ashleyd /

A Hudson Valley Fourth of July

Happy Monday! I hope you all have had as good a Monday as possible after a long weekend. It’s been a long day in these neck of the woods as we were up at 4:45 this morning! After the Sunday trains had sold out, we decided to catch the 6:40 train from Rhinebeck back to New York City. It was an early morning, but it allowed us an extra night of vacation and by 8:30 I was at my desk working away!

In addition to the Hudson Valley Hike post I wrote last night, I wanted to give you guys a bit more of a look at the fun weekend we head together! What better way to do that than a quick sentence per picture recap?

Each of our nights included hours talking around the small charcoal grill while Bo and Bob grilled rib-eye, lamb chops, spareribs and chicken each night.

IMG_1709

Walking through the town of Kingston, NY was the perfect way to spend a morning. There are adorable shops, cafes with Kombucha on tap, lots of little restaurants, and bakeries on almost every corner.

IMG_1722

We fell in love with Fleisher’s Meats so much so that we bought four nights worth of meat there on the first day as well as enough bacon to feed in army. The only thing that makes this butcher even better is that I just discovered they have another location WALKING DISTANCE from our new apartment in Brooklyn!

IMG_1725

Each morning we were able to watch deer dine on leaves and flowers while we sipped our tea and coffee.

IMG_1801

Happy Fourth of July from a local Woodstock resident!

IMG_1802

These Levain Bakery copycat cookies didn’t last 24 hours in our house, thanks to a few cookie monsters. It’s safe to say that Kristin was right – these are incredible!

IMG_1798

Thank you Greatist to providing us with the most delicious guacamole recipe this weekend!

IMG_1796

Regardless their age, boys will be boys!

IMG_1770

Little known fact, Bo wishes he was at the Grateful Dead Fare Thee Well Tour or the live simulcast this weekend.

IMG_1803

This uphill road never seemed to end, but the lake views at the end of the hike certainly were gorgeous!

IMG_1838

Just taking a break along the lake to enjoy the views and fresh air.

IMG_1847

This morning, these train station stairs signaled the end of vacation.

IMG_1891

Share Button
Follow:
ashleyd /

Hiking in the Hudson Valley

Greetings from the Hudson Valley, where we’ve spent a very relaxing long weekend. The weekend was just what my body needed after the craziness of last week.

Bo’s parents were so sweet to organize a family weekend in Bearsville, New York just a fifteen-minute drive from Woodstock, New York and an hour and a half train ride from New York City.

IMG_1718

Their goal for the weekend was to have a relaxing family vacation which allowed us to each do what we wanted or needed, whether that meant hiking, relaxing in the hot tub, cooking, baking, or in my case, sleeping a lot.

IMG_1733

On Friday, we headed to Black Creek Preserve for an easy, relaxed hike. I wasn’t feeling up to the challenge of a longer hike so this 2.5-mile hike was the perfect distance. The trailhead was only 30 minutes from our weekend rental, perfect for a quick afternoon activity in between a relaxing morning of reading and an afternoon hot tub session.

IMG_1737

The loop hike took us 1.5 hours and is perfect for people of all availabilities as well as canine friends, as we saw many leashed dogs along the trail.

IMG_1738IMG_1748 IMG_1750

The trail took us over a 120-foot suspension bridge, up a short switchback path, past small, pools, across streams, along an old stone wall, and along the Hudson River.

IMG_1740IMG_1745

We paused when we reached the Hudson River to enjoy panoramic views and take pictures.

IMG_1754 IMG_1764 IMG_1771 IMG_1774

If you’re in the Hudson Valley and looking for a relaxing way to spend a morning or afternoon, definitely head to the Black Creek Trail. Each of us thoroughly enjoyed the hike though we are all at different fitness levels!

IMG_1784

Share Button
Follow:
ashleyd /

Friday Favorites – July Edition #1

Happy Friday everyone and greetings from Bearsville, NY.

IMG_1704

After sleeping nine hours last night and taking it very easy on the food front, I woke up feeling MUCH better.  It wasn’t easy to eat a dinner of applesauce, saltines, and plain baked potato while the rest of the group sipped red wine and enjoyed charcoal grilled rib eye steak, potato salad and fresh tomatoes!

IMG_1713

I’m not 100% but I definitely look more like myself and can enjoy the gorgeous surroundings.

IMG_1718  

Our plans for the weekend include hiking, boating and spending a lot of time on the wrap around porch grilling. What are your plans for the long weekend? Are you celebrating the Fourth of July locally or getting out of town? To my European friends, I hope you’re staying cool. I can’t believe it’s over 100 degrees in most of Europe!

Enjoy this week’s edition of Friday Favorites, including recipes, articles, posts and other items that caught my eye this week.

Kristin’s Instagram inspired us to add these copycat Levain Bakery chocolate chip cookies to our list of things to make this weekend!

 Copycat Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookie | Broma Bakery

Okay, I know I’m late to the party but I finally started watching Orange is the New Black. I loved the first two episodes,  but am sad to hear that most people aren’t enjoying the third season. Oh well, I guess I can at least enjoy the first two seasons until I get to season 3.

Most of us spend far too much time on smart phones, iPads and computers which is resulting in pinched nerves, muscle imbalances and neck pains. This helpful Daily Burn post will help you remedy your aches and pains!

This invention will revolutionize how people can detect if they have an STD without getting tested!

Not quite ready for all the photographs and selfie sessions this Summer? This helpful post from Cupcakes and Cashmere gives a few easy tips for becoming more photogenic in just seconds!

If you’re looking for new shorts, you must head over to Loft! Their shorts game is totally on point this season with styles of every length, color and price. My favorite are the striped Riviera shorts, the scallop Riviera shorts, and these dark rinse denim shorts.

Image of Double Stripe Riviera Shorts with 4 Inch Inseam

We want to be back in NYC Sunday night in time to watch the Women’s World Cup championship game – USA vs Japan! After watching this hype video, there is no way you won’t catch the fever and want to watch the big game Sunday night!

OPGM-43682

In keeping with the USA soccer team, this story by Christie Rampone, captain of the soccer team, talks about the role of age in sports.

Rock’n’Roll just posted the course video for the Rock’n’Roll Brooklyn Half Marathon! I can’t wait to run through our new borough with so many of our friends!

Your turn, what are you guys loving this week?

Share Button
Follow: