Finally! A Vacation!
Below are some of our pictures from our road/camping trip. We drove through the Green Mountains of Vermont, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and visited Acadia National Park in Maine. We camped a couple nights in each location, and enjoyed day outings at nearby locations.
Vermont
We visited a cheese and maple syrup farm called Sugarbush Farms. We enjoyed tastings of both, just like you would at a winery. The top picture on the right is of syrup you would buy in a grocery store, and how they contain 0% or 0.5% real maple syrup. Obviously we bought some real maple syrup to take home.
The rest of the pictures are of the countryside, and from a hike we did.
The rest of the pictures are of the countryside, and from a hike we did.
New Hampshire
We're officially in bear country. Check out the scars on the tree from a bear's claw. But our camp site was goregous!
It rained almost every day on our trip, if just for a short bit. The result was some amazing skies, as you'll see in pictures to follow, both in New Hampshire and Maine. The pictures below were taken over the lake behind our campsite.
We had another very enjoyable hike in New Hampshire. This time was to visit "The Old Man's Foot Basin," The Cascades, Kinsman Falls, and the Rocky Glen Falls. We really enjoyed the structure of the tree roots on the path. It created some interesting sounds with our footsteps, sometimes sounding like it was hollow just below. One of my favorite pictures is of the rock that looks like a lion head (in my opinion). Can you see it?
It rained almost every day on our trip, if just for a short bit. The result was some amazing skies, as you'll see in pictures to follow, both in New Hampshire and Maine. The pictures below were taken over the lake behind our campsite.
We had another very enjoyable hike in New Hampshire. This time was to visit "The Old Man's Foot Basin," The Cascades, Kinsman Falls, and the Rocky Glen Falls. We really enjoyed the structure of the tree roots on the path. It created some interesting sounds with our footsteps, sometimes sounding like it was hollow just below. One of my favorite pictures is of the rock that looks like a lion head (in my opinion). Can you see it?
Maine
The bouys are everywhere! You can't escape them!
The weather continuously changed while we were in Maine. It could be pouring one minute, sunny the next, and then foggy. This made it interesting for us to go to the some of the same places on different days and at different times. Our first morning was so foggy, that you couldn't see far enough to take pictures of anything. We would be fifteen feet from the ocean, but not able to see it. It was strangely exhilerating. Just before we left Acadia, there was a storm rolling in as we sat on some rocks to watch the sun set. The wall of rain was very clear and fun to watch approach.
We at lobster (or lobstah as the locals call it) and at least one other fish every day while we were in Maine. I love to say I ate chowdah and lobstah in Bah Hahba (Bar Harbor, Maine). The smaller shacks served the best cooked lobstah by far.
Unfortunately, our last activity for Maine was canceled due to the rain rolling in (a boat ride for star gazing), so we decided to make the most of it. We left early and spent the last night in Portland. The last three pictures are from our half-day in Portland. (Local Sprouts was the bomb-diggity!)
The weather continuously changed while we were in Maine. It could be pouring one minute, sunny the next, and then foggy. This made it interesting for us to go to the some of the same places on different days and at different times. Our first morning was so foggy, that you couldn't see far enough to take pictures of anything. We would be fifteen feet from the ocean, but not able to see it. It was strangely exhilerating. Just before we left Acadia, there was a storm rolling in as we sat on some rocks to watch the sun set. The wall of rain was very clear and fun to watch approach.
We at lobster (or lobstah as the locals call it) and at least one other fish every day while we were in Maine. I love to say I ate chowdah and lobstah in Bah Hahba (Bar Harbor, Maine). The smaller shacks served the best cooked lobstah by far.
Unfortunately, our last activity for Maine was canceled due to the rain rolling in (a boat ride for star gazing), so we decided to make the most of it. We left early and spent the last night in Portland. The last three pictures are from our half-day in Portland. (Local Sprouts was the bomb-diggity!)
Joanna and Swavek visit
Joanna, family friend who is originally from Poland and has been studying in KC for a few years, and her boyfriend Swavek, visiting from Poland, came to visit. We were their last stop on a month-long tour of the US. They were super-tourists, squeezing in as much sight-seeing as possible in three days. Below are pictures from the activites that I joined them on. The manequins were in the fashion district, just south of Times Square. They also helped celebrate my birthday with dinner at our favorite noodle restaurant - Ippudo.
Weekend in Rhode Island
There is an annual jazz fest in Newport, Rhode Island, every year, and Dan wanted to go. I am always looking for excuses to get out and explore more! So we had a romantic, days-spent-separate, weekend in Rhode Island.
For this trip we tried a new traveling technique that worked really well. We took one of the New York train lines to its furthest point, then picked up our rental car. This allowed us both to enjoy the views that we passed. It also meant that we skipped all of the rush hour traffic on the highway! By picking up the car outside of the city, we saved a few bucks. And.....we could stay later in Newport because we knew that the last leg of the trip neither of us had to drive and we could nap. Worked out really well.
The town of Newport is quaint, with the air of the rich. There were many huge mansions on huge plots of land. This used to be THE place to go in the summer when the rich wanted to get out of hot New York City. Many of those mansions are now museums, but there are definitely still large homes being built.
On Saturday, I went on the Cliff Walk. It goes along the cliffs on one side of the island, but is all privately owned and open to the public. The owners each tend to their section of the path so design, choice sidewalk and wall materials, and level of maintenance very, and some have huge gates on their property lines (open, of course).
I spent several hours each day on a beach at the tip of the Newport Island. Each day there were many, many kites, of all shapes, sizes, and costs. The wind was perfect for even the largest of kites controlled by multiple strings.
There are a couple pictures included from when I picked up Dan at the jazz fest. The festival was right along the water, so you can see that many people on boats took advantage of some "free" music.
Sunday I went on a wine tour. Not as fun when you're alone. But the wine was good! To end our trip, we went to the seafood that appeared to be the most popular (aka, long line). For once, that trick did not pay off. Oh well--it was cheap enough.
For this trip we tried a new traveling technique that worked really well. We took one of the New York train lines to its furthest point, then picked up our rental car. This allowed us both to enjoy the views that we passed. It also meant that we skipped all of the rush hour traffic on the highway! By picking up the car outside of the city, we saved a few bucks. And.....we could stay later in Newport because we knew that the last leg of the trip neither of us had to drive and we could nap. Worked out really well.
The town of Newport is quaint, with the air of the rich. There were many huge mansions on huge plots of land. This used to be THE place to go in the summer when the rich wanted to get out of hot New York City. Many of those mansions are now museums, but there are definitely still large homes being built.
On Saturday, I went on the Cliff Walk. It goes along the cliffs on one side of the island, but is all privately owned and open to the public. The owners each tend to their section of the path so design, choice sidewalk and wall materials, and level of maintenance very, and some have huge gates on their property lines (open, of course).
I spent several hours each day on a beach at the tip of the Newport Island. Each day there were many, many kites, of all shapes, sizes, and costs. The wind was perfect for even the largest of kites controlled by multiple strings.
There are a couple pictures included from when I picked up Dan at the jazz fest. The festival was right along the water, so you can see that many people on boats took advantage of some "free" music.
Sunday I went on a wine tour. Not as fun when you're alone. But the wine was good! To end our trip, we went to the seafood that appeared to be the most popular (aka, long line). For once, that trick did not pay off. Oh well--it was cheap enough.
A Flurry of Activity for Two Days in KC
Friends, please don't be mad that we didn't tell you we came to KC. We were in town for a very short two days.
Below are pics of the Coon family from our brunch. Look how big Charlie is getting! And he has the face of a little stinker! We also walked to Laura and Brian's new house. It is big and ready to fit another baby!
Following that are pictures from the Ellis family reunion. The lake (Lake Fort Scott) was really low this year. You can see Dan standing and it comes up to his knees. So I didn't get in--eww!
Below are pics of the Coon family from our brunch. Look how big Charlie is getting! And he has the face of a little stinker! We also walked to Laura and Brian's new house. It is big and ready to fit another baby!
Following that are pictures from the Ellis family reunion. The lake (Lake Fort Scott) was really low this year. You can see Dan standing and it comes up to his knees. So I didn't get in--eww!
4th of July in Philadelphia
Visitors, Visitors, Visitors!
Julie
Below are pictures of some of the highlights. The first is the night of Julie's arrival. We met up with Julie's old roommate, Danielle, and headed down to a fun bar area near NYU. This is the four of us enjoying falafels. Next is a picture of Julie and Dan cooking. We went to a Yankee's game--of course they won!
Julie joined my softball team for a game in Central Park. It was the best game we've played all season, and we won 7-0. Yea!
NKOTB (previously New Kids on the Block) had a show at Radio City Music Hall, so of course we had to fulfill a childhood dream and try to get tickets. We bought a couple really cheap outside the theater, and had enough left for a few expensive drinks. We had a really fun time, but I think we can both say been there, done that, and don't need to do it again. We finished off the evening by meeting up with Danielle again. Good times were had by all!
Julie joined my softball team for a game in Central Park. It was the best game we've played all season, and we won 7-0. Yea!
NKOTB (previously New Kids on the Block) had a show at Radio City Music Hall, so of course we had to fulfill a childhood dream and try to get tickets. We bought a couple really cheap outside the theater, and had enough left for a few expensive drinks. We had a really fun time, but I think we can both say been there, done that, and don't need to do it again. We finished off the evening by meeting up with Danielle again. Good times were had by all!
New Kids on the Block - They just don't have "the right stuff" anymore, but they are still really cute!!
This next video is from Julie's first day, when we were walking through Central Park. Apparently this group sets up music every Saturday so that anyone can come out and roller skate. There were some interesting people there.....
Mermaid Parade at Coney Island
While the parade wasn't as full of fun floats as we'd hoped, the crowd provided equal opportunites to gawk at people in scantily clad outifts. Below are some of our favorite pics. I'm providing some variety, but most of it was just people in homemade mermaid constumes. Some people were a little more creative with other sea related costumes such as octopuses, fish, Poseidon and his nymphs, or something unrelated that they just wanted to show off. There were a lot of groups that did things related to the BP spill, such as Before Petroleum, or My Scales are Falling of From the Oil.
After the parade, we had hotdogs at Nathan's, home of the annual hot dog eating contest. We've included a couple of pictures of this experience because the amount of people was greater than possibly any other experience we've had. Fear of falling and being trampled was eliminated by the shear fact that we couldn't move in any direction. But at least we got our food!
After the parade, we had hotdogs at Nathan's, home of the annual hot dog eating contest. We've included a couple of pictures of this experience because the amount of people was greater than possibly any other experience we've had. Fear of falling and being trampled was eliminated by the shear fact that we couldn't move in any direction. But at least we got our food!
Race to the End of The Earth
My work (Sara) contributes to the Natural Museum of History, so they were given tickets to the pre-opening of the newest exhibit. I expressed interest and was given passes for Dan and I. It was kind of swanky--business attire and wine and hors d'oevres.
The exhibit was so incredibly interesting that we read almost everything--or everything we could. We were kicked out when we were only a third of the way through because they were closing. We'll definitely be going back.
My favorite college professor wrote a book on Shakelton, one of the original men to journey to the South Pole. I checked in the book store on the way out, and was ecstatic to find it! I found my professor's e-mail on google and sent him a message, which he replied to within 30 minutes. I am hoping to see him when he comes to NYC in October.
The exhibit was so incredibly interesting that we read almost everything--or everything we could. We were kicked out when we were only a third of the way through because they were closing. We'll definitely be going back.
My favorite college professor wrote a book on Shakelton, one of the original men to journey to the South Pole. I checked in the book store on the way out, and was ecstatic to find it! I found my professor's e-mail on google and sent him a message, which he replied to within 30 minutes. I am hoping to see him when he comes to NYC in October.
Norah Jones in Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Celebrate Brooklyn! had Norah Jones as their opening musician this year. "Our song" that we danced to at our wedding reception was a Norah Jones song. So of course we were excited to get to see her for free! I was supposed to have a softball game that night, but it rained out. Norah was playing rain or shine.....and boy did it rain! It was a sea of umbrellas, and even though we arrived early enough to find a spot where we would have had a decent view, the umbrellas made it hard. Regardless, we enjoyed the music and were able to see her. Unfortunately no pictures turned out very well, so I've stolen one from her web site. Below is a brief description too.
"Nine-time Grammy Award Winner and Brooklyn resident Norah Jones will open the 2010 Celebrate Brooklyn season in a first-time ever free concert. Best known as a sultry vocalist, singer-songwriter and pianist who blends both jazz and traditional vocal pop, Norah will also be honored for her artistic achievement at the Gala."
"Nine-time Grammy Award Winner and Brooklyn resident Norah Jones will open the 2010 Celebrate Brooklyn season in a first-time ever free concert. Best known as a sultry vocalist, singer-songwriter and pianist who blends both jazz and traditional vocal pop, Norah will also be honored for her artistic achievement at the Gala."
V and Steph's Visit
Unfortunately, Veronica and Stephanie's visit was shortened when their flight was cancelled and they couldn't arrive until the next day. When they finally made it to town, they came directly to my work where they left their luggage so that they could immediately start being tourists. They did the bus tour on Friday and Saturday, and kindly let me bow out of that since I've been enough times already.
Sunday we did the Liberty Island and Ellis Island tour. We left the apartment at 8:30 and didn't get back to Manhattan until after 3:00. It was a really long day, but extremely enjoyable! We rented the audio tour headphones, and they were well worth the money. I really think it made the tours that much better.
Afterwards, we ate lunch in Little Italy, shopped in China town, toured Central Park until sun was well past down for the day, and ate dinner at John's Pizza (second best New York style pizza in our opinion). By the end of the night we were giddy with exhaustion.
Sunday we did the Liberty Island and Ellis Island tour. We left the apartment at 8:30 and didn't get back to Manhattan until after 3:00. It was a really long day, but extremely enjoyable! We rented the audio tour headphones, and they were well worth the money. I really think it made the tours that much better.
Afterwards, we ate lunch in Little Italy, shopped in China town, toured Central Park until sun was well past down for the day, and ate dinner at John's Pizza (second best New York style pizza in our opinion). By the end of the night we were giddy with exhaustion.
Matt & Michelle's Visit
Michelle and I have been friends since the first day I arrived at college. And we are very lucky that after all these years, we've married men who get along too! So what happens the kids are left behind in KC? We enjoy a few drinks and go to the Yankee's game of course!
We went to a Gamelan with Matt & Michelle. Unfortunately, it was really dark in there, but I did a short video so that you can hear the music, and hopefully see the dancers. It was set in a game hall--they had pool tables, ping-pong tables, chess, scrabble tables, and more. Total dive, but should be worth going back to.
Bon Jovi
Many months ago, Dan bought us tickets to see Bon Jovi at the opening of the new Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey. We got off work early thinking that it would take a while to get there, but the train now stops right in front of the stadium (why would anyone ever drive? This is too convenient!), hence the reason for the pictures with so few people in the stadium (it was a sold out show).
Jon Bon Jovi was so honored to be the first to play there (his hometown) that he played for a really long time and would not leave the stage! Even after the encore! I think the stadium emptied faster than the time that he took to leave. It was very enjoyable, especially when he played his 80’s tunes.
Jon Bon Jovi was so honored to be the first to play there (his hometown) that he played for a really long time and would not leave the stage! Even after the encore! I think the stadium emptied faster than the time that he took to leave. It was very enjoyable, especially when he played his 80’s tunes.
Aundria's Visit
Aundria's visit coincided perfectly with two Jewish holidays that Dan's work observes. They did the bus tour together, but I got to do the night loop with Aundria. Afterwards, we went to the Top of the Rock.
Later that weekend, we walked up on the Brooklyn Bridge and below it. We didn't go all the way across because it is a mile long, it was quite warm, and we were hungry. Under the Brooklyn Bride, on the Brooklyn side, is the BEST New York style pizza that we have ever had. It's a place called Grimaldi's and its worth the hour plus wait.
We also made a trip out to Coney Island. It was a chilly day, but it didn't keep the fishermen away. The wind was perfect for kite flying too.
Later that weekend, we walked up on the Brooklyn Bridge and below it. We didn't go all the way across because it is a mile long, it was quite warm, and we were hungry. Under the Brooklyn Bride, on the Brooklyn side, is the BEST New York style pizza that we have ever had. It's a place called Grimaldi's and its worth the hour plus wait.
We also made a trip out to Coney Island. It was a chilly day, but it didn't keep the fishermen away. The wind was perfect for kite flying too.
Gamelan
Spring in Central Park
Stony Brook Long Island
Mom & Tyler's Visit
Once again, Dan had two Jewish holidays at his work that corresponded perfectly for our visitors. Tyler was on Spring Break, and their visit corresponded with Easter (perfect since we were at their house for Thanksgiving!). Not only that, but the weather cooperated beautifully for them.
Below are some pictures from our trip to the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center, similar to going to the top of the Empire State Building but with a better view), Coney Island (many interesting people – we’ll save those details for another day), and Ripley’s Believe it or Not (Dan had an evening class, but that didn’t stop the rest of us from going!).
Below are some pictures from our trip to the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center, similar to going to the top of the Empire State Building but with a better view), Coney Island (many interesting people – we’ll save those details for another day), and Ripley’s Believe it or Not (Dan had an evening class, but that didn’t stop the rest of us from going!).
Josh & Stephanie's Visit
Josh and Stephanie’s visit was less about being tourists, and more about hanging out together. We enjoyed doing what adults with no kids can enjoy most—having beer with our pancakes and French toast at a total dive after midnight, fine dining at Il Cortille in Little Italy, and bar hopping. We also enjoyed lots of time in Central Park, where us girls soaked up the sun while the boys tossed the Frisbee around. While we worked, Josh and Stephanie slept in late (they were on vacation after all!), and shopping for knock-offs (ask Josh about his Rolex the next time you see him).
St. Patty's Day with Molly, Josh, & Stephanie
St. Patty’s Day was a blast. We had one day of overlap between Molly and Josh and Stephanie. Dan and I took the day off so that we could be home when Josh and Stephanie arrived, and so that we could do a proper job of getting our Irish drinking on.
The four of us went to the parade on 5th Ave. (Molly went to the UN for a guided tour and missed this part.) The parade was alright—lots of bag pipe groups, a couple marching bands, etc. We were busy talking, catching up, etc., so the lameness of the parade wasn’t too upsetting.
Afterwards, we headed to Greenwich Village for lunch, met back up with Molly, and enjoyed some late afternoon bar hopping. We had delicious pizza at John’s Pizzeria—one of the original and longest running pizza restaurants in the US. Our bar hopping included a hookah bar. Eventually we made our way back to our apartment to finish the evening in a more affordable way. Sadly, we don’t have any pics from the afternoon.
The four of us went to the parade on 5th Ave. (Molly went to the UN for a guided tour and missed this part.) The parade was alright—lots of bag pipe groups, a couple marching bands, etc. We were busy talking, catching up, etc., so the lameness of the parade wasn’t too upsetting.
Afterwards, we headed to Greenwich Village for lunch, met back up with Molly, and enjoyed some late afternoon bar hopping. We had delicious pizza at John’s Pizzeria—one of the original and longest running pizza restaurants in the US. Our bar hopping included a hookah bar. Eventually we made our way back to our apartment to finish the evening in a more affordable way. Sadly, we don’t have any pics from the afternoon.
The video below is a little bit of breakdancing for you to enjoy.
Molly's Visit - March 2010
We love that all of our visitors have different desires when they come to visit us—it mixes up we do, too, so we don’t have to repeat all of the same activities. Molly was no exception. We got to be “cultural” for most of her trip.
With Molly we saw lots of different shows, from off-broadway to off-off-broadway. From comedy with puppets (Avenue Q—highly recommended by us!) to modern dance. We cooked some excellent meals (well, mostly that was Dan and Molly), and we ate some delicious food in nice restaurants. Molly introduced us to our newest addiction--Japanese noodles.
Unfortunately it rained almost the entire time Molly was here (it was warm, sunny, and beautiful on St. Patty’s Day, but that wasn’t until the last day of her trip). I think we made it work just fine. She visited many museums while we were at work, including the excellent Tim Burton exhibit at the MOMA. We hit up the local used book store (see Molly on the ladder—this place is exactly like what you see in the movies). Overall, it was really nice to have Molly as our first visitor of the year, and the first visitor to see our current apartment!
With Molly we saw lots of different shows, from off-broadway to off-off-broadway. From comedy with puppets (Avenue Q—highly recommended by us!) to modern dance. We cooked some excellent meals (well, mostly that was Dan and Molly), and we ate some delicious food in nice restaurants. Molly introduced us to our newest addiction--Japanese noodles.
Unfortunately it rained almost the entire time Molly was here (it was warm, sunny, and beautiful on St. Patty’s Day, but that wasn’t until the last day of her trip). I think we made it work just fine. She visited many museums while we were at work, including the excellent Tim Burton exhibit at the MOMA. We hit up the local used book store (see Molly on the ladder—this place is exactly like what you see in the movies). Overall, it was really nice to have Molly as our first visitor of the year, and the first visitor to see our current apartment!