Color Chic

Exploring on Bikes....

With just a couple of hours to explore the Valley in Yosemite before we had to move camp we rented bikes...

Really comfortable cruisers!

We were able to cover a lot of ground as we peddled down the bike path...

The granite walls were spectacular...

We stopped to check out the church in the park...

and saw a reminder of the height of the century floods...

 

Of course I wasn't able to capture everything through a photo, but take my word riding bikes was exhilerating! There is such freedom in biking, and it's a great way to get around!

Shipping a Goat...

Shipping a "Goat" costs a lot more than one would expect! When I saw this cute thing in Camden Maine I knew it would be the perfect memento from our trip:

Unfortunately I didn't realize how much money it cost to ship! The owner of the store let me know she would be taking it to a packing company and having it shipped from there and that it usually is more than expected. But seriously "how much could it be"? So I gave her my CC knowing I would have a goat when I got back home! A couple of days later and miles away from Camden while enjoying our vacation I get a call from the packing company... It's going to be $#$@#$^$% + to ship a goat! Are you kidding me! Seriously! I could have bought a piece of luggage wrapped it in bubble wrap, paid the airlines to bring extra baggage and still be ahead!

But I have to say it was wrapped very well!

And it's so awesome! I'm not disappointed with my purchase at all! It will bring back many happy memories of our trip each time I look at him.

I really think I should give my goat a name... any ideas?

We're Back....

Or should I say we've been back! It's been a challenge getting back into the swing of things, and I must say I'm having trouble fitting everything in... like blogging! But I really need to recap a bit while memories are so fresh. So many fun stories to tell... like finding perfect coffee in New England, to shipping a goat... but those will have to wait!

We started our trip visiting family that lives too far away:

The special time spent with our Granddaughter was priceless:

We had adventures in trying new foods:

We stopped at numerous farm stands just for the fun of it...

We hiked to an island during low tide and early AM....

So that we could take in the view of Bar Harbor from the other side...

We stayed in interesting B & B's... One was Pomegranate Inn...

We found interesting Art Galleries...

Road bikes in Martha's Vineyard...

And enjoyed the views along the way...

Road the bus everywhere around the island...

Out to a Woolen Shop...

To Gay Head Light House at sunset...

To take photos in the evening...

And enjoy a bit of wine...

We watched the rain from our room... We have rain at home but not like this... 

We created so many wonderful memories and loved every minute!...

Loved New England and will definitely make a trip back! 

Adventure continues... Part II

We've been busy since the last big post!

Vermont... We toured Ben & Jerry's:

We visited a very interesting cemetary... Not your usual headstones:

In New Hamshire we had an incredible time in the White Mountains. We saw a lot more color in the trees:

We hiked on trails covered with roots:

Hiked the Notches:

Road the tram to the top and enjoyed gorgeous views:

Saw a bear:

Saw a funny kid stuck to the side of the rock... He was asking for help to get down; I asked him to hold for just a minute:

On to Bar Harbor Maine.... We hiked up the "Bee Hive" on Acadia:

Really awesome trail:

And this was looking back at the hike from Gorhman Trail:

It's an incredible journey for sure. It's been a bit rainy today but we have umbrellas...

Hope you're enjoying the sunshine on the West Coast!

Adventure continues...

The adventure through New England continues... Yesterday the sky was filled with clouds so we decided it was a good opportunity to take a ferry ride out and about Lake Champlain. From the water we got a beautiful view of the Burlington:

Last night we took a class at the Essex Culinary School... They put all of us to work, and I learned that asparagus snaps right were it needs too:

 

Bill learned how to cut onions:

 

Our dinner was delicious, probably because we helped prepare it:

 

Today we enjoyed the sites by car... Covered bridges and barns:

 

 

Lots of red in the buildings around here... even more color in the trees...

We drove through Smugglers Notch where these really great rock formations jetted out of the ground. Walking around we discovered this very quiet, wonderful place...

 

The best part of our day was actually the evening, sharing it with friends and meeting their new baby Donovan:

Isn't he adorable:

 

So what have you been up too?

Hope you all had a great day and are enjoying your adventures!

Starting the Day Hiking up to Laura's Tower...

If only everyday could start as energetic as yesterday.... We woke to a beautiful crisp, cool morning and decided to hike up to Laura's Tower (well we actually had decided the night before that we would start the day out that way since we would be spending most of the day in the car).

Let's just say it was gorgeous from the start...

 

and the views were even more spectacular from the top... first we had to climb this tower:

But it was absolutely worth it...

Next we were on to Greylock Monument:

 

and I actually climbed up inside... and I'm extremely claustrophobic!

but again the views were fabulous!

Just in case you might be worried that we didn't stop to eat... let me just share this Autumn Triffle... made with Apples, Pears, Ladyfingers & I do believe lots of cream...

Our challenge has been to find "coffee" on our journey through New England.  We're now in Burlington Vermont and will be on a quest to find the perfect Cappuccino... that is after we visit Ben & Jerry's... Good thing we got a lot of exercise in yesterday!

Any other good ideas of how we should spend our time here in Vermont?

Exploring Stockbridge Mass. & a Picnic!

There's plenty to do in Stockbridge Mass and surrounding area.  We love driving around seeing the architecture of old homes:

 

We've enjoyed a hike at "Bartholomew's Cobble" in Sheffield:

And a special treat was picnicing on the grounds of "The Mount"; the home of Edith Wharton:

Staying at the Historic Inn "The Red Lion" is quite different than staying at the super chic "Study".  The rooms are quaint with history and charm:

 

It's a bit early to enjoy the brilliant colors of fall... but it's still very beautiful!

 

What kind of weather are you enjoying?

New Haven & The Study

If you're ever in New Haven CT I highly recommend staying at "The Study". There you will find great design in all aspects of the room:

The desk across the wall makes a nice place to sit and enjoy the view as well as spread out all the stuff you bring to the room. The wall behind the bed is blue while all others are a crisp clean white; very chic!

Also check out "The Heritage" "The Heirloom" bar; the strong vertical and horizontal lines really make a statement:

 

And the coffee isn't bad either!

Back to the room... the view at night was spectacular!

 

New Haven...

An interesting mix of old and new architecture...

Taking the Road Less Traveled...

 

It's that time of year when we start thinking about traveling again. We love our Road Trips but have been contemplating a cruise... visiting the New England States & Canada. It would be a wonderful way to experience many areas without all the driving; we've gotten a bit carried away on our last trips.  We love taking the road less traveled and yet want a relaxing vacation... 

Any thoughts on the cruise?  or traveling the New England States...

Exploring Mendocino....

You never know quite how wonderful a town can be unless you explore it. Our first reaction to driving into Mendocino was that it really wasn't what we expected it to be, but getting out on foot changed all that.

    

Starting out on foot we had to start with a perfect cup of coffee; then exploring begins: 

 

 

 

Anyone know what those crazy flowers are? We saw them everywhere... Beautiful!

 

 

 

I think running track by the ocean would be invigorating don't you? 

  

Back towards town: 

  

 

I wish this place would have been open... but they keep different hours here. 
I think I could work those hours!

 

Love this piece of art... my sentiments about this town exactly. Just the right amount of outdoors, art, shopping, and food!

Do you have places you've visited that have surprised you in a positive way?

We'll definitely be back to visit Mendocino!