Rossi's Deli

It's no secret that Rossi's Deli is one of the best deli's in the area. However, despite its reputation, there are still people that haven't experienced this amazing food (especially their paninis). Like these people, I had been hearing about Rossi's for over a year from my obsessed friends but still hadn't been there myself. Thankfully, creating this blog gave me the necessary motivation to go and experience it for myself so that I could share it with everyone else. And, let me tell you, I was not disappointed.

The deli is small but, as I'm learning, that doesn't mean anything. Upon entering the deli you are given the choice of the regular deli sandwich options, a daily special, and the panini list. If you are a fan of paninis, that's what you want to focus in on. There are the options for how they make your panini, including the type of meat you want, the type of dressing, the type of cheese and any extra toppings you may want. After you place the order you make your way down to the front of the deli, passing amazing authentic Italian food as you go.

The deli also caters for events with Italian food that looks and, I'm sure, tastes great. Aside from the delicious panini I had, I decided that dessert was in order and wasn't disappointed. As an Italian, I've had countless cannolis. Rossi's had a plate of cannolis that I just couldn't resist. They had multiple options including chocolate filling, chocolate covered, and duel filled with vanilla creme and chocolate. I got the duel cannoli and was amazed, it was probably one of the best cannolis I think that I have ever eaten. 

The food isn't going to be the cheapest option in Poughkeepsie but I think that the food you receive is well worth the price that you pay for it. And coming from a college student, that says a lot since I'm always watching what I spend. If you haven't been to Rossi's yet, you need to get there!

Roosevelt Farm and Forest Hiking Trail

Despite the fact that it is only March, the 80 degree weather has hit. This means that it's time to break out the shorts and t-shirts and get outside. For my friends and me, this means that it's also time to get out on the trails and go hiking. Right up Route 9 from Marist College is one of many of the Hyde Park Trails. The Roosevelt Farm and Forest Trail is located right in between the drive-in movie theater and the Hyde Park Brewery. When you arrive at the trail, you have the option of walking, pushing a stroller, or riding your bike through the trail, the pathway is designed so that multiple modes of transportation are possible.

This specific trail is 3.6 miles long by the time that you go to the end of the trail and the back. However, the trail is so beautiful that you don't even realize that you are walking that far. The trail winds through the forest across the street from the Roosevelt House. The main trail is outlined well as you walk through the woods by a gravel path (we wouldn't want any hikers getting lost). However, if there are hikers out there that are feeling a little more adventurous, there are multiple side trails that can be followed based on color markings on the trees. These paths wind deeper through the forest but eventually drop hikers back off at the main trail so they can find their way back to the parking lot at the beginning of the trail. As of right now, there aren't many trees in full bloom so it's looking a little sparse but when spring is in full bloom, it's gorgeous and well worth the walk.

An added benefit to walking this, among other Hyde Park Trails, there is a badge that you can receive if you walk 6 or more of the trails associated with this collection of trails. When you arrive at the entrance to the trail, brochures can be found with the complete list of trails, their locations, and information on the trails around the area. This list also serves as the check list for which trails you have walked and the required documents to receive the sew-on badge offered.

The Infamous Walking Bridge

Finally! A warm, sunny day in the Poughkeepsie, New York! You know what this means...time to get out on the bridge! The Walkway Over the Hudson has been one of the big name places to see when you come to Poughkeepsie for the last couple of years, and for good reason too. The walkway is the largest suspended walkway in the world...pretty impressive for such a small town.

The bridge, situated over the Hudson River is beautiful. It allows visitors to see the surrounding town (including Marist College), the amazing scenery, and of course the Hudson River. The bridge, 1.5 miles in each direction, is the perfect place for walkers, joggers, bike riders, scooter riders, dog walkers, everyone. When you get up there, you will see this collection of people enjoying the gorgeous scenery.

As you traverse across the Walkway Over the Hudson, there are plaques to read about the wildlife in the area, historic Poughkeepsie, its original use as a train bridge, etc. There is also a food truck at the beginning of the bridge so you can get food and drinks for your walk or after you finish your run. If, as a Poughkeepsie resident, you haven't been to the bridge, I highly encourage everyone to go. And since it's free, there's no reason not to make time to visit.

Here are some additional fun facts about the Walkway from their brochure:

• At 6,767 feet Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park is the world's longest, elevated pedestrian bridge. 
• The Walkway soars 212 feet above the Hudson River and continues 130 feet below the river's surface to compacted gravel. 
• Walkway State Park's deck is comprised of 973 prefabricated concrete panels, each weighing up to 15 tons.
• A series of LED-filled tubes provide lighting for occasional night-time use. More than 81,000 light-emitting diodes use less than $1.80 an hour of electricity. 
• It's estimated that nearly 1 million rivets are used to hold the 20,000 tons of steel together. Each of the 4 river piers contains 40,000 tons of timber, stone and concrete.