Hey all! It's April, which means Spring Break is over and now it's the long haul until summer vacation. 40 student days and 44 teacher days... but I'm not counting. No, I'm not counting at all!
For the past couple weeks, I have been vacation planning! Normally, Paul and I do one big trip in the summer, like visiting California or Colorado. These trips are expensive due to flights and rental cars, but they are soooooo worth it.
We're trying something new this year. Instead of taking one big trip, we're taking several smaller trips. It's possible we'll spend the same amount of money, but we will get many more vacation days for our buck!
Here are the first three trips we have planned during May and the beginning of July...
Charlottesville, VA
We will be spending two nights in Charlottesville. Here are some of the things we're looking forward to doing while there!
- Driving Skyline Drive and hiking through Shenandoah National Park
- Visiting breweries and wineries
- Running the Ultra Race of Champions 25k through the Blue Ridge Mountains
- Touring Monticello
Montpelier, VT
We will be spending three nights in Montpelier. We were in Burlington for the marathon a long time ago and can't wait to go back. Here are some of the things we're looking forward to doing while there!
- Hiking
- Visiting breweries and wineries
- Running the Catamount 25k in Stowe
- Paul is excited to play disc golf
- Exploring Burlington
- Visiting with our friends, Bob and Rachel
Watkins Glen, NY (Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake region)
We will be spending two nights in Watkins Glen. Paul and I have never been to the Finger Lakes, but now that we enjoy wine tasting, it's the perfect time to go! Here are some of the things we're looking forward to doing while there!
We will be spending two nights in Watkins Glen. Paul and I have never been to the Finger Lakes, but now that we enjoy wine tasting, it's the perfect time to go! Here are some of the things we're looking forward to doing while there!
- Hiking
- Visiting breweries and wineries
- Driving to Lake Ontario
- Visiting the PA Grand Canyon on the way home
Are there any activities at these destinations that you think are must dos?
Can you give me tips for the Finger Lakes- must visit wineries, etc?
Give me tips!
I've been to Watkins Glen several times, my sister lives 20min from there! It's beautiful and you will love it! Also check Robert Treman State Park, its little further north towards Ithaca. Look for the Seneca Lake Wine Trail and Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, there's dozens (literally) all around the lake. Also the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the trail tips. I will definitely look into them. I want to balance out the wine tasting with lots of food and hiking. :)
DeleteScott and his friends often go fishing up in the finger lakes and he says it's beautiful and lots of nice little towns. His friends do the wineries so I will ask them which one is their favorite!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Let me know.
DeleteOh wow I had never heard of the PA Grand Canyon it looks beautiful! That will be awesome to see. This year when Adam and I go to Vegas I really want to take a trip to the Grand Canyon while we're there.
ReplyDeleteDo you feel tipsy after a wine tasting, or are the tastings so small you just enjoy the flavor without the effects of alcohol?
I was at the PA Grand Canyon with my family as a kid but I don't remember it. I'm excited to go back. There is a trail that goes down in and apparently passes waterfalls.
DeleteYou guys should go to the GC if you have time. And you may as well stop at the Hoover Dam too because it's on the way. You can take the Dam Tour and go to the Dam Gift Shop. :)
Wine tastings: You can get tipsy if you want to. The places around here are usually 3 tastings for free or $5 for 5. The tastes are very small, literally one sip. So imagine taking 3 sips of wine- not tipsy. But if you pay for 5 tastings and go in hungry, you may be a little tipsy. There is one place around here where it is $10 for 5 two oz tastings. Two oz is A LOT! When we do that, we ARE tipsy but plan it that we packed food with us and stick around for awhile. When we go to the Finger Lakes, since I have to drive, I am thinking we will have to arrange it so that we do a tasting but then wait a bit before doing another one. There's literally no way to do a bunch of tastings all in one day. I am thinking do two, go for a hike and have lunch, then do two more. It can't be a drink wine all day type of thing.
Do you like Ben and Jerry's ice cream? Their main factory is in Waterbury, VT, which is outside Burlington.
ReplyDeleteWe do! I will see if Paul is interested. Thanks for the tip.
DeleteThis is so cool!! Are you planning on bringing wine and beer from all the places you will be visiting?
ReplyDeleteWhen you stop by the PA Grand canyon, check out Wellsboro PA, it's right next to it and a really cute town to have lunch at.
If we like any of the wine or beer we will definitely buy some to bring home. Thanks for the tip about Wellsboro. I think we will stop!
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