Travel Family – Page 5 – Brightside Nomads

Road Trip

“And they’re off!” – Saratoga Springs, NY

By mamawanderer September 16, 2017

WATER! WATER?

In planning this trip there is one thing that has been so intriguing I couldn’t wait to see what it was all about, the allure of the Saratoga spring water. While at the farm we bought a bottle of Saratoga Springs Sparkling water and it was so bubbly and delicious I couldn’t wait to put my cup under a fountain and taste more of this deliciousness. Cups in hand on the hunt we went. Wow did we have a surprise in store, my only wish is I would’ve video taped the kids tasting their first sip of fountain water! Gags followed by spitting water across the lawn. I’m pretty sure this isn’t the way to consume this beverage for maximum health benefit. Our efforts weren’t deterred as we kept thinking one of the fountains must contain delicious bubbly water. I think we hit at least 15 fountains, some tasted like earth dirt, others like metal, surfer, poop….none were as good as that blue bottle of bubbles, but never the less, the search was super fun and we had many laughs with the anticipation of how bad the next fountain would taste. At the State Park we did find a fountain with people swarmed around it filling up jug after jug. This was a good sign and although the water here was not bubbly it was crisp and delicious. Yeah! We ended our water tour on this high note with full glasses and happy faces.

Victoria Pool

The unseasonably hot weather also resulted in a search for water to swim in and boy did we find a gem in Saratoga Springs . Victoria Pool at Saratoga Spa State Park is the oldest heated pool in the US. The heat is off now making it a very refreshing dip on a hot day, but well worth it. Swimming while surrounded by beautiful buildings with arched colonnades takes you back in time and I couldn’t help but let my mind try to envision what it would’ve been like in the 1930’s. Saratoga Spa State Park – Victoria Pool

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

My horse experience is minimal, and racing is a world I know virtually nothing about. The extent of my knowledge is the Triple Cup, Mint Juleps, and fancy hats. At my grandparents I remember betting on the Kentucky Derby once and I won, the purse was probably less than $10 but this was huge at the time and I was ecstatic. Now this museum is so incredibly amazing, I surprised myself by liking it. It is hard to fathom how much history, knowledge and expertise lies within this sport. It is fascinating and I enjoyed everything from learning about the anatomy of a horse, the history of the race, to viewing the vast collection of artwork related to horse racing. Whether you are a horse person or not this museum is worth a visit. The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

Farmers Hardware

We stumbled across this gem and fell in love with the atmosphere and food. A model for hipster charm, it was as if someone walked into their grandpa’s garage, pulled everything out, waved a magic wand and all the old stuff was arranged into a magnificent space. The fast causal joint had a super friendly vibe great service and most importantly phenomenal food. The girls scarfed down entire B.L.T’s and my Dragon Bowl was delicious. Everything was super fresh and pure yum. Farmers Hardware 35 Maple Ave. Saratoga Springs, New York

Road Trip

Can we buy a horse? Farm life in Gansevoort, New York

By mamawanderer September 15, 2017

Can we trade our parents in for a cat?

This may have been our biggest mistakes as parents! Yes, there should be a guide to parenting with a huge caution sign stating “NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE LET YOUR CHILDREN EXPERIENCE FARM LIFE” This is true, if the kids had a choice they would’ve sold their parents for a horse. There is just too much to love when surrounded by animals. In all honesty, as I tried to pry them inside to study, while they tried to escape, they would’ve traded me in for a barn cat! It was a slice of heaven, horses, chickens, turkeys, and two barn cats! The only thing I could’ve done without were the flies! At least one for every inch of sky, somehow the kids don’t seem to be bothered by the swarms though. The farm was a blast, relaxation, freedom, fresh chicken eggs and a horse ride to top it off.

Barn beauty

Lacy ready to ride

Sienna and Kahula

Hello there!

Wagon anyone?

Colette lovin’ the farm

Still on the farm

Barn beauty

Hang on

Can’t get enough

Sienna in heaven

Breakfast

Getting ready to steal eggs!

scoping out the chickens

Egg ninjas

Giddy up!

Our ride! It’s a dream come true for Sienna. She was born half horse, until 6 years old her main mode of transportation was “horsey running” on all fours. Neighs, are second nature, and she has wanted a horse since she could talk. The opportunity for her to ride will probably be the highlight of her year. Of course we were all excited as we ventured across 12 acres of beautiful land on a morning ride with a kind, easy going guide. Matt’s horse was excited to give him a little taste of everything including a jump over a mud pit! The kids did an amazing job with their horses and even helped clean up and brush their beauties after. I think we all fell in love a bit with these beautiful creatures.

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Home

I don’t know if you can call all Airbnb’s “home” but this one was. The owner’s of this slice of heaven were so kind they made us feel right at home and the care they put into their establishment was evident. A beautiful unique setting made the experience better than anything we could’ve expected. I would return for vacation any day (with a can of bug spray)

Cool Places

“She lives in Canada. I met her at Niagra Falls; you wouldn’t know her.”

By PapaWanderer September 14, 2017

A classic line from one of the all-time greatest movies, “The Breakfast Club“. I was thinking this would be a cheesy tourist trap and that the falls would be nothing but some rapids falling over small cliffs. Much to my surprise, I was wrong. The falls were pretty cool and my kids had an awesome time peering over the edge as the massive gushing water fell what seemed like a couple hundred feet.

I also realized that my kids (maybe all kids) have no fear of heights. They’d run up to the edge and almost climb the guardrail to peer over. Drove Katie and I a bit crazy but the kids loved it. We visited the American side, even though almost everyone we talked to said to go Canadian. The fact that we didn’t have our passports made it an easy choice. The views were still spectacular. We started at the Goat Island lot and hiked our way around to the main area from there.

The Goat Island overlook allows you to get right up close to where the water drops from the cliff. (only like 5 feet away!) You could really hear and feel the power of the falls.

We ended up, as I’m sure most do, at the pay-to-play 200 ft. high scenic overlook and Maid of the Mist boat ride. The scenic deck sits over 200 ft. high and juts out over the cliffs in midair. Awesome views!

We next went down to the Maid of the Mist and donned our protective rain gear to prepare for the ultimate splash ride. Though it wasn’t nearly as wet as I would have liked, we had a blast. I got a sickly sweet touristy euphoria while feeling the spray of millions of gallons of water crashing down around me. I felt a little dirty for enjoying it so much.

Thus ends our excursion for the day to Niagra. I recommend to all that it’s worth a visit, even if just to the American side. Here are some final pics of our adventure.

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Road Trip

Watkins Glen, New York

By mamawanderer September 12, 2017

Camp Life

Camping for three days is a first for our kids, and oh my they loved it!!! Long hikes, campfire cooking, hammocks, and belly laughs for hours. We decided to ease them into it by renting a rustic cabin instead of a tent which was perfect. I don’t know what it is but bunk beds make kids happy. Freedom makes them even more happy and they had the campground to themselves to wander. There were long games of Harry Potter (lots of wands hidden in the woods) and many trips to the bathroom. Matt and I enjoyed moments of silence around camp as the wild ones wandered and all was great!

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The Gorge

This place…WOW! Its almost as if you landed on another planet. Suddenly, and it happens fast, you look around and are surrounded by the tallest swirling walls of rock and looking ahead this is all you see. On a short hike you can view 19 waterfalls which all are spectacular in their own way. Get ready for lots of stairs, some steep edges and cool splashes from the falls. The kids loved walking under the waterfalls and finding small plants, mushrooms, and a frog along the way. For the adults this natural sculpture water has carved throughout time is incredible and the moderate hike is great for a family adventure.

Day Trip – Cornell

When Cornell is so close why not check it out. So we ventured on our 1st college tour, and now at least two of our kids want to go to school here, which is great motivation for homeschooling! haha It is a beautiful campus, with a George in the middle, and a suspension bridge, what?!? So if you study hard enough to get into Cornell wow you deserve such a beautiful place to attend college.

Road Trip

1st Stop – Buffalo, New York

By mamawanderer September 9, 2017

Lunch Break

Stormy Skies

Arriving in Buffalo

7 hours later and Buffalo, New York greets us with an intense storm followed by sunshine revealing a rainbow. This is a good sign. The day we left our hometown of East Jordan, Michigan there was a full rainbow which we took as a good omen to start our adventure and now another! Maybe we should be searching for the pot of gold. Today we were in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. The kids thought this was pretty cool, we look forward to many more to come.

Home away from home: Buffalo, New York – Airbnb

Our first of many Airbnb homes

Harry Potter games in the backyard

Relaxing hammock time

Our Airbnb home away from home was an instant hit with the kids mainly due to its bright orange hue. Deemed the “Orange House” for the rest of our stay, it was spacious, and had a beautiful backyard. A short walk away were two AMAZING bakeries and I don’t even think amazing gives these places enough accolades, they are that great!

Bread Hive

Hmmm…Pretzel or Bagel?

Waiting for food

If home is where the heart is Bread Hive is home. The love in this space is comparable to my mother’s kitchen. Simple perfection with each pretzel twist surely holding a piece of the baker’s soul. Everything looked like it needed to be eaten immediately, and what we did sample lived up to the visual appeal and smell, simply delicious. Get there. Bread Hive – 402 Connecticut St., Buffalo, NY 14213

Five Points Bakery and Toast Cafe

Five Points Bakery

Slicing Perfection

Colette enjoying every bite

“Power” yum yum

A slice of heaven in the form of bread. Yes, the bread gods have sprinkled some magic dust on this bakery. “Toast Bar” really? Combinations including Apple Cider – with triple cream brie, Cinnamon Swirl – with vanilla icing, and Vollkornbrot – with sauerkraut and raclette for the more adventurous. Generous portions served on eclectic pantry dishes by the kindest of hands. I could spend a day here eating bread in such a peaceful environment. Five Points Bakery and Toast Cafe – 44 Brayton St. Buffalo, NY 14213

Albert-Knox Art Gallery

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When on your first day in Buffalo you discover the Albert-Knox Art Gallery has a homeschool class on landscape painting you know the day is going to be great. Bonus, while Colette and Sienna painted away the rest of our crew could wander the galleries for free. I filled my neglected art soul while we tried to keep hold of Lennox. He was a big fan of Shark Girl, good tastes little man. Albert-Knox Art Gallery – 1285 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222

Eternal Flame Falls

Super Colette

Colette & Dad

tired kids

the falls

happy

Oh Yeah!

Great hike to a natural gas-fueled “eternal flame.” The hike down is a beauty, a clean well traveled trail takes you to a stream which you hike along until you reach the falls. When we arrived the flame was out and nobody had a lighter, I’m sure this is a novice mistake but even without the flame it was beautiful. My puddle jumpers were especially fond of the squishy sections and opportunity to splash as always. Eternal Flame Hiking Trail

Buffalo’s Original….Yes Buffalo Wings! (Anchor Bar)

It’s not Buffalo without wings. We had to swing by Anchor Bar and give them a try. Thumbs up from the McLeod’s and the place is pretty fun too. Anchor Bar – 1047 Main St. Buffalo, NY 14209

Road Trip

Goodbye Home. Hello Adventure

By mamawanderer September 6, 2017

Let’s just start by shouting “THE CAR IS PACKED!!!” at the top of our lungs. Yes, this is really happening. (jumping up and down arms flying through the air) We’ve been thinking, planning and dreaming for far to long and today is the day. Really, how much time can you spend packing? Lets just say far to many of my lifetime minutes have been spent on this task I loathe. So lets shove everything in, cross our fingers and hit the road. I’m ready!

Saying goodbye is never easy for me and to see your kids shed a few tears when saying goodbye to their comfort, friends, family, toys, home. Basically everything they have known in their entire existence on this planet it’s a little tough. The good thing is we are all super excited for our adventures to begin. We have been talking about this for a long time and I think the kids are most excited to get to the Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream factory tour. Anything sweet has that enchanting allure for them. As much as I try to avoid this reality, the fact is kids are driven by sugar.

We’re on the road, hitting four states in 1 day is pretty impressive and a airbnb in Buffalo, New York is waiting for us with comfy beds. Goodbye home. Hello adventures.