MUSIC - Hideaway by the Rippingtons

Location: 25 Main Street, Cooperstown New York.

If there is a perfect place, it's Cooperstown New York. Nestled between the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains, Cooperstown is a Norman Rockwell painting come to life. Cooperstown is located about 80 miles west of Albany and 60 miles east of Binghampton New York in Ostego County. The village has shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts, and of course the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

This little hamlet in upstate New York is picturesque. Especially in the fall, when the leaves change and there is a chill in the air. Victorian homes dot the village. There is one stop light in town. Local people seem to know everyone, and they always say hi.

The hall of fame was dedicated on June 12, 1939. The first induction class included some of the all time greats of baseball. Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and the greatest player of all time Babe Ruth. The hall continued to induct its best players. As of September 2007, there were 282 players, managers, umpires, and builders enshrined in Cooperstown. This years class included Cal Ripken, Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles, and Mr. Padre, Tony Gwynn. Doubleday field is a short walk from the main entrance to the hall of fame.

The hall is a few blocks south of Lake Ostego, often referred as Glimmerglass Lake. The Otesaga hotel is at the south shore of the lake. The Otesaga is where all the hall of famers stay during induction weekend.

Baseball isn't the only reason to come to Cooperstown. Fly Creek is a village about 10 miles west of the hall. They have a cider mill and general store. The Belgian Ommegang brewery is nearby also. Several hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts dot the area. The Glimmerglass opera house is nearby as is the newly restored American hotel. The hotel is located about 30 minutes away in Sharon Springs. There are several hotels, motels and bed and breakfast inns around Cooperstown. I would recommend staying at the Howard Johnson's on route 28. It is brand new and have reasonable prices. The hotel is about 10 minutes south of the village on route 28.

My first trip to Cooperstown was in the summer of 1976, and I have been coming back ever since. I am fortunate enough to have some of my photos hanging in the field of dreams exhibit on the third floor of the hall of fame. Each time I come to Cooperstown, I find something I haven't seen before. The following photos are not just of the hall, but of the surrounding villages and towns.

I highly recommend a visit to the Leatherstocking region of upstate New York. Even if you aren't a baseball fan, Cooperstown is a great place to spend a few days. Bike, golf, hike or just take in the area and the museums. Cooperstown is like you stepped back in time. I will always come back to this jewel in upstate New York.