Mini vacations: DAY TRIPPERS

 September 2020

Rome, Oswego 1,000 Islands,  Tully, Potsdam NY

I certainly have not let COVID slow me down this summer. I had several day trips that were incredibly exciting and rewarding. As the warm weather slowly faded into fall, I have taken several seasonal or end of the season trips over the last month. 

One day, my friend Tammy and I took a trip north to Oswego, NY where we headed towards lake Ontario for a bite to eat at Rudy's Lakeside. 

This "beach" area has some of the best rocks for painting and we found several as we hunted for some nonpainted rocks as well. 

The water is so nice and calming. We both just say for awhile enjoying the scenery.

Some of the painted rocks we found there.

It was a perfectly lovely day for the beach.There were even kids who took a dip in these beautiful waters, and we watched a pup who apparently was unfamiliar with the water take his first dip. 

Rudy's is well known for it's fish, but it also is really good fried anything. I had a burger, fries and we split some cheese sticks. Tammy got a sandwich and some fried cauliflower. All was yummy!

After lunch we headed to the marina where we decided to rent some kayaks. In the bay areas we found some boats as well as some other Marine artifacts. A few years earlier I had visited this area with David and Renee to see replicas of the Nina and the Pinta in this very port. 

We made our way to the Kayak rental place and geared up. 

I'll admit I hadn't been to excited about the idea when Tammy had brought it up, but I was thankful once we started off down the waterway. 

A kayak purchase had been discussed with my husband and I prior to the pandemic, but when I was finally ready to purchase one, there was a shortage everywhere. This pandemic had certainly brought out the naturalist in everyone. In hindsight it was probably a good thing we didn't get around to those kayak purchases this year, after all we bought bikes in January and only rode them one the entire biking season.  

Good thing Tammy was here to force me out on the water once last time before it got to cold. 

I have taken several kayaking rides over my lifetime, I am certainly far from an expert and for the most part they seem to be fairly easy to handle. Despite this, I have never taken a kayak out into water that has any waves. This water was full of waves and it was quite windy. Add a few boats pulling into port and it became quite the bumpy ride. I initially freaked...but I soon got used to the ebbs and flows of the rocky waves and set off towrds teh small lighthouse ahead of me. 

It turned out to be great fun. I am even more interested in finding my own kayak for future seaworthy trips. Great times were had that day.

One day I took a day trip to Rome NY with my daughter. Apparently I am one of the only people unaware that Sunflower fields are a "thing" or destination to go to. This was my daughters gig. She had seen friends do pictures in sunflower fields and insisted that we do a trip as well. 

We stopped att his nice farm in Rome, NY for a little flower fun.

There was an enterance fee of $5- per person. This gave us access to the fields, the corn maze and the wagon rides. 

There were sure a whole lot of sunflowers and they were very pretty.

There were many signs identified that there would be Bees, but the signs also identified the value and importance of the bees in helping the sunflowers to grow. My new neighbors had a gigantic apple tree in their yard which also sheilded my deck space of the sun. One day this summer they had it cut down, it was sad. I asked about it and I was told, there trees had to many bee's. Really? I was certainly saddened to hear that this was the reasoning for the tree removal, and now our deck is exposed to the elements too. 

It was quite a brilliant backdrop for pictures and while my daughter and I posed for a few selfies, we noticed other families had also taken the opportunity to use these fall flowers for a photo opt. Many people had arrived dressed up and matching for the perfect family photo.

There were props too.

After enjoying the sunflowers we took advantage of the included price trip on the wagon ride. This was quite the wagon though. Nice bus like seats, an electric heater (which was not needed today) cup holders and electric plugs located with in reach of each seat. 

I guess the ride was really just for the views because it never did stop anywhere. Fields of flowers grew vast around us, and as we approached tiny black birds would fly for the skies. The sunflower seeds are a yummy treat I am sure. 

At the main gate, we looked at the homemade items for sale and decided against any purchases. The bees have a welcomed home here at the sunflower fields. 

Despite being unemployed at current. I have decided to maintain my certification and every three years I have to re-certify. On one morning, I went into the city and had my figerprints updated to the NY state system. (I do think this is a silly thing, as my fingerprints have most certainly not changed over the years.) On my way home, I took a brisk walk along the Creek walk. I had several painted rocks to hide, so I hid them along the way. 

Some of the beauty along the walk. The canal walk in Syracuse has grown over the years and at this part of the trail it meanders along the creek and past the Galleries mall leading to Onondaga Lake. There are also parts of the creek walk that wander into the city. 

Some of my rocks were found and pictured on the facebook group 315rocks. Its alway fun to see that your rocks made it to someone who appreciated them. 

On one of my adventures with Tammy we took a day trip to the Thousand Islands and Alexandria Bay. 

A few summers ago, Mark and I camped up here and spent some time exploring the area, as well as taking the Uncle Sams boat tour. Today, Tammy and I just enjoyed the cool breezes and the village of A-Bay stopping in stores and having a nice lunch. 

We walked out along the dock and enjoyed the beautiful St. Lawrence River.

Bolt Castle, on Heart Island,  lies amongst the many Islands of the waterway, I have visited a few times and the places is lovely, with it's own sad history of a man who built the home for his wife who passed before its completion. 

The areas town park offers a nice view of the river/Bolt Castle and the many ships that pass along this river. This is a great place to bring the kids as it has an awesome playground and a nice beach area. They also hold their annual Pirate Weekend at this park. 

After sitting with the calm of the breezes and the beauty we drove to Clayton for some of the area ice cream. My first of the season. (well end of the season) 

A wonderful day away from the house. 

Another adventure with my daughter brought us to Beak and Skiff Apple Orchard and Winery. In an attempt to do all things fall related we felt as need to pick apples for the season. It was a lucky chance that this orchard also has a winery. 

We stopped at the store first and got a glance at the bees. They have all kinds of goodies in the store including cheese curds, honey, apple cider, and apple butter.

We then made our way to the tastings room for a little boozie ciders and wine. 

For $5- we recieved 5 tastings. Due to the state mandates and Covid, we also had to pay a dollar for some crackers. (In NY you have to have food with any drinks)

We enjoyed a packed lunch of pepperoni, cheese and crackers as we basked in the beautiful fall sun sipping on some of the most delish hard ciders and wine. We ended up purchasing some for camp later. 

The traditional wagon ride into the apple orchard was closed due to the COVID, so we hiked it UP the hill to the picking area. This week was Cortlands which I love. One of my favorites. 

Apparently the weekend prior was one of the largest crowds they have seen and it took us awhile to find trees full of lush ready to pick apples. At first we only found litte ones . I wasgetting depressed. BUT then we saw some at the far end of the field. 

We picked about $5- worth before we headed to the area playground. When the kids we little, we always enjoyed this apple orchard. I had Alexis pose with the kids for sale sign as well as the measuring apple like when they were all little. 

We also took a trip down the slide. It was a bit painful all those ridges . Alexis got a video of me screaming all the way down. 

Once we left the orchard, we decided to do a little thrifty shopping in the Valley section of Syracuse. We then headed to the Duck pond. I have been here several times before, as have the kids, but it has been awhile. We purchased some feed and these guys flocked to us. It was actually pretty amazing. 

There were several usual suspects such as the ducks and the geese, but there was also this guy with a strange nose and the best had to be the swan.

I had never seen a swan leave the pond and visit with us on the shore. This beauty came right up and made us aware of his presence. 

I didn't realize just how big these guys can get. 

We fed him some corn and later spoke with a women at the pond(actually I know her) about the interaction. He had accidently bit me when feeding. We were told of one swan who had followed a worker around all the time for the entire duration of living in the pond. We were also told that one needs a permit to host a swan. Since this guy came here on his own, they didn't have to get a permit. Interesting stuff right there.

Alexis and I had an enjoyable little outing right here in our backyard. 

One day, Tammy and I took an adventure to her hometown of Potsdam, NY. I have never actually been there. We had not gone for an adventure, but we did do a little sightseeing. 

I attempted to get a picture of the gigantic life saver package. 

Tammy had informed me that she had done pictures of this for her photography class. I just thought it was cool. 

I also got a kick out of the potty garden in Potsdam. These flower potted toilets line several of the streets of Potsdam. Apparently as the story goes, a man who had owned land was forced to move by the local college.( Clarkson University)

Or maybe it was zoneing laws, but for whatever reason he started these potty gardens in protest. 

Its pretty crazy. So ugly yet so pretty at the same time. 

I enjoyed listening to Tammy's stories of growing up in the area as well as visiting her college where both she and her husband attended Canton College.  Thed grounds are very pretty.

On our way home I found a kindness rock. 

It was a long trip, but I very much enjoyed the time with Tammy at her old stomping grounds. 

I had already seen the sunflowers, picked the apples now we had to get some pumpkins, so one day Tammy and I headed out to seek some pumpkin patches.  When the kids were young we always enjoyed Tim's pumpkin patch. It was free to go and the pumpkins were always cheep and one price for whatever you wanted. Things sure have changed over the years. Tims now has an admission price and $10- pumpkins are a NO go for me. 

We paid the admission price and enjoyed the patech. 

We did all the pumpkin related activities as well as doing a short walk through the corn maze, 

there were even some sun flowers.

I just love all the bumbs and charcter of these pumpkins. 

The best part of the visit was the farm animals. 

There were fowl....

and some cute little pigs.

 as well as their BIG BIG brothers....

The calf's were supper cute and very friendly

There was even a donkey. I thought she/he was a baby, but she looks pregnant, or maybe she is really fat in the belly. (I totally understand.)

The goats were all above saying hello. 

It must be lunch time.

This guys has some big horns. 

while this one looks straight out of some satanic movie...look at the evil glowing eyes. WOW!

After the pumpkin patch Tammy and I went seeking the local Buffalo, which we never found, but we ended up in Skaneateles NY. This wealthy small community has lovely little shops and sits right on the lake of the towns name. 

Very pretty with the clouds overhead. 

We enjoyed a nice walk out along the pier before we headed back to the main street where we did some local shopping. 

Its a pretty town and they do a Dickens Christmas every December which has been something I have attended in the past.  On our way home we found this lovely little park that was really a hidden gem.

Truly a nature center with kids in mind, there are several signaexplaining the nature around . Three is also an inside center that seemed to be closed due to the COVID, but we certainly enjoyed taking the trail and found ourselves a few painted rocks at the pavilion. 

Continuing along the trail we found this stick cabin 

and a real cabin

Every natural beauty offered information about the species. It was quite informative. I do recall a visit to this place when I was in elementary school for a class trip. I very much enjoyed the time we spent here.

One more pumpkin patch stop. We had seen this place on our way to Tim's so we stopped on the way home./ No admission price, but there were no farm animals either. (well none that we saw-maybe only on the weekends)They did offer some lesser priced pumpkins however.

I enjoyed the advice from a pumpkin....

and these goose necked gourds were incredible.

I found a rather large pumpkin in the $5- bin and decided that that would be the one I'd bring homw. Historically UI have gone HAlloween crazy and have caved some seriously amazingly fun pumpkins, but this year I don't think we are doing much of anything. I am definately not hosting my annual Halloween Partyy. Originally we were not going to be here on Halloween this year as we would be returning from Mexico. Unfortunately COVID killed that plan. 

Tammy and I enjoyed a late lunch at Finally Ours dinner before we took a nostalgic drive down the areas legendary 13 Curves.

As a  teen, a bunch of us would drive out to this location at night and sit on the side of the road waiting for some ghost or other nightly creature to show itself. I can't recall if we ever saw anything, but I do know I was always freaked out!

Our last trip to camp was to close up for the winter. Riley enjoyed one last play with his new friend Flash and I took one last trip to Forest Park until next year.

I absolutely love this park and will miss my many trips through it. 

The park is always pretty , but it was even more amazing with the fall colors. 

The fall has always been my favorite time of year and I am so glad, that despite the continued threat of COVID, I have been blessed to enjoy some of my favorite fall outdoor activities and some day trips during a year of staying at home.  TTFN