More Vacation Photos and What's Next around Here

We are home once again.

But these are the final photos from our last day in New York.

On Saturday Warren and I took off for a day of exploring on our own.

Jonathan stayed at the resort for a day of quiet.

He liked it.

And we liked our day of traveling back roads.

First order of business was lunch so we headed back over to Callicoon 

to the Brewery which had great reviews.

I will say that the food was really, really good.

I will also say that the environment was kind of dirty.

Don't want to steer anyone wrong if they are the squeamish kind.

It is a restored fire house, that by the window decor seems to have had

at least one other owner as a restaurant before becoming the brewery.

Their fresh cut fries are the bomb!

Warren had a tasty burger with corned beef on it.

I left my usual gluten free self somewhere else and had a quesadilla.

I could only eat half. 

Jonathan got to enjoy the rest of it later.

Our server wasn't the friendliest type.  In fact her shirt summed her up

pretty well.  It said, "I don't listen".  Sure enough....she doesn't.

But finally we got her to talk to us a bit by asking her about local

lakes to visit.  She suggested Huntington Lake which wasn't too far away.

We drove over and it surely is beautiful!

We took a couple of photos but knew we wanted to keep looking

because I was picturing something a bit more secluded and accessible

than this little pull off with houses all around.

It was such a perfect day.

We were blessed.

We headed out to find Crystal Lake.

All was good and happy until shortly before we arrived at the lake

we found we had no phone service.

Only a problem because our only directions were on our phones.

However we kept driving as long as we knew we would 

remember how to back track.

I think I recall Warren saying something about bread crumbs.

Haha!

Finally we turned onto this beautiful lane through the woods.

And then we popped out to this view.....

According to a man we met there, this lake is an amazing

place to fly fish for brook trout.

He has heard that it is 100 feet deep.

And then it happened...

I got the shots I came for.

Trees reflecting in the water.

Loved the "crystal" clear water!

I didn't take a photo of it but we watched a water snake swim through here.

It was so neat.

We were sitting in warm sunshine on large rocks along the bank.

This lake has a path all the way around it but my flip flops weren't

really made for the roughness of that pathway.

As we left.....

we put the windows down and took in the smells of a forest floor.

Pine, leaves and fresh air.

On the way in I had wondered what happens

 if you meet someone on this narrow

road.  On the way out I found out.  We yield.  It worked!

I was hoping to find a third lake but Warren had plans that were just as good

and a bit different.  He found a historical stone bridge.

History....they just don't make them like this anymore.

The top of this bridge is now a grassy walkway.

Sweet!

We crunched through these fallen leaves enjoying both 

the sound and the sweet scent of them.

But wait...there was more to this day!

We decided to try yet another restaurant for dinner.

This was nearly a mistake.

Warren did express concern because their website had a 

review from the New York Times.

I thought it couldn't be that exclusive with a 

$$ rating, right?

Wrong.

Only because we were out of our class/league.

However it was such a beautiful setting and every detail was so perfect

that we ended up not minding the prices..too much...

and the fact that the only thing I could really 

order was a meat and cheese platter

for $14.

There were four main course options.

None of which I could enjoy.

But everything was sourced locally which was pretty cool.

And the chef really knew what he was doing with 

seasoning and flavor blending.

We were crass and Warren kept sliding me pieces of his 

$32 steak as he ate.

I would have complained but it was so good I didn't have the

discipline to do so.

Happy silver in a linen napkin.

Sweet!

Beside Warren sat this adorable serving station.

I had to sneak a picture.

Check out the lighting.  

Perfection!

Behind me was the kitchen...open to the rest of the rooms

and in the kitchen were two bowling lanes with antique wooden pins.

You bowl, you set the pins.

We had actually just bowled a game at the resort before heading over for

dinner or I probably would have had to do it.

Something I will not forget about my dinner that evening?

Cherry compote.

On a very tiny spoon.

That.was.tasty!

The cheeses were mostly soft ones with only Parmesan

to add a tang.

The brie was so soft it was like the softest cream.

I loved it....Warren leans more toward the harder cheeses

so he finished off the Parmesan.

Same thing with the meats.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Italian cuts without spice

while he ate the peppery one.

We make a pretty good team, I think!

We had a fabulous time on this vacation.

It is good to be home but this was one I didn't want to rush back from.

Happiness was seeing how very delighted Molly was to see us again.

She had been staying next door with Grandma Georgia while Bandit

was with my Mom.

I had no idea if Molly would care about being back or not.

But her happiness was palpable.

She turned in circles and went straight to Warren 

and Jonathan for some attention.

Bandit was being territorial with me...

we dealt with that.

Then I got some Molly snuggles and kisses too.

What's next you may ask?

Cooking for 80.

Yep!

My friend is getting married on Saturday 

and I'm doing the reception food.

One of my favorite things to do is cook for a crowd.

And so I am thankful that I am being allowed to do it.

Her menu?

Fruit Salad

(Pineapple/Grapes/Kiwi - layered)

Strawberry Spinach and Poppyseed Salad

 (I'm not making this salad)

Ham

Green Beans

Herbed Red Potatoes

Rolls/Butter

I will have help to prep the fruit and potatoes.

Also to serve as it is going to be a banquet style with each one 

receiving a finished plate.

The wedding cake is being provided by a local

baker as a gift from another friend.

The bonus blessing of this wedding?

It is her second to the same man.

Life can disturb the expected path of life....

but in time God chooses to heal ....sometimes.

In this case, definitely.

So...I may not be back before the weekend.

We will see.

May God bless you and yours.