Skaneateles

Wednesday, November 20, 2019 by  

After ziplining at Niagara Falls (click here for video: Niagara), we said goodbye to Ontario, Canada & headed 3 hours south to the Benn Conger Inn, a gorgeous Colonial built in 1921 for State Senator Conger in Tompkins County, New York, winery country.

Owners Peter Zon & Douglas Yurubi greeted us warmly upon our arrival after 9:30pm with local wine for Phillip and a cozy place for us to eat a late dinner. The stories we shared, the majesty of the house & their divine breakfast made for a memorable stay & wishes for an expeditious return! 

 

Peter & Doug organized a lovely boat trip on the Skaneateles River in Onondaga County, a rural community in the Finger Lakes Region. Skaneateles is an Iroquois term meaning “long lake,” 16 miles long, 315’ deep!

The captain’s tour of spectacular mansions and their prestigious owners captivated us all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afterwards, we toured the historic Sherwood Inn, circa 1800, followed by a hearty dinner at a pub before our daughter purchased exquisite handcrafted art pieces from the enchanting Skaneateles Artisan’s Gallery Under the Old Stone Mill. .

         

(Credits: Skaneateles Artisans Under the Old Stone Mill & Benn Conger Inn)

 

bright spot flowerThe Bright Spot – The tranquility was revitalizing and seeing the famous portrait of Madame X, Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau, in person was delightful!!

Oil on canvas, 1884

 

Below is my brochure & the painting can be see above over the main staircase.

(Credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art)


Bianca

Blue Moon Blast Off!

Sunday, September 2, 2012 by  

What better way to end Summer Fun 2012 than with a sky full of colorful fireworks on the beach in New York!  http://theletstalkmom.com/tea-talk-momversations/immigrants-aliens-the-american-girl/A Blue Moon smiled down on us as my husband wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close. I leaned my head on his chest, the Fireworks YAYscent of him, his cologne and cotton candy was intoxicating. We watched the children with delight, eyes wide with wonder, as they enjoyed the last few nights of warmth & sea air this late summer weekend. Music rocked the crowd and folks started dancing on the boardwalk. It was like a movie.

The next day we took the kids to the Intrepid to visit the newly-opened Space Shuttle Pavilion. I didn’t realize seeing it for the 1st time up close would actually take my breath away~more than once at that!

Space Shuttle on Intrepid, Welcome to Space Shuttle Pavilion, exciting Labor Day 2012Space Shuttle Enterprise over Central Park, New York, Courtesy of NASA and Space Shuttle Intrepid Museum, Flight over Manhattan, Heading to Intrepid    Space Shuttle Enterprise, NASA flight to New York City, Courtesy: Intrepid Museum & Space Shuttle Pavilion, Enterprise heads to Intrepid   Space Shuttle Enterprise on Intrepid, powerful, marvel, American ingenuity, pride, US space program

Phillip gently touched the wing. “Don’t touch!” I chided, snapping into Mom mode and pointing to the Do Not Touch sign. “It was in outer space,” he defended, “it’s a marvel and I cannot leave without touching it. Besides, look at the side here – meteorites hit it & gouged the side panels. I can’t not touch it, it’s within reach, I’m not even leaning!” Space Shuttle Enterprise, damage on space shuttle, damage on panels, damage from meteorite, meteorides, Intrepid

Space Shuttle Enterprise in space, earth, attached shuttle, Enterprise, amazing photo, Courtesy of Intrepid Museum and Space Shuttle Pavilion

 

Space Shuttle on Intrepid, Intrepid Air, Sea and Space Museum, Intrepid, NYCLater we toured the Intrepid aircraft carrier (see: http://theletstalkmom.com/tea-talk-momversations/immigrants-aliens-the-american-girl/ for another story about the Intrepid!)

This visit we learned Intrepid is almost as long as the Chrysler Building (pic on right) Intrepid- height of Chrysler Building NYC, New York City, aircraft carrier, museum& when it housed 3,000 people, the cooks used to bake 700 loaves of bread & grill 1,500 chickens per day! Per day! For years! Puts its size in perspective…

The Bright SpotTM bright spot flower – Phillip’s spot on: Enterprise, NASA, the astronauts & our space history are all truly marvels! Bravo to American ingenuity!


Bianca

Zumba Kicks It!

Thursday, March 22, 2012 by  

Bianca's sister in Puerto Vallarta, MexicoMy sister loves Mexico. She lived in Puerto Vallarta for years while dating a Grammy award-winning rock star; she learned the language, loves the music & culture, learned to cook traditional cuisine and can tear up the dance floor.

She’s always been daring & adventuresome whether hopping in her open-topped Jeep Wrangler driving thousands of miles from New York > Puerto Vallarta, or hopping out of airplanes.Skydiving, Bianca's sister jumping out of a plane

I visited her many times in Mexico, especially the years I lived in Texas, and we spent many a night shakin’ our thang to the beat of night music at the clubs along the famous malecon – the seaside promenade.

Mexico, Bianca Tyler in Mexico, Puerto VallartaMy sister’s always been more athletic than me. So it is no wonder that when Zumba came on the scene, there she was rippin it up every day, begging me to join her.

It’s taken months but I finally joined her today. I learned I’m not as young as I used to be (yes, to the right is the “then” in Mexico, the couch pic below is the “now” LOL!)

We have a tendency in our family to jump headfirst into everything with zeal and passion and exhuberance.

But somehow my freespirited soul didn’t tell my back that. Or my knee or my butt.

That’s right – Zumba kicked my butt!!Feeties up, relaxation, hanging out, chillin'

I came home aching & aaahhing and did what I love to do nowadays more than ever – hang out with my kids and put my feet UP!

The Bright SpotTM – I love my couch!


Bianca