Rock Scrambling in the Mohonk Preserve



Kate and Neil on our hike up at Lake Minnewaska



My sister and I at the Culinary Institute



...my sister Kate and her husband, Neil are presently visiting from Alberta, Canada. They came to see NYC (well, and us of course) but find that they are having just as much fun 80 miles North....where John and I live, in High Falls. I've taken them to some of my favorite places...  the CIA (Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park); the walkway across the Hudson River, but my favorite is hiking in the Mohonk Preserve or Minnewaska State Park, both of which are literally in our back yard. They joined me with my regular Wednesday morning hiking group as we did the pleasant Beacon Hill/Lake Minnewaska loop, but the most fun was Thursday when we did the Labyrinth up at the Mohonk Mountain House.

 They really enjoyed rock scrambling and we are planning on doing Rock Rift - another hike and scramble tomorrow (Sunday).



The Breathtaking View of Mohonk Mountain House from Skytop



Having Fun During Our Rock Scramble



Niagara Wine Tour

It seems only fitting that I compose this blog after consuming 3 glasses of wine, since after all, it is about wine! John and I took a beautiful drive up to Canada this past Labor day to spend the weekend with our good friends Barry and Sue in Oakville, Ontario. We spent 3 fun-filled days going here and there, but undoubtedly, my favorite day was day "three" when we spent the entire day exploring the Niagara Wine Region and stopping in to say "hi" to Niagara Falls where we hadn't been in eighteen years or so. The weather was so-so, but turned into decent as we visited the first of the wineries, Château des Charmes, which is where Barry and Sue's daughter, Shannon got married almost 15 years ago.