Journal: October 10th. Giant Buddha. From Peekskill to Eastchester. Trader Joe's.

Woke up in Peekskill apartment of Gilda and Joan.  Spectacular autumn views of Hudson and beyond.  No major plans for the day so was delighted when Gilda suggested we go to see the Giant Buddha at the Chuang Yen Monastery in Kent, New York.
Here's the website:  http://www.baus.org/en/?cat=18

This Buddha is the largest indoor Buddha in the western hemisphere--or perhaps it is the largest indoor Buddha in the world. In any case, it is enormous and imposing, surrounded by 10,000 little tiny Buddhas.

We had a fine time wandering about the Temple and the grounds.  There is a lovely little lake-Seven Jewel Lake, with a boardwalk and many pagodas as well as a cafeteria, which at lunch appropriate hours serves inexpensive buffet meals, an even bigger bargain if you provide your own plate and utensils.  As we arrived without plates or appetites, we didn't partake, but were happy that option was available. 

In the gift shop, stuffed with earrings and trinkets of many lands and persuasions--Buddhist, Chinese, Indian, etc.,  Gilda bought me a good luck charm, guaranteed to help with all renovation efforts and family happiness. 

We passed up visiting Cold Spring, which is supposed to be a lovely town, and after dropping Gilda off, I drove on to visit Brian, Heather, Grace and Gabriel in Eastchester.  My goodness, that navigator on my phone worked hard leading me through many Parkways--the Merritt, the Sprain, the Taconic and the Hutchinson--without a hitch.
Had an excellent visit which included a trip to Trader Joe's, the collective cooking a North African chicken dish and an unexpected sleepover, as it felt too late for me to head back to New Jersey.  I think a fine time was had by all.