New York's
Super Vacation Sites

Morris New York is landing on the map because of the highly popular doggie country vacation happening there every summer. Historically known as cow country, it’s not dairy farms that are enticing people to fly from California, drive cross country from Michigan or leave Tennessee for a week, it’s a dog farm! From all over the US, dog lovers are on the scent to get to Morris, NY for a most unique getaway – CAMP BORDER COLLIE and FURRY FRIENDS at Glen Highland Farm. Held three weeks each summer, visitors come from all over to the tiny town of Morris, population 1200, to renew and relax with their dogs.  

For each week-long camp, twenty-five canines and their companions live on this 175 acre paradise in upstate NY, enjoying the great outdoors in every way imaginable. They hike creek side trails, swim in spring-fed ponds and find out the real meaning of the creature called ‘dog’. Plus, not only do they unwind and play in the country, they learn new sports like agility, herding, flyball, tracking, frisbee and freestyle. They also delve into a deeper relationship with their furry friends, really communicating with the help of an animal communicator and discovering first-hand how to do innovative healing touches like the renown Tellington Touch. With noted instructors who are passionate about their pooches, campers come away with a comprehensive learning vacation. And, unlike the normal suburban existence, they get to enjoy daily dog life off-leash without the typical rules of behavior that make homeowners worry and take the fun out of having a dog.

Susie Mautz, from Penn Valley, California found her camp experience to be “remarkable, not to be found anywhere else, a piece of heaven”, she said. She flew cross-country without her dogs so borrowed one , loaned to her from the rescue program conducted year-round at the Farm. An on-site facility houses 20 – 25 Border Collies waiting for a chance at a new life as part of the Sweet Border Collie Rescue program which rehomes 150 dogs each year. But, Susie’s visit to Camp led to more than she expected. Not only did a portion of her camp fee go to the rescue dog effort, she actually fell in love with her ‘loaner dog’ and adopted him. An unexpected surprise, she just couldn’t leave him behind.

Camp Border Collie and Furry Friends attracts all breeds. From miniature poodles to rottis to mixed mutts, the combination of border collies and their furry friends creates unforgettable antics and memories. Michelle Mercer, traveled from Nebraska with one of her dogs, 3 1/2 year old aussie mix, Dixie: “Dixie slept the entire way home! It’s a great chance to let your dog be a dog and you can both grow together. The entire experience was so enlightening and it is really hard to describe it to my friends. I am so relaxed even though I am back at work. I have already started to make changes for my dogs and myself to make my dogs even happier.”  

Monique Michaud, from Michigan, came with her dog, Splash for her second summer, in order to work on behavioral challenges. “I think I’m sending mixed signals to Splash. I want him to be confident and interact with other dogs but I get nervous when he approaches dogs because I don’t know what to expect. Now I understand my part in what happens.”  

The year 2004 was the fourth summer for Camp at Glen Highland Farm. Attendees came from Canada, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, Nebraska, California, Michigan, Florida, Vermont, Massachusetts, NJ, Connecticut and New York, all drawn together to experience this unique doggie getaway, many returning each summer. “I’ve been to many other dog camps and this is the one I keep returning to”, said New York City dog lover, Wendy Donoghue who came two past summers with her three Border Collies and plans to come this summer with two friends. “It’s a small piece of heaven on earth. Freedom, no stress, happiness, good company, new experiences. I could stay forever.”  

For some campers, seeing upstate New York is new. Peggy Muehlbauer brought her dogs with her from Illinois, “New York is very beautiful. I had no idea what it could be like. This was just what I needed – nature and relaxation and a great experience with my dog.” Chris and Nancy Tringali came with their two dogs from Long Island, “We loved everything about this trip, everything. Gorgeous countryside, being with dog people, learning new things, eating great food, hiking great trails, meeting wonderful teachers – it had a huge impact on us.” The Tringali’s have since moved to upstate New York, leaving city life behind, now volunteering at the Farm in the rescue program and enjoying simpler, rural living, all inspired by their doggie vacation! Plus, they adopted two more dogs from the Farm.  

Camp Border Collie and Furry Friends is held on 175 acres with a variety of lodging options. Choices include on-site luxury tent camping on platforms with comfortable Swedish cots and tents large enough for two dogs and two people. Tent sites are along the beautiful Butternut Creek or in the hemlock forest. Guests can also opt to bring their own tents. Or, stay on-site in rustic cabins nestled in the woods for complete comfort and privacy. Flushing toilets and private showers are nearby. A secluded RV area is also available, set on 30 acres as a special area of the Farm. Plus, inns bed and breakfast lodging and hotels are only minutes away. The Camp also provides a doggie kitchen for guest use to prepare dog meals.  

Camp dates are available from www.glenhighlandfarm.com  or call 607-263-5415, and ask for Lillie Goodrich, co-founder of Glen Highland Farm.

The Chinese food in New York has taken on certain fame and reputation of being the finest that can be had this side of China. While one can find good Chinese food in virtually any city or berg in the country, the small area of New York City called “Chinatown” boasts the best that can be found. And to be sure, that boast is not without merit. The chefs who prepare the Chinese food in these restaurants possess the recipes and perhaps age old talents that they can put a Chinese meal on your plate, whether its simple or very complex, that will have you off of Chinese food in any other part of the country or world because, to be frank, none other can compare to it.

New York boasts of being the home of some of the greatest food in the entire country. While it would take a gourmet chef months to test out that theory, there is no question that the city has some reason to stand behind its claim. From famous New York pizza to a gyros sandwich that melts in your mouth to the proverbial hot dog at Yankee stadium, eating in New York is as much an attraction as the museums and theater district.

But when it comes to seafood, there is plenty of competition for The Big Apple. In San Francisco on the other side of the country, some of greatest delicacies are harvested from the warm Pacific Ocean to be served in the great restaurants along the harbors. You can go back many times and try every delicacy from sea bass to swordfish before you can decide you truly have tasted it all of the San Francisco cuisine.

But for lobster, it might be yet another plane flight to Cape Cod, Boston or even northern Maine. In the pristine towns up and down route 1 on Maine’s east coast, you don’t need a suit and a tie to enjoy the finest lobster that can be had anywhere. In season, you can drive up to what they call a “lobster pound” where you can gaze down into an over packed cooler full of live lobsters and pick your own. You can watch as your future lunch or dinner is tied in a burlap sack and dropped into an outdoor pot of boiling seawater to be served to you to eat with your hands at picnic tables outside. It is both a fabulous taste treat and a truly unique dinning experience all at once.

Great foods abound all around this great nation of ours. From the finest steak money can buy in Kansas City to the exotic tastes of Cajun cuisine in southern Louisiana to a bratwurst that will make you German even you aren’t in Chicago’s busy pubs and restaurants to salmon that was leaping up the falls this morning in far west Washington state, the food that abounds in this rich country is truly a delight that is not to be missed.