Two Weeks Ago....Two Farms....Two Hours....

 

One of these is the jerk donkey that bit me because he wanted more noms.

Serendipity...

Quite the happy surprise to find this in my travels - it's a recent addition to Weird NJ! 

Blended Mountains...

Ever dance so hard that your sides hurt? Or maybe it’s from all the laughing… 

My guest bartending gig was quite fun. “There’s ice stuck in my straw, I get a free drink!” Two days of sitting on a breezy porch running a blender, joking around with bendy straws and predicting which car will be the next up the driveway. 

The band rocked – I don’t know where they get their energy. They played for six hours with only one break in the middle and then were ready to party after their instruments were packed away.

The Sunday afternoon meat is one of the many, many reasons that I delayed going home.  I thought about packing up the car, said “I don’t want to leave” and was there for at least six more hours. A sentiment shared by a few select others that actually made it to the main road and then came back. 

I think we broke the dog too. She met so many new people, was serenaded, had her water bowl turned into a Barbie pool and was loved up by everyone (even self-declared cat lovers). 

She is SO tired!

The weekend was yet again energizing and exhausting at the same time - I did not want it to end. I can’t describe it accurately – it gives me such a good feeling. 

I know that if it becomes the norm, then it would not be as special for me as it is now. 

I love that these kinds of days exist. 

Stop For A Second Or Two.

Yesterday would have been Olivia’s 7^th birthday.  

Her family posted a sweet photo of her from her birthday last year and added that she would have spent it doing something fun and that we all should as well. 

The reminder of the loss of those kids smacked me hard yet again.  It's just jarring that life can be cut way too short in an instant. 

I am looking forward to this weekend’s trip – laughter, music and good times with friends.

Cheese Please!

One of the things that I learned to make last summer was caraway seed cheese. 

I have made it a few times this spring and summer and it constantly amazes me that it just comes together the way that it's supposed to. 

I even dare to say that it is "easy" to make! 

Yup, there is pride - I freaking made cheese!!

Boom!

Lost In Translation....

This has been stuck in my head for a few days.

I know exactly why and am looking forward to hearing it live (again)!!

Ai jel, manu vieglu prātu,
Jauns apņēmu līgaviņ`.

Ne gadiņa nedzīvoju,

Sola kungi karā ņemt.

Es kungiem(i) atbildēju:

Vai es viens(i) karavīrs?

Vēl daža(i) māmiņa(i)

Aug deviņi bāleliņ`.

Tie varēja bruņas nest(i),

Zobentiņus cilināt.

Ai jel, mani vieglu prātu,

Jauns apņēmu līgaviņ`.

(Google translate fails with it so don't even waste your time) 

Random Snaps of the Trip…

 

Other Views...

There are other mountains in Baxter State Park - there were many, many pictures to take!

Wildlife!

No moose or bear but there were random critters… 

I love lamp!!

We found out that this is a Ruffed Grouse.  It was just hanging out in the road – not injured – they just like to do that.  We also found out that they are “good eats”.

Due to the lack of moose sightings, pictures were taken with this one at the rest stop….

Ledge Falls...

Our recovery day was spent exploring our side of the park. Everything was “20 minutes away” which translates to at least half an hour. 

Lots of time spent relaxing at Ledge Falls – crisp water, slides made of granite and a great view of another mountain! 

Actually, there was not a lot of recovery needed – the first few steps of the morning were lurches but after that it all went smoothly. My arms were a bit sore but they did not hurt like after some of the Catskills hikes!