Greetings from Upstate New York! I’ve had a serious scenery change in the past week — I went from balmy Bermuda (have you been following my Instagram takeover?) to crisp spring Upstate New York. While normally I give myself a little more than eighteen hours turnaround between trips, this one was definitely worth the rush. From kayaking on Keuka Lake to taking a private glass blowing class in Corning, my first trip to the Finger Lakes could not have been more idyllic — and my big sis Margaret came too! How did it take me so long to get here?!
Over the weekend we retreated to Rochester and enjoyed some downtime with one minor exception — my first 10K! It felt so good to cross the finish line, though I’m definitely still walking a little funny as a result of my lack of training. Next week I’ll be checking in with more from my favorite state as I explore Ithaca for the first time and finally return to Albany for an all too brief bit of downtime before hitting the road once again.
Hope you all had a beautiful weekend… and Happy Monday!
Photo A
Vineyard hopping on the Keuka Lake Wine Trail
Photo B
Kayaking on Keuka Lake
Photo C
Beauty nature and man made at Watkins Glen, left, and the Rockwell Museum, right
Photo D
A memorable meal at Hand + Foot in Corning
Photo E
Exploring the Corning Museum of Glass…
Photo F
… and learning the art of the trade in one of their workshops!
Which photo is your favorite?
the food in rochester <33333333 i went to college there but try to visit my friends there at least a couple times a year…. it is very pretty up there in the fall and spring time!!
Indeed it is! I try to visit my sister up there once a year and I’ve made it the past 3 out of 4. I just love her house and love hanging around up there in Rochester 🙂
Photo A – Upstate New York has some of the best wine and the wine trails are so much fun. SO excited to see what you think of Ithaca – definitely check out Collegetown Bagels on College Avenue if you get a chance. CTB is an Ithaca institution and the bagels and sangria are definitely worth it!
Thanks for the tip Emily! Ithaca has been on my radar for a while now 🙂
C! And welcome back!
Thanks Jason! Feels great to be here.
Ooh the Corning Museum of Glass! Funny, I’ve heard a lot about that museum, as my friend used to work there. She grew up nearby in Big Flats. So, I have to say photo E this week!
It’s SUCH a gem of a museum and tucked away in this little corner of New York — I love it! When they told me it would take two days to really appreciate the museum I couldn’t believe it but now having been there, it is true!
Absolutely love the Finger Lakes – such a wonderful place for a peaceful retreat, and so many great wineries! Love that shot of Hand + Foot though!
I can’t believe it took me so long to get to the Finger Lakes. What a gorgeous part of New York!
photo B is so pretty
Thanks Julie! I love that reflection so much.
Photo A – exploring the wine trails in upstate NY is so much fun! So excited to see what you write about Ithaca. I went to college there so I am slightly biased, but it’s a pretty magical place.
I had a good friend who went to Cornell and now I can’t believe I never visited him. Better late than never!
E – that glass is gorgeous. Fun fact: my ancestors were glass blowers in Lithuania. Contemplating a genealogy trip next yr to hunt for clues! But not before I read “Everything is Illuminated,” obvs.
Wow! What a cool family history! Normally I’m not into family history stories and writing (it’s a common thing in travel writing, I feel) but that is one I would TOTALLY read.
Photo A called to me. I loved the tilt to the wine glass and the switched perspective (and color) of the building within it. So cool!
Thanks Laura! Wine definitely provides some fun photo ops! (And deliciousness.)
Congrats on finishing that 10k! 🙂 I remember the days when you would start posts about hiking trips stating that cardio severely challenges you – I have trouble believing that from now on! 😉 Okay, just kidding! 😉 But in all honesty: Good job! You should be very proud of yourself! 🙂
Ha it still is! Twelve minute miles aren’t anything to brag about 🙂 Yet I am still proud!
Photo E. Looks so cool!!
It was my favorite piece of art in the museum! Love!
A! It’s always gonna be the one with the wine for me 😉
Ha, I can relate! I never thought of myself a wine aficionado but the Finger Lakes is changing that!
Hi Alex!
I totally love all of your photos! Amazing! 🙂 If I have to choose… Photo B is my favourite!
Mine too I think 🙂 I just love reflections!
Photo C- a gorgeous balance of natural and human-made beauty. Or Photo E- Glass Museum?? Get out of my head!! what an amazing place to visit, I want all of it.
Yes! The museum is unbelievable — can’t wait to write more about it.
Photo E! Love the gradient of colors. So behind on your posts, but always look forward to reading about your adventures when I get the chance. 🙂
Aw, thanks Emily! I’m behind on writing them too, ha, so we are in this together!
I’m digging photo E! And congrats on finishing your first 10K. That’s quite an accomplishment 🙂
Thanks Justine! Feeling pretty proud 🙂
Photo E is awesome! And I love the wine glass photo.
Thanks Ashley! All about glass this week I guess 🙂
Photo A absolutely! Especially the second of them. Country style is my style! I would like to go there right away and enjoy that summer feeling it has already, drive a little tractor and so on.
It really is insanely beautiful! Couldn’t get enough of all the scenic barns 🙂
A and E for me! Great wine glass photo with A, and loving the colors for E!
Thanks Dani! Reflections are my favorite and a wine glass turned out to be the perfect subject to play with…
B! Glad you’ve been practicing for our Nashville adventures 😉
Heck yeah! Warming up for serious adventures 🙂 Still need to work on the bourbon drinking though…
C para mi por favor!
Gracias for the vote 🙂
Wow, that is a drastic change in scenery! I love Photo C.
It really is isn’t it! Makes me appreciate the wildness and diversity of the world.
Congratulations on the 10km race! I choose Photo B because she looks so relaxed.
Like me, maybe she’s happiest on the water!
Photo C! After seeing this post, I looked up some of these places to see how far they were from where I live (just over the border in Ontario). Not far at all! I’m thinking I may check out Watkins Glen – from the looks of your photo, it looks gorgeous!
That’s basically the greatest compliment you could give a travel blogger, Amanda! Watkins Glen IS gorgeous — and combines so well with a trip to Corning!
Looking forward to a future post on your trip to Watkins Glen! 🙂
So happy to hear everyone is as excited as I am about Upstate New York 🙂
Photo C! Glass blowing is so cool! I got to see a demonstration of it a few years ago and would have loved to try it.
It was such an amazing experience — I really hope I get to return for a weekend or week long workshop sometime in the future.