Stefan Bolz

I always think how lucky Ulster County Residents are. We have it all, it seems. And think about this for a moment: You are less than two hours away from Manhattan (many of my clients who own a home here tell me that they sometimes come up just for the day, just to catch a breath of fresh air, just to sit on their front porch or do some work in their garden). Besides the short distance to the City, you are in the midst of incredible nature preserves with streams, waterfalls and lakes abound; with mountains to climb, caves to explore, trails to hike, and antique stores to raid. And then, in all of that, with all of that, you'll get something like this:
Remarkable in craftsmanship and privacy, this custom built farmhouse generates a feeling of sophistication and comfort the minute you step through the door. Built by one of the area's top custom builders and set far off the road for privacy, peace and quiet, this 3,000+ sqft home offers elegant quartz and soap stone countertops, gourmet kitchen, four-season sun room overlooking the heated in-ground pool and patio, fully equipped fitness room, and lots of space to entertain or enjoy a quiet day in the country.
All of that you get for less than $1,000,000. Not even $900,000. You know what you can get in the City for $900,000; how much privacy, quiet, space, nature and quality of life. Don't wait any longer. Call me for an appointment today and experience it for yourself! ttp://www.realestateshows.com/flyer.php?id=290764

A BEAUTIFUL DRIVE THROUGH THE COUNTRY SIDE, JUST A FEW MINUTES FROM THE CENTER OF STONE RIDGE, LETS YOU REMEMBER WHY YOU CAME HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. A LONG DRIVE WAY LEADS TO THIS PRIVATE & SPACIOUS CONTEMPORARY AMIDST 6 PARKLIKE ACRES. OPEN, SUNNY AND SIMPLY IDEAL FOR FAMILY GATHERINGS, VISITING FRIENDS OR QUIET SATURDAY MORNINGS. ENJOY THE PEACEFUL SETTING, THE 2 FIREPLACES, THE LARGE WINDOWS AND COMFORTABLE SURROUNDINGS. BIKE, WALK OR RUN ON BEAUTIFUL AND QUIET COUNTRY ROADS PASSING PONDS, STREAMS AND CATSKILL MOUNTAIN VIEWS. THIS IS LIFE IN THE COUNTRY AS IT SHOULD BE.

Excerpt from a 'Daily Freeman' article: Two days after a 30-acre brush fire in Minnewaska state park was reported under control, the flames have spread to scorch 3,000 acres. The 20,000-acre park and part of U.S. Route 44/state Route 55 have remained closed, and over 245 personnel from various state and local agencies were on the scene Saturday, trying to beat back the blaze. http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19500830&BRD=1769&PAG=461&dept_id=74969&rfi=6

I was driving on Stonykill Road in Accord on Friday, having watched the smoke cloud since the day before from a distance. The site was staggering if not surreal. I could see the flames above the trees. I thought, "This can't happen here! We're in Ulster County!! THIS ISN'T CALIFORNIA!!! We don't have any mud slides, there are no earth quakes and there definitely aren't any brush fires around here! I still had snow in my back yard two weeks ago, for God's sake!! As I continued my drive along the road I saw people standing in their yard talking to their neighbors and to each other. There was no urgency, no concern at all. As if it was the most normal thing around. "Oh, yeah, it's just our annual brush fire. No problem." When I came to the intersection of 44/55 I wanted to scream at the cop: "Where are the helicopters and the airplaines??? And where the hell is the NATIONAL GUARD!!!" Maybe this was a bit overly dramatic on my part. I admit it. I just don't trust people who say: "Everything is under control!" It just doesn't sound right sometimes. But I do remember feeling strange that part of my beloved Minnewaska State park fell prey to the flames. Anyway, the Freeman article has much more information than I would be able to come up with. Next time you're up here, drive on 44/55 from New Paltz towards Kerhonkson and you'll probably see some blackened soil along side the road. You will realize though that this did not take away any of the magnificent beauty of this region whatsoever...

THIS 1820 FARMHOUSE IS THE ENTRY TO OVER 125 SPECTACULAR ACRES OF MEADOWLANDS & WOODS. THE PERFECT PLACE TO BUILD A VERY SPECIAL HOME WITH AMAZING CATSKILL VIEWS. CURRENTLY A WORKING FARM, THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW LARGE PARCELS LEFT IN ULSTER COUNTY. CLOSE TO KINGSTON, NEW PALTZ, WOODSTOCK AND THE NYS THRUWAY, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO PRESERVE A BEAUTIFUL PART OF HISTORY & BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME. OFFERED AT $1,275,000.

75 degrees Fahrenheit, a warm, westerly wind from the Catskill Mountains; just enough to let you cool you off and----- ...ok, fine. I know this isn't exactly the right time of year to write about summer hikes to Bonticou Craig at the Mohonk Preserve. But I just came across this picture, taken by Amy Mosbacher, a friend and colleague of mine, who shot this during one of her hikes up there last summer.
So, from the ice rain pouring down on slippery roads, from winter advisories and school delays, from leafless trees and frozen lakes, let's go back - or forward - to a warm early June day.

It's one of those days... The leafs just came out. There is still a distant, lingering memory of winter but it is fading fast. I like to take the short hike, if possible, once a week, especially in the spring and early summer. It's a great excercise and the reward is, amongst many other things a phenomenal 360 degree view of the region: the Catskills, the Berkshires, New Paltz and Gardiner and all the way down to Bear Mountain.

Ok, so, the car can park at Spring Farm Trail Head. From there it's a brisk 20 minute hike and/or run to the beginning of the bolders. This is where the fun starts. Must have been hundreds of thousands of years ago when those massive bolders broke off the side of the mountain and crashed into the woods below. I always feel a bit uneasy in the beginning. Just for a moment, the question forms in my head: what if it happens again? What if, in a freak accident of fate, another 500,000 tons of stone came crashing down, while I'm on my way up there... I never win the lottery, so I think I'm safe with the chances on this one as well.

So, here we are, at the bottom of a field of bolders starting at the hiking trail and leading up to a vertical cliff. Ok. Almost vertical. Vertical in places. Not everywhere. If I still thought about inspections and lawyers, negotiations and binders on my way up here, I now can forget about them completely. At least for the next 15 minutes I have to concentrate on the task at hand: climbing the large boulders without slipping or falling.

Once on top, the views are magnificent. Small, strangely twisted pine trees stand like guard posts on the upper plateau. There are several places in Europe where I have encountered similar trees: Turkey, Corsica, Italy and France for sure. I can't think of the name of the trees but they complete the feel of an utterly different world up here. Hard to describe what usually happens during the next 30 minutes. I just sit there, watch the vultures soar - some come relatively close to where I sit.

I start to feel... the only way I can describe it is possibility. Freedom too but more the thought that anything is possible. I can do anything. There are no limits, no boundaries, just this vast openness of thought... ...That's usually when my phone rings :-) I actually did a final negotiation on a deal once up there. I like that part of my job.

To be up here when the sun sets is an additional bonus. It sets right behind the mountain range that makes the beginning of the Catskill Mountains. Once it sets though, you have to be relatively quick to get back down to the car.

So, whenever you are in the area and whenever you feel like experiencing this incredible region from a very different viewpoint, spend a few hours at Bonticou Craig and watch the vultures soar. And maybe, if even for a few moments, you will too...