June brought an opulent, stillness-laden warmth to the Hudson Highlands, expanding the deep verdant foliage along the granite slopes of Stony Point. The river below ran quiet and blue, reflecting the towering cumulus clouds that drifted lazily over the eastern shore. Wildhoneysuckle and elderberry blossoms perfumed the rising valley breezes, filling the wide stone terraces with a thick, honeyed sweetness.
Inside the subterranean conservation atrium, the ambient temperature hovered at a crisp fifty-eight degrees. Sunlight poured through the high clerestory windows, cutting bright geometric blocks across the black river-stone flooring.
I stood at the central inspection island wearing a crisp ivory linen vest over a dark moss-green silk blouse, tailored charcoal trousers, and slate leather
