Our Stay in Stamford, NY

New York

October 2025

Fall on the Hills of Stamford, New York

After a two-day visit, we left Erie and Pennsylvania behind and drove 350 miles to settle into a cozy Airbnb early in the afternoon. Once everything was Hemmes-ready, I couldn’t resist grabbing my camera to take a few photos of this charming spot tucked into the colorful hills of Stamford, the “Queen of the Catskills.” We instantly knew we would love every minute of our seven-day stay here.

A Runner’s Reality Check in the Catskills

This week also marked the start of my Ten-Miler Program, under the virtual guidance of my Dutch coach. Here in the Catskill Mountains, with their steep ups and downs, I was therefore glad to find a converted rail trail to run on! My sights are set high — just a few weeks ago, I finished a 10K (6.2 miles), and now I’m training for a 10-miler (16.2 km).

Whether I’ll actually be ready by December is still up in the air, since today didn’t go quite as I’d hoped. After reaching my turnaround point, I hit the proverbial wall. I tried to keep jogging at a slower pace, but eventually ended up walking back to the car. Yesterday’s mountain hike and today’s sneaky false flat caught up with me. Even for active “young at hearts” like me, staying “young at heart” sometimes means admitting that recovery takes a little more time.

A Stroll Downtown Stamford, NY

In the afternoon, we drove to downtown Stamford, NY, and parked on Main Street. The town has such a rich past. It was once a popular mountain resort where wealthy visitors from New York City came for fresh air, grand hotels, and stunning mountain views. We saw traces of that history in the town’s historic buildings.

By the mid-20th century, the trains stopped bringing passengers. Today, resilient Stamford honors its tourist heritage, drawing visitors who embrace the Catskills’ beautiful mountains with activities for every season. Ofcourse, next to the excellent hiking trails, we’re treated to the gorgeous colors of the season as well.

When Nature Calls, A Run Interrupted!

Two days later, I hit the trail for another long, slow run on a crisp, sunny day. I went in the opposite direction this time, starting with the slow ascent. About 50 minutes in, just as I returned to the car, I called it quits, not from tired legs, but simply because Mother Nature called.