Exploring Saugerties, New York

Saugerties, New York is a cute town to explore on the Hudson River. It’s less than two hours north of the GW Bridge if you live in New York, making it the perfect day trip.

Brunch: My personal brunch favorite is the delightful Ohana Cafe. Their menu features specialty crepes - both sweet and savory. They also have traditional breakfast favorites, in case your brunch partner isn’t into lattes and crepes. ;-)

After Brunch, walk around the shops on Partition and Main Streets. There’s a well known chocolate shop, a large bookstore, a few vintage shops and even a pet store!

Then drive over to the Saugerties Lighthouse parking lot and enjoy a .8 mile flat walk to the lighthouse. During the warm weather, enjoy sitting on the deck that faces the river, or on the little beach in-front of the lighthouse.

A neat thing to know is the lighthouse is available for overnight stays Thursday-Sunday. Click here for details and then call to schedule your stay.

Traveling Tip: When planning your walk or overnight stay be sure to check the tides, during high tides, the trail floods, especially when the river is running high.

Dinner: After you’ve spent a delightful day in Saugerties, you’ll be hungry again for the best Tex-Mex food and margaritas you can find on the East Coast at Main Street Restaurant.

How I Retired Early at 55 – My Journey & Lessons Learned

I always planned to retire at 65—but life had other plans. After running my own business for decades, I realized I wanted more time to travel, enjoy life with my husband, and prioritize my well-being. With careful financial planning, I was able to retire at 55! But the transition wasn’t as easy as I thought. From selling my business to figuring out how to fill my days, early retirement came with its own set of challenges and rewards.

Along the way, I learned some valuable lessons:
✅ Financial preparation is key—budgeting and passive income matter.
✅ Letting go of work is harder than expected—structure helps!
✅ Retirement isn’t just about stopping work—it’s about finding purpose.

Curious about my journey and what I’ve learned so far? Read the full story.

Thanks for reading!

So far, retirement has been a journey of learning, adjusting, and embracing new adventures—while still enjoying our favorite spots, like Saugerties, NY. Living nearby, we’ve always loved its charm, and now we have even more time to explore and appreciate it. We’re discovering that retirement isn’t just about stopping work; it’s about creating a life you love.

Stay tuned for more updates!
Kathleen