lets go picking

hello! last weekend dustin and I both had the luxury of having Columbus day off so we decided last minute to take advantage of the extra long weekend and go on a little adventure. I have been longing to go apple picking but it seems that every weekend the forecast has been gloomy with 100% chance rain (wah wah wah). but the weather finally was on our side for a day and decided not to rain. hallelujah! we decided this was our chance to go apple picking so we rented a car and started our little trek upstate to Applewood Orchards for a day of fun. (also, I am loving that dustin turned 25 because we can actually rent a car for a reasonable price. yay for becoming old.)

unfortunately since it was so late in the season, most the apples have already been picked or had fallen on the ground. but that didn't stop ^^this guy from having fun. he found this stick and would fling fallen apples up in the air and try to hit them with the stick. I swear sometimes I already deal with a child, but at least I know he will be quite the entertainer with our future little ones.

we were still able to find some apples that hadn't been picked or have fallen on the ground but we really had to look. we had to duck on the tree branches and look in every nook and cranny of the tree. and don't worry, dustin managed to whack his head on a branch causing a huge gash and him almost passing out but he's okay. 

^^there was a little 'cafe' with apple cider doughnuts that were the most delicious doughnuts I have ever tried. my mouth is watering right now just thinking about them. we might of gone back for thirds. but who's counting?

after apple picking we decided to go on a little scenic drive to view all the beautiful colors of the leaves changing. I used to be biased that Utah was the prettiest place during the fall, but New York sure puts up a big fight. the mountains looked as if they were on fire with all the gorgeous reds and oranges. while on our scenic drive we happened upon a quaint little town called "Sugar Loaf" that was having their fall festival. we decided to stop and walk around to see all the various booths of local vendors. of course we were drawn to the home made ice cream booth that had pumpkin pie ice cream with real pumpkin pie crust and all! (say what?!) so. we naturally got some.

to say the least, it was quite a magical day and we had so much fun. I can't wait until next year to go apple picking again and partake of those heavenly apple cider doughnuts.

Newport

This past weekend was Labor Day, so we took advantage of the longer weekend and escaped the concrete jungle for a couple of days and headed up to Newport, RI. One thing I love about New York is that you are a bus or train ride away from so many neat places. We knew we wanted to go somewhere over the Labor Day weekend, but indecisive me could not decide where to go. Dustin suggested Newport, so I started checking it out on the internet and knew I would love it! For those of you who don't know, Newport is a quaint seaside city that is known as the gem in the coastal crown of New England and is famous for it's stunning Mansions. The city was even better than I expected and stole my heart with it's charming colonial houses, cobble stone streets, nautical lifestyle, and fresh seafood. 

Upon arriving you are instantly welcomed by breath taking scenery and the smell of the ocean breeze. It was such a different pace compared to New York and it made me feel a little closer to home with it's 'small town' vibe. Lately I have been feeling a little home sick, so escaping New York for a couple of days was just what I needed. We rode the bus there and decided not to rent a car and to just walk everywhere. My poor feet weren't too happy with me, but my pants were. We probably walked 8-10 miles a day, and with all the food that we were eating I am grateful for not renting a car because I didn't gain a single pound! The food is unbelievably good. To be honest, I have never been a huge seafood person…and if you are the same as I was, go to Newport and you will be converted. I ate seafood for every single meal, I could not get enough of that heavenly stuff.

Our first day we walked around the quiet neighborhoods, we loved the colonial style houses that lined the streets instead of the cookie cutter neighborhoods that overrun new developments now days. We later walked down to the Marina and explored Bannisters Wharf which is located in the heart of downtown Newport. There are various kinds of boutiques, galleries, and restaurants that line the wharf. We found this little boutique that is seriously the size of a closet but they sale the classiest bow ties made out of old vintage fabric. There were also so many savory food options to choose from, one of our favorites we went to was called Diego's. I am still drooling over their fish tacos. I think a bus ride to Newport would be worth it just to get some fish tacos from Diego's. 

Our second day we walked to the beach, and hung out there for a couple of hours. It was a pretty cloudy day and a little chilly so we ended up not getting in the water but we still had fun walking up and down the beach with our toes in the sand. Later that evening we went on a sunset cruise, which we didn't get to actually see the sunset because it was very cloudy and foggy but we still had a blast! They asked for volunteers to help put the sails up against Dustin's protests I somehow convinced him to do it purely for my entertainment. He seriously puts up with so much from me. 

Before we headed back home, the lady we were staying with let us borrow her scooter to take it to the beach again. I think she felt bad for us because we got caught in a downpour the night before walking home from our sunset cruise. I wish I could of gotten a picture of us on the scooter. It really is only made for one person but somehow we managed to fit both of us on it. Im surprised I didn't die from a heart attack. Dustin is such a looker when he drives, and he was just serving around the road managing to hit every pot hole which I did not appreciate because I was sitting on a metal bar. My butt still has bruises from our scooter ride. 

Newport was better than I imagined and I am convinced we will be moving there and taking up sailing and going to every polo match we can. I can't wait until we have another opportunity to visit there again!

 

Hello there..

This past week Dustin Started a new Job, we are both really excited for this next career move for him. I for one am excited for him to not be working banker hours and to actually have a husband. It hasn't been easy with him working 90+ hour work weeks, but the storm is over and now we can start checking things off of our bucket list while we are living in this beautiful city. As a celebration (and not having to work on a weekend!) Dustin wanted to go to Coney Island and see a Cyclones game. Of course since we were heading into Brooklyn, I had to stop at Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. This place has been touched by the hand of God. The ice cream is just heavenly. Dustin and I love walking along the Brooklyn Promenade with breath taking views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Skyline while smelling all the different aromas of all the different restaurants located around the promenade.

After we enjoyed our ice cream, we set off to Coney Island. Coney Island is basically all the rides you see at a carnival, nothing extravagant. However, I missed the Art City Days carnival back at home, which I look forward to every year, so I was pretty excited for the 'carni' scene that Coney Island provided. Before the Game, we stopped at Nathan's and grabbed some hot dogs. The picture doesn't look very appetizing or do them justice but they were bomb! I don't know if it is because I haven't had a hot dog in who knows how long, or if they were actually that good. (BTW they have a huge count down until the next Hot Dog eating contest, so if you are training for it on saturday you had 310 days left.)  We then went to the Cyclones game and it happened to be princess night. Dustin kept teasing me, and asking me if I was personally invited and if I was going to go change into a princess costume like all the other 8 year old little girls. He's just hilarious.

That pretty sums up our Saturday trip to Coney Island, we had such a blast and we want to go again sometime soon!