I’m Jackie!
This Hudson Valley Blog and Website was created specifically for those who want to learn all about this beautiful region of New York State.
Several years ago I started this little website to help others with the information needed to explore more of the Hudson Valley.
With multiple articles giving you information about places to visit in the area – this is the one stop resource you need!
Right now, I offer information about the following counties:
My Favorites
Favorite free activity
favorite garden
favorite historic site
Favorite park
Here’s my story…
Born and raised in The Bronx, NY, this NYC girl grew up thinking that Hudson Valley New York was “Upstate New York”. Even Sunday shopping trips to Central Avenue, in Yonkers, was a trip “Upstate”.
Although I loved exploring the city (and taking the 6 train to Astor Place), the Hudson Valley New York always held a special place in my heart. But what would this naive Bronx girl do in ‘Upstate New York’? Who was I to venture out of my tight-knit Bronx community?
My first step to “Upstate” living would be to apply to colleges in Hudson Valley New York, and I did!
That is the time in my life that changed my view of the Hudson Valley forever.
After remaining in the Hudson Valley after college, I still did not have the confidence to explore many areas and the craziness of life got in the way. I remained in the area that I knew and, felt comfortable in, and continued visiting the same places year after year.
I WOULD NOT step outside my comfort zone and this is when my anxiety got worse and worse.
Outings needed to be researched and the anxiety of going someplace new was sometimes debilitating.
After moving to a 3-bedroom apartment in Yonkers, NY for a few years, we decided to buy a home, in the Mid-Hudson Valley, in 2013. It was 90 minutes north of the only place I knew.
So with my hubby’s help, we bought a domain name and he encouraged me to get out and explore with my iPhone in hand.
And, here I am, several years later still exploring the Hudson Valley and taking you along for the ride.
I started by visiting 3 – 4 new places a year and now I visit dozens a year. If you want to know how I was able to see and do so much in such a short amount of time, then I recommend you read this post on how to explore the best of the Hudson Valley.
There are some really great tips that I’m sure you hadn’t thought of.
I firmly believe that I’m not special, just a normal gal who enjoys what I do. In everything I do here with Hudson Valley Explored, I truly want to make this small part of the internet a better place.
