On The Road: The New York Green Advocate Visits an Old Dairy Farm Creamery Turned Art Studio with Dwell-Like Chicken Coop in Accord, Ulster County, NY

The "chic" chicken coop is just to the right and behind the Prius

Ahh, free range chickens never had it so good.  A recent trip in the Prius Plug-In to an old dairy farm creamery turned Warhol-like art factory that we are selling for a client gave us a laugh when the spoiled, well-fed chickens who live in a hand-built, Dwell-magazine-like chicken coop followed us around outside.  (I have always wanted an entourage and I suppose chickens are a good start!)

Hey what is going on in there?

These artsy birds even peered into the cavernous kitchen area of this wonderful property, afraid they were missing out on the action inside.  (Actually, they were hungrily eyeing the bananas on the table. I had no idea chickens liked bananas!!!)

Huge Kitchen and Dining Area in The Old Creamery

Whattya mean I can't get in because I'm not on the guest list?

If you haven't been to the ever so beautiful and bountiful Accord, NY in Ulster County, I suggest you take a road trip to visit this little Hudson Valley hamlet.  (It is actually cool because it is not...err.... too cool, yet, and still kinda shabby country chic around the edges, just like us "transplanted" locals like it.) 

The entire area in and around Accord and Ulster County, New York is full of hidden wonders, creative people of all stripes, incredible nature and recreational opportunities.  For instance, nearby Accord you will find both the Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State Park, a combined 20,000 plus acres of preserved land with hiking and biking trails, waterfalls and glacial lakes for swimming.  You might just fall in love with the place and find yourself raising poultry and sharing the plentiful bounty of eggs with your neighbors. It's been known to happen!!!

5,000 sf of space inside this building makes a great studio

Background Info On the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-in-MPG Challenge.
   
From July 12th to Aug 12th, I will be driving a Prius Plug-In Hybrid as part of the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-in-MPG Challenge.  Toyota has partnered with seven prolific environmental influencers (myself included) from the tri-state area for Wave Two of the 2013 Prius Plug-In-MPG Challenge – a fun competition to help educate local communities on the benefits of electric vehicles. The winner of the challenge will receive a $2,500 donation to the charity of their choice. 
(Check out #Pluginforcharity on Facebook and Twitter.)

The charity I am competing for is New York-based Waterkeeper Alliance, a global movement of on-the-water advocates who patrol and protect over 100,000 miles of rivers, streams and coastlines in North and South America, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa.

 
I would like to thank Earth Day NY for facilitating my participation in the Prius Plug-in-MPG Challenge in NYC. Check out Earth Day NY on Facebook.

And, a big shout out to  Element, Times Square West for providing hotel accommodations while I am in NYC for the challenge.

Copyright 2013 Paul E McGinniss