Sightseeing

Hammondsport Music in the Park 2018

July already?? Summer is flying by, and music is in the air.  Here’s the 2018 line-up for Hammondsport's Music in the Park: July 5: Hepcats Big Band Ju...

10 Days in Northern Ireland

Planning a trip to Northern Ireland?  We've developed a focused, 10-day itinerary that has it all: hiking, history, charming villages, castle ruins, and...

Hammondsport Music in the Park 2017

Here’s the 2017 line-up for Music in the Park sponsored by the Hammondsport Chamber of Commerce and Simmons-Rockwell: July 6: Abby Payne July 13: Jorge Cuev...

31 Days Exploring Cambodia and Vietnam

Overview In Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Wanna go to Cambodia and Vietnam? Ummm sure…I guess… This trip was Chris’s idea. To me, Cambodia and Vietnam see...

Bodie Ghost Town: A Peek into the Past

I’m not sure why, but when I hear the words “ghost town” I immediately picture a Disney-esque, overly commercialized western town with a shooting gallery, ol...

Mono Lake: Wish You Were Here

Ahh, Mono Lake. Where oh where to start? First off, the name is pronounced ‘moan-oh’ (not ‘monno’ like the fatigue-inducing infectious disease). Second, when...

5 Sultry Days in Cancun

Overview Chris and Julie at Chichén Itzá Chris planned a surprise trip to Cancun for our 25th wedding anniversary - so thoughtful! It was my first time to M...

Hammondsport Music in the Park 2016

Here's the 2016 line-up for Music in the Park sponsored by the Hammondsport Chamber of Commerce: July 7: Abby Payne July 14: Misfit Karma July 21: Jorge Cue...

The Mayan Museum in Cancun

We took a time-out from our run to walk the jetty Chris booked two day-long excursions during our 5-day trip to Cancun, and sandwiched an unstructured day in...

Our 5-Day Cancun Getaway

So sorry Mayan-warrior-guy...I've already found my one true love! Chris (sweet, considerate man that he is) planned a surprise trip to celebrate our 25th ann...

West Point Plebe-Parent Weekend 2016

What a difference a year makes. On Saturday March 14, 2015, Matthew escorted me across the stage at Sherwood High School during the formal segment of the Mr....

The Other Las Vegas Part 3: Hoover Dam

We had seven glorious days to explore Las Vegas which allowed ample time to see new sights while also visiting an old favorite. Chris and I hadn’t seen Hoove...

Sailing Charter in Greece - Part 7: Ios

Originally published April 5, 2014 On June 27 we set sail for Ios, an island I last visited in 1990 during the World Cup. The wind did not last so we slowl...

Trim Castle: Freeeedommm!

After exploring Dublin proper for a few days, we struck north for a day drip to see Newgrange and Trim Castle. With the two sights only 35 minutes apart, our...

The Donkey Sanctuary: Aww, Donkeys

We came soooo close to ditching this stop; thank goodness we didn’t! Our day started with a drive to Charles Fort on the southern coast of Ireland, over 100 ...

Ireland’s Hidden Gems: Lough Gur

I stumbled upon Lough Gur while researching sights to see near our delightful rental home, the Flemingstown House. As the days passed, I resigned myself to a...

Dingle to Dunquin: A Dr. Dolittle Day

If only we could talk to the animals! Today will be remembered as much for the cats, donkey and sheep as much as the scenery, and that’s really saying someth...

Camp to Annascaul: Boreens are the Bomb

On our first day hiking the Causeway Coast Way I kind of bagged on road hiking. There’s the traffic to contend with plus it’s very hard on the soles of the f...

Princess Fiona and Dunluce Castle

I can be such a doof. Let me back up and set the stage so you can fully appreciate my head-slapping moment on the grounds of Dunluce Castle. We finished our ...

OMG Brad Pitt is in the Ballintoy Church!

Wait…he’s not here now, he’ll be here later…his body double is here, not Brad…Brad’s not in the movie, he’s producing it…they’re wrapping this shoot for Brad...

West Point A-Day 2015

Finally! Acceptance Day (A-Day) is highly anticipated by new cadets and families alike; I know I’ve been laser-focused on it since we dropped Matthew off on ...

The Hammondsport Art Show

Update July 2016: The Luna Mezza restaurant is no longer open.  It's been replaced with Burgers and Beer. I am rarely in town for the Hammondsport Art Show; ...

Garrett Chapel

Hm. What can you do on a rainy Thursday afternoon at Keuka Lake? After finishing my cottage projects for the day, I hopped on the computer and received a nic...

Watkins Glen State Park

What a comparison! Two days ago we explored the little known Boyd Point Gully on the west side of Keuka Lake. Today we hiked the mother of all gullies, Watki...

The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum

Update June 2016: Any time someone wants to check out this museum, I'm eager to tag along.  Glenn Curtiss was a marvel and the museum reveals a fascinating n...

West Point R-Day 2015

This is it!  I'm kind of stunned that we're here. How did Matthew make it to R-Day unscathed given his all-or-nothing attitude towards sports?! Inc...

Woodstock: The Museum at Bethel Woods

After tidying up and buttoning down the cottages, we set out on a 4-day excursion from the lake. We are planning to see Woodstock on the way out and Cooperst...

Day 4 of 6: Kadoka, SD to Madison, WI

Unfortunately, there's not much to document from this leg of our trip. With tickets for a Cubs game the next day, we felt pressed to get to Madison so no sig...

Day 3 of 6: Red Lodge, MT to Kadoka, SD

We set our alarm early and had to drag ourselves out of bed. Who knew road trips could be so tiring? Even when logy we are pretty efficient, and arrived at C...

Keuka Lake Breweries Tour

Keuka Lake Breweries Tour I knew Chris was dying to visit some local breweries so Matthew and I planned a Father's Day tour of the five farmhouse breweries o...

Harvest and Artists Market

Update July 2016: The business has re-branded and is now known as Ha! Funland.  Buildings are newly painted in bright colors and more games and activities ha...

The Ringling and New College of Florida

Ca'd'Zan. Photo courtesy of Frank Kovalchek. Although Jill and I were staying in Siesta Key, we popped up to Sarasota 4 different times during our trip. It's...

Exploring Siesta Key

Sunset at Siesta Key I was very lucky to spend a long weekend with my good friend Jill at her parents' condo in Siesta Key.  While I have visited Florida man...

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Hiking

10 Days in Northern Ireland

Planning a trip to Northern Ireland?  We've developed a focused, 10-day itinerary that has it all: hiking, history, charming villages, castle ruins, and...

Mono Lake: Wish You Were Here

Ahh, Mono Lake. Where oh where to start? First off, the name is pronounced ‘moan-oh’ (not ‘monno’ like the fatigue-inducing infectious disease). Second, when...

Hiking the Finger Lakes Trail

Overview A Finger Lakes Trail marker in the middle of a vineyard. What could be more fitting? I’ve been visiting Keuka Lake my entire life, but this is the ...

Chased Off the Hi Tor Blue Trail!

For more area hikes and resources, see the trip summary: Hiking the Finger Lakes Trail We shouldn’t have stepped foot out of our car. Period. It was a rookie...

Feohanagh to Cloghane: Into the Mist

This leg of the Dingle Way was advertised as the most challenging and it certainly was. We took 7 ½ hours (including breaks) to hike 15.3 miles up and over a...

Dingle to Dunquin: A Dr. Dolittle Day

If only we could talk to the animals! Today will be remembered as much for the cats, donkey and sheep as much as the scenery, and that’s really saying someth...

Camp to Annascaul: Boreens are the Bomb

On our first day hiking the Causeway Coast Way I kind of bagged on road hiking. There’s the traffic to contend with plus it’s very hard on the soles of the f...

Princess Fiona and Dunluce Castle

I can be such a doof. Let me back up and set the stage so you can fully appreciate my head-slapping moment on the grounds of Dunluce Castle. We finished our ...

OMG Brad Pitt is in the Ballintoy Church!

Wait…he’s not here now, he’ll be here later…his body double is here, not Brad…Brad’s not in the movie, he’s producing it…they’re wrapping this shoot for Brad...

My Backpacking Equipment for Ireland

Sometimes it can be challenging to write an article, but this time I couldn’t even decide what to title it! We will be in Ireland for a total of 6 weeks and ...

Eggleston Glen and The Olney Place

Spending summers here at Keuka, I learned quickly that you’re either an East-Sider or a West-Sider and each side feels passionately that theirs is the best s...

Watkins Glen State Park

What a comparison! Two days ago we explored the little known Boyd Point Gully on the west side of Keuka Lake. Today we hiked the mother of all gullies, Watki...

Boyd Point Gully Hike

Update February 2017: I was recently contacted by the family who owns the property surrounding Wagener Glen (aka Boyd's).  It is private property.  ...

West Point R-Day 2015

This is it!  I'm kind of stunned that we're here. How did Matthew make it to R-Day unscathed given his all-or-nothing attitude towards sports?! Inc...

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Backpacking

Philmont Equipment Details

Originally published November 14, 2012 Like most people (adults?) going to Philmont, Julie and I spent a lot of time exploring strategies and tactics for eq...

Philmont Day 10 - Elkhorn to Dean Heck

Originally published November 9, 2012 This is our last full day of hiking and program at Philmont. For breakfast, we had the hot skillet scramble. Texture a...

Philmont Day 9 - Baldy Town to Elkhorn

Originally published November 7, 2012 With a final close-up look at Baldy and farewell to the Baldy Town kitten, our crew departed on a downhill descent to ...

Philmont Day 8 - Baldy Climb

Originally published November 6, 2012 We departed camp with our light daypacks on at 6:45am to begin our Baldy ascent. We screamed up the mountain, passing ...

Philmont 2012 - Day 1

Originally published September 3, 2012 We did some final map review and training with ranger Nate in the welcome center while we awaited our bus. I had a nea...

Philmont 2012 - Arriving at Philmont

Originally published August 29, 2012 On July 24, crews 724-G arrived at Philmont base camp headquarters at about 10:50am. The Ramblin Express bus had picked...

Feohanagh to Cloghane: Into the Mist

This leg of the Dingle Way was advertised as the most challenging and it certainly was. We took 7 ½ hours (including breaks) to hike 15.3 miles up and over a...

Dingle to Dunquin: A Dr. Dolittle Day

If only we could talk to the animals! Today will be remembered as much for the cats, donkey and sheep as much as the scenery, and that’s really saying someth...

Camp to Annascaul: Boreens are the Bomb

On our first day hiking the Causeway Coast Way I kind of bagged on road hiking. There’s the traffic to contend with plus it’s very hard on the soles of the f...

Princess Fiona and Dunluce Castle

I can be such a doof. Let me back up and set the stage so you can fully appreciate my head-slapping moment on the grounds of Dunluce Castle. We finished our ...

OMG Brad Pitt is in the Ballintoy Church!

Wait…he’s not here now, he’ll be here later…his body double is here, not Brad…Brad’s not in the movie, he’s producing it…they’re wrapping this shoot for Brad...

My Backpacking Equipment for Ireland

Sometimes it can be challenging to write an article, but this time I couldn’t even decide what to title it! We will be in Ireland for a total of 6 weeks and ...

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Tips

Our 5-Day Cancun Getaway

So sorry Mayan-warrior-guy...I've already found my one true love! Chris (sweet, considerate man that he is) planned a surprise trip to celebrate our 25th ann...

Philmont Equipment Details

Originally published November 14, 2012 Like most people (adults?) going to Philmont, Julie and I spent a lot of time exploring strategies and tactics for eq...

Are We Spending Money Like Pros?

About three weeks ago I wrote about how we plan to handle spending in Ireland. Now that we are over two weeks into our trip and have traveled in both Northe...

My Backpacking Equipment for Ireland

Sometimes it can be challenging to write an article, but this time I couldn’t even decide what to title it! We will be in Ireland for a total of 6 weeks and ...

Travel Technology For Our Ireland Trip

I promised to share some tips on sharing SIM cards with multiple devices, plus how I approached activation with my AT&T SIM in the Huawei device. I thi...

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Resources

Our 5-Day Cancun Getaway

So sorry Mayan-warrior-guy...I've already found my one true love! Chris (sweet, considerate man that he is) planned a surprise trip to celebrate our 25th ann...

Keuka Lake Association Annual Meeting

The Keuka Lake Association membership brochure Update July 2016:  KLA celebrated its 60th anniversary at the meeting on July 9, 2016.  Congratulations KLA!  ...

Jake’s Boat Livery and Mini-Mart

Update June 2018: Jake's is growing up. Literally!  They raised the roof and added upgrades to the mini-mart, including multiple well-stocked refrigerat...

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Road Trip

West Point R-Day 2015

This is it!  I'm kind of stunned that we're here. How did Matthew make it to R-Day unscathed given his all-or-nothing attitude towards sports?! Inc...

Woodstock: The Museum at Bethel Woods

After tidying up and buttoning down the cottages, we set out on a 4-day excursion from the lake. We are planning to see Woodstock on the way out and Cooperst...

Day 4 of 6: Kadoka, SD to Madison, WI

Unfortunately, there's not much to document from this leg of our trip. With tickets for a Cubs game the next day, we felt pressed to get to Madison so no sig...

Day 3 of 6: Red Lodge, MT to Kadoka, SD

We set our alarm early and had to drag ourselves out of bed. Who knew road trips could be so tiring? Even when logy we are pretty efficient, and arrived at C...

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Planning

Our 5-Day Cancun Getaway

So sorry Mayan-warrior-guy...I've already found my one true love! Chris (sweet, considerate man that he is) planned a surprise trip to celebrate our 25th ann...

6 Days Across the USA

We drove over 3,000 miles in the summer of 2015, starting in Oregon and ending in New York. Learn about the path we took and what we saw along the way.

4 Days in Siesta Key

In November 2014, my good friend Jill and I decided we were long overdue for a get together. We dilly-dallied and batted ideas around before finally “settlin...

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Trip Summaries

31 Days Exploring Cambodia and Vietnam

Overview In Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Wanna go to Cambodia and Vietnam? Ummm sure…I guess… This trip was Chris’s idea. To me, Cambodia and Vietnam see...

Hiking the Finger Lakes Trail

Overview A Finger Lakes Trail marker in the middle of a vineyard. What could be more fitting? I’ve been visiting Keuka Lake my entire life, but this is the ...

The Other Las Vegas

Overview The Las Vegas Strip This little trip to Las Vegas completely redeemed the city in my eyes. It’s a shame I held such a poor opinion for so long, but...

5 Sultry Days in Cancun

Overview Chris and Julie at Chichén Itzá Chris planned a surprise trip to Cancun for our 25th wedding anniversary - so thoughtful! It was my first time to M...

Our 2-Week Sailing Charter in Greece

Overview Our Lagoon 400, in the Alimos Marina In late June of 2013, Chris and I spent two full weeks sailing the Greek islands aboard a 40-foot catamaran al...

New Orleans Mardi Gras!

Overview The gang in Jackson Square, on our final day in New Orleans. Note my spiffy hat - Chris caught it for me in the Endymion parade! This trip was over...

Summers at Keuka Lake

Overview Chris, Lauren and Wes sailing the Flying Dutchman Keuka Lake (aka “The Crooked Lady”) is one of eleven Finger Lakes in western New York. It’s easy ...

6 Weeks in Ireland

Overview Julie enjoying the view from the Dingle Way on the way to Dunquin Chris and I spent a total of six weeks in Ireland: three weeks on our own, one we...

6 Days Across the USA

We drove over 3,000 miles in the summer of 2015, starting in Oregon and ending in New York. Learn about the path we took and what we saw along the way.

4 Days in Siesta Key

In November 2014, my good friend Jill and I decided we were long overdue for a get together. We dilly-dallied and batted ideas around before finally “settlin...

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Sailing

Sailing Charter in Greece - Part 7: Ios

Originally published April 5, 2014 On June 27 we set sail for Ios, an island I last visited in 1990 during the World Cup. The wind did not last so we slowl...

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Packing

Philmont Equipment Details

Originally published November 14, 2012 Like most people (adults?) going to Philmont, Julie and I spent a lot of time exploring strategies and tactics for eq...

My Backpacking Equipment for Ireland

Sometimes it can be challenging to write an article, but this time I couldn’t even decide what to title it! We will be in Ireland for a total of 6 weeks and ...

Back to Top ↑

Technology

Travel Technology For Our Ireland Trip

I promised to share some tips on sharing SIM cards with multiple devices, plus how I approached activation with my AT&T SIM in the Huawei device. I thi...

Back to Top ↑

Money

Are We Spending Money Like Pros?

About three weeks ago I wrote about how we plan to handle spending in Ireland. Now that we are over two weeks into our trip and have traveled in both Northe...

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Musings

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