that; I was out, I was going to continue.  I turned down German Street towards Main.  I slipped a little on some ice on the sidewalk, but there were plenty of bare patches.  I tried to stick with those.

I’d like to stay there sometime.

I passed the Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast and took a picture,  so I could plug a local business.  Traffic was quiet enough that I could easily cross German at Main Street.  I wanted to walk down the path over what used to be a hydraulic canal.

It’s good to run on, too, but that is for another day.

I also took pictures of the plaques with information on the history.  Full disclosure:  I have never read them but only taken a glance while passing.

I guess I could read it now.

Maybe I’ll read them both the next time I go for a walk.

I crossed German in the middle of the block to continue down the path.

The more fun section of the path.

After leaving the path, I headed toward my beloved Herkimer Historic Four Corners.

I tried to get all four corners as I approached.

I guess I cut off the top of the church.

I could use a wider angle lens.

I decided to try to make it a long walk, since I am getting back into things after a break.  I ended up walking up and down my driveway for about 40 seconds in order to make it a full 20 minutes.  I was quite pleased with my walk.  I hope to take another one tomorrow.

 

Sunday Stroll, Post-Pedestrian Post

I took a walk with my phone on Sunday, thinking to make a Pedestrian Post. I don’t see any reason not to makes the post now (for the record, it is early Wednesday morning and I failed to make my Tired Tuesday post) (me and my obsession with accuracy).  Sunday was perhaps the last beautiful unseasonably warm day, and I decided to take advantage of it, waiting till the sun was up to take my stroll.

I suppose it would be a stay-cation if I stayed here, but I would like to.

On a walk some time ago, I wanted to get a picture of the Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast, to give them a shout-out, but could not get a good shot from across the street.  Sunday, I was on the right side of the road.  I have been inside there (when I wrote about them for Mohawk Valley Living magazine).  It is beautiful!  And I’ve seen the breakfast menu: Wow!

Another view.

Continuing down German Street, I turned left onto Main.  I wanted to walk up the hill, where it is only open to local and pedestrian traffic.  I like the exertion of walking up a hill, although I admit I can get too much of a good thing.

As usual, the picture does not seem as steep as it seems to me when I am walking or running up it.

They recently paved it.  I wondered if that means they are going to do something about the area on top of the hill, where the road is partially collapsed.

This section has been collapsed for some time now.

I see they added a branch to the barricade.  As usual, I interpreted it to mean it was closed to vehicular traffic, not middle-aged pedestrian ladies (other pedestrians, too, of course, but I was the only one there at the time).

Pretty!

As I continued my walk, I took care to appreciate the color that yet remains on our trees.  This time of year, I feel I must just look and look, because it lasts such a short time.

I don’t know why this caught my eye.

Bare trees and dead trees have a fascination for me, too.  I will probably share a lot of pictures of bare branches against the sky in future Pedestrian Posts.  To me, it never gets old.

I maybe should have gotten to this tree earlier in the season.

I have been admiring this particular tree for a while.  So big!  So bright!

I enjoyed my walk very much, and I see I have gotten a 400 word blog post out of it.  That’s long for Mohawk Valley Girl!  I hope my readers have enjoyed it.

 

Not a Lame Walk, But Maybe Lame Photography

I thought I would try for the Pedestrian Post I missed earlier this week, in lieu of my usual Lame Post Friday post.  Accordingly,  I armed myself with my smarter-than-me phone and set out shortly after supper.  I have done several of these picture walk posts in Herkimer, NY, and knew my adopted hometown would not disappoint.

My first photo op was the Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast at 122 West German Street.  Unfortunately I was across the street and did not get a good shot.  So Herkimer did not disappoint,  but my camera did.  Most likely it was operator error as usual.

This is from my Media Library. I’ll try to get a full view later.

Continuing with my walk, I crossed Main Street and started down the lovely walkway over what used to be a hydraulic canal.  It is a wonderful re-purposed space, which, alas, I also did not get a good picture of.

Also from the Media Library and not the view I wanted.

I took a turn halfway down the path and walked down a sidewalk with few photo ops.  It was then I remembered I had been going to go to Mohawk Community Market on Main Street for the Grand opening on their newly renovated downstairs.  Well, it will still be renovated in days to come.  I’ll get there soon (preview of coming attractions).

Continuing my walk, I noticed the signs on the parking lot to the county office buildings.  Regular readers know that I can rarely resist entering where it says not to.

Oh, sure, THIS picture comes out!

I went out the entrance and the wrong way down Mary Street but did not take pictures of those signs.  Then I was on Main Street, heading towards my beloved Herkimer Historic Four Corners.

You can only really see two of the corners.

I tried, once again unsuccessfully, to get a picture of Suiter House.  By now I am too lazy to search my Media Library for one of those.

I had better luck with the 1834 Jail.

 

I could not resist a shot of the graveyard at Herkimer Reformed Church.

It was a very enjoyable walk.  I may take another one soon, if for no other reason than to get pictures of the things I missed.

 

No Lilacs, But a Nice Visit

I have been wanting to be more consistent about getting exercise, so was determined to walk or run today. My preference was to walk and take pictures for a Pedestrian Post. After I got home I finished a couple of letters so I could multi-task by taking them to the post office. Full disclosure: I noticed a third letter I had meant to finish but decided to leave it for tomorrow. I am such a one for starting things and not finishing them!

I had seen a Facebook post from Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast reminding us to stop and smell the lilacs. They have lilacs? I thought. It was very little out of my way to go by the Grand Colonial. I like to smell lilacs. I smelled some in a neighbor’s house but did not take a picture.

As it happens, the person who made the post was just speaking in general. The Grand Colonial has no lilacs. However, I was glad I stopped by, because I had a nice chat with one of the owners, who happened to be outside at the time.

I took a picture of the flowers they did have.

They are planning some major landscaping in June. I was invited to return and take more pictures. I will certainly do that. Additionally, I am trying to talk my husband Steven into going to the Colonial to stay a night, just for something fun and different. I took a picture of the side porch to entice him.

Picture it: relaxing on the porch!

I don’t know if I ever mentioned that I wrote an article about the Grand Colonial for Mohawk Valley Living magazine. At that time they showed me around the place, and I was enchanted.

Yes, we could be sleeping here.

The Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast is located at 112 W. German St., Herkimer NY, phone number 315-982-5004.

I shall write about the rest of my walk tomorrow.

Winter Walk with Pictures

Much earlier today, I took a walk. My intention was to get a few exterior shots of Colonial Bed and Breakfast for an article I hope to submit to Mohawk Valley Living magazine. I continued to walk and take pictures, because I thought, Hey! Pedestrian Post! Additionally, I have not been running, and I need the exercise.

One of several shots.

After snapping away, I continued along German Street to Main. On Main Street, I took a couple of pictures of buildings that always catch my eye.

It was for sale, but I guess not now.

Steven always wanted to buy it and make it into a classic movie house.

I don’t know what is in this one currently.

I continued down Main to my beloved Herkimer Historic Four Corners. I thought perhaps I already had plenty of pictures of the area, yet I took a few more.

I turned down Church Street to Prospect and got a shot of the synagogue, Temple Beth Joseph.

From across the street.

Heading down to Park Avenue, I photographed our post office, which I love, and the church across the street.

It was really too cold for a walk, and I was tired of taking my gloves off to take pictures. As I turned towards Meyers Park, I thought I would just go straight home. Then I saw General Herkimer wearing his winter scarf and could not resist taking just one more picture.

A nice winter shot.

I guess you can’t see him really well, but I do love the trees against the grey sky.

I was pleased with myself for taking the walk. I want to get back into running more often, though. I have not gone since last Sunday. Yikes! But it is the start of another week. Another chance to improve! I will be sure to make a blog post about it if I do.

And They Have a Dog!

I began my Valentine’s Day weekend by shopping at a new place for a gift for my husband Steven: Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast in Herkimer, NY.

One does not usually think about a bed and breakfast as a shopping destination, but I saw on Facebook that Grand Colonial was opening their gift shop to the public on Friday and Saturday just for the occasion. I was naturally delighted to check it out, especially as they said they carried locally sourced items. Additionally, I am seeking a topic for an article for Mohawk Valley Living magazine. A local B&B might fit the bill.

The first thing I saw when I walked in the door was the nicest dog! I barely remembered to shut the door before I went over to let him. His name is Brick, and he loves people.

A rare still moment.

Linda Costanza and Michael Martin, two of the owners, could not have been nicer. When I told them I wanted to write about their place, they showed me around and answered all my questions. I took a lot of pictures. If I can’t write the article, I can definitely get another blog post or two out of it.

A lovely display.

I also accomplished my intention of purchasing a present for my husband.

I almost purchased something for myself as well.

They said they could offer testers of the Berkman 1802 products, but such things could not be left just out these days, due to COVID. Sadly, COVID has wrought havoc on their business. Problems continue as, for example, the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown goes virtual for their annual inductions. Obviously, these kinds of precautions are necessary during a pandemic, but I feel we are justified in saying, this really sucks (pardon my French).

Just a few more choices.

I think it was pretty smart of the folks at Grand Colonial to use Valentine’s Day to call attention to themselves and bring in a little gift shop business. I asked if the shop was open to the public at other times. Linda said anybody interested could give them a call and they would be glad to open.

“Ooh, private shopping by appointment,” I said. That would actually be a perfect way to shop during COVID times.

For anybody who wants to stop in for Valentine’s Day, the Grand Colonial will be open tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are located at 112 W. German St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-982-5004. You can visit their website at https://grand-colonial.com/. You can also Like them on Facebook.