Day Tripping Mini Vacations From NYC (c) By Polly Guerin

What to do on the dog days of summer? Get thee to a watering place or take a nature or history tour. Day tripping to nearby resorts makes the dog days of summer more durable especially when you can get out of town for the day and soak up local culture. Here’s the scoop!!!

NATURE AND HISTORY TOURS

Takes you on an adventure to visit one of the largest and oldest working dude ranches in the Poconos, horseback ride and see the second most powerful waterfall on the east coast, the 77 foot Great Falls, second to only Niagara Falls. The trail rides are both for experienced and inexperienced riders, but if that’s not your choice there’s a swimming pool, rowboats, archery, a Petting Zoo and outdoor games. Sun., Aug. 22, 7 am-7pm. $139. www.HinesTours.com. 1.646.403.5653.
41st ANNUAL FINE ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR

At the Garrison Landing, Garrison, New York is an easy commute. Take the Metro North Hudson Line train and get 50% off admission ($8). Regional artist and craftspeople offer collector quality handmade items, there’s a food court and live music to liven up the day, plus free rides on the sloop Woody Guthrie. Art lovers browse the exhibitions in the galleries and art demos. Aug. 21-22, rain or shine, 10am-5pm . Info: www.garrisonartcenter.org or 845.424.3960.
21st ANNUAL BARD MUSIC FESTIVAL’s

Final weekend in New York’s Hudson Valley features Summerscape with Alban Berg headliner, August 20-22. Listeners will encounter music ranging from the familiar Viennese waltzes of Berg’s youth to the most avant-garde music of the 1920s and 1930s. He created a proper context for new music based on principles that included ample rehearsal and the absence of critics. “No Critic Allowed: The Society of Private Performances” Friday night includes works by Stravinsky, Ravel, Bartok and Berg. “Crimes and Passions”ends the run with works by Berg, Hindemith and Weill. Info: www.bard.edu.
ROOFTOP MOVIES AT THE CZECH CENTER NEW YORK

Cool off the summer heat with sky-high breezes as you enjoy Czech films and Manhattan views on the rooftop every Tuesday at dusk. August 17th, Girls night out would enjoy “Subway with Love,” a romantic comedy about two women who tirelessly seek Mr. Right. In Czech with English subtitles. FREE admission, but space is limited and seating is first come, first served. www.czechcenter.com.
Ta Ta darlings!!! I’m off to Garrison on Saturday for the Arts & Crafts Fair. See you there!!! Fan mail: pollytalk@verizon.net and please do go to Blogs: http://www.womendeterminedtosucceed.blogspot.com, and for fashion http://www.thefashionhistorianpollyguerin.blogspot.com.